Hi Guy’s
I’m a new member of the group and I’m glad to see that there are many other folks out there who love their V6’s!
After seeing the first few episodes of Knight Rider in the spring of 83 at the tender age of 13 I immediately fell in love with the Firebird. It’s taken me 20 years to realize my dream but now I’m the proud owner of a beautiful jet black 91 T-Top V6 Firebird. As you can imagine living here in the U.K. the car gets plenty of attention from the locals (well in actual fact you can’t miss it because it’s so big!)
Anyway, I was wondering if any of you could help me with a few problems I’ve been having.
Firstly my car is fitted with base model outer door mirrors that are pretty square and average looking. I’d like to replace these with the more streamlined mirrors seen on most Firebird’s. I’ve got the Haynes manual number 867 which is I believe the U.S. version.
I’m presuming that to get to the outer door mirror you need to remove the inner door panel. It’s say’s that the inner door panel is held in place by fasteners and is secured at the window channel. Now I’ve managed to remove everything except the upper plastic piece that runs along the top of the door next to the window but it will not pull up and off as it says it will in the manual. Is there a special way to do this? I’m suspecting that I may have to lower the windows down into the door’s because the may be impairing removal. The car is currently in my garage until at least April due to the weather and I do not want to re-install the battery to do this as it screws up the alarm.
The second part concerns spark plug removal. I’m able to remove the spark plugs in cylinders 2,3,4,5, and 6 but for the life of me I can’t get down to cylinder number 1. There is a bracket through which you can get down to the plug but even using a universal joint and various extension bars I can’t reach it without fouling up along the side of the air conditioning unit. Does anyone have any trick ways of getting to that plug or can they recommend any other tools?
The cars been really good to work on so far and I only need to replace the mirrors change the transmission fluid, and plugs to make the car ready for summer so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

 

You're just going to have to suck it up on the battery/alarm part, because, as you noted, the windows do indeed have to be down for this if your weatherstripping is in decent condition (even without weatherstripping, it's a PITA with the windows up).. it's just locked in by offset parts of the sheet metal.. takes a little coaxing.
First, a minor correction. These engines are backwards. #1 plug is on the.. erm.. .. UK Driver's side of the car.. plug #2 should be behind the A/C Compressor.. unless they (GM) moved the A/C compressor at some point I'm not aware of..
I can usually get to that plug with just straight extensions. Connect extension and spark plug socket, stick on spark plug, then add the ratchet. Movement is somewhat limited and there's potential for knuckle-busting, but you should try doing the plugs on a V8 thirdgen or any 4th gen sometime.


Welcome to Thirdgen.org

 

Hi UK Speedbird.
Couldn't believe it when I read you are in Sheffield-'cos I am in Chesterfield! We will have to meet up sometime soon.
The best help I can give you here is to say "get it round here and we will do this together!" Simple jobs. I have had a Camaro since 1994, so know a reasonable amount about them. But nowhere near what the guys on here know!!

I'l PM ya later.
Andy.

 

First, #1 cylinder is front passenger side, not the driver's side.
Second, great buy.

Third: You need to remove all trimmings from the inner door panel (around door handle, lock lever, power lock switch, remote mirror control, etc), the door pull, and the pocket (if equipped with cupholder unit). Then, start at the bottom of the door and, using a screwdriver, pry out the plastic clips and work the main door panel off. Roll the window down before you do this so it is easier to pull the top trim off-- push the two window weatherstripping pieces together as you pull up on the lower portion of the inner panel and it will come free easily.

 

he said the UK driver's side. i don't know if this car is a right-hand drive car or not but if it is, #1 is on the driver's side. if its left-hand drive, like we have in the US, #1 cylinder is on the passenger's side.

 

Oh, I forgot the UK thing. They drive on the right side of the car... Now why would the AC compressor be on that side as well?

 

I've never seen mirrors like those on a Camaro or Firebird....has anyone else? I'd imagine you can find the aerodynamic ones pretty easily; I don't know how many are in the UK but there are lots here in the 'States. You could probably get them dirt cheap used from someone parting out a car or something.

Car looks sharp, by the way

 

yea, that is a nice looking car and no, i've never seen mirrors like that on a bird or camaro before either. they might not have moved the ac compressor i think he was just stating that for a foreign car, it may have been built differently...i don't actually know if the car was built over there or not.

 

Those are the european mirrors.. something about having them fold back being a requirement for european cars. The US style mirrors will probably be pretty hard to come by in the UK, but ebay is a great catch-all.

They euro mirrors also hint at the car being right-side drive..
To my knowledge, there weren't many of these made at all.

 

Hi Guy’s

Just like to say thanks for the warm welcome to Third Gen. I was very surprised at just how many of you showed an interest in my car! It seam’s as though it’s caused a bit of confusion about it being a European Bird so I’ll try and clear up as much as I know.
Ok to start off, according to the VIN plate it was built at the Van Nuys California plant in June 1990. So I guess it’s one of the first ‘Banshee’ type birds that was produced as production started on them as far as I know back in Feb of that year. It’s a left-hand drive (Why on earth would I want a Bird right hand drive!)
And comes with A/C, (As far as I can see in the same place all yours are) electric windows cruise control (not working) air bag (drivers) electric mirrors and a four (five?) speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
I suspect the car was shipped initially to Germany as the odometer is in km and not miles (109,700km or 68,100 miles) at present
Since being in the U.K. (1996) it’s had five owners all in the Nottingham area. I bought the car in November 2002. The main thing that made me buy the car was the fact that although none of it’s previous owners had ever spent money on keeping the car in perfect condition (cosmetically) they had changed oil and serviced etc. The thing I loved most was the fact that the engine was completely unmolested i.e. all the emission control systems were present and working fine. I know many of you might frown at that but I’m not really up on these engines and I just liked to see the engine untouched if you get me.
Anyway, I’ve done a few things to the car. I had the alloys striped and professionally re powder coated by a firm here in Sheffield. I’ve renovated a small area of surface rust in the inside of the wheel arch, and I’m currently awaiting a new set of wheel center caps for the front wheels (missing two)
What I’ve done I’ve got double more to complete. I need the outer door mirrors these European ones really don’t suit the car at all (I’m sure you agree) I’m thinking stainless steel exhaust. My rear silencer is leaking and although I’ve managed to stop it totally with exhaust wrap I like new bit’s going on if you get me. I’d also at some point like to go for a re-spray, there is a patch of slight bleaching on the roof that gets on my nerves too.

Other than that the car of my dreams runs and sounds better than sex!
Anyway, I hope that clears some of the confusion over the left/right hand drive thing and gives you all an idea about what my cars like. Just remember though don’t take your 3rd gens for granted, you could live over here where an American car is very rarely seen, the last one I saw on the road here was mine before I put it away for the winter in September!

Thanks again for the welcome and happy driving!