#21  
Old 12-27-2018, 11:33 AM
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Ben M. Ben M. is offline
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My ‘78 Bonneville 400 had a full balancer on it. It was part of the last casting number batch from Pontiac for 400s (late April build as I recall). It was a great driving car even with a 2.41 rear end.

Granted things could have been changed out, it had been around the block a bit when I bought it (solely for the engine, ended up driving it for years).

  #22  
Old 12-27-2018, 02:03 PM
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I have the engine out of my buddies 78 Catalina. He special ordered it, knowing the 400 was on its way out. He ordered the towing package w/ HD brakes, had 3.23 gear. Engine had large balancer, 557 block, 6X-8 heads (of course...). I should have bought whole car from him...

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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A.
I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977.

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  #23  
Old 12-27-2018, 02:26 PM
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I was aware that ordering the towing package also put a HB on the late 400's. I have never seen a 400 in a Firebird that did not have a HB, but I have seen several A, B, & G bodies without them.

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60 Jaguar Mark 2, 3.8L Automatic
67 Sprint Firebird 230 OHC-6 4-Speed A/C
78 Catlina Safari, Pontiac 400 powered
77 Astre Formula, 215 Buick V-8 T-5
73 Lemans Safari, 400 4bbl 4-speed
71 Catalina Enforcer, 455 4bbl
06 Mallet Solstice #024 LS2, Now with a Tremec 6060 6-speed!
2012 F-150 Echo Boost (My local Ford Dealer SUX!!!)
2020 Dodge Charger Scat pack (recovered)
  #24  
Old 12-27-2018, 07:23 PM
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77 TRASHCAN 77 TRASHCAN is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by camerjeff View Post
I was aware that ordering the towing package also put a HB on the late 400's. I have never seen a 400 in a Firebird that did not have a HB, but I have seen several A, B, & G bodies without them.
My base 77 T/A 7.6:1 400 engine has the hub only....

I'm thinking my T/A was a stripped down bare minimum TA, AC was about the only option it had, other than the normal TA package stuff...
It did have PS, PB, Auto trans, and of course AC...tilt column, had velor interior (black), floor mats...

No elec windows,
no elec locks, no 8 track or CB
no rear defroster
No t-tops
no cruise

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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A.
I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977.

Shut it off
Shut it off
Buddy, I just shut your Prius down...
  #25  
Old 12-28-2018, 09:41 PM
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Well I got it home with no major drama, the car is exactly as the seller described it, It actually starts & runs well, drove it around the block before loading it up. It was 62F according to my truck, hard to believe in northern NY state in late December. The only thing I broke was the combo turn signal - Dimmer switch - cruise control stalk, broke it as soon as I got it home. Stupid!!!!!
Quick glance it is the original engine, with out a HB, so its what I expected.

I will post some pictures Tomarrow when the daylight returns.

