Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions for First Generation Firebirds that have been asked and answered on FGF. Special thanks needs to be given to all the FGF members who took the time to respond to other member's questions.
Body – All
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Despite the name, the “bird” isn’t etched into the glass — it’s a silkscreen-type paint that sits slightly above the surface and can be scraped off. If it were truly etched it would be engraved below the surface, not raised. Check yours: if you can feel it standing proud, it’s the painted type. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: 1968 Firebirds came with two parking-lamp types — a single-bulb version and a two-bulb version. The two-bulb setup was very early 1968 only (a couple of months of production); in it, one bulb is the parking lamp and the second, side-facing bulb is a cornering light. The two versions use distinctly different wiring harnesses. The two-bulb (cornering light) setup appears to have been a factory option. The more…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Yes — 1969 Firebirds had special-order colors in addition to the regular palette. The full 1969 list (with Rinshed-Mason formula numbers) is below. 1969 Regular Colors Color Rinshed-Mason # Mayfair Maize A-1715 Cameo White A-2080 Liberty Blue Irid. A-2098 Matador Red A-2099R Warwick Blue Irid. A-2100 Crystal Turquoise Irid. A-2101 Midnight Green Irid. A-2102 Limelight Green Irid. A-2103 Expresso Brown Irid. A-2104 Champagne Irid. A-2105 Antique Gold Irid….
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body – Antenna (9)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Per the 1967 Firebird Service Manual supplement, the antenna should lean inboard about 4° when viewed from the front or rear, and stand vertical when viewed from the side. This spec is given for both the front and rear fender mounts, and the 1968 is believed to be the same. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
All of these antenna parts are interchangeable across 1967–68 Firebirds. The mast itself (3934224) is the same for both the front-fender and rear-quarter mounts — what differs is the trim bezel, the ground ring, and the lead-in cable. The body, mounting nut, and mast are common to both positions. 1967–68 Firebird Antenna Part Numbers Part Front Rear Mast 3934224 3934224 (same) Bezel 3897333 (front fender) 3903424 (rear quarter) Body 3880695…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The antenna body and large mounting nut are the same between the 1968 Firebird and Camaro front-fender antenna. Members differ on the mast and bezel — see below. Member opinions differ: One: the body, bezel, and nut are identical, and the mast is likely the same too (differences minor if any). Another: the mast is different and the bezel is likely different; the body and large nut are…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - Chassis (18)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The factory front-end alignment specs (from the 1969 Factory Service Manual, page 3-18) are below. For modern radial tires, adding caster beyond the factory ½° helps noticeably. 1967–69 Firebird Alignment Specs (1969 FSM) Setting Spec Caster +½° Camber +¼° Toe-in ⅛” to ¼” SAI (steering axis inclination) 8¾° at ½° camber Toe-out on turns 2° (left-to-right, at 20° turn of the inside wheel) Notes: Aftermarket sources list caster…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: You can replace the radiator-support bushings (and the other four body bushings) without disassembling the car — support the body at the front ends of the rocker panels and lower the subframe on a floor jack, doing it carefully step by step. Procedure: Disconnect the steering coupler (makes the bushing nearest the steering box much easier). Pulling the battery tray makes the passenger-side radiator-support bushing easier too. Remove…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: There is a ~⅝” alignment hole in the front bushing mounting platform that lines up with a matching hole in the body. Slide a pipe or tire iron through both holes to vertically align the subframe when reinstalling it. If you are only replacing the bushings without removing the subframe, this is not necessary — doing one side at a time with the front fenders bolted in place…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - Doors and Hardware (16)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A 1968 GTO remote mirror will physically bolt on to a 1968 Firebird, but it is not correct — the difference is in the mounting base/pedestal. At about $100, an NOS remote mirror is a very good price. Mounting-base casting numbers (visible on the bottom of the base): 1968 Firebird: 9792566 1968 GTO / Tempest: 9787847 1968 Full-Size: 9787846 Remote O/S mirror assembly part numbers (accessory numbers —…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The original GM door edge guards for the 1967–69 Firebird were a screw-on type. Most “correct” or “original” guards sold today are actually the press-on style (a replacement also used on Camaro). NOS screw-on guards fit perfectly. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Door hinges do not interchange across 1967, 1968, and 1969 — the only cross-fit is 1969 Camaro and Firebird. If your hinge holes are worn oval, buy new or good used rather than rebuilding. National Parts Depot sells rebuild kits for the upper and lower hinges plus a replacement detent roller — 1-800-874-7595. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - Emblems and Stripes (20)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A dimension template for the 1967–68 “400” bumper emblem is available from the Generation-1 Registry website — shown below. 1967–68 “400” bumper emblem template. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Yes — the “400” option on 1967–69 Firebirds included the full exterior treatment: decklid and hood “400” emblems, the scooped (closed) hood, a Pontiac Crest emblem on the front bumper (all three years), and of course the 400 engine. Also included: Chrome grille moldings — center moldings on 1967–68; on 1969 the molding rimmed the grille opening (except 1969 Trans Ams with blacked-out grilles). Chrome air-cleaner lids and…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The correct original front-bumper “400” emblem for the 1967–68 Firebird is a molded hard-rubber part (with an internal steel reinforcement that the studs attach to — no metal is visible). The metal “Crest” emblem some catalogs supply was only used on certain full-size Pontiacs and Grand Prix, not the Firebird. The correct emblem is only available as a reproduction. Current quality is reportedly okay (early repros fit poorly)….
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - General Info (8)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Those cracks at the top of the windshield pillar are in the body solder, not the structural weld — the weld and its reinforcement (about an inch below the roofline) are very strong. The fix is to re-solder the thin spot, which is far better than filling it with Bondo or All-Metal. How to re-solder body lead: Use 30/70 solder and a small, low-watt iron. Clean the area…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: 1968 convertible wiper arms are different lengths left vs. right and are stamped “RH CONV” / “LH CONV” on the back (just past the casing). Measured on an original 1968 convertible: RH 12″, LH 11.75″ (about 1/4″–1/2″ shorter on the left). Reproduction arms are both the same length, unlike originals. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Starting in 1968, every Firebird had an emission/tune-up label on the front bumper’s upper structure (a clear decal with white lettering, applied over the black-painted bumper area). The 1969 label differs from the 1968 but has the same content. At the time of this discussion, no accurate reproduction of the 1968 tune-up decal existed (the common repros aren’t quite right), and the spare-tire inflator-canister label was likewise only…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - Front Bumper, Grills, and Lights (16)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: 1968 Firebirds came with two parking-lamp types — a single-bulb version and a two-bulb version. The two-bulb setup was very early 1968 only (a couple of months of production); in it, one bulb is the parking lamp and the second, side-facing bulb is a cornering light. The two versions use distinctly different wiring harnesses. The two-bulb (cornering light) setup appears to have been a factory option. The more…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Early 1968 Firebirds (across all models, not just certain ones) had the two-bulb front turn-signal/marker housing. It was phased out within the first couple of months of production — around September 1967 — in favor of a single-bulb design. This traces to the new 1968 federal side-marker requirement. Unlike the Camaro, the Firebird had no separate side marker, so a partition and an extra bulb were added to…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: On 1967–68 Firebirds, only the “400” cars had the separate chrome grille moldings (the “hockey stick” pieces covering the center bar and extending toward the nose). Non-400 cars just have the molded-in plastic center bar — no chrome there. The grilles themselves are identical castings; you can drill standard grilles for the moldings (which are unique left and right). 400-exclusive front trim: Chrome grille moldings / chrome ring…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - Hoods (11)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Chromed scoop inserts aren’t factory — someone had the original inserts chrome-plated. They were originally painted body color (some have been painted black, possibly a dealer touch). Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: 1967 and 1968–69 hoods differ in the inner structure and the hood latch — not the hinges. All hoods can be made to fit across the years and look the same externally, but you must not mix the wrong latch with the wrong hood catch (that’s how hoods pop open at speed). Year differences: 1967 400 hoods have a unique inner structure (that model/year only), a “flatter” hood-catch…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: 1967 and 1968 each had two hoods (standard flat and scooped “400”); 1969 had four. There was no unique factory “Ram Air” hood for 1967–68 — that conversion was done at the dealer. Hood Part Numbers Hood Part # 1967 Standard (flat) 9788846 1967 “400” (scooped) 9789418 1968–1969 Standard (flat) 9793429 1968–1969 “400” (scooped) 9793430 1969 “400” w/ Ram Air 9797763 1969 Trans Am 5460140 Factory 1967–68 “Ram…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - Paint (26)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Yes — 1969 Firebirds had special-order colors in addition to the regular palette. The full 1969 list (with Rinshed-Mason formula numbers) is below. 1969 Regular Colors Color Rinshed-Mason # Mayfair Maize A-1715 Cameo White A-2080 Liberty Blue Irid. A-2098 Matador Red A-2099R Warwick Blue Irid. A-2100 Crystal Turquoise Irid. A-2101 Midnight Green Irid. A-2102 Limelight Green Irid. A-2103 Expresso Brown Irid. A-2104 Champagne Irid. A-2105 Antique Gold Irid….
