Application for GM F body junkies

[Eric68]

Re: Application for GM F body junkies

Good point on the engine being in the right place. I am not totally sure it is. The current headers ( brand unknown) have been massaged quite a bit to clear the steering gear and other stuff.

Not sure how the 1st gen Firebird frame mounts compare to the Camaro frame mounts. You need the Camaro SBC frame stands and motor mounts (or at least confirm they are the same as the ones you have) for the headers to fit and for the distributor to clear the firewall. I seem to recall a debate once about Camaro/Firebird differences and frame stands was an item that was mentioned.

As you probably know there are small block and big block Chevy frame mounts for the Camaro -- the big block frame mounts offset the engine to the passenger side an inch or two. I wonder if the 'bird uses the BBC frame mounts or something in between the BBC and SBC mounts . . . ???

[olbuddybob]

Re: Application for GM F body junkies

Good point on the engine being in the right place. I am not totally sure it is. The current headers ( brand unknown) have been massaged quite a bit to clear the steering gear and other stuff.

Not sure how the 1st gen Firebird frame mounts compare to the Camaro frame mounts. You need the Camaro SBC frame stands and motor mounts (or at least confirm they are the same as the ones you have) for the headers to fit and for the distributor to clear the firewall. I seem to recall a debate once about Camaro/Firebird differences and frame stands was an item that was mentioned.

As you probably know there are small block and big block Chevy frame mounts for the Camaro -- the big block frame mounts offset the engine to the passenger side an inch or two. I wonder if the 'bird uses the BBC frame mounts or something in between the BBC and SBC mounts . . . ???

I will need to check it out but there is very little room for the HEI distributor and the firewall has been massaged a little for clearance. On another post I was having trouble with a sway bar upgrade and that also makes me think the engine is not in correctly. The crank pulley was hitting the sway bar. Engine seems to far back.

[jays67]

Re: Application for GM F body junkies

my 68 camaro has that issue with the hei same thing as our 68 bird with pontiac 350 and hei very tight
as for sway bars it runs through the opening in the front of the frame way infront of the crank i have 1 1/4 front bar in mine with no problems lol are cars not great lol

[Mr4Speed]

Re: Application for GM F body junkies

Does your car have long water pump & pulley setup on it? That could be pushing up too close to the sway bar since those cars had short pump setups on them originally.

Is it possible that the frame stands are in the wrong holes?

I seem to remember something about Firebirds having a different idler arm than Camaros too-or maybe it was just the 400 cars-been too long. :-[

[Eric68]

Re: Application for GM F body junkies

Hate to say it, but if you are having challenges with the HEI being close to the firewall and the sway bar is tight then you probably have the correct frame stands ;) There are also different motor mounts that make a small amount of difference on the distributor clearance. Also, the frame to body mounts can mess with you too -- especially if they are rotted out and the body sits down low on (or not parallel with) the frame.