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60 Jaguar Mark 2, 3.8L Automatic
67 Sprint Firebird 230 OHC-6 4-Speed A/C
78 Catlina Safari, Pontiac 400 powered
77 Astre Formula, 215 Buick V-8 T-5
73 Lemans Safari, 400 4bbl 4-speed
71 Catalina Enforcer, 455 4bbl
06 Mallet Solstice #024 LS2, Now with a Tremec 6060 6-speed!
2012 F-150 Echo Boost (My local Ford Dealer SUX!!!)
2020 Dodge Charger Scat pack (recovered)
  #26  
Old 12-29-2018, 03:04 PM
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I took a few quick pictures while unloading it today, I was pleasantly surprised that it fired right up and didn't stall in the 35F temps this morning, engine seems to have good oil pressure, I was surprised that the car has Automatic A/C, and factory air shocks. No Posi tag on the rear axle (darn) but the car pulls strong (a lot stronger than the Buick 350 in my Safari) So I suspect it has a 3.08 rear axle, but that is probably wishful thinking on my part.
Body wise it looks to have little rust, but the passenger side front door and the tailgate have bondo cracking out of them from old (poorly done) dent repairs. The AM/FM stereo radio actually works better then most of them I remember from the 1980's. The car has 2 front & 2 rear speakers. The dog dish hub caps are actually in decent shape, just sunfaded.
Almost a shame to use it for parts, but the cracked dash, no headliner, torn drivers seat make restoring the interior way to much $$$ than the car is worth.
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Jeff R
60 Jaguar Mark 2, 3.8L Automatic
67 Sprint Firebird 230 OHC-6 4-Speed A/C
78 Catlina Safari, Pontiac 400 powered
77 Astre Formula, 215 Buick V-8 T-5
73 Lemans Safari, 400 4bbl 4-speed
71 Catalina Enforcer, 455 4bbl
06 Mallet Solstice #024 LS2, Now with a Tremec 6060 6-speed!
2012 F-150 Echo Boost (My local Ford Dealer SUX!!!)
2020 Dodge Charger Scat pack (recovered)
  #27  
Old 12-29-2018, 03:12 PM
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And some engine shots, it runs with no smoke or odd noises, I almost believe the claimed 60,000 original miles. When I picked it up in NY it was 60F and it fired right up, but I always take an easy starting used car with a grain of salt when the seller knows what time you will be there, more than one have started and warmed a car up before my arrival.
The fact that the choke seems to work well at almost freezing temps amazed me! Considering the previous owner has had it for 3 years and did nothing with it, he just bought a very nice 403 powered 79 Olds Custom Cruiser, so this one was extra. All in all it is actually alittle more than I expected. For about twice what I think it was worth. But chasing all those parts down individually would probably cost as much or more.
To bad the windshield has a stone chip.
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Jeff R
60 Jaguar Mark 2, 3.8L Automatic
67 Sprint Firebird 230 OHC-6 4-Speed A/C
78 Catlina Safari, Pontiac 400 powered
77 Astre Formula, 215 Buick V-8 T-5
73 Lemans Safari, 400 4bbl 4-speed
71 Catalina Enforcer, 455 4bbl
06 Mallet Solstice #024 LS2, Now with a Tremec 6060 6-speed!
2012 F-150 Echo Boost (My local Ford Dealer SUX!!!)
2020 Dodge Charger Scat pack (recovered)
  #28  
Old 12-29-2018, 06:31 PM
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More pictures!!! What do those hubcaps look like???
You did the right thing! Just the time spent trying to track down parts for your keeper wagon, would be insane...
I don't much care if it's a 557 block, either. It's not going to race anybody, just needs to run good!!!
I'm really curious about the condition of the engine...those low comp 400's ran pretty good, for what they were.

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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A.
I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977.

Shut it off
Shut it off
Buddy, I just shut your Prius down...
  #29  
Old 12-29-2018, 08:21 PM
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I see it has a full gauge set. Was that standard or optional that year? I would have expected idiot lights instead.


  #30  
Old 12-29-2018, 08:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart View Post
I see it has a full gauge set. Was that standard or optional that year? I would have expected idiot lights instead.
My son's '77 has the full gauges as well. I believe they were optional.

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1966 GTO
1969 Lemans Convertible- F.A.S.T. legal family cruiser. 12.59 on G70-14 Polyglas tires. 1.78 60'
1969 Bonneville Safari- cross country family cruiser. .
1979 Trans Am 400, 4-speed, 4 wheel disc.

View from the drivers seat racing down Atco Raceway- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhYDMdOEC7A

Ride along in the other lane-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIzgpLtF_uw
  #31  
Old 12-30-2018, 09:37 AM
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The car is really loaded, the gauge package was optional, my other wagon has the version with the "economy meter" in place of the clock. After bringing it home I noticed the battery is on the drivers side for the Pontiac V8, my Buick V8 car has it on the passenger side, I don't think I would have remembered changes like that.

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Jeff R
60 Jaguar Mark 2, 3.8L Automatic
67 Sprint Firebird 230 OHC-6 4-Speed A/C
78 Catlina Safari, Pontiac 400 powered
77 Astre Formula, 215 Buick V-8 T-5
73 Lemans Safari, 400 4bbl 4-speed
71 Catalina Enforcer, 455 4bbl
06 Mallet Solstice #024 LS2, Now with a Tremec 6060 6-speed!
2012 F-150 Echo Boost (My local Ford Dealer SUX!!!)
2020 Dodge Charger Scat pack (recovered)
  #32  
Old 12-31-2018, 02:59 PM
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77 TRASHCAN 77 TRASHCAN is offline
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I wonder how many plastic trees were sacrificed to make all the plastic dash panels back then...

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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A.
I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977.

