Topic: Finding out more about my car

[brian c]

And the Vin should say if you got a w-72 as well, if it got a Z as the 5th digit, it's a w-72 isn't it?

That's actually incorrect. All the Z denotes in the VIN is that you received a Pontiac 400 engine, not what level of performance. You'd need your build sheet or PHS to verify that part.

[RED80TA]

i agree with brian,  z is the engine code and you need the build sheet to find out the rest of that info. your build sheet is located behind the rear seat

[Justin]

i agree with brian,  z is the engine code and you need the build sheet to find out the rest of that info. your build sheet is located behind the rear seat

  That is exactly where I found it.








in the form of a mouse bed.

[RED80TA]

was it intact or all chewed up?

[Justin]

Chewed. the biggest piece was maybe the size of a dime

[RED80TA]

wow!  ok well your only other option like brian said is PHS

[Grand73Am]

The WS6 rear sway bar is 3/4" in 79. The standard rear bar is 5/8"(edited). I'd bet the 78 would be the same.

You can use an adjustable wrench to slip over it and adjust to fit and then measure the wrench. If you don't have one, the cheap $2 plastic calipers from Harbor Freight or a hardware store are handy to keep around.

[Burd Turd]

My orig sway bar on my 78 y88 is 5/8", i put a 3/4" one on. I think the early 70's birds came with a 1" bar.

[Grand73Am]

Yes, I was wrong...the standard 79 rear bar is 5/8".

[Justin]

well I did the wrench Idea and the 5/8 fit so what does that mean for a 78? Also if I have a 78 TA 400 4speed Norwood car,would that help me know what options came with the setup. I wasn't sure if there was a certain motor given to the 4 speed cars or not.

[ta78w72]

The 78 WS6 sway bar is 3/4.  The other way to tell is to pull the cover off the steering gear.  If all three teeth are the same size, you have a WS6 steering box.  If the two outer teeth are smaller, you have a standard steering box.  

If you have a 5/8 rear sway bar you don't have the WS6 suspension upgrade.

All four speed Z engine cars from 78 had the W72 upgrade.

[Justin]

okay so was it common for a 4 speed car with the w72 to not have the ws6 option? Seems weird to have the added power and gears but not have the "upgraded"suspension. I mean i guess the rear sway bar could have been replaced with the car was ever in an accident and someone didn't know the difference. I'll have to see the rest of the options to verify more I guess.

[Grand73Am]

You can always upgrade it yourself. I bought a 3/4 rear bar on eBay, for example. And of course, you can get some 15x8 Snowflakes. Other than the WS6 constant ratio steering box, you'd be the same. Some WS6 79's also have some extra braces for the lower control arms on the subframe, but I don't know if 78's had them. But, again, they can be added.

[Justin]

Yeah I plan on upgrading. Thank you for all  the info.

[ta78w72]

The WS6 and W72 options were coupled early on in production but then separated.  My four speed, built in November 77 doesn't have the WS6 option.  I've added a the 15X8 wheels, a WS6 steering box and the rear sway bar though.

By the way, those WS6 subframe brackets won't fit past the reverse key out linkage on the four speed.  They do fit on an automatic though.