Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: RENOVATIONS on April 10, 2009, 11:50:29 PM
-
I've noticed a lot of the same questions pop up time and again so I thought this might be handy to refer to ;)
Make sure to check the homepage here ( http://www.78ta.com/index.php ) as there is plenty of information to be had ;)
Posting pictures:
You can either sign-up for a free membership at a photo hosting site like www.photobucket.com , load your pix there and then post the "IMG Code" of the pic directly into your post here
or
load your pictures on this site by following the "Gallery" link at the top of this page.
Nose Swaps:
Yes, you can change the front end of your bird to a different year style...generally, you'll need to change the steel bumper as well as the nose itself....sometimes fender brackets and hood swaps are also necessary (depending on the year).
Options/Colors:
No, Pontiac did not keep records of this so there is no way of knowing if a car is rare by the color or option combinations it has.
Buildsheets/PHS:
If the original buildsheet to your car is gone, it cannot be replaced; they were used in assembly at the factory and then either put in the car or tossed.
PHS documents for your car can be ordered here:
www.phs-online.com
This is as close as you will get to a buildsheet and they are invaluable in determining what your car is/was.
And a few pictures to clarify some parts by name...I thought this might help with some commonly misused terms
Air Cleaner Housing:
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/080103AirCleanerbottom640x437.jpg)
Shaker:
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/DSC00210.jpg)
Shaker Base:
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/169-6926_IMG.jpg)
Shaker Hood:
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/000_1366.jpg)
Fender:
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/mvc-003s_794.jpg)
Quarter Panel:
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/36_1.jpg)
Wheel Flare:
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/DSC02982.jpg)
Front spoiler/valance:
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/000_0252.jpg)
Rear Spoiler:
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/0070.jpg)
Tail Panel:
'74-'78
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/001-4.jpg)
"79-'81
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/26b520f70.jpg)
Parts Companies:
www.78ta.com
www.amesperf.com
www.performanceyears.com
www.classicindustries.com
www.paddockparts.com
www.yearone.com
www.npdlink.com
www.thepartsplaceinc.com
Etc
Most of these companies offer free catalogs by mail or download.
Very handy to have for ordering parts, price comparisons, and also just as a reference source.
If anyone else would like to add to this, feel free to jump in ;D
-
also for nose swaps check www.michealjackson.com :P
-
i am guilty of this as well. sometimes i cannot find what i am looking for right away so i just post the question, knowing someone will have the answer i need or point out the link. i'm not very patient right now it seems.
-
Maybe this )or something like it) can be made into a FAQ sticky.
-
I always try to use the search section, but seem to have trouble finding the magic word to get what I want.
-
I have a question for you which i dont think you have covered..........
Which way up does my key go in the ignition.............. XX
I hope you have MY car ready! lol
-
I always try to use the search section, but seem to have trouble finding the magic word to get what I want.
The search function seems to be a weak link in the SMF based forums I frequent.
-
Sometimes the search works, other times not. I've noticed that from time to time I'll be searching for a thread I know is there and I know the words I'm using are in it but it still doesn't come up in the results. (At least with Jeff around we know the spelling is right. :P )
And at least the people here don't automatically reply with "You need to do a search before asking a question that's already been asked before". That really ticks me off in other forums when they do that. Usually they could have just answered the question with the same effort that it took to be an @$$.
-
Good idea Jeff. Thanks for posting the thread.
Now what are you going to do with all your spare time??? :P
-
Sometimes the search works, other times not. I've noticed that from time to time I'll be searching for a thread I know is there and I know the words I'm using are in it but it still doesn't come up in the results. (At least with Jeff around we know the spelling is right. :P )
And at least the people here don't automatically reply with "You need to do a search before asking a question that's already been asked before". That really ticks me off in other forums when they do that. Usually they could have just answered the question with the same effort that it took to be an @$$.
Agreed...the search feature on the forums I frequent usually works pretty well...sometimes takes a couple of attempts.
I also have no problem with answering questions, I just thought putting some commonly asked/used info in one spot might make it easier for everyone.
