Topic: 78 TA Correct Speedo

[ta78w72]

Thanks, I'll check out the clusters I have and see what I need.  Mine is an early 78, built in September 77, and came with the body color tail light grilles, not black like most 1978's.  It does have the 79 type lettering, not 77.

Your best bet is to remove your clock and send it in to get a quartz movement put in it.  There was an article in High Performance Pontiac about this.  It cost about $80.

[ejfudd]

Find me that article or address, and I'll send in a spare.

[ta78w72]

Find me that article or address, and I'll send in a spare.

September 2006

WWW.clocksandgauges.com

According to the article, quartz movements began with VIn 2W87Z8N177086 and 2W87Z8L175503
And for Canadian Exports 2W87Z8N173053 and 2W87Z8L180822

So this was a very, very late 78 modification.  Those numbers must be close to the end of the 78 model year.

[Hitman]

The 8K tach stopped after 1977.

You mean 1976? 77's received 100 mph units w/the 6k tach. I know -- there's a 44,000 mile 1-owner original sitting in my garage.

Here's the gauge breakdown though:

• 160mph speedometers through 1974 (early cars had 1 BRAKE warning light, later years in this range had 2 lights Seat Belt and Brake, no km/h writing).
• 1975-1976 had 8k tachs with the 100 mph units w/blue km/h writing.
• 1977-1978 had 6k tachs with 100 mph units with blue km/h (later 78 cars got the upgraded "Quartz" clock movement, whether or not it was denoted on the tach face)
• 1979 had 6k tachs w/the QUARTZ clock movement (whether or not it was denoted on the gauge face), and 100 mph speedometers with ORANGE/GOLD (not blue) km/h writing.
• 1980-1981 had 6k tachs and 85 mph (3 warning light) speedometers, all gauges received a newer, wider font.

Hope this clarifies gauges for everyone!

Some of those years had carry overs on the gauges.  I have had a couple of 1975 with the 160moh speedos in them and I have also had at least 3 1977's with the 8k tach in them as well.

[Joker (§ir£Ğragon)]

If anyone needs a '78 speedo I have one.



I can sell the whole cluster or part it out.

[OrigOwner77]

Some of those years had carry overs on the gauges.  I have had a couple of 1975 with the 160moh speedos in them and I have also had at least 3 1977's with the 8k tach in them as well.

Interesting Hitman. I'm sure you've been around more cars than I, and know your stuff, so I'll take your word for it. I've never seen a carryover w/77's though in all the ones (early and late) I've seen. Interesting to know.

[WarbirdTA]

 

[v8nut72]

Thanks for all the responses, the car does look like the mileage would suggest or less even. I guess it's just a little worrying to find these things out after buying but it is in very good condition. Dealer said that they verified it with DMV when he bought it from the previous owner who would have been the one who changed it.

[logikfive]

Some of those years had carry overs on the gauges.  I have had a couple of 1975 with the 160moh speedos in them and I have also had at least 3 1977's with the 8k tach in them as well.

My 12/76 build date '77 T/A also has a 8k tach. I always wondered if it was carry over.