I seem to be having a bit of trouble with my '85 Firebird, I picked the car up for $120 bucks, and the man who had it complained of a Miss, I fixed that up and the engine works relativley well now, aside from missing ever emmisions hose and device aside from the cat-conv and the custom Flowmaster Exhaust. I need to replace the sway bar in the rear end of the car and tear out some 'Half Assed' wiring that was done by some type of Stereo-Phile. I want to restore the vehicle to its original state as I am currently doing to my Z28. Heres the trouble I'm having some problems that due to my 'Green'ness' I really can't seem to figure out.

When I shift into gear and take her out into the street she has a tendency of stalling out, as well as the fan belt squealing. When I get her going straight and give her gas she will run down the street, I haven't had much time to play with this since I don't have tags for the vehicle, but when I did it sounded like a grinding was coming from underneath the shifter handle. I haven't been able to get underneath the vehicle to check the manual transmission fluid so I'm not sure whats going on with that aspect of the transmission. Whats going on down there? Is it time to learn how to rebuild a transmission or is it something simpler? Much appriciation would come from any info you guys can give me. And if there is any place I can go on the net to buy parts to restore my Z28 and/or my Firebird I'd appreciate that as well. Thank ya, and if theres anything that I know that me help ya feel free to ask.

GoldenSwordZ28

 

One more thing, is it necessary to replace all of the emmisions hoses even if they've been choped and blocked?

 

well as far as the emissions go if its not done in your area like mine ripp em off and have no worries. If you do...well good luck. As far as the grinding noise, it could be a couple of things. 1. the trust bearing on the imput shaft. 2. the output bearing on the tail shaft. 3. loose/broken cluch springs. 4. loose/broken parts of clutch material. If the car can move from gear to gear with car still/parked I would not think it is anything internal. And remember if you do flush the tranny it takes ATF fluid. I took my car a tranny shop and they changed the fluid and put in 80-90 gear oil and it blew out 2 syncros.

 

Thanks D So how do I go about checking those things out? Should I jack it up and pop out the transmission? I'm not sure exactly what to do at the moment, I love the car, and its somthing I've wanted for quite awhile. And for $120 bucks I can't see what I've got to loose. What would you recommend I do to this thing?

1985 Firebird
3.05 Carb
Damn near perfect body, though dull paint.
Interior is beautiful, good headliner, carpet, seats and doors are ok.

Problems I noticed from day 1 - Needs new sway bar in the rear, parking break doesn't work, and the Power Steering might as well be working against me

I'd love to get it working, but, at what cost? I mean, if the transmission is dead or messed up what kinda damage am I looking at (I'm talking about money wise). And Is it worth it?

As it is I've got another 3rd Gen, my Camaro, thats coming along quite nicely, just needs some body work, after that I can post pic's. And I might as well now... of both cars. Crap, I'm ranting again. Welp, I must end this for now, thanks for your response

GoldenSwordZ28

 

well...rip it out and inspect it. you can remove the driveshaft and look at the tranny yoke.. if its scored(rubbing scraping ect ect you will see it) and the bearing/seal is gone. Noise 1. If you remove the tranny you might as well replace the clutch. noise 1,3&4. Just remember to check to make sure you get the thrust/pilot bearing out when you drop the tranny. If it's not there no worries most people do not replace them. When I did my clutch over last christmas it was not there... so thats what that little whine was?...Anyway while you have the tranny out you might as well replace all the bearings/seals. Front and rear on the tranny, Pilot on the input shaft, throw out on the clutch(should come with clutch kit).
If your like me and are lucky enough to have an air compressor it helps ALOT, but doing it 15 inches off the ground is not. I had to take it out in 2 parts...not fun.
But overall it was a BIG PAIN IN THE A$$ to do. Yiu have to remove the entire center console to get to the shift mounting bolts, remove the torque arm from the tranny, have a good 20 inch long extension to get to the tranny bolts, just remember when you pull the gear box go STRAIGHT OUT it will come out much easier. And while its out you may as well go ahead and change the fluid...starting to look fun huh?....plan a good 2 day week end on this one.

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Current 3rds...92 3.1 coupe and a 91 T top 305 Past camaro's 74Z28, 2 75 camaro's bretilina and a z28. Past rides HA HA too many to count, at least 20..LOL Kills to date a 3.1 firebird 2 stop lights in a row.
95 Grand Am
Serveral Honda's
a friends 91 Rustang LX(I know its a 4 but he keeps trin')

Planned mods:
Soon coming 3 inch exhaust, 1.6 rockers, High flow 'Verter, and Ignition system. Along with a complete turbo 4.3 swap planned later this year(hoping to get into the 10's..)
Current mods:
Set of Iroc sway bars front and rear..amazing differance, Air box bottom completely removed allowing my K&N to act like an open element filter.
Lower profile tires, 195/55/15 front 205/55/15 rear handles better.
And a 160 deg thermo for a V8(and yes it works just fine)

Sterio Sony CD head unit and 9 band EQ, Boston acutics 4x6 dash, Alpine 3 way 6x9 sail, California sounds active crossover, Kroiiler 600 watt amp powering the 'pines and Bostons, 600 watt Jensen powering 2 Rockord Fosgate RFZ1812 subs. And all this cost less then $575...

[This message has been edited by Camaro_hunter_d (edited June 21, 2001).]