Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
09-04-2014, 02:10 PM
#1
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Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
Trying to put a factory wonderbar on my 83 Firebird base but the holes are about a half inch off... I'd have to oval the mounting holes on one side.
What gives? Were the early models slightly different or is my body twisted?
What gives? Were the early models slightly different or is my body twisted?
09-04-2014, 02:44 PM
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Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Re: Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
I didn't think it was any different... I must be missing something here.
It hit my fan shroud one way (but I knew that'd happen) and 180^ around it hits my steering linkage so I know I have it right!
It hit my fan shroud one way (but I knew that'd happen) and 180^ around it hits my steering linkage so I know I have it right!
09-04-2014, 08:56 PM
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Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
Sounds like your car is already bent up there.
Put a hydraulic bottle jack in between the "frame" horns to spread them back apart where they belong. Loosen the "bumper" bolts first.
Insect the car CAREFULLY for crash damage; instinct tells me, you'll find some.
Put a hydraulic bottle jack in between the "frame" horns to spread them back apart where they belong. Loosen the "bumper" bolts first.
Insect the car CAREFULLY for crash damage; instinct tells me, you'll find some.
09-04-2014, 09:22 PM
#5
Re: Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
I would think if the front frame is pushed in that far the idler arm and Pittman arm would be off and would have horrible steering. I wish I had a picture of mine to make sure you have it correct
09-05-2014, 06:59 AM
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Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Re: Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
I must be doing something wrong... once I get my electric fans in I'll try the wonderbar again and post pics! Can't run it with the clutch fan... hits the shroud bad. Far as I can tell the car was never hit.
09-05-2014, 07:26 AM
#7
Re: Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
The one in the link below fits all 82-92 cars.
http://www.top-downsolutions.com/cha...or-firebird-(a
My bad, I see your car is an 83.
JamesC
http://www.top-downsolutions.com/cha...or-firebird-(a
My bad, I see your car is an 83.
JamesC
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09-05-2014, 07:53 AM
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Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: TH350 for now
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
82 is different. I though 83 on were the same. Given yours is an 83 is it at all possible it was early and had 82 front sway bar mounts??? Post up a pick and let us take a look.
09-05-2014, 08:46 AM
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Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Re: Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
Dunno if these help, I'm at work so I can't crawl under it haha
09-08-2014, 07:30 AM
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Car: 83 bird
Engine: 305/383
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Re: Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
Wow weird, maybe the V6 fan shroud is way bigger? Mine hit so much the fan would've scraped!
09-08-2014, 07:41 AM
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Car: 85 SC, 86 Berlinetta
Engine: V6, V8
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4
Re: Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
V6 shroud? Yeah, I have one on my V6 and it was a tight fit with the rad hose. You might want to check the wonder bar to make sure the edge of the metal in that area doesn't wear through your rad hose.
I'm guessing that if the distance between the frame rails has changed, you would be able to see the wear pattern on either side of the bushings. (That is if the sway bar wasn't bent along with it, or if it happened long ago.)
I'm guessing that if the distance between the frame rails has changed, you would be able to see the wear pattern on either side of the bushings. (That is if the sway bar wasn't bent along with it, or if it happened long ago.)
09-08-2014, 08:23 PM
#14
Re: Early model difference or body twist? Can't get Wonderbar lined up
Um, if something bent the frame it could have happened 30 years ago... you're probably not going to find it by looking for wear and I hope it would have been re-aligned since then.
I would also go with the frame being tweaked. If I had an easy way to do it I'd crawl under my car and measure from bolt to bolt just so you can determine if it's the bar or the car (it's raining right now and i'm too big to get under my car at all without putting it on ramps). If someone else can get to it before I do that might help you figure out what is going on.
I would also go with the frame being tweaked. If I had an easy way to do it I'd crawl under my car and measure from bolt to bolt just so you can determine if it's the bar or the car (it's raining right now and i'm too big to get under my car at all without putting it on ramps). If someone else can get to it before I do that might help you figure out what is going on.
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