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Acid dipping works but carries a real risk: if the cleanup isn’t thorough, trapped acid in hidden nooks and boxed sections can bleed back out later and cause blistering or rust — and those hidden areas end up with no paint or protection. It’s a particular worry on thin sheet metal like hoods and body shells. Two approaches members use: Skip dipping: scrape off grease, dirt, and flaking…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Yes — Autumn Bronze Iridescent (A-1996) was available on the Firebird, even though most books don’t list it. GM had offered it on some models since 1966. It’s a medium-to-darker red base with gold flake that shifts noticeably from bright sunlight to twilight. Note: “Irid.” is short for iridescent — paint with metallic flake in it. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - Rear Bumper and Tail Lights (4)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A brake light that stays on after a master-cylinder job is almost always the brake-light switch on the pedal assembly under the dash — it usually just needs a small adjustment so the returning pedal opens the switch. Since tapping the pedal turns the lights off, only a minor adjustment should be needed. Things to check: Pedal return: make sure the pedal return spring is in place. If…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: On a column-shift automatic, the backup-light switch and the neutral-safety switch are combined in one housing. The purple wires are the neutral-safety circuit; the thinner wires are the backup-light circuit. To troubleshoot: check for power going into and out of the switch, wiggle the shifter while you test, and jump the connector to confirm the backup bulbs work on their own. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - Sheet Metal (12)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Clean the new bare metal with lacquer thinner to remove the machine-oil coating, then use a self-etching primer. Do all cutting and trimming before priming, and mask the areas you’ll weld. After welding, clean the area with light sandpaper, then thinner, then self-etching primer (aerosol is handy) and paint. If you’re painting the whole car, it’s easier to just prime the panels now and leave the color for…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: For a 1968 convertible right-rear quarter you have a few options: a used factory coupe quarter, repro patch panels, repro full quarters (if available), or an NOS 1967 Camaro coupe quarter. A used original convertible quarter is hard to find. Used coupe quarters (relatively rust-free) are easier to find — check Southwest wrecking yards (e.g., Stan’s Boneyard). For a near-seamless factory look, some cut the sail panel off…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Two tricks make fender alignment work, both done with no load on the subframe and body: With the fenders off, the front end sags because the fenders are a major part of the front structure. Support the subframe and body so there’s no sag before bolting the fenders back on, and align the frame to the body with a 5/8″ rod through the front frame-to-body alignment hole. The…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - Trunk (5)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: For 1968, the bumper jack and jack stand are blue (a medium blue, not light blue) — the closest off-the-shelf match is Ford Engine Blue in a Dupli-Color rattle can. The jack handle is gray. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The luggage rack was dealer-installed, not a factory option, and on Firebirds it was trunk-mounted only (not the roof). It was the same rack as the Corvette’s except for a minor change to the feet. Note: owners report the mounts can start leaking and are hard to clean around — one member removed his and fitted an undrilled deck lid. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: No — there was no factory deck-lid spoiler on 1967 or 1968 Firebirds; the only way was to add a Camaro spoiler (some dealers did it new, but it’s never “factory installed”). On 1969, the only factory route was the Trans Am option — there was no standalone spoiler option, though you could add one through the parts department after April 1969 (or use the wider 1969 Camaro…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - Vinyl Roof and Trim Moldings (6)
View All Category Posts →Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The vinyl top was a genuine scheduled factory option — not a way to hide bad welds. But if a top was added after the body shop, it was installed at the dealer; there was no facility to apply vinyl at the factory. The factory did weld special trim-mounting studs to the roof of vinyl-top cars (the same kind of studs that hold the window moldings). From former…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Yes, you can pull the vinyl top and repaint as a hardtop — but expect to find problems underneath. The factory didn’t finish the bodywork or paint well under vinyl tops, so you’ll often find rough lead joints at the tops of the quarters and sometimes hidden rust (one owner found his roof rusted through under the top). Doing it right: If the top is coming off for…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Body - Windows (23)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Despite the name, the “bird” isn’t etched into the glass — it’s a silkscreen-type paint that sits slightly above the surface and can be scraped off. If it were truly etched it would be engraved below the surface, not raised. Check yours: if you can feel it standing proud, it’s the painted type. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: 1968 convertible wiper arms are different lengths left vs. right and are stamped “RH CONV” / “LH CONV” on the back (just past the casing). Measured on an original 1968 convertible: RH 12″, LH 11.75″ (about 1/4″–1/2″ shorter on the left). Reproduction arms are both the same length, unlike originals. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The 1968 Custom Trim option (554) included: Custom seat covers (Morrokide + stitched knit vinyl), custom molded door and quarter trim panels, the assist bar above the glovebox, dual horns, deluxe wheel covers, deluxe steering wheel, custom pedal trim, front & rear wheel-opening moldings, drip-rail moldings (coupes), and windshield-pillar garnish moldings. The RH sideview mirror was not part of the option. Everything in the package could be ordered…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Codes - All (49)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A car is considered “numbers matching” if all the part numbers and casting codes are correct and pre-date the car by the usual 1–3 months. Use the year-specific drivetrain ID pages on FGF as your guide: 1967 drivetrain ID numbers 1968 drivetrain ID numbers 1969 drivetrain ID numbers Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: A 1967 trim-tag model number like 67-2-2637 decodes as: 67 = year, 2 = division (Pontiac), 2637 = style — where 26 = Custom Trim and 37 = Firebird coupe. The “23” listed in the ID books is the VIN identifier, which didn’t distinguish standard vs. custom trim. The RPO options (Fisher Body accessory codes) are listed along the bottom of the 1967 trim tag — for example…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: On 1967 body tags, accessory options are encoded in a “Five Group” system (along the bottom of the trim tag), discontinued after 1967. The letter codes for each group are below — some remain unknown, and the Registry is still decoding them. Example firewall tag: 278 07B ST 67-22667 LOR 9854 Body TR 256-Z K-2 Paint EX 2EWGH 3M 4F 5Y The “278” in the upper-left is most…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Codes - General Info (16)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A car is considered “numbers matching” if all the part numbers and casting codes are correct and pre-date the car by the usual 1–3 months. Use the year-specific drivetrain ID pages on FGF as your guide: 1967 drivetrain ID numbers 1968 drivetrain ID numbers 1969 drivetrain ID numbers Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The billing-history line “F70x14 RL FG / TMT / $57.93 / $41.80 / $2.93” decodes as: the tires originally installed were F70x14 Redlines, Fiberglass-Belted; “TMT” is that tire’s sales code; the dollar amounts are tire cost plus final destination/handling charges. Fiberglass-belted tires were a 1968-model-year addition (not a 1969 mid-year change). Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The numbers on the Billing History are sales codes, organized into groups (numbered 34 through 80). Within each group, the last digit identifies which option(s) you have — and if you have more than one option in a group, the option numbers are added together. Examples: Group 34 is engine options — 347 = Ram Air, 341 = Sprint. Group 52 includes disc brakes and the custom shifter…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Codes - Data Plates (21)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A car is considered “numbers matching” if all the part numbers and casting codes are correct and pre-date the car by the usual 1–3 months. Use the year-specific drivetrain ID pages on FGF as your guide: 1967 drivetrain ID numbers 1968 drivetrain ID numbers 1969 drivetrain ID numbers Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: A 1967 trim-tag model number like 67-2-2637 decodes as: 67 = year, 2 = division (Pontiac), 2637 = style — where 26 = Custom Trim and 37 = Firebird coupe. The “23” listed in the ID books is the VIN identifier, which didn’t distinguish standard vs. custom trim. The RPO options (Fisher Body accessory codes) are listed along the bottom of the 1967 trim tag — for example…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: On 1967 body tags, accessory options are encoded in a “Five Group” system (along the bottom of the trim tag), discontinued after 1967. The letter codes for each group are below — some remain unknown, and the Registry is still decoding them. Example firewall tag: 278 07B ST 67-22667 LOR 9854 Body TR 256-Z K-2 Paint EX 2EWGH 3M 4F 5Y The “278” in the upper-left is most…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Codes - Drive Train Codes (8)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A car is considered “numbers matching” if all the part numbers and casting codes are correct and pre-date the car by the usual 1–3 months. Use the year-specific drivetrain ID pages on FGF as your guide: 1967 drivetrain ID numbers 1968 drivetrain ID numbers 1969 drivetrain ID numbers Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Pontiac rear-axle housings can be identified by year using their date codes, stamped codes, and a few physical features. The 1969 axle ID codes differ from 1967–68 — the full table is below. Identifying features by year: 1967: the center section has the loops for A-body control-arm bushings plus leaf-spring perches and factory traction-bar brackets; a date code is cast into the center section. 1968: dropped the control-arm…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: On the Billing History card, the axle-ratio sales code appears in box 74 (1967) or box 37 (1968). The codes are the same both years: Axle Ratio Sales Codes (Billing History) Code Ratio C 2.56:1 D 2.78:1 E 2.93:1 F 3.08:1 G 3.23:1 H 3.36:1 K 3.55:1 P 3.90:1 S 4.33:1 Don’t confuse these sales codes with the two-letter code stamped on the axle tube (decoded separately). Content…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Codes - Engine Compartment Codes (13)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A car is considered “numbers matching” if all the part numbers and casting codes are correct and pre-date the car by the usual 1–3 months. Use the year-specific drivetrain ID pages on FGF as your guide: 1967 drivetrain ID numbers 1968 drivetrain ID numbers 1969 drivetrain ID numbers Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The engine, transmission, and component codes for a 1968 Firebird 350 H.O. are below. 350 H.O. Engine Engine Code Output 350 H.O. Manual WK 320 hp, 10.5:1 350 H.O. Automatic YM 320 hp, 10.5:1 Transmissions Transmission Maker Code 3-speed standard (column shift) Saginaw RJ 3-speed standard (floor shift) Dearborn DB 4-speed optional Muncie FX 2-speed automatic ST-300 MB 2-speed automatic (w/ A/C) ST-300 MC Other components: Cylinder heads…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: That number near the distributor is the block casting number — the full number is 9786133, which denotes a 1967 400 cid block (it’s like a part number, not the sequential build/serial number, which is on the front passenger side). Source: Pontiac Muscle Car Performance 1955–1979 by Pete McCarthy. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Codes - Interior (5)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The 1968 Custom Trim Option is code 554, and the trim-tag style number tells you what your car has. Note that the Custom Trim Option (554) and the Custom/Deluxe interior are separate — you can have the option with standard interior. 1968 Trim-Tag Style Numbers Coupe Conv. Meaning 22337 22367 Standard interior, no Custom Trim option 22437 22467 Standard interior, with Custom Trim option 22637 22667 Deluxe (Custom)…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The 1968 Custom Trim option (554) included: Custom seat covers (Morrokide + stitched knit vinyl), custom molded door and quarter trim panels, the assist bar above the glovebox, dual horns, deluxe wheel covers, deluxe steering wheel, custom pedal trim, front & rear wheel-opening moldings, drip-rail moldings (coupes), and windshield-pillar garnish moldings. The RH sideview mirror was not part of the option. Everything in the package could be ordered…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Bulletin 68-I-12 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 2, dated October 10, 1967. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1968 Refinish Paint Specifications. Short answer: Copies of the 1968 Pontiac refinish paint charts from Ditzler, DuPont, and Rinshed-Mason were attached to this bulletin; a complete listing of 1968 exterior and interior paint color names, codes, and stock numbers was scheduled to appear in the November Pontiac Chassis Parts Catalog….
