1991 Firebird Project First 600 Miles and Maintenance (Ep.13)

Finally we are ready to hit the road in the 1991 Pontiac Firebird we have spent months working on! After buying it from a neighbor for $100, we went through a lot of small things that needed to be taken care of, and at long last it is at the point where we can confidently drive around in it. We will talk about the experience of driving it, and future things that need to be taken care of. Then, we'll do some general maintenance on the car and swap out some parts to hopefully prevent future issues.
Timeline of filming: January 6th, 2019 - April 17th, 2019 (Driving, Various Pictures)
April 16th, 2019 (Maintenance)
Song List (Order of First Appearance):
0:01 Birds in Flight - Dan Lebowitz
3:37 Days are Long - Silent Partner
5:27 Hilltop - Dan Lebowitz
7:50 Merry Go Round - Dan Lebowitz
12:47 Blue Creek Trail - Dan Lebowitz
14:30 Monster at the Door - Sir Cubworth
16:19 Our Distance - Silent Partner
(All music provided by KZbin's Audio Library royalty free.)
Thanks for watching, and joining us on this adventure! Please let us know what you think! Consider supporting us via Patreon as well! / fuzzydiceprojects
Follow our Instagram for more pictures and teasers: / fuzzydiceprojects
Check out our second channel for a variety of other content: / @fuzzydicepastimes

[@michaelharding1130]

I died on the impact gun lmao

[@_louis.se_]

SAME

[@armorer94]

@aljanat5 lighten up, Francis.

[@GeminiWoods]

@aljanat5 Issa' joke...

[@05gtdriver]

I liked how he does a nearly seamless edit when he puts the socket on the drain plug to when he starts "torqueing" down with an obvious larger socket to give the impression he's turning the drain plug, very funny :-)

[@DrewLSsix]

@aljanat5 if your main method of "staying in work and well privisioned" is some old beater firebird then theres no help for you.

[@p.informatico1320]

I love this series of videos as much of the Pontiac Fiero project of Ronald Finger.

[@gab_ale]

I was going to say that their styles are similar. I also watch Ronald because of his Fiero project. They kind of have the same sense of humor.

[@chasee3797]

Awesome video man. I agree with your point on connecting with the car emotionally, as I have felt the same way towards my first car, a 1993 Chevrolet Camaro 3.4L TPI V6 base. I miss that car very much since I sold it February of this year, even though it gave me similar issues as your 1991 Firebird. Currently, my father was in the process of restoring a 1969 Roadrunner for my grandfather ( his father ) but my grandfather passed in March of 2017 and he hasn’t worked up the courage to work on it again. I really want to finish it, because the car means so much to us and we wouldn’t ever sell it.

[@juliosanviti9328]

Take courage my friend

[@thebigpicture2032]

That would be awesome if you were able to finish it.

[@johnbroskey2547]

I have a 94 camaro 3.4 that was my first car. Still have it. Cant build up the courage to sell it for 8-900 bucks. Never let me down.

[@chasee3797]

john broskey Nice!! I really want to get a z28 after college.

[@johnbroskey2547]

GrungeGadget the lt1s (93-97) are cheaper but beware of the infamous optispark. Ls1s (98-02) are more reliable and easier to find mods for. I have had both and currently have a 01 z28. My advice is to keep looking, dont be afraid of a little work, and jump on a deal. I wouldnt pay more than 2k for an lt1 and 3500 for an ls1. I paid 2200 for my ls1. It needed a bumper and fender. He was said he priced it out based on the drive train (2800). Found a ls1 drivetrain off ebay for 2200 and he took the offer.

[@scottboyer8450]

"If you can't pull up to a gas station and strike up a conversation with your fellow man over your car, what are you doing?" -Mike Finnegan

[@trainsbangsandautomobiles824]

Love the profile pic ;)

[@Rhyscape]

Impact gun was the best joke I’ve seen for a while👍😆

[@glonch]

Thanks for the video... now I need to re-tighten my oil pan bolt...

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

CAN'T BE TOO CAREFUL

[@TheEbencarljo]

This video was close to making me cry... coz, I understand you're not only turning wrenches, but telling stories. I subscribed.

