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GTOLou · 03-02-2009, 08:42 PM

I am looking at a 76 TA. I sent in the fax-back PHS (got it today). The mail part of the PHS has several pages of info (will arrive in a few days),,,,BUT, the fax-back only comes with the front page or "build sheet".

The build sheet has options on it, BUT does not specify the engine or tranny for this car. I know from experience (I've got one) that a 455 TA will have the HO-455 as an option. I expect this car to be a 400 car (pretty well confirmed).

What about the tranny? The build sheet doesn't list either the turbo350 (available only w/ the 400) or the BW four speed?

I guess the answer is what was the "base" tranny for a TA w/ 400 in 1976.

2manyT/A'S · 03-02-2009, 11:13 PM

I believe the automatic in the T/A was standard equipment & the 4 speed was a no cost option.

Becausse it was N/C,it likely WON'T show up on your PHS

GTOLou · 03-02-2009, 11:48 PM

Thanks 2many.

I've got a 76 TA w/ a 455 already. On the PHS build sheet it has "455 4bbl pkg (L75)" as an option. It does not list ANY transmission on the build sheet - and we know that the 455 cars only came with the four speed.

This other car does NOT list any motor option (I assume base 400 - as it is a true 76 TA) and ALSO lists no specific tranny.

I guess the next question is whether anyone has a build sheet from a 76 TA w/ a 400 AND a TH350 transmission????? Any takers? I wonder if the TH-350 is listed on the build sheet.

Rocky Rotella · 03-03-2009, 06:14 PM

Actually, the M21 close-ratio 4-speed manual (Super T-10) was the T/A's standard transmission in 1976. Those ordered with the automatic will specifically show "M38" on the PHS document though it was a no-cost option. If the PHS document for the particular car you're looking at doesn't show a transmission option, then it should originally be equipped with a 4-speed manual.

If it doesn't list the L75 455 package, it's should have the standard 400 4bbl under the hood. This can also be verified by the letter "Z" in the 5th position of the VIN.

GTOLou · 03-03-2009, 08:32 PM

Thanks RR - your stuff on the 76TA site has been a big help in the past.

Yeah, we have posted on this subject in TAcountry and came up with the same thing your saying. I've seen three PHS build sheets in four speed cars with no tranny mentioned at all (one of which is a 455 car - can't fake that one). Also have seen one w/ a TH350 and it mentions that (M38) as a no cost option.

Thanks for your input!

Rocky Rotella · 03-04-2009, 04:10 PM

Glad to help.

Murf'sDad · 03-07-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky Rotella

Actually, the M21 close-ratio 4-speed manual (Super T-10) was the T/A's standard transmission in 1976. Those ordered with the automatic will specifically show "M38" on the PHS document though it was a no-cost option. If the PHS document for the particular car you're looking at doesn't show a transmission option, then it should originally be equipped with a 4-speed manual.

If it doesn't list the L75 455 package, it's should have the standard 400 4bbl under the hood. This can also be verified by the letter "Z" in the 5th position of the VIN.

Rocky, wasn't the ST-10, M21, considered a "special close-ratio", since it has a 2.43:1 first, much like the wide-ratio box, and 2nd, 3rd and 4th ratios very similar to the original, close-ratio box?

As I remember from when I ordered mine the 4-speed was standard and the TH350 was the option. Stock rearend ratio was 3.08 with 3.23 available if you ordered the 455. Somehow mine came through with the 3.23 rear gear even though I didn't order it and I "only" ordered the 400.

Stewart

sinister76ta · 03-07-2009, 05:45 PM

I believe that the 3:23 came with the 4 speeds whether or not it was a 400 or 455 in 76. I know I had a 77 with a 400 4 speed and it also had a 3:23 rear in it.

Murf'sDad · 03-07-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinister76ta

I believe that the 3:23 came with the 4 speeds whether or not it was a 400 or 455 in 76. I know I had a 77 with a 400 4 speed and it also had a 3:23 rear in it.

Nope. In '76, stock was 3.08's on the 400 with 3.23's optional. I remember making the decision not to add in the extra $?? for the optional gears. But I ended up with them anyway which I thought was cool.

Stewart

Rocky Rotella · 03-07-2009, 06:30 PM

3.08 gears were standard with the 400 4-speed, but I don't know that 3.23 were optional with that combo. I have actually documented a few 400 4-speeds with the 3.23 gear ratio, so some were definitely assembled that way.

Buyers who opted for the auto trans with the 400 received 2.41 gears. A midyear option (performance axle ratio) gave buyers the chance to opt for a 3.08 gear at no extra cost.

Stewart, just wondering, do you have anything factory-printed that shows the option was available on the 400 4-speed?

Murf'sDad · 03-07-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky Rotella

3.08 gears were standard with the 400 4-speed, but I don't know that 3.23 were optional with that combo. I have actually documented a few 400 4-speeds with the 3.23 gear ratio, so some were definitely assembled that way.

Buyers who opted for the auto trans with the 400 received 2.41 gears. A midyear option (performance axle ratio) gave buyers the chance to opt for a 3.08 gear at no extra cost.

Stewart, just wondering, do you have anything factory-printed that shows the option was available on the 400 4-speed?

Rocky, I'll have to dig back through my old stuff and see what I can find. I'm mostly going from memory of the events with the dealer at the time. But I do specifically remembering not ordering the 3.23 gears and finding out later that I had them when I found the build sheet. Remember that I am, and was at the time in 1976, in Canada.

I remember that the option was $50 or $100 more and I didn't think it would be worth the jump, performance wise, from the stock 3.08 to the 3.23. But I was happy to get it.

I'll let you know if I find anything in my stock pile.

Stewart

Rocky Rotella · 03-07-2009, 07:30 PM

Cool, thanks!

GTOLou · 03-08-2009, 11:57 AM

We talked about this on the TAcountry forum.

Just as Rocky said....the four speed was standard in the 76. If the build sheet mentions NO tranny then it was a four speed. The m38 (auto) didn't cost anything - but it would be listed on build sheet. Obviously ALL 455s had the four speed.

Rocky's stuff in the 76TA site is great. Hard to believe that they made over 30,000 400/auto's and 7500 455/four speed and ONLY 5500 400/4speeds. It is kind of a rare car for being so "common" in its conception (base/non-optioned TA in 76).

http://transamcountry.com/community/...?topic=24711.0

76TA site:

http://www.76transam.com/

And yeah....I did buy the car..build sheet is listed in my post on the TAC thread...

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