[Gen2guy]

So I sold my 77 Goldenrod auto L78 hardtop rust free TA project that I bought 5 months ago. I paid $2500 and sold it for $6150 and never touched it because it really wasn't the car I wanted. This sale gave me a few extra bucks to go find the car I really wanted and that being a 78 Hurst T-Top Hurst 4 speed W72 Trans Am loaded with options and I found it I believe. It's a good solid running and driving project with a small spot of rust in one lower rear 1/4 and a few pin holes in the driver rear pan. I haven't got my PHS docs yet and I can't read the VIN on the block but there is a Z in the VIN and WC on the block. My TA build date is 01D 1978 so my first question is were the W72 engines assembled a few months ahead of time? The reason I ask is everything on the engine is Aug. and Sept. I just thought that was a good bit ahead of the build compared to other TA's I've owned but the W72 seem to have exceptions. I should be able to get to the VIN on the engine and trans this weekend but I was led to believe it;s a matching car and I'm in it for $5000. So here are the dates and part numbers and courious what y'all think.

Rochester Q-Jet #17058263 Date 2377
Intake #10003395 Date H027
Heads 6X4 Date I277 Driver side
Date I277 Pass side
Rear end 2PYG83191

[muscle_collector]

sounds like you did good

[Held for Ransom]

I think my '78 Z built car had the partial VIN stamped up high, near the head.

[Grand73Am]

This is what I've read in a couple different places: The last 6.6 litre (400 cid) blocks used for the 1978-1979 T/A 6.6 engines (W72) were cast through November 1977.

They were stockpiled and used through 78, and the leftovers were used in 79's until they ran out.

So, you wouldn't find a W72 (or any 400 engine) with a casting date beyond Nov 77. So, the casting date codes you have sound possible considering the situation at the time.

[Poncho Dave]

Grand73Am is correct. No more 400 blocks were cast after November 77. However, the heads and intake were still cast through 79 as the engines were built. They still used the 557 for non w72 cars in 78 as well. Have dismantled a few 77-79’s and noticed this. Sounds like you’re car has correct components. Check next to timing cover for vin stamping.

[68ragtop]

Yep, my April built 78 W72, has an October 28th 77 block.
Heads & intake are the 1st & 2nd week of March 78 so just a few weeks before the car.

[Gen2guy]

Thanks for the replies y'all have backed up what I've heard about the blocks also. My next question is what do y'all think about the topend of my engine components all being cast 3 months before assembly? That includes heads intake and carb, this just seems a little early but I have seen a few questionable situations come from the UAW that leaves us car folks scratching our heads.

[Gen2guy]

Well I got up under the TA today and looked at the Trans and I read the VIN on the top pad and it matches the dash VIN and my title so it's original to my car. It along with everything else had a Aug casting date. I'm still having trouble getting to the block VIN but everything seems to be pointing to it's going to be original also but we'll see tomorrow hopefully. There is a WC on the block front pad and GM-5 XX also on the side of the block. So I my car has original parts that were cast or built a full 4 months before the car was assembled in the 4th week of January 1978 I've just never seen a spread like that. It's a Van Nuys built car if that makes a difference. The numbers and letters on the Borg Warner trans were as follows.

13-04-065-903
WG DIV
WH0972
28L120718
8-29-77

[68ragtop]

block vin should be easy, passengers side next to the timing cover, slightly behind the lower radiator hose. might need to sand the area if its a light stamping.

[Held for Ransom]

Oops, I stated Z when I meant L built vehicle.

My partial VIN was stamped high, near the head. Might be hard to see if AC compressor is in place. You can also see there was no MUN or EUN stamped with the X7.

[Gen2guy]

Well thanks Rag and Held I just found the engine VIN and it's a match!!! My block pad came up empty this afternoon and then Held posted his VIN pic and I remembered my Y88 had it just below the head as well. So I just went out there now lifted the hood shown the flashlight on it and I could see a number and I grabbed the sandpaper sure enough it's a match Mine is a Van Nuys built car as well Held. Thanks everyone.

[68ragtop]

Is the high VIN stamp a Van Nuys thing maybe? My 78 is a Norwood plant, X7 automatic.
Is it on the bottom pad as well?

My other 78 is a van nuys, but its the L78 engine. I haven't looked at the stampings on that car in 15 or more years.

What part of Tennessee are you in? I have a sibling & family that moved to the Brentwood area a couple years back. The have small car gatherings at coffee shops quite often. Need to get down there pretty soon.

[Gen2guy]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

Is the high VIN stamp a Van Nuys thing maybe? My 78 is a Norwood plant, X7 automatic.
Is it on the bottom pad as well?

My other 78 is a van nuys, but its the L78 engine. I haven't looked at the stampings on that car in 15 or more years.

It seems that way because my Y88 was a VN build also so maybe others will chime in. Today all I had was 320 grit paper so it looked like I was just smudging the paint. I got some 80 this evening and when Held mention his VN car and the VIN location my memory kicked in and I couldn't wait until tomorrow to look so I went on out there and there it was. My Norwood cars have always been on the bottom pad..Oh I'm in Chattanooga about 2 hours south of Brentwood.

[68ragtop]

Originally Posted by Gen2guy

It seems that way because my Y88 was a VN build also so maybe others will chime in. Today all I had was 320 grit paper so it looked like I was just smudging the paint. I got some 80 this evening and when Held mention his VN car and the VIN location my memory kicked in and I couldn't wait until tomorrow to look so I went on out there and there it was. My Norwood cars have always been on the bottom pad..Oh I'm in Chattanooga about 2 hours south of Brentwood.

About 16-20 years ago there was a Y88 W72-WS6 car for sale in Chattanooga. I think it might have been on the collector car trader website. I saved a few pictures back then. Always think of that now when I hear the City mentioned.

[Gen2guy]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

About 16-20 years ago there was a Y88 W72-WS6 car for sale in Chattanooga. I think it might have been on the collector car trader website. I saved a few pictures back then. Always think of that now when I hear the City mentioned.

It's a great little city right in the middle of 3 interstates I75 I24 I59 two hours from Nashville two hours from Atlanta two hours from Knoxville I've been here 20 years.

[muscle_collector]

ive had a few 78 and 79 ta 6.6 engines that the vin was literally stamped right on top of the engine code.