Okay, we're finally have the new engine in our 3rd Gen Firebird. I'm trying to get the Hawk's Third-Gen long tubes installed, but am running into problems. The car has a TH350 automatic. It looks like the primary tubes want to occupy the same space the corner of the transmission where the dust cover bolts to. Additionally, it looks like the collector may interfere with the shifter linkage.

What do you do with all this? Cut the corners off the transmission so the headers fit? How about the linkage? I _think_ I can cut the portion of the linkage that controls the reverse-lock-out bracket off the linkage and it will work. Is this right?

Additionally, the upper radiator hose fitting is on the driver's side of the car. We're using a Wegner's front drive kit, so the thermostat housing is located on the top-center of that kit. We're also using a swivel type housing (to hopefully make mounting the hose easier). I believe they're 1-1/2" at both ends. What radiator hose do others use in such a configuration?

Thanks for any info.

 

I've ran my Hawks headers with both a th-350 and th-400. I had to trim the ears on the trans to get it to clear the headers with both transmissions. The pics I've attached are with the th-400. I don't remember having any trouble with the shifter linkage but I was using an aftermarket cable and bracket.

 

I had to trim the ears off my 4L80E as well. Seems standard even with SBC LT headers

Never seen that type of WP before. In/out look similar to the stock SBC though. Id try those hoses first

How do you like the front distributor kit? I assume its the GM kit using a ford dist

 

It's the Wegner front drive kit. Nice kit, but we need to go with the remote power steering reservoir, since the return line port on the attached reservoir hits the steering gear.

Yes, Ford dist.

 

A couple of minutes with the sawsall and all's well. :-) The headers are bolted in place. I did cut the reverse lockout bracket off the shifter linkage and I have about 1/2" of clearance for the shifter. Thanks, all for the replies.

@Pocket, I haven't even started it yet, so I don't know how the dist will do. I have to order a cable extension to reach the distributor from the MSD, which is in the passenger compartment. The cable should be here in a couple of days. The distributor itself is very nice.

 

Oh, and the front drive kit is nice. It's the Wegner's WAK011. I did have to return the power steering pump for one that uses a remote reservoir, as the return fitting with the integral reservoir hit the steering box. The remote reservoir pump does NOT come with a remote reservoir or hose kit. I'm putting the parts together to hook up the pump today.

On recommendation of others, I picked up a larger diameter pulley to slow it down a bit, so that was an extra expense. The water pump puts the inlet and outlet in the same location as with our old engine, so hoses are reused. I'm using an aftermarket aluminum radiator and single electric fan, and I had to install the fan separately from the radiator (they came out of the car together) due to clearance issues. I have about 3/4" clearance between the fan housing and water pump pulley.

But the parts are top-rate, and well finished.

 

This is the first Wegner set up I've seen used on this forum. Very nice that it allows you to use the Ford distributor & mechanical fuel pump. We used the same set-up on a carbureted LS2 in a '69 Camaro where I work. When It came to radiator hoses we wound up having to walk up & down the hose isle at the part store until we found a pair that worked.

 

Dr. There are actually a couple of more projects here that have used the Wegner kit. I don't have any links, but I've seen them.

Yeah, I was going back and forth to the parts house to 'try yet another hose', and was getting VERY frustrated. I ended up putting together a 'kit' from Speedway Motors, I believe. It consisted of a straight 1.5" silicone hose, a 135-degree 1.5" aluminum pipe and a 90-degree 1.5" silicone hose. All's well now.

 

Haven't posted here in a while. We finally fired it up a couple of weekends ago. I'm now burping air out of the cooling system, fitting a new hood that will clear the air cleaner, and fitting the little bits and pieces to the car. She sounds sweet, and we can't wait to hit the track with it, which will hopefully be the first Sunday in April. I'll drop the wheels off tonight to get new Hoosiers put on them, then we'll be off to the exhaust shop for something that's a bit better than what I cobbled together and will pass sound.

 

We ran our first event with the new engine yesterday. While we had a few teething pains (nothing major, though), we had a good event. My wife and co-driver, who was 'going to take it easy' ended up with fastest time of day for the event!! That, and we were able to drive the car back on the trailer under it's own power. That's a win-win in my book!!