[@specgrade3275]

She sure shines up nicely! Gotta love how GM highlighted the 55 on the speedometer. Man I miss those cars!

[@JRC99]

They all did that, actually. Grandfather has an 89 Mustang and since it has the 140 speedo, it only has the mark for 55, not the numbers. And that is the only red mark on the speedo

[@tonny.c]

I swear to god your videos are like a fireplace to me. Easy country music, easy narration. It's pure bliss!

[@keegankidwiler7840]

Fellow Marylander here and I gotta say it’s kinda weird seeing you drive on the route I take home from work, actually made me do a double take.

[@killiansnell8965]

I have a 1986 trans am and what you said at the 5 minute mark hits hard everyone I talk to at a show has a story with an older Firebird and it brings back memories to almost everyone it crosses paths with

[@rizz0d]

instructions unclear - smoked my impact tightening oil drain plug to your recommended spec! that bit hits home for me, brother in law and i have an inside joke about overtightening things from when he bought a truck that had the wheel nuts tightened to like 500 lbs.

[@TheDeafMechanic]

My parents had a 08 Yukon like that. My oldest brother broke a 4 way lug nut wrench in half trying to get them loose. Lol

[@jackwmoody]

@@TheDeafMechanic Broke a 4 way and a socket wrench on my son's used Wrangler he bought. Sucked!

[@francistheodorecatte]

my mom's Honda Fit came from the factory with an oil filter put on so tight the filter housing was actually deformed from the torque. my chain wrench just ripped holes in it, so I had to cut it apart and chisel the nut off of the thread on the oil filter housing in order to get it off.

[@Pierson116]

@@francistheodorecatte Once worked on a 2006 Pontiac G6 with the oil filter on so tight that it ate two of my wrenches trying to get it off and poked serveral holes in in the filter, i was getting impatient so i took an oil filter socket and a breaker bar and ended up cracking the oil filter housing getting it off, because im an idiot.

[@supercobra14560]

My buddy makes astro shafts and bearings that really wake the steering up. I will have him contact you.

[@supercobra14560]

You are misunderstanding. The astro shaft goes between the steering column and steering box, eliminating the rag joint and its play. The astro bearing goes into the steering column itself at the point where the column and astro shaft meet. The oem bearing is just a cheap circle piece of plastic. The astro version has actual ball bearings and provides smooth movement. Has nothing to do with the steering rack itself.

[@MotorScotti]

I have the Astro shaft but decided not to install it for now. Since there is no rubber link anymore, all of the vibrations go through into the steering wheel. I installed a new rubber joint instead. Certainly not as precise but hey.. May I should install a new steering pump if I were to go with the Astro shaft.

[@zed-xr4353]

​@@MotorScotti I'm undecided on doing the astro shaft myself as well. Some people have recommended wrapping the Astro shaft with some split rubber hose. Reportedly helps the vibration issue.

[@evanhooper1]

@@Oldsmobile69 Yes, there are rack and pinion conversions available. Expensive and a lot of work though.

[@fabricatedego]

You are driving my dream car. However, listening to your V.O. about what the car has seen makes me think of my current car a 2002 Ford Mustang Convertible. This car belonged to my best friend and then his dad. Now, I am the owner of this car. Got a little choked up because My pops (friend's dad) passed away in 2018 from Cancer and so the Mustang means even more to me then it did when I first got her. Thank you for reminding me of the beauty of being part of the tradition of take my car on further adventures.

[@TheWillrus]

Oh man, that impact segment is wayyyyyy too relatable

[@5084204]

Wooow! The trick with a punch hole in oil filter is brilliant!

[@stephenwevans]

Love watching this old bird come together. It's so true, what you say about how we connect with cars, especially if they trigger memories. I've loved all of the Firebird and Trans Am designs. Each one is associated to certain times in my past. Thanks for keeping this one on the road.

[@N3M3S1S357]

I saw a Fiero preview and I'm excited!