-
Hey, I recognize some of those pics ;D Thats a pretty good list to start off with for sure. I don 't have pics handy right now, but the home page has links to show the differance I am sure... but here is one I'd add.
Snowflakes and Honeycomb wheels are not the same. Honeycombs are pre smokey and the bandit for the newbies. ;D
-
Snowflakes and Honeycomb wheels are not the same. Honeycombs are pre smokey and the bandit for the newbies. ;D
Excellent point Michael...those 2 do get confused often....here's a couple pix.
Honeycomb rim
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/tanats113141.jpg)
Snowflake rim (15x7)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/46a2_12.jpg)
Snowflake rim (15x8)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/b29457059.jpg)
And more wheel info can be found here:
http://www.78ta.com/wheelspec.php
-
jeff you need to write the trans am dictonary and include pictures and descriptions for people like us to id parts and so we dont look silly when we call a air cleaner housing a shaker base (and if i wrote it every thind would be named wrong and spelled wrong)
-
Hey what about my KEY question! Ive got a show to go to in 4 days!! help
-
Pointy end first.
And teeth down.
-
That's more instructive than where I was gonna' tell him to stick it :D :D :D
-
Thats charming!
I come on here to add a little wit to your otherwise dull existence and all i get is abuse!
Right as soon as theyve finished experimenting on me im coming over, oh and by the way............
A fender is a WING
A hood is a BONNET
A air cleaner is a AIR FILTER
And pants are UNDERGARMENTS !!
etc etc so there! and if you dont like it tuff wotsits with a cherry on top i said it first so there, no returns. :-*
-
And a trunk is a BOOT... ;)
-
And a trunk is a BOOT... ;)
Good man!!
-
Deluxe vs Standard interior? Has this already been posted?
Formula wheel vs my wheel whatever it is (with the wood grain thing or w/e)
Fisher vs Hurst t tops, mentioned previously?
The members of this forum if handed a new 78 t/a in pieces, could probably assemble it in an hour or two.
We could probably make our own "haynes" style manual except waaaay better, that'd be cool. :D
-
The '78TA Complete Book On 2nd Generation Trans Ams Volumes 1 - 12 ;)
-
Deluxe vs Standard interior? Has this already been posted?
http://www.78ta.com/interiors.php
Formula wheel vs my wheel whatever it is (with the wood grain thing or w/e)
What's up with that? Time for you to get the correct style wheel for your Formula ;)
Fisher vs Hurst t tops, mentioned previously?
http://www.78ta.com/ttops.php
I'll be the first (and last ;D ) to admit I don't know it all (very far from it).
But I feel that collectively, we come pretty close here. The one thing I have learned is the more I do learn, the more I find I didn't know. :P
I just felt this would be a good place to put some answers for questions that seem to come up pretty often.
Hopefully others will feel free to add some good info to this thread.... :)
-
lets
And a trunk is a BOOT... ;)
Good man!!
lets not forget that a wrench is a SPANNER :) ;D
-
See more EXCELLENT information has been added!
Soon well be able to talk to each other properly................. its the dogs bollox! lol
Right im off to go and work on the jam jar, before the trouble and strife starts !
-
Good info so far guys...
How about...
What battery should I get as mine's shot? Yellow top from Autozone, Diehard, etc. Make sure it has enough cold cranking amps - can always go bigger!
My car starts slowly when hot? Could be a hot start issue as its typical on these cars. Check timing and/or wrap your starter in a heat shield. Heat Shields are available from Jegs and Summit Racing
I want to replace the electrical harnesses in the car. Where do I get one? A couple places....M&H Wiring Harnesses are drop in. If you're not going for a points resto you can use a Painless wiring system available through Jegs or Summit. The Painless system will require additional work to retrofit to your car.
