Author Topic: The Dirty Bird - 85 Trans Am (Read 66538 times)

Snowman · « **Reply #40 on:** April 13, 2015, 05:05:41 pm »

Awesome....having a flashback

Firm · « **Reply #41 on:** April 28, 2015, 11:12:26 pm »

Another quick update. About 500kms in now and I am still really happy with the way this thing has been running. I've been driving it to work at least once a week (about 100km round trip), which means 2.5-3 hours in GTA traffic. Can't believe the amount of attention and compliments the car gets everywhere I take it, it's nice to see that these 80's car are really starting to build a fan base

I have run into one issue and that is that the power steering pump has been leaking from the shaft seal, it's original so I am not surprised that the seal has dried out. It doesn't seem to leak much when the car is running, but when you shut it off (and the engine is hot) it'll leave a nice puddle. I grabbed a new pump from PartSource for $80 and I'll swap it out either this weekend or next, depending on my free time.

Still need to swap the seats and reupholster the headliner at some point....both are starting to bug me now.

Firm · « **Reply #42 on:** May 18, 2015, 12:09:14 am »

Spent the better part of the last two days on this car. Replaced the leaky heater core and flushed the cooling system. Then I painted the metal finishing trim on the T-tops that was faded. Lastly I removed both front seats, scrubbed the carpet and replaced the seats with newer 4th gen Firebird seats. No more gross stained & ripped seats. Interior smells sooo much better.

If I get time tomorrow I am going to try to do something with the seat belts, at least to get them through the hanger on the seat. Then another day (since tomorrow is the holiday) I'll have to hit some scrapyards and see if I can find a couple GM receiver pieces that'll work.

Now hopefully she'll go a few weeks without breaking...

Firm · « **Reply #43 on:** June 24, 2015, 11:35:58 pm »

Another small update on this one. I've been driving it a couple hundred kms a week and have really been enjoying it. The idle was always a little rough, but it never stalled out so I didn't worry about it much. Then one night it finally stalled out at a light, and then stalled a few more times the next day. I went through it and did a quick tune up (air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, PCV) and checked all the vacuum lines for leaks. I also tweaked the mixture and idle setting on the carb just a bit. That seemed to smooth things out pretty good.

It gets really hot inside the damn thing with the glass T-tops above you, so for shits and giggles I decided to play around with the AC. Had a buddy pull a vacuum on the system and then I re-filled it with some RedTek and a Stop Leak. I did a half arsed leak check at all the accessible joint with some soapy water and everything seemed tight. System has been blowing ice cold for about a month now, so that's pretty sweet

Gotta love a 30 year old car with working AC.

I gave it a wash and a coat of Mequires Tech Wax on the weekend, and she's looking alright for a beater. This was Monday morning at work:

I also scored a new set of grey seat belts, a good dash pad and some spare center caps out of a local car someone was parting out. Still need to clean those bits up and install them.

rrocket · « **Reply #44 on:** June 24, 2015, 11:40:40 pm »

Looks sharp!

Fobroader · « **Reply #45 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:07:10 am »

Looks great buddy!!!

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

Bubba · « **Reply #46 on:** June 25, 2015, 12:11:24 am »

A beater in name only. I think anyone on this forum would be proud to drive it.

Firm · « **Reply #47 on:** June 25, 2015, 08:28:07 am »

Thanks guys

My original intention was to drive this through the winter, but after having it up on the lift I discovered it's so clean/rust free underneath that I am questioning the logic. Might end up grabbing some POS 4x4 come Fall to get me through the winter.

I agree on the Silver too, I've never been a fan of Silver on cars...just blends into the bland traffic. But baggars cannot be choosers, a good deal on a good car is just that, regardless of the color.

quadzilla · « **Reply #48 on:** June 25, 2015, 08:39:17 am »

Damn your car looks amazing!

Love you parking spot also...P1

Bubba · « **Reply #49 on:** June 25, 2015, 09:33:06 am »

Quote from: Firm on June 25, 2015, 08:28:07 am

I agree on the Silver too, I've never been a fan of Silver on cars...just blends into the bland traffic. But baggars cannot be choosers, a good deal on a good car is just that, regardless of the color.

Blends into traffic? That's good! Think stealth.

bridgecity · « **Reply #50 on:** June 25, 2015, 09:34:25 am »

Looks great Firm, like it just came off the showroom floor!

Snowman · « **Reply #51 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:33:51 am »

Agreed, the T/A looks great.

johngenx · « **Reply #52 on:** June 25, 2015, 10:32:41 pm »

No worries about that car "blending in" with traffic.

TheHire · « **Reply #53 on:** June 26, 2015, 12:14:01 am »

Quote from: Firm on June 25, 2015, 08:28:07 am

But baggars cannot be choosers

Are "Baggars" the guys who lower their car on air bags?

Firm · « **Reply #54 on:** October 21, 2015, 09:32:26 am »

Well, I haven't really gotten around to finding a 4x4 for the winter yet....Don't really have time to chase stuff down on kijiji either. So guess the T/A is gunna go through at least part of this winter. In prep I serviced a few things; tranny service, differential and fresh oil change. Also gave it a much needed wash after about 2 month of neglect and a fresh coat of NuFinish.

I have a set of compatible rims with winter tires (iffy Goodyear Ultra Grips) that I am going to throw on in the next week or two. I anticipate that's going to look terrible, so I shot a couple nice fall shots before the car goes into ugly mode.

Oh, and Krown oil spray booked for the 2nd week of November.

Bubba · « **Reply #55 on:** October 21, 2015, 09:34:49 am »

Quote from: Firm on October 21, 2015, 09:32:26 am

Well, I haven't really gotten around to finding a 4x4 for the winter yet....Don't really have time to chase stuff down on kijiji either. So guess the T/A is gunna go through at least part of this winter. In prep I serviced a few things; tranny service, differential and fresh oil change. Also gave it a much needed wash after about 2 month of neglect and a fresh coat of NuFinish.

Fack, that looks great.

Firm · « **Reply #56 on:** October 21, 2015, 09:38:37 am »

Thanks, I've really enjoyed having a "cool" but cheap and simple car to bomb around in again. The enthusiast community for these is really great too, so that always helps make the ownership experience all that much better. The biggest Firebird/Trans Am show (The Trans Am Nationals) are in the Dayton Ohio area every summer, and I am really looking forward to making it out there next year.

Fobroader · « **Reply #57 on:** October 21, 2015, 10:22:30 am »

How can you have an entire Firebird post without at least one gratuitous burnout shot?? For shame!!!!

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #58 on:** October 21, 2015, 12:47:08 pm »

I always loved the look of those F-bodies.

And pop-up headlights will always be cool to me.

Blueprint · « **Reply #59 on:** October 21, 2015, 12:47:38 pm »

Your silver 'bird looks fantastic, but I need one of these in the fantasy garage...