Hello

My name is barry,  i recently purchased a 77 firebird , orig a 301 esprit, someone cloned it into a formula with a 400 in it from a 77 trans am,  Its in decent shape, but im starting a partial tear down and rebuild, mostly of the drive train and interior, Im a collision repair tech student and ive grown up around cars, but ive never done a full engine rebuild, ive down bits and peices and rebuilt a few bottom ends, but never really down anything with the top end other than intakes.   The motor runs alright now, doesnt smoke, seems to idle alright, but i know nothing of the history of the motor, and i want to make sure its reliable, so i would like to pull it and do a overhaul, nothing special just stock maybe a mild cam, the car has headers and a edelbrock intake and carb, which is about as much modding as i plan to do.    

 So my question is, to overhaul the motor, should i replace and rebuild everything, should i just go thru and replace bearings, rings and seals,and of course inspect the other peices. whats the best way to tackle this. I've thought about having it professionally rebuilt, but i want to do this as much for the expeirence as the reliability.  

Ill also be rebuilding the tranny, rearend, going thru the fuel and brake systems as well as cooling and suspension, Im not looking for a performer, im looking for a cruiser.  I love the 70's birds, and want to be able to drive mine as much and as often as i can.

thanks for any help  

I recommend running a compression test first.  If all cylinders pump 135-145PSI, then the engine is in good shape, sealing-wise.  If the hot idle oil pressure is 15+psi, then bearings are probably OK.  You would decide which way to go based on this data.

If it ain't broke, don't "fix it."  

Barry, I agree with HO, the best way to keep it reliable is to leave it alone, assuming it's in good shape. Follow his guidelines, give it a good tuneup (plugs, wires, cap & rotor and all new filters) and drive it reasonably and you'll be good for a long time. As for the trans and diff, change the oil and filter(auto) and any leaking seals and drive on. The main things to look at on an older f-body would be the body mount bushings, suspension bushings,steering components and door seals. Fixing that stuff should be your first priority, as all that old rubber dry rots and wears out. You won't believe it's the same car when all that stuff is new!
Steve  

Compression is right where it should be, have no clue as to what the oil pressure or running temps are as the car has dummy guages.

My goal here realy is to have this car as good as the day it drove off the lot.  I guess i didnt explain my intentions.  the previous owner started a full restoration, but left the drive train for last for some reason or another.  the body is pretty well perfect condition, and the inteior for the most part was done, just need finishing.  trannys getting rebuilt because it slips in 2nd gear, and im installing a posi unit in the rear, so im just rebuilding the whole thing. As well as going thru the suspension make sure its all up to par, and a full polly bushing setup. And normally i would agree with the idea of if its not broke dont fix it, but i plan to drive the car down to the ocean city car show next year, which is about a 8 hour drive, and dont want any doubts as to if it can make it or not.

I was told to pick up a book called "How to rebuild Pontiac V8's"  has anyone here ever checked out the book before?  

If you mean Jim Hands book, I recommend it. If you plan to rebuild the 400, I would go with one of the complete kits from Summit Racing ($609 for all bearings, gaskets, freeze plugs, forged pistons, rings and oil pump.) add a mild cam (Pontiac 068 or equivalent), lifters and timing set, new fuel and water pumps and rebuild the heads to stock New springs) and put it back in. Should be rock solid reliable for years.
Steve  

Yep thats the book, Thank you very much much.  Ill go pick up the book right away.  I've been talking to a local performances motor builder, who recommended the book to me if i was set on building the motor myself.   And he gave me his number if i have any trouble.  He also gave me the number of a customer who he had just built another motor for who was looking to unload a tired but otherwise in good shape 400 from a 76 trans am, so i think i may get that and rebuild that to but into my bird, that way i can take my sweet time about this and make sure i get it right,

thanks for all the help