Topic: Before You Ask...

[RENOVATIONS]

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:



Shaker:



Shaker Base:



Shaker Hood:



Fender:



Quarter Panel:



Wheel Flare:



Front spoiler/valance:



Rear Spoiler:



Tail Panel:

'74-'78



"79-'81








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 

[stimpy]

also for nose swaps check www.michealjackson.com

[Hollywood]

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.

[Joker (§ir£Ğragon)]

Maybe this )or something like it) can be made into a FAQ sticky.

[BigJer]

I always try to use the search section, but seem to have trouble finding the magic word to get what I want.

[Sir english firebird]

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

[Rebel 5150]

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.

[Joker (§ir£Ğragon)]

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. ) 



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 @$$.

[milly]

Good idea Jeff. Thanks for posting the thread.


Now what are you going to do with all your spare time???   

[RENOVATIONS]

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. ) 



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.

[mrpontiac80]

Hey, I recognize some of those pics   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.

[RENOVATIONS]

Snowflakes and Honeycomb wheels are not the same.  Honeycombs are pre smokey and the bandit for the newbies.

Excellent point Michael...those 2 do get confused often....here's a couple pix.

Honeycomb rim



Snowflake rim (15x7)



Snowflake rim (15x8)



And more wheel info can be found here:
http://www.78ta.com/wheelspec.php

[pat]

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)

[Sir english firebird]

Hey what about my KEY question! Ive got a show to go to in 4 days!! help

[Joker (§ir£Ğragon)]

Pointy end first.


And teeth down.