[@Tech_481]

Same i have a ferio setting in my garage rn and I know I'm going to get inspired watching the video lol

[@LadyJesterSurfer]

I've been shopping for a Fiero GT, so I'm stocked

[@N3M3S1S357]

@@LadyJesterSurfer ever own one before? If not check out fiero.nl, great forum all about them! Also check the trunk for rust, if it rusts under the carpet chances are the rest of the frame is gross.

[@LadyJesterSurfer]

N3M3S1S , haven’t owned one yet. Girlfriend in HS had a really nice one. Planning to get one as a project for me and my sons. Thanks for the info on the trunk; and the forum, I’ll check it out.

[@N3M3S1S357]

@@LadyJesterSurfer Good luck! They're a ton of fun and easy to work on. Biggest advice is just stay away from the 84s, they have a lot of stuff that is year specific in a dumb way.

[@BuccaneerBruce]

I had a green 1992 Z-28, had many of the same problems this Firebird has. I've loved the videos.

[@rtxrt73]

Honestly this series means a great deal to me. My buddy has. 92 firebird (exactly the same trim and color as this one) we had a bunch of great times in college with that car that seeing this takes me back to 1993 and I relive some of the greatest times of my life...

[@ikkre2]

I owned a Pontiac Firebird for 8 years from 1992 to 2000. It was my best car at the time. The model year of the car was 1989. I took good care of it, but something happened when the radiator started to leak after a little hard driving. I replaced it and everything seemed fine. However, the heating device no longer gave hot air, which was strange. Then in 2000 I HAD to change the car, but the love for my car remained.

[@MonsterBuddy10]

That speech you made about the connection we make with cars really hit me in the feels. I bought a 1986 s10 blazer after I lost my daily driver in a bad accident. Ever since I bought the truck I've been obsessed with them, it's not fancy or beautiful or fast but man I love it. That's actually what brought me to your channel and I'm glad I found it. I've learned a lot, laughed a lot, but most importantly I've made another connection. Watching your videos feels like hanging out with a good friend. I love seeing someone else give love to cars that aren't considered classics or cool by most.

[@DaveDowns1]

The speech near the beginning is the most beautiful thing I ever heard, except for the time when the sheriff opened my cell door said I'd been bailed out

[@JRC99]

Thanks. The connection thing is going to make me cry. I miss my first truck. A 96 Dakota with a v6 5 speed, 267,000 miles and a lot of rust. We named it Kipper. I viewed it/him as a good friend, but I needed money and sold it to a friend who promptly put the wrong oil in it and blew it up

[@robram008]

I've been driving OTR for a year and haven't had the time to work on my own cars . I've always worked on my own vehicles and love working on them.Your videos make it a little bit easier thank you for your time.

[@joannaatkins822]

I'm not sure you got that sump plug tight enough. You should use just a tiny bit of red thread locker next time!

[@hunterwatkins4259]

Phil Atkins I’m not a fan of thread locker just jb weld it a bit and you’ll know it won’t come loose ;)

[@SkylineFTW97]

Still too weak. Physically weld the drain bolt to the pan. No oil will ever go through that

[@ManMountainMetals]

The entire engine should be sealed in a block of carbonite!

[@johnjosephmercadante6664]

My 89 was bought brand new for $15,000, repraised a few years ago $15,000, my trick was change the oil, STP Oil Treatment and keep the engines exterior clean, you will find potential problems before they become an issue.

[@CarlosGuzman-bq8fr]

Great Video and.. great story... Bringing cars back on the road does bring us new stories and memories.. Good ones.. I have had 36+ cars and the joy is bringing the car back to road worthy. I currently have a 1982 Pontiac Trans Am Black on Black but now I had the interior redone with Tan or Knight Rider inspired. I have had my car now 21 years.

[@kpit-mzbz]

(great intro) We are here because you tell great stories. We appreciate you. So thank you. We are all glad to be here.

[@robertsilva5041]

I love your passion for cars and how genuine you are. The vids are great!! Keep up the good work God Speed...