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Convertible (20)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: It’s a tricky, patient job. Remove every screw plus the A-pillar weatherstrip and trim (watch for a couple of hidden screws), then roll the header chrome forward toward the front of the car — start with the piece that overlaps the other at the center, above the rear-view mirror. A lot of grey putty-like caulk underneath holds it firmly. Spray penetrant (RP7/WD-40) under it to break the seal,…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Blowing fuses while raising/lowering the top means the pump motor is drawing too much current — most often from low fluid / a leak or a failing pump motor. Check the fluid first: if a cylinder is leaking and the level is low, topping it off often cures it. If the fluid is fine, pull the back seat to reach the pump and feel whether it’s overheating when…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The “F P R” / “F P L” stamp on the outboard side of the front side rail most likely reads Firebird (or F-body), Power, Right/Left — i.e., a power-top front side rail (confirmed from a 1968 Firebird with a power top). Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Dealer Technical Bulletins (112)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-T-18 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Technical Bulletin, Section 3, dated August 16, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Never Pre-Load Front Wheel Bearings. Short answer: Front wheel taper roller bearings must never be pre-loaded. This bulletin establishes new adjustment and lubrication procedures that supersede all previous procedures. Bearing “burn-up” caused by over-tightening is not covered by warranty if prior service is documented. Important: Front wheel taper roller bearings must…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Bulletin 68-C-1 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Product Campaign Bulletin, Section 7F, dated October 30, 1967. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1968 Six-Cylinder Firebird Transmission Cooler Pipe Replacement. Short answer: Some early 1968 six-cylinder Firebirds with automatic transmission (built through serial number 80601801) were fitted with transmission-to-radiator cooler pipes that may fatigue and leak; dealers must replace both pipes using new Part Nos. 9793994–5 before delivery and contact all affected owners….
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
NOTE: The Firebird has a black plastic “filler” to fill the gap. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 00 - General Information, Lubrication (16)
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 01 - Heating and Air Conditioning (7)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-I-13 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 1A, dated October 31, 1967. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Revised Procedure for Evaporator Core Removal — 1967–1968 Pontiac, 1968 Tempest, 1967–1968 Firebird 6-Cyl. Short answer: An improved removal method for the evaporator core or left case half is described below; the flat-rate times in this bulletin supersede those in the 1967 Flat Rate Manual and the new Warranty &…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Bulletin 68-I-36 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 1A, dated January 31, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Operating Instructions for 1968 Pontiac Custom Air Conditioning System. Short answer: Owners and service personnel should understand the two rotary switches and six mode buttons of the 1968 Pontiac Custom A/C system; the Freon compressor operates automatically above freezing in any mode except VENT, and each button directs airflow differently….
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Bulletin 68-I-63 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 1A, dated May 9, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Parts Released for Servicing of 1968 Pontiac Standard A/C Control Panel. Short answer: Two additional parts are now released for service on the 1968 Pontiac standard A/C control panel: the shaft, drive gear, and rack assembly, and the roller-control strings. Replacement procedures and flat-rate times are provided. Previously released service…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 01B - (2)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-I-31 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 1B, dated December 14, 1967. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1968 ATC Wiring Harness Revision. Short answer: Several wire color codes in the 1968 Pontiac Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) harness have been changed. Refer to the updated wiring schematic on the reverse side of the bulletin (reproduced in the scan below) when servicing cars with the new harness. Also correct…
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Bulletin 68-I-73 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 1B, dated May 24, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Diagnosing Air Conditioner Freon Loss on 1968 Models. Short answer: In the event of freon loss on any 1968 model, replace both “O” ring seals between the muffler fitting and compressor, install a new low-pressure hose, inspect the rest of the system, then evacuate and charge. Return the old hose…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 02 - Frame and Body (11)
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Bulletin 68-I-35 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 2, dated January 31, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Soiled or Stained Seat Belts. Short answer: Clean soiled or stained seat belts only with a mild soap and lukewarm water solution — volatile cleaners and redyeing both weaken the belt fiber and must not be used. Soiled or stained seat belts should only be cleaned with a mild soap…
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Bulletin 68-I-42 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 2, dated February 5, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Replacement of Rear Door Locks — 1968 Pontiac. Short answer: On 1968 Pontiacs with production date code 10A or earlier, the rear door lock and remote control lock rod must always be replaced together as a matched set using Service Kit Part No. 8700036 (RH) or 8700037 (LH); individual parts…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 03 - Front Suspension (2)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-T-18 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Technical Bulletin, Section 3, dated August 16, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Never Pre-Load Front Wheel Bearings. Short answer: Front wheel taper roller bearings must never be pre-loaded. This bulletin establishes new adjustment and lubrication procedures that supersede all previous procedures. Bearing “burn-up” caused by over-tightening is not covered by warranty if prior service is documented. Important: Front wheel taper roller bearings must…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Bulletin 68-T-3 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Technical Bulletin, Section 3, dated October 24, 1967. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Front Suspension Popping Noise — 1968 Tempest. Short answer: A popping or snapping noise during harsh jounce on some 1968 Tempests (built at Baltimore and Framingham plants) is caused by the front lower control arm flange contacting the frame near the front pivot bushing. A shiny spot on the control arm…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 04 - Rear Suspension, Differential, Prop Shaft (1)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-I-15 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 4, dated October 16, 1967. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Safe-T-Track Rear Axle Lubricant. Short answer: Differential chatter on low-speed turns in Safe-T-Track equipped units is cured by a lubricant change; only Part No. 1050081 [Z] (Gp. No. 8.800) is approved — no substitute is recommended. A number of cases of differential chatter on low speed turns have been reported…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 05 - Brakes (5)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-I-37 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 5, dated January 31, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1968 Tempest Rear Brake Drums. Short answer: Some early-production 1968 Tempests were built with Kelsey-Hayes rear brake drums stamped “F” instead of the specified “KH” identification. Future drums will use the combined code “KH-F.” All three codes (“KH,” “F,” or “KH-F”) represent acceptable Kelsey-Hayes drums — a variation between right…
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Bulletin 68-I-47 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 5, dated February 28, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Complaints of Low Brake Pedal. Short answer: Many low brake pedal complaints on power-brake-equipped vehicles are psychological in nature — the depressed floor area directly below the pedal is a design feature. Pedal height should be measured as described below; pedal height must not be adjusted, and if it does…
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Bulletin 68-I-50 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 5, dated March 19, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Brake Drum Turning — Front Hub and Drum Assemblies. Short answer: When turning a front brake drum on a lathe, the drum must be torqued securely to the hub using five flat washers and five stud nuts torqued to 35 lb. ft., eliminating any movement between drum and hub during…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 06 - Engine Mechanical (6)
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 06A - Engine Cooling, Lubrication (3)
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 06B - Engine Fuel (6)
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 06D - Emission Control (5)
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 06E - Engine Electrical (4)
View All Category Posts →NOTE: Updates Dealer Service Information Bulletin 68-I-9 Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 07A - (1)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-I-46 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 7A, dated February 28, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Termination of 1965 and 1966 Hydra-Matic Transmission Shift Modification Program. Short answer: The Hydra-Matic transmission shift modification program described in News Flashes 66-44 and 66-44A ended on December 31, 1967. Manual shaft replacements on these models after that date will only be accepted when the WRO is accompanied by a…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 07E - (14)
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Bulletin 68-I-27 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 7E, dated November 14, 1967. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1965–1968 Turbo Hydra-Matic — Correct Usage and Installation of Center Support to Case Snap Ring and Intermediate Clutch Backing Plate to Case Snap Ring. Short answer: Field failures after Turbo Hydra-Matic overhaul have been traced to incorrect snap ring usage and installation. The center support snap ring must be the…
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Bulletin 68-I-28 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 7E, dated November 17, 1967. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1967 & 1968 Pinion Gear and Washers, Pinion Pin and Needle Bearing Rollers Change. Short answer: For 1967 and 1968 Turbo Hydra-Matic transmissions, measure the outer diameter of the pressed-out pinion pin near its end to determine which replacement pinion kit to use: standard (.3928–.3930″) or larger (.4340–.4342″). The inside…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 07F - (2)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-I-72 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 7F, dated May 27, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1968 Automatic Transmission Component Identification Charts. Short answer: Two identification charts — one for the Turbo Hydra-Matic and one for the automatic transmission — were attached to this bulletin to help service personnel identify various components; file each chart in the section of your Diagnosis Manual indicated on the chart….
