[highway star]

For a 1978 TA 400, need to know the bolt head markings on the thermostat housing "bolt". I have 2 in my parts bin, one has 3 dashes at the 12-4-8 o'clock positions with an L and a 5 in it, the other bolt has the same dashes but with an N in the middle of it. 1977 prob. same too, this car has 1977 dated parts. Could anyone please take a look at their original application and post back? Thanks, Robert.

[Skip Fix]

I could swer one of mine had a stud coming out of it-but those factory bolts were on it a LONG time ago.

[77 Canamman]

Here is John Witzke's 100 percent as factory assembled 11,300 mile 1977 W72 Trans Am. Not great detail in regards to the bolt head markings, but you should get the idea. The front "bolt" is a stud.

[highway star]

Yes, yes, I know there is a bolt and a stud. Let me ask the question again. I need to know the markings on the "bolt" head. ('77 or '78 T/A) Does anyone have an OEM bolt on their thermostat housing??? If so, what are the markings on it??? Thank you, Robert.

[77 Canamman]

I will look at my all original W72 in my Can Am in the AM...

[highway star]

Great, I'd appreciate that. Years ago I put a chrome t-stat housing on it and now returning to stock, I found the oem housing but there was a stud and 2 bolts with it. Don't know which bolt is correct. Thanks.

[Ben M.]

My '77 400 still has the original bolts on it as best I can tell if you need another comparison.

[77 Canamman]

Mine has the "N" on it.

[highway star]

Originally Posted by 77 Canamman

Mine has the "N" on it.

Great, one of these bolts has the "N" on it, so I'll use that one, thanks!

Ben, could you verify your '77 too? Thanks!

[Ben M.]

Originally Posted by 77 Canamman

Mine has the "N" on it.

Same here.

[highway star]

Recently received new info.: depends on where your car was built -- the bolt with the "L" on it is for a van nuys car, and the one with the "N" is for a norwood car.

So, you guys with the "N", is your car from Norwood?? Mine is from Van Nuys, Thanks!

[77 Canamman]

Since my car with the W72 is a CAN AM it was built at the Pontiac plant..

[Ben M.]

Originally Posted by highway star

So, you guys with the "N", is your car from Norwood??

Mine is a Norwood car...

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by 77 Canamman

Here is John Witzke's 100 percent as factory assembled 11,300 mile 1977 W72 Trans Am. Not great detail in regards to the bolt head markings, but you should get the idea. The front "bolt" is a stud.

NOT ORIGINAL!!!!

That motor has been repainted...........

[77 Canamman]

It had been touched up. That's not the point of this thread.......

By the way, do you know this car personally? Unfortunately, John does not visit here anymore to defend himself or his beautiful car.

[muscle_collector]

im not knocking his car, especially since i have never seen it. but when i saw the picture the first thing that went thru my mind was it was definately repainted. i bought cars new in the 70's and i guarantee you that when i drove them off of the dealer lot the engines didnt look anywhere near that shiney and nice. the paint job was so lousy that they already had bare metal showing especially anywhere there was high heat. it is his car and i firmly believe in doing whatever you want with your car, but again if it was an 11k original mile car i cant believe he would have done anything to it. but that is just my opinion.

[77 Canamman]

The 200 mile TATA:









This one was painted better than most, since it seems to have decent coverage.

[77 Canamman]

In regards to Mr. Witze's 1977 TA engine paint:

Originally Posted by Mr W72

My engine shown has approx 85% to 90% of its original factory applied paint. The other 10% or so was carefully color matched to the original. What you see is how it came. The water pump area and upper hose neck has never been touched. The valley pan and a few areas on the intake were color matched.

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by 77 Canamman

In regards to Mr. Witze's 1977 TA engine paint:

10%.........more like 90%.

There is WAY TOO MUCH paint on that motor & it doesn t even look to be that close to the original color.

I believe his dad detailed that motor before it was Johns car...as I recall,there is even some wrong hose clamps on it.

NO disrespect to John OR his car,but that motor is NOT the way it left the factory,cosmetically speaking.

[gilg]

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

10%.........more like 90%.

There is WAY TOO MUCH paint on that motor & it doesn t even look to be that close to the original color.

I believe his dad detailed that motor before it was Johns car...as I recall,there is even some wrong hose clamps on it.

NO disrespect to John OR his car,but that motor is NOT the way it left the factory,cosmetically speaking.

1979 T/A 4 SPEED VAN NUYS BEFORE & AFTER