[1968GTOGary]

there is a push button switch on the intake manifold that looks like it would be depressed at WOT by carb linkage, does anyone know what this switch does?

[77 TRASHCAN]

I'm guessing that to be a 301???
Probably turns the A/C compressor off under full throttle, so you don't get killed trying to pass someone. Especially important if you owned an older Pontiac, and were day dreaming that you were in your old car...

[1968GTOGary]

yes it is a 301 4 bbl, I thought it did something like that, it will have a short life in the car I already have lm7 5.3 and 4l60e to replace it. just gather parts for the swap , I will be keeping fuel injection. I know it's not keeping it Pontiac, but at twice the HP and reliability, not to mention the fuel economy. I already have a 68 GTO with 400. anyone looking for a 80k 301? LOL

[77 TRASHCAN]

You are definitely forgiven for that swap!!! LOL

The only person looking for that 301 is the scrap guy...\

There's a few things on the 301 worth saving, timing cover, valve covers, dist, maybe a couple more...

[68ragtop]

Are you sure thats not a factory nitrous switch?

My pace car has the 301 turbo in it. I really like the engine. it runs very well & is a little peppy. Nothing like engines before it, but not bad. I Never drove a naturally aspirated 301 however.

[1968GTOGary]

The 301 runs good but 140 hp is just not my cup of tea. And it's hard to beat the Gen 3 or 4 ls engines, with all they offer in performance and reliability.

[68ragtop]

Oh, No kidding? I didn't realize they were that anemic.

[Pontiacdaver]

Yep, they're pretty anemic. I was told the switch is for the TH200's passing gear. Depending on cost, I may be interested in the 301 and the transmission. PM me if you want to.

-Dave

[77 TRASHCAN]

Ding, ding, ding, we have a buyer!!!!

Gary price that thing at scrap, so you don't miss the sale!!!

I test drove a new 1980 301 turbo T/A. It wouldn't get out of it's own way!!! Glad I didn't let the salesman suck me into that deal...

LOL, factory nitrous switch... . The 301 non turbo'd engines, many times died early, the cranks would break. The turbo engines were delayed coming into production because of crank problems (the turbo engines got different cranks)

[2manyT/A'S]

I bought a brand new full load 1980 301 turbo Trans am so I could park my 78 T/A.......

Put 100K on the 80 T/A in 4 years....no engine problems whatsoever....just regular maintenance.....Quite possibly due to the fact that I alway changed the oil regularly and used straight 30 weight (no mulitigrade) as per factory spec.

I thouroghly enjoyed driving that car.....NOT the same as the 78W72 stick......but an AWESOME highway car....despite the national 55 mph speed limit. (what were they thinking?)

I breifly drove a 79 T/A 301 stick and the performance was very similar to the W72 400.

The super T-10's they put in those has a 3:44 low gear instead of the 2:64 that the 400's had.

It pulled like gangbusters in 1st. and 2nd....then fell right out of the power band in third gear....it was like a 5 speed missing 3rd gear....

[1968GTOGary]

going to need the 301 for a little while, probably won't be until spring, still gathering parts for the LS swap.
thanks Gary