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Bulletin 68-T-8 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Technical Bulletin, Section 7F, dated January 31, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Console Shift Cable Protector on 1968 Tempest Two-Speed Automatic Transmission Equipped Cars. Short answer: On early production two-speed automatic 1968 Tempests without a revised crossmember or factory hose protector, a 3-inch piece of 5⁄8-inch I.D. heater hose should be bonded to the transmission rear crossmember flange to prevent abrasion of the…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 09 - Steering (4)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-I-67 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 9, dated March 1, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1968 Pontiac, Tempest and Firebird — Torque Specification Change on Idler Arm Bolts. Short answer: The torque specification for the Nut, Idler Arm Support to Frame (page 9-49 of the 1968 Pontiac Service Manual) has been reduced from 40 lb. ft. to 35 lb. ft. Update service manuals accordingly. Effective…
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Bulletin 68-I-76 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 9, dated June 7, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Service of Variable Ratio Power Steering — 1968 Firebird. Short answer: Variable Ratio Power Steering has been released on all 1968 Firebird models and reduces steering wheel travel by about 30%. When servicing the variable ratio gear, use the Firebird power steering adjustment specs on page 9-27 of the 1968…
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Bulletin 68-I-77 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 9, dated June 7, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1967–68 Turn Signal Switch Requires Positive Action. Short answer: High effort to actuate the turn signal switch is a design feature required to provide positive engagement for both the lane-change and full-turn positions; no warranty claims should be submitted for switch replacement due to this condition. If a complaint of…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 10 - Wheels and Tires (3)
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Bulletin 68-I-51 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 10, dated March 25, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Premature Tread Wear — Wide Oval Tires. Short answer: Over-inflation causes Wide Oval tires to wear prematurely in the center rib. Maintain 24 PSI cold (front and rear) unless carrying a full-rated load. Early tread wear in the center rib section on Wide Oval tires can be caused by incorrect…
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Bulletin 68-I-75 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 10, dated May 31, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Wheel Balancing — Disc Brake Equipped Vehicles. Short answer: Some dealers have had difficulty balancing front wheels on disc-brake-equipped vehicles using on-the-car balancers because the brake pads rub the disc and prevent the wheel from spinning fast enough. Two solutions are available: a two-motor balancer or the Kent-Moore tool J 22801…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 11 - Chassis Sheet Metal (2)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-T-11 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Technical Bulletin, Section 2, dated January 4, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Loose Front Seat Belt Inner Anchor Plate Cover — 1968 Pontiac and Tempest. Short answer: If the front seat belt inner anchor plate cover is loose, first try engaging it under the existing bolt head; if there is not enough clearance, replace the anchor bolt with Part No. 7765672 and torque…
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Bulletin 68-T-15 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Technical Bulletin, Section 11, dated March 11, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Appearance of Hood to Bumper Opening — 1968 Non-Air Conditioned Tempest. Short answer: On a customer complaint basis only, improve the hood-to-bumper opening appearance on non-air-conditioned Tempests built before the breakpoints below by installing the filler panel now used on all Tempests except the GTO with Endura bumper. There is no…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 12 - Chassis Electrical, Instruments (5)
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Bulletin 68-I-24 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 7F (Two-Speed Automatic Transmission). Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Two-Speed Automatic Transmission — Component Identification. Short answer: This bulletin provides a comprehensive component identification table for the Two-Speed Automatic Transmission used in 1966–1968 Pontiac and Tempest models, listing the vacuum modulator, governor, valve body, spacer plate, converter assembly, and downshift timing valve part numbers along with their transmission model usage…
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 14 - Radiator Support, Bumpers (3)
View All Category Posts →NOTE: The Firebird has a black plastic “filler” to fill the gap. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 15 - Accessories (7)
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Superseded by 1968 Pontiac Service Information Manual 68-I-71A Dated 6-4-1968 Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Dealer Technical Bulletins - Section 7F - (1)
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Electrical (20)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A “GEN” light that stays on (especially glowing dull) when the alternator and regulator test fine is often a faulty dash ground causing a ground loop through the GEN bulb. Try a temporary ground — a clip lead or wire from the back of the cluster to bare metal — and see if the light goes out. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Short answer: The backup-lamp switch on a manual-transmission 1968 is adjusted per the 1968 Pontiac Service Manual (pg 12-22). (Automatics use the neutralizer-switch adjustment instead.) Manual, column shift: Insert a 0.090″ gauge pin through the hole in the switch body and into the hole in the drive tang. Set the gearshift lever in reverse. Insert the switch drive tang into the shifter-tube slot with the tang touching the right-hand edge…
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Short answer: Factory Firebirds used a resistance wire to the coil, not a separate ballast resistor — you should never run both. If your coil has internal resistance, use neither an external resistor nor a resistance wire. Measure resistance across the coil: about 1.0–1.5 ohm = no internal ballast; about 4 ohm = internal resistance built in. Voltage at the coil should be roughly 9 V with the factory resistance…
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Engine - All (156)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A car is considered “numbers matching” if all the part numbers and casting codes are correct and pre-date the car by the usual 1–3 months. Use the year-specific drivetrain ID pages on FGF as your guide: 1967 drivetrain ID numbers 1968 drivetrain ID numbers 1969 drivetrain ID numbers Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Short answer: The “best” build depends on your goals (match all the components to them), but for a normal streetable 350 the short version is: Intake: a 1967–72 4-bbl intake Carb: Quadrajet Cam: around .450″ lift; consensus is no more than 214/224 duration at .050″ Heads: if virgin, you can mill up to .060″ (removes about 12 cc from the chambers) A good order of operations: set general goals, then…
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Short answer: Here’s what set a 1968 350 H.O. apart from a standard 350 (compiled with input from Paul Spotts, formerly of Performance Years): Transmission: TH400 (standard 350 autos used the TH350). Carburetor: 7029268. Heads: different from the standard 350 (#48 heads) — though some 400s reportedly got the 350 #48 heads for more compression, given low 350 H.O. demand. Exhaust manifolds: standard manifolds (the long-branch were apparently planned but…
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Engine - 326 and 350 Specific (5)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A car is considered “numbers matching” if all the part numbers and casting codes are correct and pre-date the car by the usual 1–3 months. Use the year-specific drivetrain ID pages on FGF as your guide: 1967 drivetrain ID numbers 1968 drivetrain ID numbers 1969 drivetrain ID numbers Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The “best” build depends on your goals (match all the components to them), but for a normal streetable 350 the short version is: Intake: a 1967–72 4-bbl intake Carb: Quadrajet Cam: around .450″ lift; consensus is no more than 214/224 duration at .050″ Heads: if virgin, you can mill up to .060″ (removes about 12 cc from the chambers) A good order of operations: set general goals, then…
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Engine - 400 Specific (7)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: That number near the distributor is the block casting number — the full number is 9786133, which denotes a 1967 400 cid block (it’s like a part number, not the sequential build/serial number, which is on the front passenger side). Source: Pontiac Muscle Car Performance 1955–1979 by Pete McCarthy. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Built properly, a Pontiac 400 will make 450+ hp with commonly available parts. The big-picture rules: use a competent machine shop (don’t scrimp on the block), match the cam to the heads, and clean everything obsessively. Component-by-component specifics are below. (This is a built street/strip engine; for a stock rebuild, see the milder rebuild FAQs.) Block: Bore .060 over (413 cubes), hone to a #625 Sunnen finish with…
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Engine - Carburetor (33)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The “best” build depends on your goals (match all the components to them), but for a normal streetable 350 the short version is: Intake: a 1967–72 4-bbl intake Carb: Quadrajet Cam: around .450″ lift; consensus is no more than 214/224 duration at .050″ Heads: if virgin, you can mill up to .060″ (removes about 12 cc from the chambers) A good order of operations: set general goals, then…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The idle mixture screws are the only control for idle fuel mixture — the main jets meter everything above idle, and changing jets won’t affect the idle. Adjust the screws for the smoothest idle, then lean slightly. A common trap: an unburned-fuel smell that seems “too rich” is often actually too lean — the resulting misfire dumps raw fuel out the exhaust. Check for vacuum leaks, correct timing,…
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Short answer: Converting a 1968 2-bbl to an Edelbrock Performer 4-bbl is straightforward; the fiddly parts are the throttle linkage/cable, the fuel line, and the vacuum connections. Throttle linkage: the stock cable won’t reach — use an aftermarket bracket (Edelbrock lists linkage accessories) to bring the cable closer, and fabricate a kickdown-switch mount from your 2-bbl parts if needed. Fuel line: Edelbrock fuel-line kit #8135 (hose, fittings, filter, clamps), plus…
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Engine - Codes (9)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The engine, transmission, and component codes for a 1968 Firebird 350 H.O. are below. 350 H.O. Engine Engine Code Output 350 H.O. Manual WK 320 hp, 10.5:1 350 H.O. Automatic YM 320 hp, 10.5:1 Transmissions Transmission Maker Code 3-speed standard (column shift) Saginaw RJ 3-speed standard (floor shift) Dearborn DB 4-speed optional Muncie FX 2-speed automatic ST-300 MB 2-speed automatic (w/ A/C) ST-300 MC Other components: Cylinder heads…
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Short answer: That number near the distributor is the block casting number — the full number is 9786133, which denotes a 1967 400 cid block (it’s like a part number, not the sequential build/serial number, which is on the front passenger side). Source: Pontiac Muscle Car Performance 1955–1979 by Pete McCarthy. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Here’s how that set of engine/carb/manifold markings decodes: YR — engine usage/type code 33202 — Engine Unit Number 23N108627 — partial VIN, unique to the car the engine came from E220 (on the intake) — a date code (e.g., May 22, 1970?) 9796155 (on the exhaust manifold) — a part/casting number 17054905 — Rochester carburetor usage code 2738 — carburetor build-date code (e.g., 273rd day of 1968?) Content…
