1968 Pontiac Firebird Fact Sheet

1968 Pontiac Firebird Facts, Figures, and Specifications

1967 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Facts Specifications Information Data

Styling was nearly identical to 1967 Firebirds, but vent windows were replaced with one-piece side glass with the introduction of Astro-Ventilation.

1968 – Solidifying the Line

The Firebird was incredibly successful, so few changes were made. The major alteration was the introduction of the 350 CID v-8, replacing the 326 CID unit. Horsepower was up slightly in the 400 CID V-8.

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1968 Pontiac Firebird Resources

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1968 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Body Paint Color Codes

Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:

1968 Pontiac Firebird

	A Starlight Black
	C Cameo Ivory
	D Alpine Blue
	E Aegena Blue
	F Nordic Blue
	G April Gold
	I Autumn Bronze
	K Meridian Turquoise
	L Aleutian Blue
	N Flambeau Burgundy
	P Springmist Green
	Q Verdoro Green
	R Solar Red
	T Primavera Beige
	V Nightshade Green
	Y Mayfair Maize

1968 Pontiac Firebird – What’s It Worth?

Related valuations for the 1968 Firebird Line will appear below

1968 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Current Market Values

1968 Pontiac Firebird Valuation Tool

1968 Pontiac Firebird Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1968 Pontiac Firebird

External features continued with the sculptured styling, bucket seats, twin grilles of a bumper-integral design and three vertical air slots on the leading edge of rear body panels. Two body styles were offered and continued with a choice of engines similar to the Tempest or GTO power trains. Technical changes included bias-mounted rear shock absorbers and multi-leaf rear springs to mitigate the complaints of axle hop on acceleration and uncomfortable handling on rough surface roads.

The two body styles were marketed as five different “models” created by adding Regular Production Orders (RPO) equipment in certain specific combinations. Production records were not kept according to the RPO packages, but rather by the number of I-6 and V-8 models built with standard or deluxe features.

1968 Pontiac Firebird – Factoids

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Firebird Gets the New 350 CID V-8

New for 1968 was a larger standard v-8, now at 350 CID. Rated at 265 HP in two-barrel form and 320 HP in 4-barrel setup, the engine also displayed more torque, 355 and 380 respectively. See 1968 the Firebird AMA Specifications Sheet for more information HERE.

1968 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Models Offered

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Base models featured the 175 HP horsepower OHC-6 with two-barrel carburetion. A column-mounted three-speed manual gear box was standard, with 2-speed automatic as an option. The 4-speed transmission was now available on the Base model as was the optional floor shift for the 3=-speed manual. No additional ornamentation was featured.

The base car was available in Coupe or Convertible.

Sprint models featured a 215 horsepower OHC-6 with lour-barrel carburetion. A floor-mounted three speed manual gear box and heavy duty suspension was standard. Body still moldings with “Sprint” emblems attached to the front of the stainless rocker panel. Body side racing stripes were an option.

It was available in Coupe or Convertible. See the RPO Section below for additional information on this model.

“Firebird 350” models were fitted with a 260 horsepower version of the base mid-size car 350 CID V-8 with two-barrel carburetion. See the RPO Section below for additional information on this model.

The Firebird 350 “H.O.” models were fitted with the 350 CID 320 horsepower version of the Pontiac V-8. It utilized the 10.5:1 compression and lour-barrel carburetion. Three-speed manual transmission with column shift, dual exhausts, “H.O.” side stripes, heavy-duty battery and F70 x 14 wide oval tires were standard. See the RPO Section below for additional information on this model.

The “Firebird 400” models were fitted with a 335 horsepower version of the 400 V-8 with a four-barrel carburetor. Standard equipment Included dual scoop hood. chrome engine parts, three-speed heavy-duty floor shift and sport type suspension. The letters “400” appeared on the right-hand side of the deck lid and on the hood.

See the RPO Section below for additional information on this model.

The 400 Ram Air was identical in most respects to the 400. In addition to the functional hood scoops, the engine received a more aggressive camshaft with the manual version using a 301/313 duration unit and the automatic having the 288/302 unit from the 400 manual transmission car. See the RPO Section below for additional information on this model.

1968 Pontiac Firebird Facts – RPO Packages

Firebird Sprint Package: Three-speed manual transmission with floor shift. OHC-6 Sprint emblems, body sill moldings and F70 x 14 tires. Engine: 250 cubic inch OHC-6 with 10.5:1 compression, Rochester four-barrel carburetor and 215 horsepower @ 5200 RPM. Price: $116 over base model Firebird.

Firebird 350 Package: Includes three-speed manual transmission with column shift and F70 x 14 tires. Engine: Pontiac 350 CID V-8 with 9.2:1 compression, Rochester two-barrel carburetor and 265 horsepower @ 4600 RPM. Price: $106 over base model Firebird.