-
Pontiac Engine #'s locations:
2 letter block code (front of engine/RH side):
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/CopyofS7303480.jpg)
Partial VIN stamping ( matches car if original engine...front of engine/RH side):
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/CopyofS7303481.jpg)
Block casting # (rear of engine/RH side/right of distributor)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/CopyofS7303482.jpg)
Date/assembly #'s (near distributor shaft hole):
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/79ws6resto/CopyofS7303483.jpg)
-
another one i see a lot lately is how to strip paint to bare metal
options
take it to a meda blaster
sand it with a sander
aircraft stripper (donot use on plastic or ruber)
a strip disc
after it is stripped prime it with an epoxy primer (it is the only non porus primer) to keep from it rusting
-
another thing i would like to see some day is a commen parts inter change thread so we can know what years will work with our car
-
Sorry jeff.......... :-[
I think Pat raises a good point, especially for me, its hard to source certain parts here and knowing that a different Gm model or year will fit would most certainly help.
Ie if i want to uprate the brakes on my car would a system off another newer Gm car fit?
I know that you can do this on certain European cars alot of stuff is just a straight bolt on swap.....
-
back up....was the fender the big flat thingy w the pretty birdie? :P
-
Do you mean WING?
I think im going to have to post elsewhere about Brake upgrades......
-
Woman USA > see Sheila >OZ
Sorry Jeff, the nonsense continues.
Jeff, I think you (well all of us) need to get some of this stuff into a separate location - a whole section to itself call "FAQ - read BEFORE you ask" or whatever works. The block photos, for instance, is a thread, nobody posts to it (Brett/Hammer could lock it out) - it's named "How to Identify your Pontiac block" or whatever makes sense.
Add Rick's cam tech series thread
Lee's power window mod
Russ's electrical trouble shooting hints for temp, lights, sensors, etc.
Larry's 403 hop-up bible (a snoozer but people want it)
Etc.
Perhaps if someone has a good idea/basic information, we could add to this NEW section and ONLY the author can modify it based on updates/new info received from other members. Sort of a Wiki for 78ta.com.
We'd need a moderator or two, they'd lock it out and we'd refer people to this new board/section. Brett's done some of it on the main page but perhaps those links can just be added to this new "BEFORE YOU ASK" location. Make sense?
-
can anyone tell me how I can get the shifter knob off the gear selector so I can remove the center console,I am in the process of changing the carpet.
Rik
-
can anyone tell me how I can get the shifter knob off the gear selector so I can remove the center console,I am in the process of changing the carpet.
Gently lift up the shift button with a small flat blade screwdriver to get the button off.... then you will see the snap ring that holds the shifter knob on...remove the snap ring and the knob will slide up and off.
-
I will give it a try,Jeff
Thanks for the help.
Rik.
-
Happy to help...check back if you have any problems.
-
Hey! That's my shaker at the top! Love that Mayan Red in the light...
-
All right, we have to come up with a definitive post for each of the Trans AM Tech sections. I mean for Paint and Body we need to have all the information for the shaker/tail panel FAQ's on there stickied, this should be done for each of the sections like interior etc. That would help.
-
Jeff, thought I'd add this tidbit w your permission. The date code below is: I=October/27= 27th day/7= 1977.
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/skeen99/blockdatecode.jpg)
From Wallace Racing's website:
Pontiac used the same codes on different year blocks.To differentiate them it will have to be determined what year the block is.Next to the distributor hole there is a casting number that has a letter with 2 or 3 numbers. The letter is the month of manufacture- A=Jan. B=Feb,etc.
The next number or two is the day, but sometimes the factory left the first part off, i.e. 5 could mean 5,15,25.The most important is the last number,it is the year of Manufacture it is not always the model year,as most blocks are cast a few months before the car is made.
http://www.wallaceracing.com/index.htm
-
Jeff, thought I'd add this tidbit w your permission. The date code below is: I=October/27= 27th day/7= 1977.
"I" is September in my books. "J" is October. Your opinion may vary, though. ;D
-
Here's another good one, just so everyone knows the bird on the hood and all around the car is a Pheonix not a screaming chicken. I know most people know this but it really ticks me off when other people call it a screaming chicken. How disrespectful. Its not just a car its a lifestyle.
-
Thank you so much for this valuable information it was actually very helpful.