Space saver or Stowaway Spare tire
 

Time to do a little reasearch here.:confused:

If you own a relatively low mile or very original Firebird or T/A and have GOOD REASON to believe the spare tire (inflatable) is the original (factory supplied),can you let us know what the size is,who made it & tell us what is stencilled on the tread (in white ink).

(pictures are GOOD)

I believe that all 81's came with the do-nut style.

I have the original for my 78 in the garage with the original air tank for it. I'l;l check the lettering for you

Tires are produced with a code that contains a date in them. It should be easy to determine if it's an original tire, because there is a DOT number molded into the tire. I have one that I believe came from an original Y88 TA and here's the DOT number. The last digit is the year. The three numbers in front of it are the julian date. A date of 0179 is the 17th day of 1979. Or it could be a date of 1989 or 1999. The thing is to determine that it's a correct setup and then look to see of the date coincides with the build date.
the white lettering on the exterior of my tire is mostly gone. There is some left in between the treads, but it looks like it has been run a little in the past.
This tire was built the 9th day of 1978 and the car was built March of 1978. It's a BFG tire. There is only two digits before the 8 because it was built in January I assume. Look at tires on any car and the date can be determined by the DOT #.

Thanks for your INPUT!

Does your say "TEMPORARY USE ONLY" on the sidewall (collapsed) or BELTED in smaller letters?

I've still got the spare from my 79 Formula and the inflator bottle too. Neither has ever been used. The inflator bottle isn't in good shape, as the trunk, when the car was new, was never sealed properly and filled with water while driving in the rain. The dealer couldn't find where the leak was and that p*ssed me off to no end. :mad: By the time I got it fixed it was too late for the bottle.

The spare is the inflatable space saver and says: Goodyear G-78 15 CUSTOM - MINI SPACE 244610-G66-1MZ Made In USA. It's mounted on a 7" wide steel rim. There is no white lettering on either side of this spare tire.

Ok...I'll play.
Here is a pic from my 77 Y81 Survivor. According to the original owner, this spare has never been touched or even Armor-
Alled. Still has the white chalky residue on it. I have had three original 77 TA's and all 3 spares looked just like this one.

This car was obviously special ordered being a Y81 and the inflater bottel is red. The other two 77 cars were not special ordered and they had the smaller blue bottle. Is that the way they came?

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1/DSC07458.jpg

I'll have to peal at it tomorrow. I already put it back in. Take note of the rim in my pics to see if they're front of back side pics.
I have a blue bottle somewhere, but the rest of the pics look like this:

Now THAT is a "crispy" SPARE!

I'm guessing it's a F78 x 14? BF GOODRICH?

I believe that ALL 77 & prior inflatable spares (back to 73?) came with the RED can (which was considered non refillable) & the ones that were in your OTHER 77's were LIKELY over the parts counter GM replacements.

I had to use MY 78 inflator (skinny white/blue label) in the summer of 78 & the dealer wouldn't refill it. They had the equipment,but hadn't used it yet . I actually took it to a fire extinguisher service center to get it recharged.(it's done by weight,NOT pressure)

Finally found the DOT Code: MPVV CU0 069

Forgot to add that this Formula had the WS6 package. And the inflator bottle was the skinny white one with the blue GM logo and lettering.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...lSpareView.jpg

I said there was no white lettering on the tread, I was wrong. It's very faint and hard to make out the letters. One is a W, not sure of the rest.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/GT182/Tread.jpg

Anybody else out there with a 15" (Goodyear OR Goodrich?)

Perhaps in 79 the WS6 cars got a bigger (15") spare?

How about all you guys with the Lo/No mile 10ths out there.

What's in YOUR trunks?

[QUOTE=2manyT/A'S]Now THAT is a "crispy" SPARE!

I'm guessing it's a F78 x 14? BF GOODRICH?

I believe that ALL 77 & prior inflatable spares (back to 73?) came with the RED can (which was considered non refillable) & the ones that were in your OTHER 77's were LIKELY over the parts counter GM replacements.

I had to use MY 78 inflator (skinny white/blue label) in the summer of 78 & the dealer wouldn't refill it. They had the equipment,but hadn't used it yet . I actually took it to a fire extinguisher service center to get it recharged.(it's done by weight,NOT pressure)



Too Many,if possible can you email me some close ups of the inflator and sleeve? Ive got a good collection of them going and always looking for more info on them.


Ive got the unused spare from my 78 Seville with blue bottle and a spare/spare.I think the tire was same but the rim differed
(5x5 vs 5x4.75)

I just sent a PM to a friend of mine who is member here. He is very knowledgable about spare tire on late second gens. I recall him telling me about a problem with production of spares in early 79 model run. He had it isolated to dates/VIN#'s. I honestly do not recall what the issue was, but it did effect my 10-78 build SE.
Hopefully he can chime in and clear it up. As for mine, I'll ck them both when I get home.
2Many, what are you trying to figure out with respect to the spares?

