The guy came and took my 85 Firebird today. I was REAL lucky to have had enough in it to back it out of my driveway, about 75 feet in reverse, then forward about 80 feet. The obnoxious knocking sound (that I had told yall nothing about) seems to be coming from the flex plate. My friend in Savannah suggested either spun bearings or a thrown rod. I hope it aint the engine. Anyway, he said to call tomorrow for the diagnosis, and expect it to be done on Tuesday, MAYBE Monday. More to follow.

While they were installing the tranny today, they noticed a bent shift drum, or something like that. They said that is VERY likely to be the source of that loud knocking. They're inspecting the case at that point, replacing the drum, and testing the tranny tomorrow. I SHOULD have her back in my driveway, without a engine rebuild necessary, tomorrow. Someone do the whoo hoo happy good luck dance for the midget's wallet.

On another note, I was minutes away from saying ok to a engine swap to a 305 for the Firebird. Then all the opinions and advice came in. Time, cost, and effort prohibitive. If anyone is interested why, PM and I'll share the knowledge.

More to follow

If you're going to swap anything on an old TBI Firebird, just do a carbed/built 350 swap. Anything less is a waste of time.

BTW, wtf is a shift drum? Is it an internal part?

Hell, I have no clue what the drum is. Trannies are such an intimidating mystery to me, I almost care not to get confused by them again. The tranny guy said that the case is alright, ALL parts and components, except the case, have been replaced. Test drive will happen today.

About the engine swap, it is a waste of my time and money right now. I do want an LS-series engine, and it will definitely be sans-PCM. When I do it, I'm either gonna use the TH400 or T56 for the swap, so I dont hafta worry about computers at all. Rest assured, though, the swap will happen. As soon as I get rich.

I agree with Rook, swapping a 305 would be pointless. If you're gonna do it, get some power outta it and go with a built 350!

Or go with the 3/4 350: the Chevy 4.3L V6. One of the few v6 engines that you can easily get 500+ HP out of. Like I said, an engine swap isnt gonna happen for quite a few years. At least 5. Mayhaps upwards at 10.

Hi Richard ,
A friend of mine has an 85 Firebird with a 2.8; at some point he plans to drop a V-8 in it. Knowing him, it will be a Pontiac 389 or 400, like his '79 Trans Am. He runs Charter Oak Firebirds and there's a few nice 'Birds in the photo gallery.
Just thought I'd share some eye candy.. Best of luck with your tranny...

Thanks, blackarrow. I'm gonna go ahead and cruise over that way.

So the tranny is done today. I went to check her out, and just like the repair guy said, the internals were SHOT. I might bring them home tomorrow and post some pics. He was going to do a test drive, but...

the engine still knocks. I am more than willing to bet it is the lower end. Either which way I go, I'm gonna end up spending 1400 USD. That 2.8 is gonna get rebuilt. The way I figure it, by this time next week, I will have a drive train that will last another 100-150k easy. And I own her outright. Problem: that 900 USD Firebird now really cost me 4100 USD. I am gonna end up talking to the District Attorney and see if I can sue the dealership for reimbursement of tranny and engine rebuilds.

Rich, go to the 60degreev6 forum and check out your options before you rebuild. You might find something more interesting you'd like to do instead. Also, I think blower kits for the 2.8 are around $1k. Something to consider.

You could get a new motor for roughly the same price.

I looked into that. A new long block costs 1400 USD. Minus S&H, removal, component transfer, reinstall, fluids, and system check.

The guys doing the rebuild just gave me a call. he said the oil didnt look changed for AWHILE. She did indeed throw a rod, and the dealership must have only done a cursory oil change due to all the sludge, build-up, metal flakes, and other assorted nastiness in the engine. OH! and the intake mainfold had a sensor JBWelded into place, with quite a few otehr sensors being outright broken. The fact she ran AT ALL...

Good news: the block and heads should be fine. I should have her back by Friday next week. had I known all this crap, I woulda done it myself, they sure didnt save me any time. Oh well. When I get the bad parts back, I will be posting pics of engine and tranny.

congrats! bet she will run like brand new once u get her back!

That thing has some serious potential! Keep us updated.