[Cliff R]

"If I use a 69 intake and then use a 69 carb would there be any modifications that I would have to make to use the carb instead of the 79 carb that is in the car; would it hook right up to the different linkages"

I highly recomend using the factory carb. I use a 17057274 Pontiac carb with just a few minor calibration changes. We made 4 more hp on a dyno test at KRE against a fully prepared 850 DP Holley carb during recent testing of my 455 engine. If you go to an early intake manifold, an electric choke can be added to the factory carb in minutes.

As far as carb modifications go, anything chosen will need to be calibrated exactly for the final engine/drivetrain configuration. It is quite rare to have any carb dead on right out of the box......Cliff

[Mike P.]

That looks like a pontiac motor to me.

[prbush]

Yes, the engine is a L78 400 pontiac engine. The olds 403 was changed out many many years ago. I just double checked the engine number to verify again....Thanks.......Great information and help.........

[prbush]

OK, one final question I hope.... I have purchased the performer intake and headers, and plan to use the existing q-jet all per the suggestions from this board. The only issue is the type of cam that I will get. Two cams keep coming up as suggestions to use with a 400 engine (both from my questions and from others that I have read on this board): the Summitt 2801 and the comp cam xe262h. Is one of these clearly better to be used in my application as a daily street driver or would they both do about the same for me?? If they both would be about equal then I would buy based on price however if one is clearly better then that would probably sway me toward the better one. I want a smooth idle and good vacuum in addition to improving my overall performance....Thanks...

[ericwy]

Here's my very streetable 1977 TA combination:

Block : 1977 Pontiac 400 (2 bolt mains) .030" over
Cam : Howards #410021 214/224 duration @.050, .447"/.467" lift
Comp : ~9:1 (runs on pump gas)
Rods : Stock Pontiac
Lifters : Hydraulic
Heads : 1970 Pontiac #13 (72cc chambers) 2.11" Int,1.77" Exh valves
Pistons : TRW Forged (milled reliefs to reduce CR of #13 heads)
Intake : 1968.5 Pontiac dual plane (non-egr)
Carb : Holley 650 cfm (4175 spreadbore), vac secondaries + Carter fuel pump
Ignition: GM HEI distributer + MSD6A ignition + MSD coil
Exhaust : 1-5/8" Hooker headers, dual 2-1/4" exhaust, dual hi flow CATS, H-pipe, turbo mufflers
Trans : TH350, shift kit , WOT shifts @5400 rpm, Stock Converter
Axle : 3.08 standard carrier, one legger
Misc : PS/PB/PW/PL/AC

Avg 1/4 mi 14.2 @ 99mph, 0-60mph ~5.6 secs on radials + Cats + mufflers.
Engine idle ~750 rpm, ~15" vacuum @ 0 mph in gear, ~19" vacuum in neutral.
Average about 14 MPG.