Some additional info, It appears all 1977 Trans Am/Formula space saver spares were stamped with L7CU. All 1978 Norwood OH produced cars space saver spares should have L9CU stampewd on them while Van Nuys cars should have L9C4 stamped on them. For 1979, I show Norwood OH cars with VVCU stamped on the spare and on Van Nuys cars again VVCU.

A dealer information bulletin dated 4/77 references a change in the inflation canisters from the non-refill red DOT-39 to refillable blue DOT E 7413-1800.

In addition my original space saver spare is a Good Year F78-14 (sill has an oily residue from the factory on it). I know many of you have commented not seeing this type of tread pattern. Part of the reasoning maybe the fact Good Year space saver spares may have been used on cars originally equipped with Good Year tires. Our car came from the factory with Good Year WL GR70-15 tires (still on the car). I have photos of an original 700 mile 1977 Trans Am with the same Good Year style spare as ours. It too originally came with Good Year WL GR70-15 tires.

Also back in the day when these cars were new I seen very few originally from the factory with Good Year tires and even fewer with BF Goodrich. Most had Uniroyal.

From our 20k mile 79 W72,I dont think it's ever been removed,at least not by me.
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5...a19k059kb3.jpg

Can you tell us: Norwood or Van Nuys build?
Approx. build date?
Tire size - F78 - or G78?
14" or 15" ?
THANKS!

Van Nuys,I'll get he rest tommorow.

First three are my VN built 10-78 SE
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...9/CIMG0120.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...9/CIMG0121.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...9/CIMG0122.jpg

This one is from my VN 2-79 built Formula

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...9/CIMG0123.jpg

There both Goodyears. The P/N masking taped to the inside of the SE wheel is part of a recall where the cars were shipped with the wrong spares and were returned to the dealer to get the correct one, which this one is.
My friend has the documents and recall notice that supports this. Effected some early 79 built cars.

GREAT SHOTS!

Are they 14's OR 15's?

Perhaps that was part of the recall?

Can you get your friend to share the recall notice with us?

I will check my Service Bulletins for that info.

The 1979 Firebird space saver spare recall was under campaign # 79-C-4. serial numbers effected were Norwood OH VIN breakpoints SOP to 9N119299 and Van Nuys CA VIN# breakpoints SOP to 9L122603. I do not have the particuliars of the recall

Guys, here's the campain to which John is referring to. Pauls Y84 is included in this campain and even has the incorrect spare tire code on his buildsheet.



http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1.../79Recall1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1.../Campaign2.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1.../Campaign3.jpg

Thanks for posting David. Obiviously my VIN does fall with in the parameters of the recall. I double cked today and they forgot to switch out the inflater bottle! Mine still has the 14" bottle!

That's GREAT info!

Kinda what I thought.
It APPEARS that ALL 79-80 WS6 birds came with or REQUIRED a 15" spacesaver for brake caliper clearance.

WAY BACK in 1980,I found out that my winter tires,mounted on 15" Honeycombs would NOT clear the rear caliper & had to purchase 1/2" axle flange spacers to run them.

According to MY information & research,your 77 & 78 stenciled codes on the tread are CORRECT,but L7 indicates F78 x 14 & L9 indicates G78 x 14.(making the G78 x 14 specific to 1978 & 1979 non-WS6 cars.

(MY 78 observations are based on Van Nuys built cars)

The 15" version was NOT available until LATE 1979 when the aformentioned Campaign/Recall went down,in Dec 78.

Ok,I just drove the 79 for the first time today since Sept last year....DAMN NORTHERN ILLINOIS WINTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anywho,the spare space saver was a G78 15" Goodyear,and my car is a W-72 WS6.
Hope this helps
Duane
ps...........I also got to drive the 73 today also.WOOHOO!........A TWOFER...LOL

The stenciled codes should be very accurate as they are verified with my collection of 1977-79 buildsheets. Very important for restorers to get the correct coded spares especially 1978, as the codes are plant specific.

As info on the 1979 change, Norwood SOP (start of production) until car 9N119299 which was produced on Nov 8 1978. Van Nuys car 9L122306 would have been same build time frame. I have found changes in production generally have already taken effect when the memos finally arrive at the dealers.

Spare Tires & Inflators
 

For what it's worth, I've had to use my factory-original "retractable" spare tire ('78 T/A) on at least 2-3 occasions in the past 30 years...it's amazing how the doggone thing "grows" as it fills, and actually ends-up looking just like "the real thing" when it's fully inflated, save for the absence of white lettering...

It's rugged, too: one time I had to drive some 150 straight highway miles on it before I could get a replacement --- it was still like-new when deflated at the end of the trip.

One caveat re. the factory-supplied inflator: if you've never used yours, do NOT trust that it'll work anymore! These things must leak-out slowly over time, or something...when I last used mine years ago, I had the dealer re-fill it --- and all of the pressure was GONE after less than a year!

I ended-up tossing the thing, and bought an el-cheapo "...plug-it-into-the-cigarette-lighter-and-play" mini air compressor, and keep it in the trunk...

"DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!!!"

