Telltale signs of an orig 69 Firebird 400

**JRSully** · #1 05-30-2009, 04:04 AM

Any quick teeltale signs of verifying a 69 Firebord 400 from 350/326 cars.? Anything on the trim tag etc.? Thx

nuch_ss396 · #2 05-30-2009, 04:35 AM

I'm not a Firebird guy but I bet that drivers side tail pipe
hanger reinforcement plate is a dead giveaway.

Nuch

**SuperNovaSS** · #3 05-30-2009, 04:57 AM

Get the PHS report. Its cheap insurance.

Jason

Rick · #4 05-31-2009, 06:47 AM

Here are a few 400 only items on a Firebird:
Hood with scoops
Pontiac crest emblem in center of front bumper
Chrome trim around grills
400 emblem in lower right corner of trunk lid

but the best way as Jason said is the PHS documents.

StealthBird · #5 05-31-2009, 09:43 AM

Nothing on the trim tag will tell you it's a Firebird 400. All the "telltale signs" of the Firebird 400 option can be recreated now using repro parts, so PHS is the only way to know for sure. Just be forewarned, most of the 1969 Firebird 400's you see today are phony. They made around 11,500 Firebird 400's in 1969 (compared to 65,000 1969 GTO's), and you don't see too many 69 GTO's around! By comparison, they made around 11,000 Judges between 1969-1971 Judges, so a real 1969 Firebird 400 is tough to find.

The Firebird 400 option was an entire package, much the same way the 64-65 GTO option was over a Lemans, so PHS is the only way to know for sure.

Unique to the 400 models :

Chrome trim surrounding each grille.
Pontiac crest at the leading edge of the front bumper.
Dual scooped hood (also came on the 350 H.O.)
Filler panels between the radiator support and the front bumper to help cooling.
400 emblems on the hood scoops and right rear corner of trunk lid.
All Firebird 400 models, with auto trans, used the Turbo 400.
All Firebird 400 models used dual exhaust.
All Firebird 400 models had 4-barrel carbs (some GTO's were built with 2-barrels).
Lower baffle pan between core support and front valence (a/c cars had this too)
Chrome valve covers and air cleaner lid (Firebird 400's used the GTO engine)
14x7 wheels were standard.
HD alternator
HD starter
HD radiator

Just a footnote, ALL 69 Firebirds used a 160 mph speedo.

Hope that helps...

442w30 · #6 05-31-2009, 07:53 PM

I don't think the scooped hood came on the 350HO.

lwkitt427 · #7 06-07-2009, 05:09 PM

IF IT IS AREAL ON THEYU ARE GREAT LOOKING CARS GOOD LUCK WIHT CAR

BUIZILLA · #8 06-07-2009, 05:21 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think the scooped hood came on the 350HO.

[/ QUOTE ] my wife's did, and her dad bought it brand new from Hallett Pontiac..

DaJudge · #9 06-07-2009, 05:47 PM

Stealth, everything you have posted is correct except you could order a Firebird 400 2bbl, just like the GTO. I owned one with a buildsheet a long time ago. I think they called it the economy package. I will see if I can find a copy of the buildsheet I had on the car.. It is the only one I ever saw.

Oh and the hood scoops are closed, unless it is a Ram Air III or IV bird.

StealthBird · #10 06-08-2009, 12:48 AM

DaJudge, please try to find that paperwork!

I'll never say never, but I have never heard of a Firebird 400 2-bbl. The 69 Firebird 350 was available with the 2-bbl, or an optional 4-bbl, but not the Firebird 400 model. There's no mention of a Firebird 400 2-bbl in any factory literature, on any of the order sheets, in the factory assembly manual, in the factory service manual, or on any of the factory engine charts.

They made a few thousand 67-69 GTO's with the 400 2-bbl option, and it was called the economy option, but they didn't make any Firebird 400 2-bbl's.

If you find any paperwork, please post!