[@3rd-eye-neenja563]

The impact gun tightening the drain plug/bolt 😂😂😂😂😂

[@judeg.8101]

I like the idea of bringing a car back from a long worn road life to a newer life or extended life. I lost my Lab of 11 years and wish I could have done the same for my buddy. Sound s strange but it kinda of fits your sentimental feeling for old cars.

[@hotice31]

Whatever happens with these cars - two things are for sure - you got a story going and it CONNECTS!!

[@Awas79]

Rattle gun to "torque" the oil filter and plug were hilarious, keep it up :')

[@MrVostok11]

I know the feeling. Despite being very far watching from here from Brazil. I feel connected with your journey. I have a Volkswagem Brasília 1979 and I have been doing the same work as you. And in my 37 years I love being able to learn every day and I learned a lot watching this series of videos, my English is not very good some things I understand others not. But I don't miss a tip. Thank you success on the journey.

[@someone972s]

From a fellow Firebird owner, check up on the vacuum operated heater control valve every so often. If it's an aftermarket valve, which it probably is by this point, they use poor quality plastic that tends to go mushy over time. I've made it a yearly maintenance item to replace because I've had three of them go mushy and break off the hose attachments, spraying coolant everywhere. Just something to watch out for, yours may be better quality than what I've found.

[@ThomasWilliams-uq9lo]

I actually prefer older vehicles. I have people telling me I need a new vehicle, and I say why I have one. It may be 19 years old but me and the old girl have a connection, she sometimes gives me things to do. I mean if not I’d be bored on the weekends. Love the videos.

[@rexmedina4561]

You keep tugging at my heart strings! Stop it! I love my third gen rs, it’s also brought along its issues and my odometer stopped at 140k but it’s kept me company and in house. Thanks for the videos!

[@yhwhswarrior6086]

Your car reminds me of an old man I met when I got out of the Navy years ago. He drove a car like that and he always told me jokes. Thank you for the memory.

[@aseredy]

My first car was a 1992 FB with almost exactly this same trim/color. Inherited her with 140K on the clock. Drove her into the ground. Took her muding a few times too. haha. I like this ep.

[@Carstuff111]

So happy to see another 3rd generation F-body being put back on the road! And it happens to be my favorite of the Firebirds, 1991-1992 were, in my opinion, the best looking of the 3rd generation Firebirds :)

[@sixtyinsix]

Plan on rehanging the doors. I could see the drivers side door droop when you closed it @ 1:10.

[@rwdplz1]

Yep, time for new bushings

[@TheWolverine-rm2kr]

No, it raised up when he closed it

[@mercury0214]

Why can’t anyone be happy

[@stakesd]

After replacing my oil for the first time in years (my dealer did the oil changes) I've never laughed harder at your bolt and filter securing! Why, for the love of mike, do they find the strongest guy to put them back on after the oil change...it made what I thought was a simple task, the longest Saturday in a long time. Love your vids!

[@stevensmith3273]

Im doing this with my dad's 1985 Chevy K5 Blazer. These videos are very inspiring. Keep up the amazing work man.

[@lb9gta307]

Everyone knows the drain plug holds the entire engine together and must be as tight as possible

[@erikviking]

Been watching the series on this car all day since i'm home sick (not corona but I do have the carowner virus). Really great work on the car and video, nice humor and sentiment. Makes me want a f body in the fleet!

[@DrFiero]

I bought "almost this car" ('88 T/A GTA) brand new. That's what I always think of (smells, sounds etc) whenever I see one these. Ditto for your Fiero (bought an '85 in early '86).

[@Lucas_Tulic]

I follow a lot of channels, many of them about car's stuff, but only two make me laugh with the good content and the comedy, yours and Cold War Motors! Although yours is more like a Chandler Bing-esque humour, like... a lot of sarcasm. I love it! Cheers from Argentina!

[@tanner8288]

I too restored my own firebird and it's the solar gold 78 TA but driving it the same way you drive your cars is all I need to be happy with it

[@htownandi6263]

Awwww this video got me in my feels. I keep my cars as long as I can and do tend to develop emotional attachments to them. Love this channel.

[@MrPureblindman]

i see you took offense when being told how to do an oil change. thank you for showing me how to do an oil change properly. most people are all talk behind a keyboard but glad you showed us how to do it correctly.