Eddy

still looking for correct red bottle labels for research

Here's My "caveat emptor" for you: What makes you think your "el cheapo" chinese 12 volt tire inflator is ACTUALLY going to WORK when you need it at the side of the road one nite?

My experience with ANYTHING "cheapo" electrical is that after a few years,they just QUIT WORKING,even if you haven't used them.(considering the ability of our trunks to collect & contain water,it makes for an "unhealthy enviroment" for cheap chinese electrical devices)

Wouldn't be a bad idea to give it an occasional test,just to make sure it's working.:D

FYI: The refillable tire inflators are actually filled by weight,NOT pressure,so you could tell how much is in YOUR inflator by keepng track of it's weight.

Great information here. As requested, here's a spare from a 3,800 mile anniversary car. I didn't remove it and turn it over to get the tire specifications because it would have let too much new car smell out of the trunk! Actually, it's because I didn't take the time.

My car is a Norwood car.

This tire tread pattern and paint stenciling looks like a few other of the '79's posted here.

Speaking of inflator cannisters, does anyone have a spare one for a 78, still have the unused and original spare tire for my car but have lost the cannister many years ago.

FAT RED CAN!
 

I have TWO label variations on the FAT RED can (77 & earlier?)

Part # 493790

Fills - E78 14 x 6" , F78 14 x 6" , & F78 14 x 5" rim.

Part # 496508

Fills - F78 x 14", G78 x 14" & G78 x 15" rim (obviously,this is the LATER one)

How many different ones do you have?

Can anybody give us the stamped codes from their 79-80 15" WS6 Goodyear tire/wheel?

These are NEAR valve stem & in LUG area.



MR W72: Can you give us the stamped codes from your 77 14" Goodyear tire/ wheel?

THANKS!

Cheap Tire Inflators
 

...Ah yes, but I do, indeed, test my el-cheapo air compressor...AND on a regular basis, too!

It seems that ALL of the local gas bars here now charge a minimum $0.50 for the privilege of using their air compressors (the money all goes to "...charity", of course...yeah, right), so every time any one of the 'Bird's BF Goodrich Radial T/A's needs air, out comes "el cheapo" --- and in more ways than one(!).

As a matter of fact, I used it only just yesterday...worked like a proverbial charm, too...

Eddy

I know it's not the 79-80 you asked for but anyway heres my info
Here's the stamped codes from the wheel off my 78: K38 1 23 UA These are directly by the valve stem
Tire is a BFGoodrich G78-14 with the white lettering still very clear on the tread that says 1 P 15 L9CU and a date code of 078

I know this post was about the stow away but I have a full size spare on a Rally II rim from a 1980 Firebird Esprit. The tire is original, has been used a few times. I can get a picture if you are interested.

I've used an El cheapo too,Campbell Hausefield,whatever the spelling:rolleyes: ,there not made in China are they,got it from Walmart so it must be:p
I use it quite often on the rims on the 99 TA,aluminum leaks:(

STILL LOOKING!
 

ANYBODY????

On one side of the valvestem has a Mark I cannot make out, possibly an M. Next to that is 11. On the other side of the stem is 28 followed by KR.

I worked for B.F Goodrich back in 77 as a tire builder when I bought my TA new. It came with Goodyear corp. treads but a Goodrich space saver. The white stenciled code on the tire is used internally at the plant to identify the tire. When the tread is made the code is painted on the tread strip at that time. When the tire is cured the actualy tread pattern goes into the tire.

There should be a very small white 3 number sticker on the tire. That identifies the actualy guy who built the tire. I found it on mine back in 77 and looked up the guy who built it. Told him it had better work if I needed it. LOL So far it hasn't been touched.

Nick

Why can I only remember certain things about threads nowadays.

I went to look at a 34K mile '79 today and took photos (L car, 03B). Hope they help someone.

So this would be the recall 15" spare for the WS6 cars?

I asked him about it. He stated it was never touched or replaced. Small town. I assume that by Mar. '79 they were putting the correct spare in place, as the campaign was put in place in Dec. '78.

Regardless you could never run a space saver on the rear cause of the posi correct?,without damage?

I was told you could run the space saver for any wheel that went flat. Never had a flat so I never got to try it.

Tread code has faded but it looks like what's been posted already by 165th and others for 79 WS6

Code on tire sidewall... HPVV CUO, DOT Code - 069

Valve Stem.... 6B 2 [then valve stem] 15 RF

Serial number on my 79 Formula was ... 9N159677 Ordered in Nov of 78, but not delivered until May of 79. Build sheet is long gone, but looks to be past the recall date for the spare.

Pics space saver
 

I just got a space saver spare with L9CU on the tread. BF Goodrich, from the info above ,looks like it is original for a 78 Norwood car. Black rim with yellow decal, stamped EL. near valve stem. HS in the middle near lug holes.

Let me know if this is correct.

I'm thinking earlier. 1978 was stamped UA, I believe. EL may be 1975 or '76 going by the tag. Need to see better stamping pictures around the special valve stem.

Space saver spare
 

Pics

Better yet, what is the DOT number?

Pics
 

Dot numbers