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Engine - Cooling System (20)
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Engine - Decals (1)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The black emissions decal goes on the passenger-side filler panel, positioned 4½” from the outside edge and 1½” up from the bottom edge. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Engine - Fuel System (23)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: AV gas is not a good street choice. It won’t burn pistons by itself, but modern AV gas is mostly unleaded/low-lead and formulated for altitude, so it gives little of the old octane benefit — and you’d have to re-jet to suit it. Higher octane only makes more power if you raise compression/advance to take advantage of it; a properly tuned engine makes the most power on the…
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Engine - General Info (69)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Despite what the Anchor catalog says, the 1969 350 does not use two different motor mounts — both sides use the same mount, and it’s the same one used on 400s (Anchor PN 2254). Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Short answer: That number near the distributor is the block casting number — the full number is 9786133, which denotes a 1967 400 cid block (it’s like a part number, not the sequential build/serial number, which is on the front passenger side). Source: Pontiac Muscle Car Performance 1955–1979 by Pete McCarthy. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Built properly, a Pontiac 400 will make 450+ hp with commonly available parts. The big-picture rules: use a competent machine shop (don’t scrimp on the block), match the cam to the heads, and clean everything obsessively. Component-by-component specifics are below. (This is a built street/strip engine; for a stock rebuild, see the milder rebuild FAQs.) Block: Bore .060 over (413 cubes), hone to a #625 Sunnen finish with…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Engine - H.O. Specific (5)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Here’s what set a 1968 350 H.O. apart from a standard 350 (compiled with input from Paul Spotts, formerly of Performance Years): Transmission: TH400 (standard 350 autos used the TH350). Carburetor: 7029268. Heads: different from the standard 350 (#48 heads) — though some 400s reportedly got the 350 #48 heads for more compression, given low 350 H.O. demand. Exhaust manifolds: standard manifolds (the long-branch were apparently planned but…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The engine, transmission, and component codes for a 1968 Firebird 350 H.O. are below. 350 H.O. Engine Engine Code Output 350 H.O. Manual WK 320 hp, 10.5:1 350 H.O. Automatic YM 320 hp, 10.5:1 Transmissions Transmission Maker Code 3-speed standard (column shift) Saginaw RJ 3-speed standard (floor shift) Dearborn DB 4-speed optional Muncie FX 2-speed automatic ST-300 MB 2-speed automatic (w/ A/C) ST-300 MC Other components: Cylinder heads…
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Engine - Ignition System (10)
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NOTE: Updated by Dealer Service Information Bulletin 68-I-48 Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Short answer: Gap the plugs to match your ignition, not the head castings: a points distributor takes about .040″, while HEI takes about .055″. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Engine - OHC Specific (8)
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Reference: 1967 Dealer Technical Bulletin 67-T-13 1968 Pontiac Service Manual figure 6-18 1968 Dealer Service Information Bulletin 68-I-68A Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Reference: 1968 Dealer Service Information Bulletin 68-I-68 1967 Dealer Technical Bulletin 67-T-13 Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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Engine - Paint (8)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: For correct, durable engine paint, Bill Hirsch Automotive (hirschauto.com) specializes in restoration finishes — the correct engine paint in pints or aerosol, plus 1,800° exhaust paint for headers. (It’s one source; others exist.) Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Original engine-compartment finishes: Transmission dipstick handle: engine color. Exhaust heat shield: natural silver-zinc finish (some restored cars and early road-test photos show it black — it’s debated). Fuel line: natural — the pump and line were installed after the engine was painted. Fan: aluminum color. Cast-aluminum brackets: natural (can be polished for a sharp look). Oil filler cap: painted if the valve covers are. Content last modified: June…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Most of the engine is Pontiac Blue — block, heads, balancer, water pump, timing cover, intake manifold, oil-filter bracket, and tin (except chrome). Black goes on the pulleys, power-steering pump, accessory brackets, motor mounts, heater-hose bracket, and coil-mount bracket. Use a high-temperature engine primer first — without it the engine paint peels off in sheets once the engine has run a while. Any store selling the correct PMD…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Engine - Ram Air Specific (13)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: No true Ram Air car ever got factory A/C — that means 1967–68 Ram Air I, 1968 Ram Air II, and 1969 Ram Air IV cars. But a 1969 400 H.O. (“Ram Air III”) could get A/C with any transmission. The reason: the 1969 RA III (the 400 H.O. with cold-air induction) was essentially a standard 400 mechanically — no mandatory 3.90, no special heads, 2-bolt mains (the…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Functional (cold-air) Ram Air induction came on the 1969 RA III; 1968–69 400 H.O. cars did not have it. Apart from that, the RA III and 400 H.O. are 100% identical — same carb settings, cam, heads, and exhaust manifolds. For the full “Ram Air Performance Package” (better-flowing heads, stiffer valve springs, radical cam, stronger valvetrain, 3.90/4.33 rear) you had to order the RA IV in 1969 —…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Engine - Sprint Specific (6)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Beyond the 4-bbl and hotter cam, the Sprint package added: a higher-compression cylinder head, a larger harmonic balancer, low-restriction dual exhaust with a split (dual-outlet) manifold, dual valve springs, a different distributor, different engine bearings, and a few other items. You can add any of these individually to suit your budget. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The Sprint package was essentially the engine, so many builders create the car the way they want. The mechanical Sprint pieces: a higher-compression head, the 4-bbl Quadrajet, dual valve springs, the hotter cam, and the dual-outlet exhaust manifold feeding a Y-pipe. Outside, only the rocker-panel emblems differ (all OHC-6 birds wore the “4.1 Litre Overhead Cam” emblems). Cams: there were two Sprint cams — the “E” cam (all…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The short air-cooled coil is correct for the 1968–69 OHC-6. (1966–67 Sprints used a conventional oil-filled coil — with the TI transistor ignition in 1966 and CD capacitive-discharge ignition in 1967.) There’s no off-the-shelf replacement that matches the original air-cooled coil. Unless it’s a points-judged car, the practical fix is a pointless conversion with a conventional coil (mounted on the firewall or fender) — 99% of people won’t…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Exhaust (12)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: For a 350 convertible, the repro Long Branch manifolds (from Ram Air Restorations, ~$369, fit 1967–69, require the oil-filter adapter) flow as well as headers on a 350 without the header headaches. Factory “log” manifolds are cheaper and easier to find but lose some performance (though the 1969 Grand Prix 400 used log manifolds and was rated 350 hp). Note the Flowmaster/header exhaust kits at Jegs and Summit…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Dual exhaust was standard on the 1967 H.O., 400, and Ram Air Firebirds, and optional on the others (including the 326 2-barrel). Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Fuel System - General Info (18)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: AV gas is not a good street choice. It won’t burn pistons by itself, but modern AV gas is mostly unleaded/low-lead and formulated for altitude, so it gives little of the old octane benefit — and you’d have to re-jet to suit it. Higher octane only makes more power if you raise compression/advance to take advantage of it; a properly tuned engine makes the most power on the…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The fuel-gauge “sock” (filter) is a simple slip fit — it slides over the end of the pickup tube and has a built-in ring at the open end. The old one’s retaining ring comes off easily, and installation is just slipping the new sock on. A missing or torn sock means little filtration is happening — check for sock remnants in the tank while you’re in there. Content…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Either buy reproduction 1967–69 fuel lines, or make your own. To make them: a mandrel tubing bender (~$60, Sears Automotive) plus steel fuel/brake line from a parts store (sold in 25′ rolls) lets you build a line that looks like the factory piece. Straightening: roll the line out on the garage floor, have a helper hold the end, and push down as you roll to avoid humps. Cut…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - All (160)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The 1969 hood-mounted tach was UPC U85 (column code 471), listed “N.A. with 322” — the Trans Am package. So it could be ordered on essentially any 1969 Firebird except the T/A, because the T/A already included it (you didn’t order it separately). Thomas DeMauro’s “Firebird Decoding Guide 1967–1981” lists the code as UB5 with no T/A restriction — likely a misprint in one of the sources. The…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: No alternate refrigerant is a true “drop-in” for R-12, regardless of sales claims — each has drawbacks, and many react badly with R-12 mineral oil. At minimum, flush the system, fit a compatible dryer, use a compatible oil, and use the correct charging fittings. For a Firebird system the practical choice is 134a — 134a refrigerant, 134a dryer, a multi-compatible oil, and a 134a expansion valve. 134a runs…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: That small coffee-can-shaped canister mounted to the firewall under the driver’s-side fender is the A/C reserve vacuum tank. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - Clocks (8)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Yes — you can service these points-type clocks yourself and get the original tick back. Remove the adjustment knob (unscrew counter-clockwise), the two side screws holding the “cup,” and the nut on the +12V tab to free the mechanism. Take the back off the clockworks (three screws on stanchions). Careful: the winder mechanism (a white spring holding half the points) is spring-loaded and can unwind. Dress the points…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: You can often fix one yourself — redress the contact points and put a little light oil on the gears. If not, several shops repair them or convert them to quartz. DIY: clean the mechanism with an electronics cleaner like “Blast Off,” add a tiny bit of very light oil, then run it on the battery for several days before reinstalling. Quartz conversion: ~$100; keeps perfect time and…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The three wires: orange = constant +12V; black (with the clip) = ground; gray = the light. At the clock, the gray wire goes to a quick-disconnect; the other half joins a blue wire to the bulb socket. The gray light wire connects to the console shifter light. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - Consoles and Components (20)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The 1967 console top had a satin-black “camera-case grain” finish. For 1968–69, Pontiac added a burled-walnut metal applique (with matching door and rear covers) and eliminated the rear ashtray and light. The main console structure and chrome rails were the same all three Firebird years (and the 1967 Camaro). Unbolt a 1968–69 walnut applique and you’re looking at a 1967 console with holes drilled for the applique studs….
