Estate sale.
This is a base model firebird with some enhancements (including a 350 Chevy engine).
POSTIVES
* It runs!
* Body is in very good shape for the age
* Floors are solid
* Has already been plated in Saskatchewan
* Qualifies for antique plates
* The rubber and mags are worth 1/3 the ask and can be resold, if you don't like
* 1981 is now in the collector's zone
* Depending on the quality of the restoration job, these fetch 20-50k USD (steadily increasing).
MINIMUM WORK TO BE DONE
* Rocker panels require replacement
* Undiagnosed transmission issue
* Gear shifting linkage (bolt, grommet, washer)
* Brakes
* Fluids and filters
* One exhaust seal
* Passenger rear quarter panel
Additional pics here (more than site limit) -https://drive.google.com/dr...
Hope that someone brings this bad boy back to it's former glory.
LOG OF MY INSPECTION / PROGRESS (and I am *not* a mechanic)
UPDATE: 2020-09-27
1. Engine is not seized. Can be cranked by hand.
As I mentioned, my brother swore he could start this. I believe him. He was not prone to exaggerated claims. I'm also sure that he didn't mean just turning the key. Fuel, carb adjust, ether, whatever else it might take, but not too very much.
2. Found tires. See photo 11 in link above. Original tires are 225/70R15. These tires are 215/70R15.
UPDATE: 2020-10-03
1. Replaced the ignition lock cylinder, so there are now factory GM keys to start (and the steering wheel lock is no longer an impediment to moving the vehicle).
2. Removed and cleaned all spark plugs. Lubricated the cylinders.
3. Engine turns over fine! No start yet. Suspect air leak in the inline fuel filter (aftermarket install, just before the carb).
UPDATE: 2020-10-04
1. Fixed fuel line. Car starts and idles fine.
2. The engine in this car not stock. It was replaced by a Chevy engine (#3970010). This same cast number was used for 3 different engines, the 302, 327, and 350. 0.1% chance it is a 327, as their application was not consumer oriented. 0.9% this is a 302, which is a very expensive, collector engine. 99% this is a 350, which is a very nice engine and an definite upgrade from stock. I am not able to conclusively determine which engine this is, as I have not yet located the serial number on the block.
3. I am still looking for the wheel cover plates. I'm sure that they'll turn up eventually. They will follow the buyer, just as soon as they are located.
UPDATE: 2020-10-14
1. So, transmission appears to have an issue way outside of my wheelhouse. When shifting, axle spins sometimes, other times not.
2. The shifting linkage needs attention at the joint between the horizontal bar and the vertical bar to the neutral safety switch. At a minimum, a new bolt and a grommet, possibly also some kind of washer.
3. That's as far as I'm going on this car. It may or may not drive onto a trailer.
Estate sale.
This is a base model firebird with some enhancements (including a 350 Chevy engine).
POSTIVES
* It runs!
* Body is in very good shape for the age
* Floors are solid
* Has already been plated in Saskatchewan
* Qualifies for antique plates
* The rubber and mags are worth 1/3 the ask and can be resold, if you don't like
* 1981 is now in the collector's zone
* Depending on the quality of the restoration job, these fetch 20-50k USD (steadily increasing).
MINIMUM WORK TO BE DONE
* Rocker panels require replacement
* Undiagnosed transmission issue
* Gear shifting linkage (bolt, grommet, washer)
* Brakes
* Fluids and filters
* One exhaust seal
* Passenger rear quarter panel
Additional pics here (more than site limit) -https://drive.google.com/dr...
Hope that someone brings this bad boy back to it's former glory.
LOG OF MY INSPECTION / PROGRESS (and I am *not* a mechanic)
UPDATE: 2020-09-27
1. Engine is not seized. Can be cranked by hand.
As I mentioned, my brother swore he could start this. I believe him. He was not prone to exaggerated claims. I'm also sure that he didn't mean just turning the key. Fuel, carb adjust, ether, whatever else it might take, but not too very much.
2. Found tires. See photo 11 in link above. Original tires are 225/70R15. These tires are 215/70R15.
UPDATE: 2020-10-03
1. Replaced the ignition lock cylinder, so there are now factory GM keys to start (and the steering wheel lock is no longer an impediment to moving the vehicle).
2. Removed and cleaned all spark plugs. Lubricated the cylinders.
3. Engine turns over fine! No start yet. Suspect air leak in the inline fuel filter (aftermarket install, just before the carb).
UPDATE: 2020-10-04
1. Fixed fuel line. Car starts and idles fine.
2. The engine in this car not stock. It was replaced by a Chevy engine (#3970010). This same cast number was used for 3 different engines, the 302, 327, and 350. 0.1% chance it is a 327, as their application was not consumer oriented. 0.9% this is a 302, which is a very expensive, collector engine. 99% this is a 350, which is a very nice engine and an definite upgrade from stock. I am not able to conclusively determine which engine this is, as I have not yet located the serial number on the block.
3. I am still looking for the wheel cover plates. I'm sure that they'll turn up eventually. They will follow the buyer, just as soon as they are located.
UPDATE: 2020-10-14
1. So, transmission appears to have an issue way outside of my wheelhouse. When shifting, axle spins sometimes, other times not.
2. The shifting linkage needs attention at the joint between the horizontal bar and the vertical bar to the neutral safety switch. At a minimum, a new bolt and a grommet, possibly also some kind of washer.
3. That's as far as I'm going on this car. It may or may not drive onto a trailer.
Buy stuff you love at a fraction of the retail price.
Make money decluttering your home and selling unused items.
Enjoy buying and selling with people you can trust.
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