Shut it off
Shut it off
Buddy, I just shut your Prius down...
  #33  
Old 01-02-2019, 05:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN View Post
More pictures!!! What do those hubcaps look like???
You did the right thing! Just the time spent trying to track down parts for your keeper wagon, would be insane...
I don't much care if it's a 557 block, either. It's not going to race anybody, just needs to run good!!!
I'm really curious about the condition of the engine...those low comp 400's ran pretty good, for what they were.
I forgot to add a Picture of the Hub Caps, just the standard late 73 to 86? Pontiac Dog Dish's the Aluminum style not the Stainless Steel 71-early73 style. my other wagon has them with the optional trim rings.
The last picture shows my brown cars gauge package with the optional "econometer"
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Jeff R
60 Jaguar Mark 2, 3.8L Automatic
67 Sprint Firebird 230 OHC-6 4-Speed A/C
78 Catlina Safari, Pontiac 400 powered
77 Astre Formula, 215 Buick V-8 T-5
73 Lemans Safari, 400 4bbl 4-speed
71 Catalina Enforcer, 455 4bbl
06 Mallet Solstice #024 LS2, Now with a Tremec 6060 6-speed!
2012 F-150 Echo Boost (My local Ford Dealer SUX!!!)
2020 Dodge Charger Scat pack (recovered)
  #34  
Old 01-03-2019, 12:27 AM
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77 TRASHCAN 77 TRASHCAN is offline
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I might want to keep the vacuum gauge....I don't know how long the clock lasted in my TA, but it was not long. Your dash plastic looks pretty good!
Now all you need is time!!!!

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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A.
I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977.

Shut it off
Shut it off
Buddy, I just shut your Prius down...
  #35  
Old 01-03-2019, 08:53 AM
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I plan on keeping the Vacuum gauge, it actually helped me fix the cruise control issue I had with the car when I bought it. And the brown cars interior is actually almost flawless just needs the Factory A/C to be a good dog hauler/summer cruiser.

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Jeff R
60 Jaguar Mark 2, 3.8L Automatic
67 Sprint Firebird 230 OHC-6 4-Speed A/C
78 Catlina Safari, Pontiac 400 powered
77 Astre Formula, 215 Buick V-8 T-5
73 Lemans Safari, 400 4bbl 4-speed
71 Catalina Enforcer, 455 4bbl
06 Mallet Solstice #024 LS2, Now with a Tremec 6060 6-speed!
2012 F-150 Echo Boost (My local Ford Dealer SUX!!!)
2020 Dodge Charger Scat pack (recovered)
  #36  
Old 01-06-2019, 06:44 PM
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77 TRASHCAN 77 TRASHCAN is offline
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What gear does your Pontiac wagon Have??? I'd guess the parts car to be a 2.41......

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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A.
I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977.

Shut it off
Shut it off
Buddy, I just shut your Prius down...
  #37  
Old 01-07-2019, 11:25 AM
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If I remember correctly the Brown car has 2.73's, I was Spoiled with my old 78 Impala wagon's 3.08's. I should have swapped rear axles before selling that car. Just didn't think about it.
The parts car feels much quicker off the line compared to the Brown car, but that may just be the torque of the Pontiac 400. I am still hoping the original owner optioned for some better gears as it does have a class 2 hitch, and factory air shocks on the car.

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Jeff R
60 Jaguar Mark 2, 3.8L Automatic
67 Sprint Firebird 230 OHC-6 4-Speed A/C
78 Catlina Safari, Pontiac 400 powered
77 Astre Formula, 215 Buick V-8 T-5
73 Lemans Safari, 400 4bbl 4-speed
71 Catalina Enforcer, 455 4bbl
06 Mallet Solstice #024 LS2, Now with a Tremec 6060 6-speed!
2012 F-150 Echo Boost (My local Ford Dealer SUX!!!)
2020 Dodge Charger Scat pack (recovered)
  #38  
Old 01-07-2019, 01:02 PM
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77 TRASHCAN 77 TRASHCAN is offline
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As I mentioned in post 22, my buddies 78 Catalina, special ordered with the towing package got 3.23 gears, that would be awesome, if so...

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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A.
I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977.

Shut it off
Shut it off
Buddy, I just shut your Prius down...
  #39  
Old 04-09-2019, 12:10 PM
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I finally goy a chance to get under the parts car today, and get the axle code YK

That makes it a 8 3/4" 3.23 open!!!!!! Bonus, only thing that would have been better is if it was a Posi. I suspected by driving it that had more gear than the 2.73 in my good wagon

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Jeff R
60 Jaguar Mark 2, 3.8L Automatic
67 Sprint Firebird 230 OHC-6 4-Speed A/C
78 Catlina Safari, Pontiac 400 powered
77 Astre Formula, 215 Buick V-8 T-5
73 Lemans Safari, 400 4bbl 4-speed
71 Catalina Enforcer, 455 4bbl
06 Mallet Solstice #024 LS2, Now with a Tremec 6060 6-speed!
2012 F-150 Echo Boost (My local Ford Dealer SUX!!!)
2020 Dodge Charger Scat pack (recovered)
  #40  
Old 04-09-2019, 01:56 PM
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77 TRASHCAN 77 TRASHCAN is offline
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What differential is the 8-3/4"

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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A.
I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977.

Shut it off
Shut it off
Buddy, I just shut your Prius down...
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