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The factory manual just says “remove the console,” so here’s the real procedure members use: Pop off the black plastic button on top (it just snaps in). Loosen the set screw inside the T-handle (right side) and pull the handle off the shaft. Remove the PRNDL shift plate — it’s held by either 4 chrome screws through the top or hidden snap-in clips (gently pry up to release…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Only the 1967 Camaro console is the same as the “standard” console used in 1967–69 Firebirds. The shift-plate insert can be changed to suit either an automatic or a manual transmission. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - Dash and Instruments (47)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The 1969 hood-mounted tach was UPC U85 (column code 471), listed “N.A. with 322” — the Trans Am package. So it could be ordered on essentially any 1969 Firebird except the T/A, because the T/A already included it (you didn’t order it separately). Thomas DeMauro’s “Firebird Decoding Guide 1967–1981” lists the code as UB5 with no T/A restriction — likely a misprint in one of the sources. The…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The Year One / Ames repro ashtrays fit correctly but aren’t exact — 1967–68 rear ashtrays had ribbed covers, and the reproduction covers don’t have the ridges. Also note the ashtrays changed size in 1968: the 1967 units are noticeably larger and won’t fit a 1968 or 1969 (a junkyard 1967 set won’t drop into a later car). Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The bird emblem on the glovebox door came with the Custom Trim option (there’s no separate sales code for just the emblem), and all 1967s had it. Some standard-trim early 1968s also have it — there’s no firm rule on why. The “bird” glass is still a mystery — no factory documentation explains the criteria, and it’s been shown not to be tied to Custom Trim, convertibles, 400s,…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - Doors (9)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Yes — all 1968–72 GM A-body cars (Chevelle, GTO/LeMans, Cutlass, Monte Carlo, Skylark, etc.) use the same armrest pad and base as the 1968–69 Firebird/Camaro standard interior, and the inside door handles are the same. They turn up at wreckers in all colors. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The 1968 Custom Trim option (554) included: Custom seat covers (Morrokide + stitched knit vinyl), custom molded door and quarter trim panels, the assist bar above the glovebox, dual horns, deluxe wheel covers, deluxe steering wheel, custom pedal trim, front & rear wheel-opening moldings, drip-rail moldings (coupes), and windshield-pillar garnish moldings. The RH sideview mirror was not part of the option. Everything in the package could be ordered…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Those bullet-shaped plastic inserts (which hold the metal door-panel clips in the door) are hard to find — parts counters stock the metal clip but not the insert. Member fix (~$0.10 each): a 3/8″ drywall anchor has the right outside diameter. Drill the inside out with a 5/32″ bit about 5/8″ deep, trim off the three side ribs (the drywall grippers) with a razor knife, and it snaps…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - General Info (20)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The Year One / Ames repro ashtrays fit correctly but aren’t exact — 1967–68 rear ashtrays had ribbed covers, and the reproduction covers don’t have the ridges. Also note the ashtrays changed size in 1968: the 1967 units are noticeably larger and won’t fit a 1968 or 1969 (a junkyard 1967 set won’t drop into a later car). Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The assist handle over the glovebox came on Custom Interior Firebirds (those cars also got the instrument-panel emblem on the glovebox door). Headrests were an option on the 1968 (code 572). The exact mounting locations for the under-hood light and compass weren’t confirmed in this thread. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The one-piece ACC-style kits fit well — often better than the original. Position the carpet over the high-beam switch first and the rest pretty much falls into place. Rear seat-bracket bolts: don’t cut full holes — cut a three-sided ~1.5″ × 1.5″ slot and fold the flap back to drive the bolt, then fold it back over (or use a scratch awl to find the center and make…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - Heating and Cooling (16)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: No alternate refrigerant is a true “drop-in” for R-12, regardless of sales claims — each has drawbacks, and many react badly with R-12 mineral oil. At minimum, flush the system, fit a compatible dryer, use a compatible oil, and use the correct charging fittings. For a Firebird system the practical choice is 134a — 134a refrigerant, 134a dryer, a multi-compatible oil, and a 134a expansion valve. 134a runs…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: That small coffee-can-shaped canister mounted to the firewall under the driver’s-side fender is the A/C reserve vacuum tank. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The canister with the vacuum hose is the vacuum reservoir for the A/C system’s actuators (it stores extra vacuum for the controls); the stray wire/plug is the radio antenna lead. How the A/C actuators work: they’re used only in the “COLD IA” (cold inside air / recirc) position, just left of COLD. Two parallel vacuum pots: one closes the cowl-plenum flapper (shutting off outside air), the other opens…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - Paint (5)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: For a 1968 Parchment Custom Interior: the carpet should be black, the kick panels black, and the U-shaped door-jamb strip parchment. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: 1968 interior paint breaks down by sheen: Flat colors Parts Color / Code Upper instrument panel, rear-window defroster grille, radio speaker grille Flat Black — DuPont 4428L Semi-gloss (lower instrument panel, rear-seat folding back panel, air-outlet bushing) Color DuPont # Black 88L Dark Red 9201LM Dark Blue Met. 94520H Dark Teal Met. 9453LH Dark Turquoise Met. 9454LH Dark Gold Met. 9456L Dark Saddle Met. 9458L The rear package…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Per Jim Mattison (PHS), the correct gloss level on the firewall area is 85% black. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - Radios and Components (34)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The canister with the vacuum hose is the vacuum reservoir for the A/C system’s actuators (it stores extra vacuum for the controls); the stray wire/plug is the radio antenna lead. How the A/C actuators work: they’re used only in the “COLD IA” (cold inside air / recirc) position, just left of COLD. Two parallel vacuum pots: one closes the cowl-plenum flapper (shutting off outside air), the other opens…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Use a trunk-mounted CD changer that plays through the dash FM radio — tune the radio to a set frequency (e.g., 89.1) to hear the CDs, and control the changer with a remote you mount discreetly. That way you keep a stock-looking radio in the dash. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: You can upgrade sound with little or no cutting. The no-holes route: a vintage Audiovox AM-FM converter that fits inside the ashtray, wired to the back of the factory AM radio — open the ashtray to change bands/stations. Period-correct, cheap, and fully reversible. A more ambitious near-stock install (one member’s): a Sony head unit in the dash; an EQ and mini-gauges bracketed to the ashtray brackets; a pair…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - Seats and Belts (28)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Yes — shoulder belts were available in first-gen convertibles; the 1969 Fisher Body Manual shows front and rear installation. The front belt’s outer strap anchored near the convertible-top pivot (coming through the box around the top mounts); the rear belt’s outer strap mounted in the trunk at one of the cocktail-shaker bolts. Look at the upright rear-seat support of any F-body convertible — there’s a ~3″ indentation on…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Firebird rear seats are the same width in coupe and convertible — both had rear armrests. (The “convertible seats are narrower” idea comes from Camaros, where the coupe had no rear armrests and a wider seat, except fold-down-equipped cars.) Bottom line: if the car has rear armrests, the seat is the correct Firebird width for either body style. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: No — Custom interior did not automatically include custom seat belts. Belts were a separate option from the interior (as were shoulder belts). Members have Custom-interior cars with standard belts and Standard-interior cars with deluxe belts. Ordering deluxe belts also didn’t mean you got shoulder belts. The rarest combination would be a convertible with deluxe shoulder belts. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - Steering Column (11)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The correct directional/cruise lever-and-switch assembly is part #6465256 for 1968–70 (with cruise control), and #6455211 for 1967. The cruise lever is parts group 3.887 (the standard lever is group 2.897). Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Bulletin 68-I-77 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 9, dated June 7, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1967–68 Turn Signal Switch Requires Positive Action. Short answer: High effort to actuate the turn signal switch is a design feature required to provide positive engagement for both the lane-change and full-turn positions; no warranty claims should be submitted for switch replacement due to this condition. If a complaint of…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Interior - Trunk (4)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: For 1968, the bumper jack and jack stand are blue (a medium blue, not light blue) — the closest off-the-shelf match is Ford Engine Blue in a Dupli-Color rattle can. The jack handle is gray. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Bumper-jack part numbers (sampled from the 1967–73 Firebird parts catalog): Bumper Jack Part Numbers (group 8.820) Part # Year / Description Base Assembly, Bumper Jack 9783363 1967 all — 6×6 rounded keystone rack 9781295 1967 all — 6×6 squared keystone rack 9775045 1967 all — 6-1/ x 7-1/2 squared 9793349 1968 all — keystone rack 1-1/4 x 1-5/32, blue 9793540 1968 all — keystone rack 1-1/4 x 1-1/4,…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Trunk floors vary in size — the larger (pricier) ones run all the way up the hump between the shock towers, which avoids a weld across the reinforcing ribs on the incline (easier to hide). A “kit” typically includes the trunk floor, floor extension, and two reinforcement ribs (the pieces under the floor above the gas tank), because the factory one-piece floor is too big to fit through…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Miscellaneous - All (40)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Despite the name, the “bird” isn’t etched into the glass — it’s a silkscreen-type paint that sits slightly above the surface and can be scraped off. If it were truly etched it would be engraved below the surface, not raised. Check yours: if you can feel it standing proud, it’s the painted type. