Topic: Do I have the correct decals on my 78

[ponchonutty]

You can't do that if they have been on there for a while or if it was freshly painted.  For the little amount of coin I'd just get new ones and redo it if it bothers you.  For reference here's my '78 ws6/w72 car with factory paint and decals.

Notice the placement of the scoop decals about 1" from the edge on driver's side.


Less than an inch from edge on passenger side.



Notice the Pontiac name is about 1" from the Trans Am name.

[st louis ta]

Car at body shop so can't check on the unleaded(can't remember seeing) no decal on front bumper.  I will try the heating trick to remove and move shaker decal.  Have original build sheet in very fragile shape, below is copy of build sheet--how do you the date in corner?  Boy finding the vin on the block took some scraping.  Car is fairly loaded except T-Tops, gonna order the PHS docs.
 

[ta78w72]

You have an earlier 78 because during the model year they limited the W72 engine to four speeds.  That's an original EGR valve too.  Don't throw it out.  It has some value.  You're missing the choke shield.

[ponchonutty]

/\/\/\ditto/\/\/\  It'd have a WC stamped somewhere around the serial numbers and different heads if you had a w72 motor.

[st louis ta]

Are you guys saying its not a w72?  Build sheet says w72, auto, ws6. I did find the #4 on the bottom of a small ridge that protrudes from the head.  Sorry i'm new to this.

[Squirrel]

you have a great rear gear in your car says 3.23 that is perfect.   are you rebuilding engine to more than w72 specs, if so i would not think having a w72 would matter much.

[4SPEED]

also be careful that chain doesnt brake off your blue vacuum switch on the front of the intake.   very hard to find and very pricey for what it is.   your carb also needs a secondary choke pull off and its bracket.

nice 400 bub,  you still have some very hard to find parts on it.  keep them.

[4SPEED]

you have a great rear gear in your car says 3.23 that is perfect.   are you rebuilding engine to more than w72 specs, if so i would not think having a w72 would matter much.

correct , a mild build on a 400 would be better then 220hp . it more so to say I've got one bragging rights . all W72's got that gear.

[ta78w72]

Are you guys saying its not a w72?  Build sheet says w72, auto, ws6. I did find the #4 on the bottom of a small ridge that protrudes from the head.  Sorry i'm new to this.

Looks like a W72 engine to me.  4Speeds correct on that vacuum port.  Treat it carefully.

On the choke shield, I think Fbody sells a repo.

[4SPEED]

Are you guys saying its not a w72?  Build sheet says w72, auto, ws6. I did find the #4 on the bottom of a small ridge that protrudes from the head.  Sorry i'm new to this.

could you do another pic of the front  area of the block.   your block vin is a match to your sheet production #  so Id say your good.   also if you ever have the oil pan off I could tell ya if its a W72 too.   also part # on the cam . the carb #  the block casting #  all kinds of ways.  

[ta78w72]

Notice that the tail light bezels are body color not black.  This car was assembled in December 77, which would have been around five months into the model year.

Just from the engine appearance, it looks like a low mileage car.  The transmission probably needs a rebuild.  The transmissions didn't last too long.

[4SPEED]

  The transmission probably needs a rebuild.  The transmissions didn't last too long.

the 350 in the W72 was diffrent from the L78 th350 RPO code is diffrent.  and was better.  how much? dont know..

[st louis ta]

i was just confused with the 4 speed limited post early in model year.  Where numbers state that it was made in Dec?  I did drop the tranny off and a highly recc shop, $525 to rebuild with shift kit.  Motor to be rebuilt with a comp cam and should put out on the dyno 325-340hp, estimate is $4000 and they aren't doing the RR work.  Got a body shop that the family has been in the GTO business since the late 60's putting motor back in along with other work.  Dropping a lot in this car but want to be happy with it when done, been saving up for many years.  Engine has 63xxx on it.  Will post more photos soon.

[Burd Turd]

I found an original choke shield in my stash!

[ta78w72]

Upper left on the build sheet has the date.  Yours looks to be 12/06.  The cowl plate will give similar information.  Just check out this site for data to decode the cowl plate.

The W72 cars got some different transmission parts but the 350 is basically junk in my opinion anyway.  All the ones I've had needed a rebuild around 70K miles give or take.  Even my four speed needed a rebuild at 70K.  Just poor quality or design I guess.  GM was more interested in selling cars than in making them last.

The more I look at the engine, the more I like it.  Did you take the compression before you decided to tear into it?  How many miles are on that car?  It looks like it was very well cared for.  You've got a great, great car there.

I just noticed that you have the wrong wheels on the car.  You should have gray 15X8 snowflakes rather than rally wheels.