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'68 Conv/Coupe Windshield Wipers
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Does anyone know exactly what the difference is between Coupe and
Convertible Wiper Arms and Blades. Is it both the Arms AND Blades that
are different or just one of the two?
If nobody knows, maybe someone could measure the length of their
Couple Wiper arms and Blades and let me know......
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| A: |
I don't have my coupe wipers here, but the easiest way to
tell the convertible wiper arms are they are marked! They have stamped
on the back of the arm RH CONV and LH CONV, and there's about (this is
from ancient memory) 3/8" to 1/2" difference in length from right to
left, the left is shorter. The stamping is just past the casing, on the
piece the blades clip onto.
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...I measured my original '68 conv. Wiper Arms.
RH 12"
LH 11.75"
This measurement was taken from the tip of the arm where the Blade attaches
to the end near the pivot. Also, original conv wiper arms have "RH CONV" & LH CONV" stamped on the
reverse side. Repro arms are both the same length unlike originals.
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| Q: |
Windshield Washer Pump Won't Stop
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Early on in the restoration of my '68 convertible I replaced the
windshield washer pump because it was leaking. As a lot of restoration
projects go, the car wasn't put back together and run for several years
after the install of the pump.
I later discovered that when I started the windshield wipers and then
then pressed the button to start the washer that the washer would start
but not turn off unless I turned off the windshield wipers. Now every
time I start the wipers the darn washer pump goes on without me pressing
the washer button.
I thought my windshield wiper/washer switch was broke so I replaced it
with another one purchased at a swap meet. Guess what? The washer pump
still activates when I turn on the wipers.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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| A: |
I remember my birds doing this in the 70's, and
part of the problem was the gear was worn, or the position of the pump
needed to be adjusted slightly. There's not really any room to adjust
much, but somehow I got it working again, I believe it was purely a
mechanical thing, not electrical. It's been a long time, and I am being
rather vague, but it's all I've got for you.
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| Q: |
'69 Rocker Panels
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I'm trying to figure out how my new rocker panel moulding
strip goes on my 69 firebird. The last time I had molding on it was 12
years ago and I can't remember . What I have is two Nos mouldings right
out of the GM packaging each moulding came with a small bag of screws
and one of the packages had two 1 inch by about 24inch metal strips
each with three holes in it and both stamped with the letter R. I see
that these strips hold the moulding on ,on the top . My Question
is,where am I suppose to connect the metal strips one on each side, ? Or
both on the right side because they are marked with an R and if this is
correct it means I'm missing the two strips for the left side.
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You should have two "one inch strips" per side. One spans the front of the rocker panel and onto the back of the fender. The other mounts directly behind the first on the rocker panel (lip side up). The molding has places for one screw in each end. The one in the back simply screws through the molding and into the rocker panel. The front screws into a plastic insert in the back of the fender. Then all that is remaining is the screw along the bottom of the molding, into the rocker panel.
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| Q: |
Firebird side moldings on 68
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We recently purchased a 68 Firebird 400 car. The car isn't the original color
otherwise it is all original right down to the wire wheel hubcaps. It has air
conditioning and deluxe interior. It also has a body side molding that looks
like it belongs on the car but we haven't seen it on any other Firebirds. The
trim runs from the back of the front wheel opening to the front of the back
wheel opening. It's chrome with pointed tips and a rounded black vinyl in the
center. Do you know if this is an original option or has someone added it?
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Regarding the Vinyl bodyside moldings, there is no listing I can find that shows this as a factory/dealer option though, I wouldn't doubt it if a dealer did install these (or an aftermarket brand). Similar to various shapes and sizes of Sideview mirrors and seatbelts.. back in the 60's, just about anything was possible. :)
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According to the original Pontiac Sales Manual, this (Body Side Molding Vinyl Inserts) was a standard body feature on the Catalina, Executive, and Bonneville. Nothing mentioned for the Firebird in that section, optional equipment, or prices. All I could find available are an optional vinyl rally stripes which these do not sound like. My '68 had the body side molding vinyl inserts on also before I restored it. Note that some 'special' equipment was installed at the dealership and I have found many old Firebird articles and ads had the side moldings on them in the pictures.
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| Q: |
Body Seam Repairs
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At times I've seen small cracks in at the top of the windshield post at the roof line. Do you or anyone else know how to fix these permanently? I had a Bondo artist tell me to "just fill it with AllMetal and move on" but I'm quite leery about this. Do I have to solder them back?
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I have repaired small cracks or defects in body solder with 30/70 solder and a small low watt soldering iron. clean the area real well before soldering and use tinning butter to prep. You must melt the area around the defect to blend the new solder in. this takes some practice so you may want to try this on a junker first. Clean the area off with a baking soda solution to neutralize the acids and then follow with plain water a couple of times. This is a better approach than bondo or filler. Remember to wear a dust mask when grinding or sanding lead.
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I worked on new cars (back in the 70's), not ones that were 30 years old. But I do know this. The weld between the windshield pillar and the roof is about an inch or so below the roof line. The solder however extends all the way to the roof line, about 1 1/2" inches down the along the drip rail, and about 1" along the roof windshield face toward the center of the car. The solder that extends past the welds becomes very thin after grinding. Given that it's a soft metal I think it's just cracking due to stress. The welds themselves and the metal reinforcement around the weld point is very strong (strong enough to not come apart during a roll over). I think you'll see metal fatigue cracks above the pillar where the sheet metal is thin before you'll ever see it on the pillar.
The solder does not add any structural integrity to the body, it's purely a cosmetic convenience (bondo takes too long to dry and the car is "dipped" about an hour after the body completes the welding process). I think it's cracking at a "thin" point and just resolder it.
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| Q: |
'68 How to remove Chevrons (3 vertical chrome trim pieces)
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Regarding the 3 vertical chrome trim pieces below the rear windows, I'm assuming I have to remove the inside panels to get to their fasteners. Is their anything I should know in advance regarding them? Do I need to remove the seats? I'm gonna reuse them as they are in real good condition. Are they clipped, bolted, or what? Can I reuse the fasteners?
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You dont need to remove anything except the flow thru vents at the 1/4 panel to get to the chevrons. Use a 1/4 drive socket/ratchet and carefully back off the nuts as so you dont break the studs off. Check and see what style your chevrons are. They had 2 types early and late 68 one style has smaller studs that the other. Just curious as to when they changed.
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| Q: |
Luggage Rack
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Was the luggage rack an option available from the factory? My buddies Firebird has one on the roof and he insists it came from the factory that way.
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The luggage rack was dealer installed only. I have only seen pictures
with it mounted on the trunk and not the roof so I am curious also.
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It was indeed trunk mounted only on the Firebirds.
It was the same as the Corvette except a minor change
on the feet. I have a friend that has one that came on his 400
convert. He has removed it and put a deck lid without holes.
He says the mounts started leaking, and was really hard to clean around.
Speaking of obscure options anyone got the snow ski mounts?
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