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The Banshee was John DeLorean’s pet project — a sporty two-seater that borrowed styling cues from the upcoming third-gen Corvette but used a solid rear axle (to stay cheaper than the Corvette) and a unique clamshell door. GM nixed it to protect Corvette sales, and DeLorean was handed the Camaro to build a Pontiac version — also to be called Banshee. Two running prototypes were built by an…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The Comanche appears to have been a central-Canada district/dealer sales package for 1969 Firebirds — cars modified/prepped in Canada before reaching the dealer — inspired by the era’s regional appearance packages (The Judge, The Jury, Royal Bobcat, Mustang “California Special,” etc.). Hard documentation is scarce. One described car was green (possibly Verdoro) with the code 293 Gold Leather interior and possibly a 350 H.O. Whether the options were…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Miscellaneous - Companies (1)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: A list of parts and service companies recommended by other First Generation Firebird owners is kept in the Forums. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Miscellaneous - General Info (17)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The Banshee was John DeLorean’s pet project — a sporty two-seater that borrowed styling cues from the upcoming third-gen Corvette but used a solid rear axle (to stay cheaper than the Corvette) and a unique clamshell door. GM nixed it to protect Corvette sales, and DeLorean was handed the Camaro to build a Pontiac version — also to be called Banshee. Two running prototypes were built by an…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The Comanche appears to have been a central-Canada district/dealer sales package for 1969 Firebirds — cars modified/prepped in Canada before reaching the dealer — inspired by the era’s regional appearance packages (The Judge, The Jury, Royal Bobcat, Mustang “California Special,” etc.). Hard documentation is scarce. One described car was green (possibly Verdoro) with the code 293 Gold Leather interior and possibly a 350 H.O. Whether the options were…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Quick answers on the assembly plants (not the final word): Were Fisher Body plants part of the Pontiac plants? Yes — usually an adjoining building. Did Fisher build more bodies than the local plant used? No. Fisher was responsible for the BIW (body-in-white) bare shell; each facility supported its own vehicle. Where were they? Part of the plant complex — the shell wasn’t built in one state and…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Miscellaneous - Insurance (2)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Settle what the car’s worth before an accident — with the right policy. A standard book value won’t reflect a $5,000 collectible. Members recommend a collector-friendly insurer that allows an Actual Cash Value (or agreed-value) policy; one member has been happy with Nationwide, which (unlike many collector policies) let him use the car as a daily driver without strict mileage limits or “out of sight” restrictions. To substantiate…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Get an “agreed value” policy, not a “stated value” one. With stated value, you state a maximum and the insurer’s adjuster will try to appraise the car for less after a loss; with agreed value, you and the insurer settle the car’s value before any claim, so a total pays out what you insured it for. Agreed-value policies traditionally limit you to ~3,000 miles a year and require…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Miscellaneous - Production Totals (6)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: From the 1969 Firebird Pontiac Engine Production Logs: 1969 350 H.O. engines Code Trans Count WN manual 2,455 XC auto 2,670 YR auto (early-prod type?) 2 That’s 5,127 total 350 H.O. engines — so not many originals likely survive. By comparison, 56,052 standard 350 engines were built: 1969 standard 350 auto engines Code Count XB (auto) 11,673 YE (auto) 35,915 The two auto codes reflect different transmissions (M-31,…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The only firm figure is from the 1968 Engine Production Log: 2,099 total Firebird H.O. engines (1,415 4-speed + 684 auto). Everything below is estimated from the coupe-to-convertible ratio: 1968 400 H.O. (estimated) Variant Est. 400 H.O. (coupe & conv) 2,087 400 H.O. convertible 350 400 H.O. 4-speed 1,400 400 H.O. auto 650 400 H.O. conv w/4-spd 250 400 H.O. conv w/auto 100 Exact counts would require researching…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: More year-by-year information is in the dedicated sections of the First Generation Firebird site: 1967: 1967 Pontiac Firebird History 1968: 1968 Pontiac Firebird History 1969: 1969 Pontiac Firebird History Fully detailed option breakdowns await a complete database. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Miscellaneous - Storage (2)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Yes — car storage bags work well for controlling humidity. One type seals with a small fan; another seals tight and you purge the air/moisture with a shop vac, then a desiccant controls moisture inside. Some are sold by BW Inc. (1-800-950-2210, ask for a catalog); also check Hemmings for other types. And fill the gas tank before storage. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: General winter-storage recommendations are on the First Generation Firebird site at firstgenfirebird.org/car-storage-information/. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Miscellaneous - Values and Buying (8)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: First decide your year, whether you want a finished car or a project, and whether you prefer factory-original or modified — then inspect carefully (a finished, near-original car costs more up front but is cheaper in the long run). Below: current market prices, what each year means for a buyer, how to inspect the car, and how to verify the paperwork before you hand over money. What to…
Content last modified: July 12, 2026 at 1:01 am
Short answer: One member’s approach to buying: do a nationwide search (he used a Hemmings search agent, “The Locator,” and also combed two years of old Hemmings at the library — many advertised cars never sell and owners become eager months later). Once serious about a car, learn all you can by phone, get photos, then hire a local auto appraiser near the seller (~$100) as your eyes for an…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: One member shipped a 1968 350 convertible (Boston to Seattle) with Intercity Vanlines (intercitylines.com), which uses fully enclosed trucks — very careful and recommended, though pricing competitiveness wasn’t confirmed. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Miscellaneous - Year Changes (15)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Despite the name, the “bird” isn’t etched into the glass — it’s a silkscreen-type paint that sits slightly above the surface and can be scraped off. If it were truly etched it would be engraved below the surface, not raised. Check yours: if you can feel it standing proud, it’s the painted type. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The Banshee was John DeLorean’s pet project — a sporty two-seater that borrowed styling cues from the upcoming third-gen Corvette but used a solid rear axle (to stay cheaper than the Corvette) and a unique clamshell door. GM nixed it to protect Corvette sales, and DeLorean was handed the Camaro to build a Pontiac version — also to be called Banshee. Two running prototypes were built by an…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The 1967 console top had a satin-black “camera-case grain” finish. For 1968–69, Pontiac added a burled-walnut metal applique (with matching door and rear covers) and eliminated the rear ashtray and light. The main console structure and chrome rails were the same all three Firebird years (and the 1967 Camaro). Unbolt a 1968–69 walnut applique and you’re looking at a 1967 console with holes drilled for the applique studs….
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Suspension and Steering - All (31)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The rear shakers bolt to the rail at the bottom edge of the trunk gutter (if there’s no welded nut on the shaker, they lay against the rail on the opening side). If they don’t line up, check the trunk floor for rust swelling. Per the 1967 Firebird Service Manual (fig. 2-3), the 1967 rear dampener differs from the 1968: the 1968 has two top mounting tabs that…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Original shakers wear the same spatter paint as the trunk and blend right in — black (gloss level dulled with age) with trunk overspray. Members with documented-original cars confirm this finish. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The trunk and front “cocktail shakers” are vibration dampers used only on convertibles — there are four, one per corner (the front ones sit behind the headlights). Each is a sealed steel canister with a spring and a weighted ball in fluid; they noticeably reduce body shake and improve the ride. When Pontiac got the Camaro chassis, engineers disliked how the convertible shook at speed and, late in…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Suspension and Steering - General Info (2)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Members rebuild these with a complete kit (PST is popular) plus basic tools, pickle forks, and a big hammer. The fiddly parts are the control-arm bushings/lower ball joint (best pressed out and in at a machine shop, ~$60) and the coil springs. Tools: ball-joint separator (spindle from ball joint), cold chisel/grinder/air chisel for the factory-riveted upper ball joints, an arbor press if doing your own A-arm bushings, plus…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: A DIY front-end rebuild is straightforward, but a few steps are a pain: removing the rivets holding the upper ball joints (you’ll likely need an air chisel), and separating the tapered tie-rod ends (a pickle fork/spreader helps). You’ll also need a spring compressor. Once it’s apart, the rest is easy. Count the turns as you remove each tie-rod end and thread the new ones in the same amount….
