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1967 Firebird 326 Rebuild

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  • [Project] 1967 Firebird 326 Rebuild

    First off, I will apologize for the lack of pictures...

    Well here is where the story begins...

    My dad purchased our 1967 Firebird about 15 years ago with one of his buddies. The car had the original 326ci motor to the car but it was in pieces and a complete mess. For those of you that might now know, a 1967 Firebird is somewhat rare as they were only produced for about six months to my knowledge. Not to mention this car has a 326 with a two barrel. Every other 1967 Firebird I have seen has had the, more desireable, 400 motor.

    Anyways, it spent a long time in a collision shop in downtown Royal Oak being restored to "driver" condition. The car currently has 47,xxx miles on it. It is believed that these are the actual miles. When it was time for the car to be picked up, my dad brought it home to show my mom for the first time ever. When she saw it, she had to have it. So... my dad had to buy out his friend. The car is now considered "my mom's", as my dad had his other toys, a 1969 GTO, and a 1984 Corvette, in addition to the 1966 Cadillac Eldorado and 1967 GTO.

    So ever since then we have been enjoying the car as a great cruiser and eye-turner as it is red on red with a black top. It has had its problems every year (which are always fun, not ). It's always something with a classic... Two years ago, the transmission (two speed automatic) was re-built with all new seals. And other little odds and ends.

    Well this year I found a slightly bigger problem. We brought it out of storage a few days before the dream cruise to shine her up and throw some gas in it. It, along with the GTO have been slightly neglected this year due to the new family member... Well as we are pushing it out, I notice it is starting to leak oil very badly. However, there was not any oil on the floor under the car... My theory was that the oil had been leaking out of the rear main seal and being caught by a plastic shroud the transmission shop had put around the bell housing. Then as we pushed the car it sloshed around and dripped out of this shroud. So I check the oil level, it is low, but not anything to worry about. So I drive it to the mechanic's shop that we always take the cars to if the problem is beyond my capabilities. Sure enough the front and rear main seals are shot. For those of you that are not familiar with older style engines, the seals are actually a rope like material, that will go bad if they sit for a while unlubricated. So yeah it all makes sense seing as how on a good year the cars may only have 150 miles put on them. So the mechanic suggests some Bar's Oil Stop Leak and an eventual rebuild. So I go and get some Bar's and pour it in and my dad and I decide we will pull the motor this winter and take it to an engine builder to be rebuilt. FYI, Bar's does not completely work until you have 150 miles on the motor with it in the oil . So yeah that's not happening.

    So I'm looking for any referals of good engine builders that would be capable of rebuilding the engine back to factory stock (with newer technology seals) and cleaning it up. So in advance, thank you!

    Then to add to the bad luck, I'm driving the GTO home after the dream cruise and I have little to none brake pedal pressure. So I had to engine brake it as much as possible and feather the brake pedal. That was exciting! 8-O My though it a brake line is ruptured somewhere, but haven't had a chance to look it over yet.

    So yeah, stay tuned! More progress will follow in the late fall or so. Just thought I'd start the thread now cause I'm super bored. Haha.
    2000 Trans Am l 1967 Firebird

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  • #2
    Aww man, too bad about the Bird! I hope it all goes well and you don't discover...other things...
    Gone but not forgotten: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

    "You shall ride eternal. Shiny and chrome."

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    • #3
      x 2...

      **** FEAR THIS ! ***

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      • #4
        Keep us updated man, should be a good time tearing into some old school american muscle! BTW the dream cruise was the first time I saw that car and it is HOT I love it!
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        1992 Chevy Camaro 25th Anniversary-SOLD
        1992 Chevy Camaro 25th Anniversary
        1997 Chevrolet Corvette

        The Original
        Originally posted by meissen
        I actually agree with Darren on everything he said...
        Originally posted by 81DaytonaPaceCar
        Yep, pretty much...not too often I agree 100% with Darren, but there it is...


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        • #5
          If your looking for an engine builder I HIGHLY recommend. TJ and sons in Madison Heights Off John R and 11 Mile. They have build both my dads 340's, and they SCREAM! But look TOTALY stock. Also They LOVE Pontiacs. The engine builder (one of the sons) has a 68(i think) GTO that pulls the wheels of the ground, not even with a trans break or anything, just pure torque. IT LOOKS like just a lil Auto repair shop, but when it comes to building old engines, they really know what there doing.