Firebird 350 HO Package: Includes three-speed manual transmission with column shift, dual exhausts, “H.O.” side stripes, heavy-duty battery and four F70 x 14 tires. Engine: Pontiac 350 CID V-8 with 10.5:1 compression, Rochester four-barrel carburetor and 320 horsepower @ 5100 RPM. Price: $181 over base model Firebird.

Firebird 400 Package: Includes three-speed manual transmission with floor shift, chrome air cleaner, chrome rocker covers, chrome oil cap. sports type springs and shock absorbers. heavy-duty battery, dual exhausts. hood emblem and dual scoop hood, F70 x 14 red stripe or whitewall tires and “Power Flex” variable pitch cooling fan. Engine: Pontiac 400 CID V-8 with 10.75:1 compression, Rochester four-barrel carburetor and 330 horsepower @ 4800 RPM. Price: $351-435 over base Firebird depending on transmission. NOTE: the 400 could be had with either the standard 400 CID V-8 – or the 400 HO V-8, at extra cost.

Firebird “Ram Air 400 Package: Same as Firebird 400 with addition of de-clutching fan and twin hood scoops now functional. Engine: Pontiac 400 CID V-8 with 10.75:1 compression, Rochester four-barrel carburetor and 335 horsepower @ 5000 RPM. Price: $616 over base model Firebird.

1968 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Engines

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Tempest OHC I-6 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves, Overhead camshaft. Cast iron block. Seven main bearings.
Displacement: 250 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.525 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.0:1.
Horsepower: 175 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 240 @ 2600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 240°, Exhaust 240°, Overlap 28°, Lift 0.400″.
Carburetor: Rochester one-barrel model (manual transmission) 7028065. with A/C 7028067; (automatic) 7028168.

Tempest OHC I-6 – Optional All Transmissions: Overhead valves, Overhead camshaft.. Cast iron block. Seven main bearings.
Displacement: 250 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.525 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower: 215@ 5200 RPM.
Torque: 255@ 3800 RPM
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 244°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap 26°, Lift 0.438″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel model (manual transmission) 7028261 (Automatic) 7028060.

Firebird Base V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.75″
Compression ratio: 9.2:1.
Horsepower: 265 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 355 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 269°, Exhaust 277°, Overlap 47°, Lift: (intake) 0.376″; (exhaust) 0.412″.
Carburetor: Rochester 2-barrel (manual transmission) 7028071 (automatic) 7028062.

Firebird HO V-8 – Manual Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.75″
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower: 320 @ 5100 RPM.
Torque: 380 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift (intake) 0.410″, (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-Jet 4-barrel model 7028269.

Firebird HO V-8 – Automatic Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.75″
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower: 320 @ 5100 RPM.
Torque: 380 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 273°, Exhaust 282°, Overlap 55°, Lift (intake) 0.410″, (exhaust) 0.414″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-Jet 4-barrel model 7028266.

Firebird 400 V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 10.75:1.
Horsepower: 330 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3300 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift (intake) 0.410″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel (manual transmission) 7028265; (automatic transmission) 7028264.

Firebird 400 HO V-8 – Manual Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 10.75:1.
Horsepower: 335 @ 5000 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 288°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 63°, Lift (intake) 0.414″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel 7028271.

Firebird 400 HO V-8 – Automatic Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 10.75:1.
Horsepower: 335 @ 5000 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift (intake) 0.410″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel 7028264.

Optional Firebird Ram Air V-8 – Manual Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 10.75:1.
Horsepower: 335 @ 5300 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 301°, Exhaust 313°, Overlap 76°, Lift (intake) 0.413″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel 7028277.

Optional Firebird Ram Air V-8 – Automatic Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 10.75:1.
Horsepower: 335 @ 5300 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 288°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 63°, Lift (intake) 0.414″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel 7028276.

Optional Firebird 340 Horsepower Ram Air II V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 10.75:1.
Horsepower: 340 @ 5400 RPM.
Torque: 445 @ 3800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing:

(manual trans) Intake 301°, Exhaust 313°, Overlap 76°, Lift (intake) 0.413″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
(auto trans) Intake 288°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 63°, Lift (intake) 0.414″; (exhaust) 0.413″.

Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel (manual transmission) 7028275; (automatic) 7028274.

NOTE 1: Except where cited, Torque is in lb. ft.

NOTE 2: More detailed information on the 1968 I-6 and 350 and 400 CID V-8 engines may be found in the Library’s 1968 Pontiac Firebird AMA Specifications Sheets. You may access the sheets HERE.

