[Hotrodizz]

I started the tear down on my 73 TA friday night. I started by pressure washing the undercarriage and engine compartment. The car had been sitting in the AZ desert for roughly 20 years, so it is absolutely CAKED with brown crud. It was a filthy, messy job, but seeing the undercarriage and floors of this car tickle me to death. You rarely find anything this nice in Chicagoland. The pictures are after my first spray down.





The forward third of the car is still a mess, but once I get the drivetrain out, I'll have to go over it again.

[Hotrodizz]

Interior Tear Down

Nice seeing the actual un-faded carpet color.



The rear window has rust on the LH side, so I was concerned about the rear floor on that side. Luckily, all the rust is superficial, and started to clean up very nice with just a wire brush.

[Hotrodizz]

I could use some suggestions on a few things:
-Removing the black residue from the sound deadner on the floor?
-Driver Side behind dash duct is cracked, upper behind vent, anyone have one to sell me
-Place to have radio checked/cleaned?
-Bezel restoration? Randy Combs?
-Gauge Cleaning/testing/painting source?
-Steering column rebuild service? Ive never tackled this one before.

Thanks in advance guys, I love the information on this forum.

Tom

[superdutybob]

Wards Classic Car Radio is the place to send the radio. Search them on your favorite browser. There was an article in the latest Pontiac Enthusiast about gauge repair. Can't remember the place off hand. Looked like they did nice work.

[1971WARBIRD]

that is alot cleaner than anything i have seen in years.nice car to start with,means nicer car to end with,and less money spent.good luck.

[Xelerator]

Wow, what a dream! More pics please!!

I can't believe all the white "overspray" on the underside, floors and underside of roof!!

Was your 73 a Van Nuys built car? Whats the build date on it?

I sense the start of an NJSteve style thread for a 73 TA!!

[Hotrodizz]

Thought I read all were Norwood cars in 73. Not certain that I am accurate on that...I also noticed my car seems to have more overspray than others I have seen.

[Xelerator]

Originally Posted by Hotrodizz

Thought I read all were Norwood cars in 73. Not certain that I am accurate on that...I also noticed my car seems to have more overspray than others I have seen.

Hmm, I know the camaros were either built in Van Nuys (L) or Norwood (N), I would assume the FBs were built in either L or N too.

Take a look at your cowl tag, what does it say?

[Hotrodizz]

Car isnt here at work, but I thought I read there was a strike in 73 so all were N built.

[Dens71TA]

Norwood, OH was the only plant building Camaro/Firebird from '72-77.

[Xelerator]

Originally Posted by Dens71TA

Norwood, OH was the only plant building Camaro/Firebird from '72-77.

Sorry, my bad.

Still, it's strange to see that much white paint covering all the surfaces, maybe because mine being red it's hard to tell where the red ends.

[Xelerator]

Originally Posted by Hotrodizz

I could use some suggestions on a few things:
-Removing the black residue from the sound deadner on the floor?

Tom

Some may disagree but I have just used wax/degrease and it will come up in no time. I have never tried this but the "Super Clean" in a purple container may also break it down enough to remove it.

As a side note, please make note of all factory type markings:
-Suspension parts
-Drive Shaft
-Springs
-Brake Parts

Thanks in advance.

[Hotrodizz]

Will do.

[Hotrodizz]

Made a little progress last night. I removed the windshield and rear glass trim, as well as completely disassembled the doors and removed the glass. I was having a problem getting the RH latch screws to break loose, but hopefully after soaking in WD40 overnight, they will break loose tonight. I also removed the hood and disassembled everything in the cowl area. Unfortunately the cowl seal is toast, I assume no longer available through GM, so what is the best available aftermarket?

I hope to start on the front end sheet metal tonight.

[eaglesan13]

The best way to remove the latch bolts is to heat them up. Do NOT try and use an impact (the kind you hit with a hammer) because the metal on this part of the door is very thin. Just use a torch or something similar to get it hot and use a screwdriver.

Originally Posted by Hotrodizz

Made a little progress last night. I removed the windshield and rear glass trim, as well as completely disassembled the doors and removed the glass. I was having a problem getting the RH latch screws to break loose, but hopefully after soaking in WD40 overnight, they will break loose tonight. I also removed the hood and disassembled everything in the cowl area. Unfortunately the cowl seal is toast, I assume no longer available through GM, so what is the best available aftermarket?

I hope to start on the front end sheet metal tonight.

[thefirebirdm@n]

Please keep posting pics as much as you are able. I'm doing a lot of restoration work on my '73 as well and a lot of what I already took apart was a mess, missing pieces, mis-matched bolts so good pics of correct '73s certainly help. Thanks, great thread!!

[Hotrodizz]

I will post some more tonight or tomorrow AM. BTW, thank you for the AMK reference chart. I have your first version, and will be placing an order with them soon.

Got the nose off. Deciding how I should bring it to the body shop. I took the bumper reinforcement out of the nose because I want to paint it, but I also dont want it to get primer and paint overspray all over it. I am sure they will need it together in order to align/fit all the panels. I suppose they should fit it all, then disassemble it, paint the nose, then reinstall the reinforcement.

[thefirebirdm@n]

I did the same thing. Complete disassembled the nose and had it painted bare. I had all the brackets blasted and powdercoated and it came out great:

[Hotrodizz]

Bumper off

Although I located some good originals, I rough fit one of the ABS repros, which fits pretty well considering I didnt tweak it at all and the welting isnt on.

This is where the night ended





Still having trouble with the last door latch bolt. Doesnt seem to respond to heat or WD40. Guess Ill give it another go tonight. On another note, the only piece of front sheetmetal that needs to be changed is the battery tray

[Hotrodizz]

These 2 items were screwed to the LH fenderwell, any ideas?