FAQ |
Members List |
Social Groups |
Calendar |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#21
|
||||
|
||||
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
|
||||
|
||||
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...
__________________
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... |
#23
|
||||
|
||||
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.
__________________
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) |
#24
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
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
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
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.
__________________
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) |
#26
|
||||
|
||||
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.
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
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.
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
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.
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
I see it has a full gauge set. Was that standard or optional that year? I would have expected idiot lights instead.
|
#30
|
||||
|
||||
My son's '77 has the full gauges as well. I believe they were optional.
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
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.
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
I wonder how many plastic trees were sacrificed to make all the plastic dash panels back then...
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
The last picture shows my brown cars gauge package with the optional "econometer"
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
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!!!!
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
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.
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
What gear does your Pontiac wagon Have??? I'd guess the parts car to be a 2.41......
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
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.
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
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...
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
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
__________________
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
|
||||
|
||||
What differential is the 8-3/4"
__________________
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... |
Reply |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|