[@EarlofBaltimore]

Looks like your project has come a long way. Rt. 70 north of Frederick is a beautiful drive. I run through there on my way to West Virginia quite often.

[@ljmarquezg]

Bro. How i'm loving watching these videos. This Firebird has always been my dream car. Couple of tears rolled during your "video closure emotional speech" lol. Looking forward to review the rest of your material. Blessings!!

[@MotorScotti]

Thanks for saving this Firebird. It's always nice to see the smaller improvements too. All of a sudden it's almost a new car! Great job! PS: Is the left headlight out?

[@dustinadamson7293]

11:50 personally I've always used the plastic bag trick.. you loosen it a bit then unscrew the filter with a small plastic bag in your hand.. it catches the oil.. easy and done..

[@Deifico]

nice reflections about what the car is or mean. Love for cars are love as love is, sometimes, senseless, just passion. Good job.

[@Bri-tg6xr]

I saw the road you pulled on and I thought maybe, just maybe you are in my area. Did further sleuthing in the vid and sure enough you were in the next town over. That's awesome! Oh that drain plug and filter part had me laughing. Wow

[@tinynstrong]

The begging was beautiful loved it so glad to be along for the journey

[@MidnightMechanic]

Pay special attention to the steering box. They used shank bolts from the factory to hold it against the frame rail under the hood, so even if the bolts are holding the box in the car, it can still move sideways from the slack given by the shanks. If the inner fender rots out, it's going to be the first part to move around, and possibly break the retainer bolts. Ask me how I know. Not a difficult fix, but will give you some extra security to use fully threaded bolts, and possibly a stabilizing strip of steel between them. As long as the box stays against the inner frame rail, the measurements won't be off.

[@jeffruebens8355]

I drove several $200 cars while going to college and working in between college years. It forced me to learn more about more repairs to not pay someone else $100 an hour, unless expensive new tools were needed. Sometimes it went to a junkyard because the repairs were not worth it, in my opinion.

[@arcangeloriccio3943]

I loved the intro as well as the entire series. I wish you the best, enjoy your reborn Firebird! A big hug from Italy!

[@littlebirdy3279]

On the 172s airplanes I used to work on the torque value for the spark plugs were 35 foot pounds! Manual is usually right with those kinds of things! Lol, good job on the whole restoration though. It's beautiful.

[@Zelaznogsiul-63]

The oil filter is the wrong color, I won't be able to sleep after seeing it. Love the video.

[@subiemon]

the impact gun oil pan bolt scene is the bomb i laughed my but off esp what the torque numbers started going up fast!!!!! excellent video!!!!

[@lateefcarrere1649]

Hold on! You mean there's Torque specs for sparkplugs? I've just been putting them in finger-tight, then turned them until the ground was at 3 o'clock...or did I change my plugs at 3 o'clock? Anyway, I totally understand why folks gave you a hard time about using impact wrenches on the oil plug & filter: you're using the WRONG BRAND of impact wrench! Come on, man - use the right one!! *Don't sue me if you buy the wrong one & the comments get worse.* Continue to enjoy the Firebird, & making these informative, knowledgeable, & entertaining videos. Thanks.

[@justinm6110]

My dad had a blue one , i was around 13-14 yrs old and i thought it was the coolest car in our small town, he had it for 3-4 yrs and traded it in for a red 96 Z28 vert, i felt even cooler in that one .

[@deandremckenzie6185]

Love the series!! You give me alot of ideas and guidance of what to do and what might not be the best option lol i have a 86 been rebuilding and i cant wait for more videos!!

[@PeterGriffin-kb2hf]

I'm starting to restore my Pontiac Grand Prix, can't wait to drive it everywhere.

[@extrameatsammich]

I had a 1991. TBI 305/5 speed. It had 260k miles when I passed it on. I regularly got 30 mpg on road trips. The L03 is so under stressed that I think if properly maintained should go 500k or more.

