Author Topic: 78 TA Correct Speedo  (Read 8396 times)

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Offline v8nut72

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #15 on: March 27, 2008, 10:22:27 AM »
Well, the car I bought was basically being sold as a genuine 58k car which reflected in the price I paid. It certainly seems to be a solid car with what looks to be all original components but I HATE getting surprises like this as I feel like I've been cheated and don't know what comeback I have on the dealer. Car was sold as is with no warranty so I guess that would be his get out clause.  :-\

Currently speaking to him about the issues, if nothing gets resolved I'll be posting all details about the car so no one elses falls into this trap.
No replacement for displacement

Offline ta78w72

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #16 on: March 27, 2008, 11:11:04 AM »
You won't get much sympathy from the legal system on your problem.  I bet the dealer didn't even realize that the speedo was incorrect for the car.  And, who's to know that the car didn't have less mileage than what's shown on the speedo.

So, if the car has the appearance of low mileage you should be happy with how ever many miles the car has.  The main thing is to get a solid, rust free car for a fair price.  If your car did actually spend a lot of time in Arizona it most likely is in great shape as far as rust.  You may have done worse with a lower mileage car that spent its life in snowy country.

Don't let the speedo sour you on the car.  Chalk it up to your education.  I bet you find more stuff that's not original for the car.  These cars are a beautiful examples of our automobile history.  Enjoy it, they're a blast to own.

Offline brian c

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #17 on: March 27, 2008, 12:59:53 PM »
I understand your frustration but I'd wager ta78w72 is right that you may night find satisfaction in the court system. You might be able to get some satisfaction by contacting your state's DMV department OR the Better Business Bureau.

I wouldn't let it sour your experience with the car but I'd definitely think twice before working with the dealer who sold you the car.

1978 Y88, '70 455 HO block bored 0.060, TH350, 3.42:1 gears...Oct '08 Fbodywarehouse Calendar - Woot!
1980 Firebird - no engine/tranny... to be pacecar clone

Offline Hitman

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #18 on: March 27, 2008, 07:54:23 PM »
That is why I asked you the question on your other post on where you bought the car from because I know some shady dealers there in AZ that are well known for pulling fast ones on Customers.
Brett Campbell
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1978 Trans Am

Offline WarbirdTA

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #19 on: March 27, 2008, 08:10:50 PM »
  8)
« Last Edit: April 15, 2008, 05:28:36 PM by WarbirdTA »

Offline ta78w72

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #20 on: March 27, 2008, 09:17:54 PM »
I'm not sure anyone was trying to pull a fast one.  Otherwise, they would have installed a 100 mph speedo and not the desirable 160 mph unit.  I bet that was changed out just to get the 160 mph speedo in the car.

Offline WarbirdTA

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #21 on: March 28, 2008, 10:29:16 AM »
 8)
« Last Edit: April 15, 2008, 05:28:11 PM by WarbirdTA »

Offline LOMILETA

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #22 on: March 28, 2008, 10:58:25 AM »
I dont know about AZ, but as an Ohio Dealer, you have full recourse against the dealer, If the title says actual mileage, and the dealer sold it as such, you can ask for a full refund, unless they have documentation that a certified service facility changed the odometer and recalibrated the actual mileage. There would be a notorized statement and a sticker inside of the door. ( federal regulations ) Legally that is known as odometer tampering, As this cannot be confirmed as correct. If the title says TMU ( true mileage unknown ) , exceeded or exempt, you have no recourse. If you want to discuss this further, PM me and i will give you my phone #.
1978 TA-462 ci Buick (just sold)
1980 Turbo Formula
1995 Grand Prix
2002 TA convertible

Offline Hitman

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #23 on: March 28, 2008, 10:42:50 PM »
When did the 8K tach stop being used?
It was used in production beyond the 160 speedo, yes?

The 8K tach stopped after 1977.

Brett Campbell
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www.78ta.com
1978 Trans Am

Offline RENOVATIONS

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #24 on: March 28, 2008, 11:34:08 PM »
Thanks.
Jeff

Projects:
_____________
1978 Trans Am
1970 Camaro
1970 'Cuda
1987 Fiero GT
1982 Trans Am
1986 Corvette

Offline ejfudd

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #25 on: March 29, 2008, 07:00:15 AM »
Correct as I know, 1978 has 100 speedo, and 6K tach, blue and white as shown in the cluster above on the speedo.  1979 was not blue as I recall, and the tach had a borg warner clock that ran on a motor, rather than the solenoid wind system.  I thought 77 and 78 were the same, not sure of 76, thought it may have the 8000 tach.  79 had the other color (orange?)  80's got wierd with the print and 85 MPH.

Offline OrigOwner77

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #26 on: March 30, 2008, 10:59:10 AM »
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!
« Last Edit: March 30, 2008, 11:03:24 AM by OrigOwner77 »

Like Father, Like Son

Dad's car: 77 T/A, Original Owner, W72, 48,000 miles, not quite stock
My car: 80 T/A, WS6, 400 w/mild work

Offline ejfudd

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #27 on: March 30, 2008, 11:11:20 AM »
Great info above.  Can I interchange the "quartz" borg warner clock into the 1978 tach for better time keeping?  Are the pins the same?  Can I put my blue face and speedo into the 1979 stamping to accomodate the clock, or will the tach assy. fit, and just change the face?  Anyone do this?

Offline OrigOwner77

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #28 on: March 30, 2008, 11:36:30 AM »
Great info above.  Can I interchange the "quartz" borg warner clock into the 1978 tach for better time keeping?  Are the pins the same?  Can I put my blue face and speedo into the 1979 stamping to accomodate the clock, or will the tach assy. fit, and just change the face?  Anyone do this?

The tach (and clock) mounts to a flat metal "plate" which then screws to the cluster casing. At least on the Late 78 - 81 cars. I don't have my clusters handy, but I believe the Early 78 and prior tachs mount in a similar same way. IF the bulbs, screw holes, printed circuit, etc all mount in the same locations, and the early tachs mount to a separate plate that screws to the cluster you should be able to swap the tach/clock assy. I've seen later tachs in quite a few early cars. You can denote the later tach/clock as the rear of the gauge will have an offset white plastic "oval" shaped casing over the "guts" rather than the round cylinder-type protrusion from the earlier tachs.

At the very least, you can get the entire cluster from a 78/79 and transplant your earlier gauges and circuit board in. This probably would be the easiest way to get the newer tach/clock in an older car w/out it.

The Quartz clock mounts in a slightly different way, and as such, the clock adjuster is in a different location. So you'll need the entire tach and a new plastic window to do the swap correctly. Otherwise the stuff won't line up properly.

If anyone can correct the above info, please feel free. This is to the best of my knowledge, as I don't have my spare clusters handy at present.

*EDIT: Actually, you should be able to find a later 78 cluster no problem and swap it right in, given you have a 78 to start with. The speedo just screws into the cluster by 2 small screws. But, double-check the wiring first and make sure the circuit is the same.

Like Father, Like Son

Dad's car: 77 T/A, Original Owner, W72, 48,000 miles, not quite stock
My car: 80 T/A, WS6, 400 w/mild work

Offline ejfudd

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Re: 78 TA Correct Speedo
« Reply #29 on: March 30, 2008, 12:00:28 PM »
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.