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Suspension and Steering - Steering (10)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-I-67 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 9, dated March 1, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1968 Pontiac, Tempest and Firebird — Torque Specification Change on Idler Arm Bolts. Short answer: The torque specification for the Nut, Idler Arm Support to Frame (page 9-49 of the 1968 Pontiac Service Manual) has been reduced from 40 lb. ft. to 35 lb. ft. Update service manuals accordingly. Effective…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Bulletin 68-I-76 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 9, dated June 7, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Service of Variable Ratio Power Steering — 1968 Firebird. Short answer: Variable Ratio Power Steering has been released on all 1968 Firebird models and reduces steering wheel travel by about 30%. When servicing the variable ratio gear, use the Firebird power steering adjustment specs on page 9-27 of the 1968…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Suspension and Steering - Suspension (21)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The rear shakers bolt to the rail at the bottom edge of the trunk gutter (if there’s no welded nut on the shaker, they lay against the rail on the opening side). If they don’t line up, check the trunk floor for rust swelling. Per the 1967 Firebird Service Manual (fig. 2-3), the 1967 rear dampener differs from the 1968: the 1968 has two top mounting tabs that…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Original shakers wear the same spatter paint as the trunk and blend right in — black (gloss level dulled with age) with trunk overspray. Members with documented-original cars confirm this finish. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The trunk and front “cocktail shakers” are vibration dampers used only on convertibles — there are four, one per corner (the front ones sit behind the headlights). Each is a sealed steel canister with a spring and a weighted ball in fluid; they noticeably reduce body shake and improve the ride. When Pontiac got the Camaro chassis, engineers disliked how the convertible shook at speed and, late in…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Transmission and Clutch - All (32)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Yes — going to a Turbo 400 (or 200-4R) requires a different transmission crossmember; only a Turbo 350 bolts in. A 200-4R will live behind a 455 on the street in good stock form, but for racing/abuse it needs to be built up ($$$). Cost depends heavily on what you pay for the trans and what you want from it. See the archives, and High Performance Pontiac, April…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Both are overdrive autos; the choice is strength vs. fit. The 200-4R bolts directly to the Pontiac block and is nearly the same length as a TH400 (uses the TH400 crossmember), but it’s weaker — a 200-4R from a Buick Grand National or Monte Carlo SS is the stronger version. The 700R4 is stronger but needs an adapter (~$40) to bolt to the Pontiac block, sits ~2″ farther…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: A Turbo 400 needs a different (400) transmission crossmember; a cheaper route is a short-tailshaft Turbo 350, which uses your existing crossmember and is plenty strong for a 326. The benefit of either is the extra gear for acceleration (lower first plus a second gear) — the 1:1 final means no top-end gain. Automatic Gear Ratios Trans 1st 2nd 3rd Powerglide 1.76 1.00 — Turbo 350 2.52 1.52…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Transmission and Clutch - Clutch (2)
View All Category Posts →Bulletin 68-I-27 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 7E, dated November 14, 1967. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: 1965–1968 Turbo Hydra-Matic — Correct Usage and Installation of Center Support to Case Snap Ring and Intermediate Clutch Backing Plate to Case Snap Ring. Short answer: Field failures after Turbo Hydra-Matic overhaul have been traced to incorrect snap ring usage and installation. The center support snap ring must be the…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Bulletin 68-I-81 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 7E, dated June 18, 1968. Attention: Service Manager. Subject: Incorrect Usage of Forward and/or Direct Clutch Driven Plates. Short answer: Forward clutch and direct clutch failures after Turbo Hydra-Matic overhaul have been traced to mixing up the flat steel clutch driven plates. The forward clutch plate (.0775″ thick, P/N 8623849) and the direct clutch plate (.0915″ thick, P/N 8625197)…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Transmission and Clutch - Transmission (34)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Yes — going to a Turbo 400 (or 200-4R) requires a different transmission crossmember; only a Turbo 350 bolts in. A 200-4R will live behind a 455 on the street in good stock form, but for racing/abuse it needs to be built up ($$$). Cost depends heavily on what you pay for the trans and what you want from it. See the archives, and High Performance Pontiac, April…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Both are overdrive autos; the choice is strength vs. fit. The 200-4R bolts directly to the Pontiac block and is nearly the same length as a TH400 (uses the TH400 crossmember), but it’s weaker — a 200-4R from a Buick Grand National or Monte Carlo SS is the stronger version. The 700R4 is stronger but needs an adapter (~$40) to bolt to the Pontiac block, sits ~2″ farther…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: A Turbo 400 needs a different (400) transmission crossmember; a cheaper route is a short-tailshaft Turbo 350, which uses your existing crossmember and is plenty strong for a 326. The benefit of either is the extra gear for acceleration (lower first plus a second gear) — the 1:1 final means no top-end gain. Automatic Gear Ratios Trans 1st 2nd 3rd Powerglide 1.76 1.00 — Turbo 350 2.52 1.52…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Wheels, Brakes, and Axle - All (83)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: You can run 15×7 wheels front and rear, but choose front tires carefully (a 235/60-15 might rub at full lock). These cars came with 14×6 (and optional 14×7); many members run 15×7 or 16×7, some 8″ in the rear. The bigger you go, the more critical offset and tire size become — measure your car. Fit check: a tire must not touch the control arms/frame inside or the…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Whether 255s fit a 15×7 Rally II depends on how the car sits (sag/lowering). The catch is mostly tire height — check your clearance first. Tire diameters: Tire Diameters Size Diameter 205/70R14 (approx. stock) 25.3″ 235/70R15 28.0″ 235/60R15 26.1″ 255/70R15 29.1″ 255/60R15 27.0″ Up front, many run 225/60–70-15 (one runs 235/60-15 with only slight rubbing on steep/off-camber drives); a 255 (60 or 70) up front is too tall…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: All 1967–69 Firebirds used the 8.2″ 10-bolt (a “BOP” Buick-Olds-Pontiac rear) — the size has nothing to do with posi. From ~1970–71 on, Firebirds used the corporate (Chevy) 8.5″ 10-bolt. Beyond ring-gear size, the 8.2″ uses a weaker cone-type posi that retains at the axle/bearing end, while the 8.5″ uses a clutch-type posi with C-clips inside the carrier (among other differences) — the 8.5″ is the stronger unit….
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Wheels, Brakes, and Axle - Axle (24)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: All 1967–69 Firebirds used the 8.2″ 10-bolt (a “BOP” Buick-Olds-Pontiac rear) — the size has nothing to do with posi. From ~1970–71 on, Firebirds used the corporate (Chevy) 8.5″ 10-bolt. Beyond ring-gear size, the 8.2″ uses a weaker cone-type posi that retains at the axle/bearing end, while the 8.5″ uses a clutch-type posi with C-clips inside the carrier (among other differences) — the 8.5″ is the stronger unit….
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Pontiac rear-axle housings can be identified by year using their date codes, stamped codes, and a few physical features. The 1969 axle ID codes differ from 1967–68 — the full table is below. Identifying features by year: 1967: the center section has the loops for A-body control-arm bushings plus leaf-spring perches and factory traction-bar brackets; a date code is cast into the center section. 1968: dropped the control-arm…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: On the Billing History card, the axle-ratio sales code appears in box 74 (1967) or box 37 (1968). The codes are the same both years: Axle Ratio Sales Codes (Billing History) Code Ratio C 2.56:1 D 2.78:1 E 2.93:1 F 3.08:1 G 3.23:1 H 3.36:1 K 3.55:1 P 3.90:1 S 4.33:1 Don’t confuse these sales codes with the two-letter code stamped on the axle tube (decoded separately). Content…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Wheels, Brakes, and Axle - Brakes (35)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Bench-bleed the master cylinder first; if the pedal still sinks to the floor afterward, suspect the master cylinder itself — even a brand-new one. Bench-bleeding the master cylinder: Secure the master cylinder dead level (this is very important). Attach a tube to each brake-line outlet and route the other end back into its own reservoir well. Fill each well with fresh brake fluid. Push the plunger (pedal pushrod)…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The brake-system valves explained: Metering valve — the round cylinder next to the master cylinder; holds back front-disc pressure so the rear drums make full contact first. All 1969–70 GM disc cars have it. Proportioning valve — a small square inline valve under the driver’s seat (on 1969 ‘birds, on the left subframe rail) in the rear-brake line; slightly reduces rear braking on nose-heavy cars. Not all 1969–70…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: A pedal that nearly hits the floor with a weekly need to re-bleed, plus a tiny leak that seems to come from the metering valve, can actually be the calipers — one member chased a phantom “leak” for years (the front disc section kept emptying and fluid appeared at the master) until rebuilding the disc calipers fixed it. Air was getting in through the caliper seals and pushing…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Wheels, Brakes, and Axle - Rims and Components (12)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: You can run 15×7 wheels front and rear, but choose front tires carefully (a 235/60-15 might rub at full lock). These cars came with 14×6 (and optional 14×7); many members run 15×7 or 16×7, some 8″ in the rear. The bigger you go, the more critical offset and tire size become — measure your car. Fit check: a tire must not touch the control arms/frame inside or the…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: All 1967–69 (and early 1970) Pontiac Rally II caps are black centers with red letters (PMD). Late 1970 and 1971–72 switched to red centers with black letters; 1973 went to polished aluminum with the Pontiac arrowhead. 1967–69 Rally II center cap. 1967–69 Rally II rims. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: For a 1968 Firebird with factory disc brakes, the correct Rally II code is “JC” — the same as drum brakes. You do not need a special disc-brake wheel. (The “JA” you were quoted is the GTO disc code, not the Firebird’s.) Proof: the 1968 Service Manual lists JC for the disc Rally II; the broadcast sheet lists JC for all Rally II applications; the 1969-dated Parts Book…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Wheels, Brakes, and Axle - Speedometer (5)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: The 1968 Custom Trim option (554) included: Custom seat covers (Morrokide + stitched knit vinyl), custom molded door and quarter trim panels, the assist bar above the glovebox, dual horns, deluxe wheel covers, deluxe steering wheel, custom pedal trim, front & rear wheel-opening moldings, drip-rail moldings (coupes), and windshield-pillar garnish moldings. The RH sideview mirror was not part of the option. Everything in the package could be ordered…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: Pull the cable from the housing, clean the cable with solvent and flush the housing (brake cleaner), then re-grease the cable with white assembly grease (or a good graphite lube) as you slide it back in. That stops the minor needle jumping. Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: A speedo that reads off after a rear-end swap or a tire-size change usually just needs the correct speedo driven gear (the colored plastic gear on the cable at the transmission) to match the new ratio/tire size. It’s an easy, ~$8 part at a GM dealer (Classic Industries sells them too — give your trans type and rear ratio), or a shop can recalibrate. If originality matters, fitting…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Wheels, Brakes, and Axle - Tires (12)
View All Category Posts →Short answer: Whether 255s fit a 15×7 Rally II depends on how the car sits (sag/lowering). The catch is mostly tire height — check your clearance first. Tire diameters: Tire Diameters Size Diameter 205/70R14 (approx. stock) 25.3″ 235/70R15 28.0″ 235/60R15 26.1″ 255/70R15 29.1″ 255/60R15 27.0″ Up front, many run 225/60–70-15 (one runs 235/60-15 with only slight rubbing on steep/off-camber drives); a 255 (60 or 70) up front is too tall…
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Short answer: The billing-history line “F70x14 RL FG / TMT / $57.93 / $41.80 / $2.93” decodes as: the tires originally installed were F70x14 Redlines, Fiberglass-Belted; “TMT” is that tire’s sales code; the dollar amounts are tire cost plus final destination/handling charges. Fiberglass-belted tires were a 1968-model-year addition (not a 1969 mid-year change). Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
Content last modified: June 9, 2026 at 7:10 am
