1976 Pontiac Firebird - Reassembling 350 engine accessories & floor pan prep - Ep. 10
1976 Pontiac Firebird: 350 Engine Reassembly & The "Amazon Gods" Struggle | Ep. 10
We are back in the garage getting the '76 Firebird closer to its first start! In Episode 10, the focus is on reassembling the engine accessories, but as any project car owner knows, it’s never as simple as "bolt it back on." Between mangled threads and questionable parts from the "Amazon Gods," we’re fighting for every inch of progress.
Highlights of this Episode:
Accessory Drive: Installing the alternator, power steering, and smog pump brackets.
The Alternator Nightmare: Dealing with a failed Heli-Coil repair and ultimately deciding when to fix vs. when to replace.
Fuel Line Dilemma: Deciding what to do about a rubbed-through fuel line and exploring custom bending vs. factory replacements.
Cooling System: Prepping and painting the radiator before installation and getting the fan clutch assembly ready.
Under-Car Discoveries: Swapping the transmission mount (which was literally in two pieces) and finding some pleasant surprises in the rear drum brakes.
Floor Pan Strategy: Taking a hard look at the rust and deciding to tackle the floor pan "surgery" while everything is already apart.
Chapters:
00:00 – Progress update & "Amazon Gods" parts delivery
01:52 – The alternator thread struggle: To tap or not to tap?
03:55 – Front end assembly & license plate bracket fix
05:12 – Fuel line fitment issues: Why factory-correct matters
06:54 – Out with the old: Replacing the rusty battery tray
09:45 – Going down the "Heli-Coil Rabbit Hole"
12:22 – Determining the accessory drive belt order
13:55 – Fan & clutch assembly refresh
16:20 – New Alternator vs. Rebuild costs
18:20 – The 2-Piece Transmission Mount: Why you check your rubber!
20:50 – California Smog & Catalytic Converter politics
22:00 – "Tinker Toy" Exhaust surgery
24:55 – New AC Delco alternator install
27:45 – Wiring harness repairs & AC compressor mounting
29:35 – Radiator & transmission cooler lines installed
32:25 – Swapping out trashy lug nuts for "Chinesesium" one-piece nuts
34:00 – A pleasant surprise: Inspecting the rear drum brakes
36:00 – Floor Pan Strategy: Inspecting the seat braces & rot
38:55 – Closing out: Grease removal & pinion seal prep
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