My 79 Firebird crate stocker to be

[Robert Swartz]

Not much to get excited about. Finally got around to doing some work on my stocker body. Got the solid body bushings under the frame. Hopefully, next week, I can get it jacked back up. Pull the springs and rear housing out from under it. Drop the exhaust ( anyone need a good welded stainless x-pipe exhaust) and gas tank out from under it.

Got the last of the Calvert pieces from Moneymaker Racing (thanks Alex). Get the split mono leafs, the prepped 10 bolt and the Cal-tracs under it. Fix a couple bad spots in the floor. Weld in the subframe connectors and the 8 pt roll bar. Last will be doing the a-arm bushings with Del-alums, new ball joints. Still pondering, haven't decided whether I'm going to put back stock ball joints or Afco extended joints, yet. A lot of cleaning, prepping and painting. Then I can put the front end back together. Then I'll almost have a rolling chassis. Course, there's only about a million more things I need before it even looks done!

[Rick Schilling]

Robert, I might just have to drop in on you one of these days to make sure your work is progressing satisfactorily.

As I'm sure you already know, my expert opinion and advice is invaluable!!

[Robert Swartz]

Originally Posted by Rick Schilling

Robert, I might just have to drop in on you one of these days to make sure your work is progressing satisfactorily.

As I'm sure you already know, my expert opinion and advice is invaluable!!

Rick,

Drop by any Sunday. That's usually Tod's and my only chance to get some "real" work accomplished. Pretty sure he'd like to catch up as well.

Bob

[Robert Swartz]

FWIW, a little update. Took out all the old pieces out from under the car. Have forgotten how much "fun" it was removing all those old rusted parts. Pretty much nothing on this vehicle wanted to give it up. That's after spraying everything with liberal doses of PB Blaster!

With all the tools and equipment I have today. This was still a chore. Don't see HOW we did some of the things we did, 30-40 years ago. All I had back then were some hand tools and a couple big hammers. Had the advantage of youth, I reckon.

Good news is, only have to make a couple phone calls, order a few small parts. This can be a quick turn around, the old thing "could" be back on the ground by next weekend.

[Jim Wahl]

Looking good Robert! The Calvert stuff is a wise decision! Jim


.

[Tod Lane]

Originally Posted by Rick Schilling

Robert, I might just have to drop in on you one of these days to make sure your work is progressing satisfactorily.

As I'm sure you already know, my expert opinion and advice is invaluable!!

I'd be glad to see you again

[Robert Swartz]

Got a lot of the grime, junk and undercoating off the rear. Going to shoot some paint under there. Then start adding pieces back. Also throwing in a picture of my Chevy II bracket car, lot of work still to be done to it as well.

[Robert Swartz]

Spent this warm Saturday working on cars. The early part of the day was used to make up a few interior parts for our bracket car. The remainder of the day was devoted to the Firebird. At last a pile of pieces have made it off the floor and onto the car.

We got the springs under the car. Liberal doses of lithium grease and anti-sieze on all the bushings, sleeves and bolts. The rear end went under the car with very little persuasion. We did have to open up the holes for the U-bolts.

My only concern for the moment, the old car had air shocks under it. After we got the mounting plates under the springs. with the offset shocks of an F-body, the driver side shock falls right into place. The passenger side is another matter. The shock sets in front of the rear end, it hits the bolt head on the bracket that ties the spring together? If anyone has any input, world love to hear it. Will be making a couple calls Tuesday afternoon.

All in all, just happy to be gaining a little progress. Just trying to join the ranks.