Will She Run? 1976 Pontiac Firebird 350 V8 Engine First Start After Reseal! Ep. 13
Episode 13: The Firebird Lives! (But it wasn't easy...)
In this episode, we finally hit the milestone we’ve been working toward: restarting the 1976 Firebird Esprit 350 V8. We walk through the full fluid prep—engine oil, ATF, and coolant—before turning the key for the first time in months. The engine sounds incredible, showing strong oil pressure at 60 psi, but we hit a major setback with a massive Quadrajet accelerator pump leak. What’s in this video:
• 00:00 – Intro & Fluid Prep (10W30, ATF, & Coolant)
• 12:49 – Crankcase capacity and oil check
• 28:07 – THE FIRST START (and the fuel leak disaster)
• 32:00 – Quadrajet Troubleshooting: Needle, seat, and float adjustments
• 39:51 – Second Start & First Drive in the driveway!
The Firebird is officially 90% complete, but we still have an EGR exhaust leak to track down and some transmission linkage adjustments before she’s truly road-ready.
If you’re enjoying this restoration, please SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell! Let me know in the comments: What would you tackle next—the interior or the suspension?
#FirebirdRestoration #Quadrajet #V8Restart #ClassicCars #PCHGarage #Pontiac350