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          • #6
            If you don't want to hassle with fixing it, you know I'll take it . Partial trade for my TA? I love the 67 firebirds, especially in red. Are you sure they made fewer 326s than the 400s? seems like I see more 326's for sale and for cheaper prices than the 400s. They acctually made 5 different firebirds in 1967 according to the vintage ad I have on the wall next to me (ironically its a red on red vert with black top haha). they had a 165 HP Overhead cam six as the the economical one and the top dawg 325 hp firebird 400.
            -Derek-
            1999 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air- Lots of Boltons..

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Curt_irocz View Post
              If your looking for an engine builder I HIGHLY recommend. TJ and sons in Madison Heights Off John R and 11 Mile. They have build both my dads 340's, and they SCREAM! But look TOTALY stock. Also They LOVE Pontiacs. The engine builder (one of the sons) has a 68(i think) GTO that pulls the wheels of the ground, not even with a trans break or anything, just pure torque. IT LOOKS like just a lil Auto repair shop, but when it comes to building old engines, they really know what there doing.
              Thank you for the referral. I will definitely look into using them. The main thing was to find someone that is experienced with these motors.

              Originally posted by redfbird99 View Post
              If you don't want to hassle with fixing it, you know I'll take it . Partial trade for my TA? I love the 67 firebirds, especially in red. Are you sure they made fewer 326s than the 400s? seems like I see more 326's for sale and for cheaper prices than the 400s. They acctually made 5 different firebirds in 1967 according to the vintage ad I have on the wall next to me (ironically its a red on red vert with black top haha). they had a 165 HP Overhead cam six as the the economical one and the top dawg 325 hp firebird 400.
              Haha, If it were my car, I would consider the trade. I only said that about the 326 because I have never seen another one, but have seen several 400s. All in all tho, I rarely see 1967 firebirds, most are 1968 or later. I can also say, this car does not have 165hp. Haha. Probably more like 85. It is a SLUG! Hopefully with a fresh rebuild to stock tho, it should run much better. That 2-barrel carb is the real killer imo.

              Again, any more info on this car/motor is appreciated. I want to learn as much as possible.
              2000 Trans Am l 1967 Firebird

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Lucky SOB View Post
                I can also say, this car does not have 165hp. Haha. Probably more like 85. It is a SLUG! Hopefully with a fresh rebuild to stock tho, it should run much better. That 2-barrel carb is the real killer imo.

                Again, any more info on this car/motor is appreciated. I want to learn as much as possible.
                I was just reading the vintage ad I have next to me, there were 5 different cars, not sure what motors they all had though, the only two listed on the ad are the 400 and the 165 hp 6 cylinder lol. Then yours was the 326. So maybe by 5 they meen motors and body styles? So vert would be another? I have no idea lol.
                -Derek-
                1999 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air- Lots of Boltons..

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                • #9
                  Haha. Well it is definitely a V8, So... who knows what the hp rating is. Someone has to know this random info tho. Anyone? Todd? Craig? Jeff? Lol
                  2000 Trans Am l 1967 Firebird

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Lucky SOB View Post
                    Haha. Well it is definitely a V8, So... who knows what the hp rating is. Someone has to know this random info tho. Anyone? Todd? Craig? Jeff? Lol
                    definately something I need to research more. I'm always reading up on the lsx/v6 stuff, but I havent gotten into the older cars yet, I should, because I want one someday lol.
                    -Derek-
                    1999 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air- Lots of Boltons..

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by redfbird99 View Post
                      definately something I need to research more. I'm always reading up on the lsx/v6 stuff, but I havent gotten into the older cars yet, I should, because I want one someday lol.
                      Yeah they are definitely interesting. Kinda a glimpse into the the past. I mean, this car is the ORIGINAL Firebird! Started it all. I will be sure to document the process well. I'm sure everyone else can learn a little bit from it too.
                      2000 Trans Am l 1967 Firebird

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                      • #12
                        I love classics, i've always trusted my engine work to Reichert Racing Engines out of Clio, MI. I've never had a bad experience with them, and I know alot of people that do work through them. Good luck with the build!
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                        1994 Camaro Z28 83K M6, CAI, AFR 190cc, 11.6:1, Hooker headers, Hooker ORY, Mangnaflow exhaust, AI 230/238, 1.6 RR, B&M Short throw, Hays clutch, 4.10 gear.

                        Member: The Mid Michigan Modern Muscle Car Club

                        Originally Posted by 1BADAIR
                        manuals should be launched off the limiter and the throttle shouldn't leave the floor til 10 feet after the finish line

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