Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum

Trans Am Information => Restoration => Topic started by: 19761979 on December 29, 2013, 07:22:11 PM

Title: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: 19761979 on December 29, 2013, 07:22:11 PM
Was wondering if someone could post some pics and description/dimensions on a 79 Ws6 air cleaner and  snorkel vs other years and such. also i am looking to purchase one if anyone has one for sale. Thanks in advnace. 
Title: Re: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: RENOVATIONS on December 29, 2013, 07:54:27 PM
WS6 wouldn't affect the type of air cleaner...do you mean W72?

Is your engine the 400/4spd or 403/auto?
Title: Re: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: 19761979 on December 29, 2013, 07:56:33 PM
1979  400  4 speed. 
Title: Re: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: RENOVATIONS on December 29, 2013, 08:10:42 PM
This would be the correct air cleaner for a '79 W72

(note there is a plastic adapter between the snorkel and the flexible air intake hose)

(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/w72.jpg) (http://s113.photobucket.com/user/79ws6resto/media/w72.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: 19761979 on December 29, 2013, 08:46:51 PM
Is that an optical illusion or is that a sealed top lid? I always thought it was an open element type where th elid was smaller diameter than the base?  also whats a fair price to pay for one either complete w scoop or not ? Thanks
Title: Re: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: Mongo on December 29, 2013, 09:53:39 PM
That looks like a sealed top lid which would not be correct. The correct lid should be the size of the element.
Title: Re: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: RENOVATIONS on December 30, 2013, 08:03:00 AM
I believe you're right...odd since the picture is a reference picture from John Witzke
Title: Re: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: gilbertsta on December 30, 2013, 08:54:35 AM
^^^^probably firebird not a trans am
Title: Re: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: winks79 on December 30, 2013, 09:17:37 AM
Could be a W72 Formula, not a T/A. That is what the snorkel section looks like on a W72 though, as stated has the plastic piece on it, the base L78 400 and 403 do not. They are round metal coming off snorkel.
Title: Re: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: Wallington on December 30, 2013, 03:18:47 PM
Exactly, its a W72 Formula pic, nothing to do with WS6 which is the handling package, probably what they meant.
Title: Re: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: Grand73Am on January 02, 2014, 11:33:10 PM
Here are more pics of the W72 shaker and air cleaner. The air cleaner base is 16.5" diameter across the top. The inner lid is 14.25" diameter, although I also have some that are 13.25", and both work. Notice how raised the center of the air cleaner base is. It's nearly as high as the outer perimeter height. That's how you know a TA air cleaner base, since it has such a large "drop" to it. The carburetor hole is pretty well centered in the bottom of the 400 air cleaner. If you see a TA air cleaner where the carb hole is way off center, it's for a 403 Olds. Also the correct 400 shaker scoop will have the metal "adapter" plate on the bottom with the 2 points inside the ring as shown in one photo. That's the biggest clue for the 400 scoop:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v159/67SS427/AirCleanerW72a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v159/67SS427/aircleanerw72b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v159/67SS427/191-9182_IMG.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v159/67SS427/77lowrise400shakerc.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v159/67SS427/77lowrise400shakerb.jpg)
Beware the low rise 77 shaker like below. It's only correct for early 1977.
LOW RISE EARLY 77 SHAKER. NOTICE THE PRONOUNCED RIDGE ON THE TOP
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v159/67SS427/77lowrise400shakera-1.jpg)
A 79 400 or 403 shaker will have the type of scoop below. This one is a 403, which had the 6.6 litre decal. A 400 would have the TA 6.6 decal. But you can't go by decals at this point since they were sometime changed. It's the metal adapter plate attached to the bottom that makes the difference.
LATE 77 TO 81 SHAKER
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v159/67SS427/180-8090_IMG.jpg)
Title: Re: 1979 ws6 air cleaner
Post by: 19761979 on January 04, 2014, 01:44:57 AM
Thanks Steve those pics were very helpful, I was able to find the exac tone I need. I did notice that alot of the ebay items dont have the same amount of vac fittings and relays/switches on the base, etc. it seems every one that was said to be off a 79 actually wasnt.