Topic: 1977 vs. 1978 TA

[Bull Dog]

Ok, I have read a few threads talking about the changes made in 78 from 77. Let me know what I'm missing. ( and I'm sure its alot)

1. Grill 77 honeycomb, 78 diamond pattern.
2. Tail lights 77 chrome color stripe on the lens, 78 blk stripe on the lens.

[hada76]

77 was a movie star....78 wasnt

[O'Neall]

Custom Trim Group (upgraded interior) was different in 78.
W72 was the XX481988 block and rated at 220hp vs 77's 200.
Air cleaner changed.
Dual resonators replaced transverse muffler on W72 cars.
Gear ratio on W72/4spd cars changed to 3.42.
WS6 became available.
Fisher T-tops introduced mid year replacing Hursts.
225/70/15 tires on WS6 cars (all 77s got GR70/15s as did non-WS6 78s).
Dash changed slightly... area around ashtray different from 77.
Taillight bezels painted body color midway thru 78 (not sure about the chrome thing you mentioned above).

Along with the things you mentioned already, that's just about it.

[Bull Dog]

Jon,
Thats good stuff, whats the diff in the air cleaner change?

[trancelgic]

How about a largely sought after option that was new in 78.

WS-6?  Was an option until the very end....

[John Witzke]

Additonal items,

Decal style (font)
Hood decal style (on gold cars only)
standard interior trim door panels
exterior paint colors
clock/tach - later production 1978 models have quartz clock and tach did not go back to zero when engine turned off. the VIN break points are 2W87Z8N177086 for Norwood and 2W87Z8L175503 for Van Nuys cars.  There are also VIN break points for Canadian bound cars too.
control cycle windshield wipers

[O'Neall]

Jon,
Thats good stuff, whats the diff in the air cleaner change?

The 78 W72 air cleaner had a wider (and flatter) air inlet (that the flexible hose from the fender connected to).

[Joker (§ir£Ðragon)]

the power lock switch was on the dash in early '77 and moved to the door panels mid year.

[ta78w72]

OK, Larry.....the early 77's had a thinner air cleaner that fit the earlier shaker/air cleaner housing assembly.

[Joker (§ir£Ðragon)]

OK, Larry.....the early 77's had a thinner air cleaner that fit the earlier shaker/air cleaner housing assembly.

Was the air cleaner housing shallower? I knew the scoop itself was lower, but that wouldn't affect the filter.

[shakerz]

as mentioned, the door panels were changed -radically. the inner sheetmetal of doors are completely different w different mounting places for handles and so 78-81 cannot be swapped w 77 and earlier. aren't the seats and upholstery also different?

steve

if i'm not mistaken, the floorpan may be stamped different as well, hence the different seat tracks, etc

[ta78w72]

OK, Larry.....the early 77's had a thinner air cleaner that fit the earlier shaker/air cleaner housing assembly.

Was the air cleaner housing shallower? I knew the scoop itself was lower, but that wouldn't affect the filter.

Yeah, the air cleaner housing is thinner.  Had me baffled that's for sure.  When my daughter bought the car it came with six or seven air filters.  The guy said they were hard to come by.  After we used them all up, I went to the parts store and bought a new one.  They gave me the one for a 1978.  I tried and tried but couldn't get the shaker on.  It finally occurred to me to compare the old filter against the new one.  That's how I figured it out.