[72projectbird]

Picked up a super early 78 (09C) built Trans Am from fellow PY'er "gpguy". Super nice guy, with two sweet GPs!

The car needs some rust repair, but isn't too far gone. I'll end up doing a passenger quarter, rear tail panel, driver side rear rail at the shackle point, and driver side toe board.

It's a pretty well optioned car. The most important being the Y82 W72 with a 4 speed trans. I believe it's 1 of 489 4 speed Y82s built, as it's a Norwood car, while the Y84 black and gold were all built in Van Nuys if I'm reading correctly.

I need to finish up a car I'm working on now, but hope to start thr build on this very soon. I'll keep the thread updated as I go along.

[4dblnkldude]

Very nice!!!

[72projectbird]

Question for the 78 Y82 guys:

I had another early built 78 Y82 (January 78) but it had drum brakes despite being loaded. This one is earlier and has discs. Was Pontiac just using whatever they had in hand?

Also, it has the right 78 style snowflakes, but the 77 style round stainless steel center caps. Would that be correct since it's built so early, or should it have the hexagon style caps?

[78w72]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

Question for the 78 Y82 guys:

I had another early built 78 Y82 (January 78) but it had drum brakes despite being loaded. This one is earlier and has discs. Was Pontiac just using whatever they had in hand?

Also, it has the right 78 style snowflakes, but the 77 style round stainless steel center caps. Would that be correct since it's built so early, or should it have the hexagon style caps?

Werent disc brakes only available starting 1979? Never seen a 78 originally come with disc brakes regardless of options.... maybe someone added the rear disc which was/is a very popular mod?

Same for the center caps, the plastic hex caps were only used on 79 & up years, the 78s all had the round stainless caps.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by 78w72

Werent disc brakes only available starting 1979? Never seen a 78 originally come with disc brakes regardless of options.... maybe someone added the rear disc which was/is a very popular mod?

Same for the center caps, the plastic hex caps were only used on 79 & up years, the 78s all had the round stainless caps.

I thought some 78s ended up with discs, and was the first year for the plastic caps? Maybe I'm off a year? lol It's very possible

[78w72]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

I thought some 78s ended up with discs, and was the first year for the plastic caps? Maybe I'm off a year? lol It's very possible

maybe some others will chime in on that, but i have never seen or heard of a 78 with factory rear disc... but could be wrong or some special order from a GM exec late in 78...

The hex caps were definitely 79-81.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by 78w72

maybe some others will chime in on that, but i have never seen or heard of a 78 with factory rear disc... but could be wrong or some special order from a GM exec late in 78...

The hex caps were definitely 79-81.

After reading a bunch, I think you're right. Somehow disc brakes worked their way under this car, which I dont mind necessarily. I do have a date code correct 78 axle with drums I could put under it, but we'll see.

I believe it has the original master and proportion valve, which I would imagine make the rear discs unpredictable under use. It'll be getting all new everything, so I can just keep the discs and use the correct setup for them.

I'll grab more pics of the car tomorrow for you guys. It currently has a Chevy Q-jet on it, but I just ordered Cliffs rebuild kit for a 77 Pontiac Q-jet I'll use on this car.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

I thought some 78s ended up with discs, and was the first year for the plastic caps? Maybe I'm off a year? lol It's very possible

I read years ago that a very few 78’s had 4 wheel discs sent out to customers late in the year by the Van Nuys plant. It was a magazine article iirc so I’ve always kept an eye out for one with no luck.

[muscle_collector]

the hex caps were only on the 10th ann cars in 79

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Dave R

I read years ago that a very few 78’s had 4 wheel discs sent out to customers late in the year by the Van Nuys plant. It was a magazine article iirc so I’ve always kept an eye out for one with no luck.

I could see that happening. Unfortunately this is an early built Norwood car, so somewhere down the line it got swapped. No biggie.

[johnta1]

After reading a bunch, I think you're right. Somehow disc brakes worked their way under this car, which I dont mind necessarily. I do have a date code correct 78 axle with drums I could put under it, but we'll see.

I would check the codes on the rear end and see what it says?

I'd also look for a buildsheet in the car. It would be great if you found it.

[72projectbird]

Got a few pics. Cant make heads or tails of the rear axle code. All the other axles I have I can read no problem, go figure lol

Also grabbed few pics of the car. It hasn't made its way into the garage, so they aren't great. Got a good shot of the crumpled and oil canned passenger quarter.

[72projectbird]

Heres some more. I do have the correct shaker for it.

[Held for Ransom]

5PV, 1979 2.41 Posi-Traction.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

5PV, 1979 2.41 Posi-Traction.

Ahh, idk why I couldn't find it in my axle code info stash.

Interesting. The thing must have been a highway warrior back in the day.

[Held for Ransom]

johnta1 has it only listed as PV on the Wallace site. Along with the 2PS.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

johnta1 has it only listed as PV on the Wallace site. Along with the 2PS.

Thank You

I usually check the Wallace site. I guess I just overlooked it.

I have a 78 rear for it, but it's after the build date of the car, so idk if it's worth swapping, although those 2.41s are brutal

[Poncho Dave]

I’m surprised it has a master cylinder with bleeder valves. None of my ‘77’s or 78 have them, so I would assume that’s been swapped out as well.

[Skip Fix]

My 78 MC did not have bleeders either.

[72projectbird]

Yeah my 77 doesn't have them, so idk where the master came from? I'll see if I can get a code off it.

Got the car running under it's own power. Rebuilt a Pontiac Quadrajet I had laying around and installed it. Also put in a new tank and sending unit. Fires right up now.