[@TFD1982]

So great to see it back on the road

[@tomhf14]

I would just use about 8 ounces of the marvel at every oil change.... it worked beautifully for me in stopping tapping lifters and keeping them quiet. When i recently did valve cover gaskets the surface of the rockers and head were remarkably clean

[@JohnBarrow1961]

Very satisfying series to watch.

[@chrisbarnes4222]

I had a 91 black with black interior these videos make me wish I still had it. Love the videos!

[@AdderoYuu]

You absolutely nuking the threads on the oil pan bolt made me want to cry on the inside😂 it was funny but UGH IT HURT TO WATCH

[@rafalkowalski5062]

Very good video. W8ting for next episode :) Greetings from Polish Fbody Fan ! Watching this series makes me go to work on mh 88 GTA!

[@briantambling3918]

I loved this series. I've always dreamed of having an f body with t tops. A dream I've had since I was a kid.

[@TTony0503]

Man that plate In the front Is killing me, if there wasn't an aftermarket front clip I would make brackets from the bottom lip and slightly bend the plate so It looks more like the later version with the removable one

[@AaronBelknap]

Great video. I love that car! I LOL'd at the impact on the oil drain plug!!! I showed my wife and she laughed. On the night driving, your drivers headlight out? Wasn't sure I saw it lit up like the passenger side on the road. Keep them coming and love your humor and great narrating.

[@AhuCJ]

Damn i love your jokes.. I want more of these car restoration videos 😍

[@theChrisErbe]

I love this series. I have a 1988 firebird GTA so it's fun to follow along as some of this stuff I've done. haha I'm currently working on converting from a 4 speed auto to a 6 speed manual. I agree, cars and stories with cars connect us.

[@jameskang790]

Second time watching... can't stop missing my old cars... moreover being emotional.

[@ACEMIDNIGHT102]

Check your frame horn that the steering box mounts to. 82-83 birds and Camaros cracked all the time. Z28 and Trans Ams has more bracing. If you don’t have a “wonder bar” get one. That will greatly improve your steering feel

[@acidicbricks6966]

From a heart warming speech to fix the car

[@Fredness2300]

Love the shenanigans @13:06

[@mansoorahmed6928]

Really enjoyed your video - I think you are quite underrated but wish you best of luck

[@keiffitz689]

Also at some point I’d completely flush it by disconnecting the return line and running new fluid thru the system till it comes out clean.

[@dabossjohnson]

Yooo that intro was lit I was expecting the motivational/ sentimental connection conversation but it was definitely need and you spoke a lot of facts

[@chungaleta1234]

I was going to write a lot about what these videos make me feel... But it was going to be such a long comment that nobody would read. So I'll condense it in a phrase. "Your videos are effing great"

[@hilalalhashmi9465]

You're awesome bro, I really enjoyed every single episode

[@stevepouyadoux4654]

Thanks you for all your great videos And thanks to share your pation Gen 3 tbi Firebird are verry spatiale car It a pleasure to ride whith.

[@colerippeon3903]

That last clip you came out of downtown frederick and got on 70. Your right by my work!

[@sakumisan]

Been working on my bird the past few months, nice to see you on the road!

[@linginfelterh]

I’d just like to say thanks for making vids. I’m always excited to see what’s next.

[@orrprosegaming7851]

Thanks fuzzy I was having a bad day before this

[@johnbroskey2547]

I really like your channel, even if you only upload every once in a while. Your 4l60e rebuild really helped me out. Keep it up!

[@MrSonordrumr]

Great video. Love that car! Can't beleive how the paint buffed out. Keep it up man, everyone loves your content.

[@colescrustycars]

On the odometer. There is a little gear that falls apart in there . You can get parts to repair it off ebay. I just repaired the odometer in my 89 20th anniversary turbo trans am. Keep up the good work

[@InternalAffairs244]

Impact gun on the filler cap had me rolling lmao. Love this series, man, great videos! Have a 79 Camaro with 250k miles on the factory 350.

[@stewartgilbert76]

Great hangover tv

[@goodluckcult3157]

I dig the videos man! I laughed like hell about the impact gun oil plug and filter. Good job... some people can get real pushy on here... good work!