1968 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Chassis Features

- Wheelbase: 108.1 inches.
- Overall length: 188.8 inches
- Overall width: 72.8
- Front track: All: 60 inches.
- Rear track: All: 60 inches.
- Standard tires: Base Model: E70 x 14; Others: F70 x 14.
- Optional tires: 195R x 14

1968 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Powertrain Information

Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- I-6 1st – 2.85:1, 2nd – 1.68:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.95:1
- 350 CID V-8: 1st – 2.54:1, 2nd – 1.50:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.63:1
- 400 CID V-8: 1st – 2.41:1, 2nd – 1.59:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.41:1
Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- I-6: 1st – 2.85:1, 2nd – 2.02:1, 3rd – 1.35:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.85:1
- V-8 Wide Ratio: 1st – 2.52:1, 2nd – 1.88:1, 3rd – 1.46:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.59:1
- V-8 Close Ratio: 1st – 2.20:1, 2nd – 1.64:1, 3rd – 1.28:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.27:1
Automatic Transmission Ratios
- I-6 and 350 CID V-8: Low – 1.76:1, High – 1:1, Reverse – 1.76:1
- 400 CID V-8: 1st – 2.48:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.08:1
Rear Gear Ratios
- I-6: Manual transmission: 3.55:1; Optional 3.08:1; with A/C 3.23:1 (3.08:1 not available with 4-speed)
- I-6: Automatic transmission: 3.23:1; Optional 2.41:1; with A/C 3.23:1
- I-6 Sprint: Manual transmission: 3.55:1; A/C not available
- I-6 Sprint: Automatic transmission: 3.23:1; Optional 2.78:1, 3.55:1; with A/C 3.08:1
- 350 CID V-8: Manual transmission: 3.23:1; Optional 3.08:1; A/C not available
- 350 CID V-8: Automatic transmission: 2.56:1; Optional 2.93:1; with A/C 3.08:1
- 350 CID HO V-8: Manual transmission: 3.36:1; A/C not available
- 350 CID HO V-8: Automatic transmission: 3.23:1; with A/C 3.08:1
- 400 CID V-8: Manual transmission: 3.36:1; Optional 3.55:1; A/C not available
- 400 CID V-8: Automatic transmission: 3.08:1; Optional 3.23; with A/C 2.56:1
- 400 CID HO V-8: Manual transmission: 3.36:1; Optional 3.55:1; A/C not available
- 400 CID HO V-8: Automatic transmission: 3.08:1; Optional 3.55; with A/C 2.56:1
- 400 CID Ram Air V-8: All transmissions: 3.90:1; A/C not available – Optional ratios – Dealer Installed

NOTE: For more powertrain information, and for all standard/optional rear gear ratios the Pontiac Firebird AMA Specifications Sheets HERE.

1968 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Power Train Options

- Firebird – Three-speed manual transmission – column shift – standard.
- Firebird – 175 HP OHC I-6 engine standard
- Two-speed automatic transmission optional on all I-6 and 350 CID V-8 Firebirds
- Three-speed automatic transmission optional on Firebird 400, 400 HO, and 400 Ram Air
- Four-speed manual transmission optional on all Firebirds
- 215 HP OHC I-6 engine only available on the Firebird Sprint model.
- 265 HP 350 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird 350 model.
- 320 HP 326 CID V-8 only available on the HO 350 Firebird model.
- 330 HP 400 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird 400 model.
- 335 HP 400 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird 400 HO model.
- 335 HP Ram Air 400 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird 400 Ram Air model. Air Conditioning not allowed.
- The close-ratio 4-speed manual box was optional on the Firebird 350, 350 HO, 400, 400 HO, and the 400 Ram Air.

1968 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Accessories

- Air Cleaner, dual stage
- Air-conditioner. Not available with manual transmission models or any Ram Air.
- Automatic transmission with 326 cubic inch V-8
- Automatic transmission with any OHC-6
- Automatic transmission (Turbo-Hydramatlc) in Firebird 400 and 400 Ram Air only
- Carpets
- Cordova tops
- Cruise control
- Custom sports steering wheel
- Deluxe steering wheel with ring
- Electric clock
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Firebird console
- Firebird base floor shift
- Padded dash
- Parking brake signal
- Power antenna
- Power brakes
- Power convertible top
- Power steering
- Push button radio – AM/FM
- Push button radio
- Rally Gage cluster
- Rally I wheels
- Rally II wheels
- Remote control outside mirror
- Ride & Handling package
- Safeguard speedometer
- Safe-T-Track positive traction rear
- Stereo tape player
- Tachometer
- Tilt steering
- Two-speed wipers and washers
- Wheel discs, simulated wire
- White wall tires