Messages

61

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Firebird and the Trans-Am series

« on: September 17, 2011, 08:10:41 PM »

The best part for me Jon is that this unique rear axle was separated from the car for 25 years. It was found and re united with the car.

Bruce.

62

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Firebird and the Trans-Am series

« on: September 15, 2011, 08:34:30 AM »

OK, I had a quick measure, The distance between the upper and lower bolts of the caliper mount, bearing retainer is 2.5" and without checking i assume they are the same all around.

The 'ears' on the upper side of the centre section where the bushes for the 4 link mount, have been milled off. I hav a pic of that some where.
There was zero co-operation between Chevrolet and Pontiac during the time these cars were built. Being part of GM meant absolutely nothing when it came to market share and sales. My good friend Rob Irvine was in Chevrolet parts (dealership) and did get some good pieces for the Pontiac racers (T/G) but when asked who was ordering he named a local Camaro racer so he wouldn't be considered a traitor.

The axles would have used only Pontiac parts, or parts made specifically for the T/G team.
Bruce.

63

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Firebird and the Trans-Am series

« on: September 14, 2011, 06:05:22 AM »

Outside of what we've seen, do any other images exist that might capture the appearance of the Watts link center pivot structure built and situated between the rear subframe rails aft of the axle assembly?

Mike ,  Here is a shot of the underside. It shows the frame work for the Watts centre pivot. The fuel cell is right up against the rearmost part of the frame (closest to the camera) The front (away from camera) and underside are panelled with aluminum.



Bruce.

64

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Firebird and the Trans-Am series

« on: September 14, 2011, 05:41:50 AM »

Best way to answer that is show you the pic, looking down on the right hand axle tube and flange.



Bruce.

65

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Firebird and the Trans-Am series

« on: September 13, 2011, 06:32:38 PM »

Mike,  The centre pivot mount is made from square tube that runs between the rear frame rails, and it is covered with aluminum sheet.
I may have a photo somewhere of the frame work without the covers on.

One of the key fabricators of the T/G Firebirds was Jerry Schwartz, he was with Shelby prior to that so it is very possible that shared Mustang build features could cross over from KK and be used later and be very similar.

Bruce.

66

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Firebird and the Trans-Am series

« on: September 13, 2011, 07:59:45 AM »

Here is my T/G Firebird rear axle, it is partly restored, i was mocking up the Watts linkage when this was taken.



Bruce.

67

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Firebird and the Trans-Am series

« on: September 13, 2011, 07:45:59 AM »

Here is one of the hybrid rear axle. The centre section is from the Pontiac big cars, like the 455 powered station wagons etc. As Jon pointed out above, they have a 12 bolt ring gear. The axle tubes are from the F body so they are the right width, and have the appropriate mounting points.

The outer wheel bearings have an inner race so don't run directly on the axle shaft. 



This has the extra 'box' added to the rear cover to increase oil capacity. The two tubes are copper and pass fresh air through the middle of the oil.

The second pic is the axle without the extra box added. It also shows the various linkages and bars.


I will try and find a pic of my axle as it is now. These are from period articles.

Bruce.

68

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Firebird and the Trans-Am series

« on: September 12, 2011, 11:02:03 AM »

One more from a different angle



Bruce.

69

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Firebird and the Trans-Am series

« on: September 12, 2011, 10:59:33 AM »

Here is a pic of one of the T/G racing rear caliper mounts. It looks to have been milled as opposed to cast. You can see the bearing and collar, the caliper mount bolts to the flange on the end of the axle tube, pressing the bearing into it's seat and retaining the axle, No C clip like the Chev rear axles.



Bruce.

70

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Firebird and the Trans-Am series

« on: September 11, 2011, 09:33:05 AM »

That is a neat article Jon, i have seen some of the pics used in another very similar article somewhere.
I notice a few points worth mentioning. T/G were sent engineering mules as the basis for the race cars. these were cars that were used for testing some aspect and never destined to be road registered. If not used for race cars they would have been scrapped.

In one of the pics above of the special taller front spindle you will notice that the top of the Corvette brake caliper mount has to be 'clearanced' to make room for the extra length (height) of the spindle. The parts are pretty much identical to the ones used on the race Camaros, but they were assigned part numbers on the race Firebirds.

So many neat details in the pics,

Thanks for posting those Jon.
Bruce.

Further up in the pic of the 303 cubic inch Pontiac, you can also see the locating stub for the radiator support on the front of the frame rails just in front of the roll cage extensions. This was part of the quick removal of the entire front end sheetmetal to make servicing and engine changes quicker.

I see they had their tall (but not as tall at Penske) fueling tower built before the start of the season.

71

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos

« on: September 05, 2011, 09:29:56 AM »

Thanks for the added background Robert.

Dave's Can Am McLaren is back out on the track in the old color scheme. It is now owned and run by a Kiwi who is living in Washington State.
Dave moved his business from Barrie a few years ago. He re opened elsewhere with a slightly different focus. I exchanged some emails with him a while back and he was very gracious with his help and knowledge about the Titus engines.

Bruce.

 

72

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos

« on: September 04, 2011, 08:07:45 AM »

Those photo passes are great Jon, What neat souvenirs. 

Just a note on the above Jerry Titus engine shown above. It was built by Dave Billes, at his Performance Engineering Ltd business in Canada.


Bruce.
 

73

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: August 23, 2011, 10:57:18 AM »

That is always the issue with models that are absolutely correct, and the same is true for full size restorations. We have all seen properly restored race cars that have their quirks and stranged facets, but it is those details that make them correct. i'd rather have them "right" and perhaps questions, than the way people expect. Juat as long as the facts and pics can back up the restoration.

More great work Mike. Keep it up.

Bruce.

74

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos

« on: August 23, 2011, 10:53:16 AM »

Hi Jon,

I had a look at the Freidman book and the Bridgehampton section has Jerry with the big old 13 on the door, but I'm open to correction,

Bruce.

75

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: August 21, 2011, 06:35:28 AM »

Nice progress Mike, The front is looking very close to the real thing, The indicator overlays did look crude on the real car, but they did the trick at minimal cost.

Bruce.