[dyingbreed]

Hello fellow Pontiac People. I'm new here and came across this site while surfing the internet. This site is awsome!!! Great information and friendly people, willing to help others (or so it seems)!! That being said.... on with my dilemma.

I own a gold 1978 Pontiac Trans Am with camel tan interior & T-tops, which is approximately 75+% restored. The Pontiac 400 motor runs strong and the T-350 tranny seems tight. when I purchased this car, I immediately noticed one minor imperfection. The shaker scoop was off center, to the right, by approximately 1.5 - 2 inches. No big deal I thought, probably something minor. Seller was asking $6000.00.... we settled on $5300.00. I drove away into the sunset, happier than a pig in poop.

Now that I've had this car for about 1 year, this "minor imperfection" is really starting to frustrate the hell out of me. I've looked at everything, but still can't figure out why that god-forsaken shaker is off center. Don't get me wrong there are other "minor imperfections" that I should be concerned with first, but they are obvious and easily fixed with a little time and money.

I emailed a person, who claimed to have some knowledge of Trans Ams and inquired about this problem. He advised that the motor mount may be bad on one side (i.e., smashed flat). He also added that "some of the Trans Am shakers were just like that."

That information came from one person.
I thought I would ask you people and hope to get a confirmation on the suggested problem. Possibly some of you may have others answers and/or "quick fixes." While were on the subject, have any of you had this problem.... or even seen it before.

If it is the motor mounts, I'll replace them when I put the Hooker Headers on the BEAST this fall (along with the 2.5 inch, true dual exhaust). I guess that would be as good a time as any to replace the motor mounts?

I'll be awaiting all of your replies. I know someone out there has to have the answer to this frustrating problem.

Sincerly,
dyingbreed.

PS- stay tuned.... Many other second generation T/A questions to come!!!!!

[This message has been edited by dyingbreed (edited 09-29-2001).]

[dyingbreed]

Hello fellow Pontiac People. I'm new here and came across this site while surfing the internet. This site is awsome!!! Great information and friendly people, willing to help others (or so it seems)!! That being said.... on with my dilemma.

I own a gold 1978 Pontiac Trans Am with camel tan interior & T-tops, which is approximately 75+% restored. The Pontiac 400 motor runs strong and the T-350 tranny seems tight. when I purchased this car, I immediately noticed one minor imperfection. The shaker scoop was off center, to the right, by approximately 1.5 - 2 inches. No big deal I thought, probably something minor. Seller was asking $6000.00.... we settled on $5300.00. I drove away into the sunset, happier than a pig in poop.

Now that I've had this car for about 1 year, this "minor imperfection" is really starting to frustrate the hell out of me. I've looked at everything, but still can't figure out why that god-forsaken shaker is off center. Don't get me wrong there are other "minor imperfections" that I should be concerned with first, but they are obvious and easily fixed with a little time and money.

I emailed a person, who claimed to have some knowledge of Trans Ams and inquired about this problem. He advised that the motor mount may be bad on one side (i.e., smashed flat). He also added that "some of the Trans Am shakers were just like that."

That information came from one person.
I thought I would ask you people and hope to get a confirmation on the suggested problem. Possibly some of you may have others answers and/or "quick fixes." While were on the subject, have any of you had this problem.... or even seen it before.

If it is the motor mounts, I'll replace them when I put the Hooker Headers on the BEAST this fall (along with the 2.5 inch, true dual exhaust). I guess that would be as good a time as any to replace the motor mounts?

I'll be awaiting all of your replies. I know someone out there has to have the answer to this frustrating problem.

Sincerly,
dyingbreed.

PS- stay tuned.... Many other second generation T/A questions to come!!!!!

[This message has been edited by dyingbreed (edited 09-29-2001).]

[JC455]

My buddy has a 78 T/A that had the same problem. His ended up being a "slightly" bent frame. The guy at the frame shop said this was pretty common on the older 'birds with with the ravages of time and accidents helping it along.
You might try a frame shop and see if they'll give you a "free" estimate.


------------------
John

[Jon Dailey]

My shaker was off center when I bought my '79 403 T/A back in '97. My motor mounts were worn. A small amount of wear in the mounts can account for a large change in shaker position. I have yet to change my motor mounts, but I fabricated an air cleaner to install a built 400 with a Performer RPM. I re-centered the shaker, and have not had any problems since. If you look closely, you will probably notice the height of the shaker on one side of the hood is higher than the other side. This will indicate worn motor mounts. Hope this helps.