[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

EFE/EGR valve is PN 3039491. Looked in garage and the shroud you're picturing is correct. Hopefully it will clean up in the parts washer.

So I eventually have found the correct PVS switch P/N 3039491. However, to get it I had to buy an entire inake assembly with carb and it was kind of expensive. This is reminiscent of what I have been through with the 455 HO and its' ported vacuum switch. So, I have kept noodling around looking for a better answer, and also trying to develop a plan B should I not be able to get the correct part to separate from the intake. I think I have found a $30.00 solution for those in the same predicament who aren't concerned about having the NOS correct part no matter what the cost.

I found on Ebay a part produced by Standard Automotive P/N PVS80 that is an exact duplicate of the original 3039491 switch. The compatibility table says it is not for a 400CI 1978 Pontiac, but who cares. It looks identical and you don't want it to function anyway if you desire optimal performance. The only problem is that PVS80 is light gray instead of the blue of the original part. To solve that I bought Tamiya #44 model spray paint. This is the same type of paint I used on the Delco battery repop, but a different color.

I am pretty pleased with the outcome. The blue is a little off, and it's too glossy, but let's give it 36 years under the hood and see what it looks like. I'm going to check around and see if I can find a slightly closer paint match, but this looks pretty darn good. here's some pictures...

[muscle_collector]

im certainly impressed

[Grand73Am]

Pretty good match. If you'd like to improve the match, gloss-wise, you could scuff it with some ultra-fine scotchbrite, find some flat clear model paint, and spray some of that on it to dull it down.

[78 TA KID]

spray some matte clear on it !!!! It will tone the shine down other wise color looks dead nuts good job!!!!!

[roundportponchos]

Here's an nos one. Base is black, since new, color should be unfaded. Hope this helps Bob

[78 TA KID]

Originally Posted by roundportponchos

Here's an nos one. Base is black, since new, color should be unfaded. Hope this helps Bob

That is one rare item!!! Been looking for one of those for years!!!

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by roundportponchos

Here's an nos one. Base is black, since new, color should be unfaded. Hope this helps Bob

Thanks Eric, that helps. Can you post a photo that shows the base in better focus? Does it look like the black finish was a solid pigment like paint, or more of a somewhat tranlucent wash? On my original pictured above it looked more translucent, but it appears yours may be more solid in color.

Originally Posted by 78 TA KID

That is one rare item!!! Been looking for one of those for years!!!

I have a can of matte clear model paint coming. The difficulty finding this part is why I am excited to try to find a way to replicate it cheaply, but in a reasonably accurate manner.

[roundportponchos]

yep, was tough to locate...

Originally Posted by 78 TA KID

That is one rare item!!! Been looking for one of those for years!!!

[roundportponchos]

Here you go.. hope this helps, looks anodized black

[roundportponchos]

Also got this from my friend, nos stick knob, overflow cap, and
WS 6 bushings

[Alvin]

Since your burnout session and drive around, how much new oil is on the undercarriage Bob?

[Bentwheelbob]

Hey Alvin, good to hear from you. The oil spray was not as bad as I feared, but bad enough that I haven't driven it again. Of course there was the NATs, two business trips, and my wife and I went to the big city for her birthday, and there hasn't been a lot of time. This weekend MPD and I spent the weekend do a full paint correction and buff on his CTS Caddy.

Right now I'm mainly focused on getting the process started and parts flowing on the W72 power infusion project. The spare intake has been stripped and I hope to get it bead blasted and shipped of to SD Performance this week. Meanwhile they are tracking down a set of 6X head cores to rebuild and do the SD Performance trick set up

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

...Right now I'm mainly focused on getting the process started and parts flowing on the W72 power infusion project. The spare intake has been stripped and I hope to get it bead blasted and shipped of to SD Performance this week. Meanwhile they are tracking down a set of 6X head cores to rebuild and do the SD Performance trick set up

Thxs Bob.

I’d be very interested in learning and details you’d be willing to share on the SD Mods on the factory heads and intake, etc.…considering doing the same to our ’79 W72 4spd Y84.
Right now has vintage HO-Racing recommended setup w ’71 #96 heads, color match painted Edelbrock Performer rejetted original W72 Quadrajet, etc…so installing the original intake & heads has been of interest here too.

[Bentwheelbob]

So the engine project is moving forward and I worked out the final details with Dave at SD Performance today. He will be providing :

1) Reworked 6x-4 heads that are "bolt on ready" with fully ported intake and exhaust ports flowing 250cfm, filled exhaust crossovers and all the other good stuff. I'm keeping my stock heads intact and SD is providing the cores. Here's a link to SD's website section on the heads - http://www.sdperformance.com/viewPro...p?productID=43

2) Reworked stock intake with CNC plenum, CNC port runners and hand finishing. I will keep my stock intake intact, but I have an extra intake I will ship to Dave. Here's a link to SD's page on the intake, and a couple of pictures before and after media blasting...

http://www.sdperformance.com/viewPro...productID=1727





3) Custom ground hydraulic roller Comp Cam spec'd at 224/230 dur. @ .050 .575”/.592” lift with 1.52 rockers ground on a 112 lobe sep.

4) Other - stock carburetor rebuilt per Cliff's recommendations and original log exhaust manifolds.

Nothing will got done this weekend, but hopefully the following weekend will see me and MPD getting the engine separated from the car and under way.

We are about to start having more fun...

[The Boss]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arZdeg_fL-I

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by The Boss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arZdeg_fL-I

Ditto that! Thxs for sharing the info and links Bob!

Question: Since you'll be upping the engine HP power output, what are your plans for Clutch/Pres.Plate/Flywheel/ST-10 Transmission upgrades, if any?

Flounder sez: Please keep us posted.

[bs78ta]

Hard to believe you will see a lot of increase unless you help the exhaust. Put RARE exhaust manifolds on it at least. They flow as well as any 3 tube header without any of the headaches of headers.

[Bentwheelbob]

You may be right, but based on the research I have done the general consensus seems to be that the log manifolds flow pretty good and lots of power has been made with these engines through these stock units. If I'm wrong you'll be the first to hear about it. I really want to keep the engine bay looking stock. We'll see....

On another note, I think I have the ported vacuum switch pretty much nailed. I blackened the base using a Sharpie and resprayed the whole piece with flat clear. It looks much better. Here's some pics.

[bs78ta]

Have you ever seen the RARE manifolds. Do not really stand out as not original IMO. I have them on mine.

[dreamn69]

The switch turned out really nice! i am taking lots of notes for when I get started on the 79 Formula.