Topic: 1977 Pontiac TA

[Flounder55]

As I understand it both motors ( 400,403 ) are good powerplants. It's just easierto massage MORE horsepower out of a 400 and alot more ways to do it.

 If you want stock them there is nothing wrong with a 403. If you want an asphalt burner the 400 is the way to go!

[oldskoolubr]

i must be really screwed then, my 79 has a 403 (20k original mile car) and my 80 SE has a 301

I get it!  I have a 77 Camaro with a MUCH maligned 305!  I really catch some flack on the Camaro forums.  No matter what question I pose...it could be regarding the interior...I get someone telling me to replace the 305 with a 350!    

I say, if you own a 2 gen TA....you're LUCKY...no matter the engine!  And I WAS buying this car either way...403 or 400.  But from the input I had gotten here the day before, I was a bit pleased to find the W72 smiling up at me.   

(SO now I swim in really dangerous waters HERE with the admission of CAMARO ownership AND a 305 at that!!   )

That's it in a Nutshell Huntress!  Even though I still am after that 69 that my cousins hubby has decided to keep and put a ....350 Chebby IN?!  UGGGHHH

[Flounder55]

Now with a 305 vs a 350 there is a SIZEABLE difference. If you ever saw a 305 crank next to a 350 you would be shocked! it looks like a tooth pick! Same block just MUCH different internals!
 I'd switch out a 305 for a 350 in a heartbeat!

[72blackbird]

The 305 vs. 350 SBC debate is pretty clear- you can do whatever you want to a 305 SBC, but if you do the same mods to a 350 SBC it's gonna make more power and be much stronger too. I've made more than one 3rd gen Bird owner very happy by not rebuilding his 305 and swapping in a 350 SBC.

The 301 vs. 350P or 400P debate OTOH is just so funny to me. The 301 guys like to argue and give you this 4" thick thesis of how the 301 can be built to this awesome Pontiac engine that the rest of us diehard poncho guys have somehow overlooked. How is it possible for those of us who have been wrenching on and racing ponchos for 20+ years to miss such an awesome engine like the 301 and 301T? The answer is simple- we didn't. The 301 is not designed and built to the same standard as the 326-455 Pontiac V-8 family, and when modified in the traditional way all Detroit V-8's are done fails to hold up to the additional power. It's acceptable for stock applications, but just wasn't developed enough to make more power.

We all have our favorite T/A or Firebird engine, and despite my preferences I've learned to work on all of them, and even warm them up. In close to 30 years of wrenching on 2nd gen F-bodies I've seen more than my fair share of destruction and carnage under the hood- when my customers ask me to build them a bulletproof engine for their Bird or Camaro, it's either a Pontiac or Chevy V-8.

Geno

[grubbano]

Congrats!!  Yes, more pictures please

Will do.  I get a little nervous around here with all the critical "eyes" though.   
[/quote/]  Don't worry about the a$$clowns who like to point out the faults in other people's cars.  98% of us just love to see pictures of other 2nd gens, no matter what condition, especially yours because of the low mile unmolested stock condition.  I'm especially interested because I also have a 77 brentwood brown, buckskin interior TA.

[TAhuntress]

Congrats!!  Yes, more pictures please

Will do.  I get a little nervous around here with all the critical "eyes" though.   
[/quote/]  Don't worry about the a$$clowns who like to point out the faults in other people's cars.  98% of us just love to see pictures of other 2nd gens, no matter what condition, especially yours because of the low mile unmolested stock condition.  I'm especially interested because I also have a 77 brentwood brown, buckskin interior TA.

Thanks!!  So you have a pretty brownbird too...awesome!  Would love to see. 
 

[TAhuntress]

I suppose I should start another thread for this...should I?  I'm in knots right now because the TA is running a little hot.  Got a plan in place, but will be picking your brains if need be.   

The good news....got her dualed out yesterday and I love it!     She sounds great..grrrrrrrrrrrr... and feels a lot stronger without that stranglehold all that stock stuff had on her.  Was an awesome ride home except  for the part where she started running a little hot.  boo.   

[hada76]

most shops will redo the rad for about 100 bucks, can you remove it yourself?

[TAhuntress]

most shops will redo the rad for about 100 bucks, can you remove it yourself?

Gonna flush it this weekend and then that will be the next move.  It doesn't appear to be flowing the best.   Some other small things to check out first  after doing some searching here.  Already had the thermostat replaced right after I bought it.  I'm not very good with the "sick" car stuff...I tend to jump to worst case scenario.      THX

[TAhuntress]

Now with a 305 vs a 350 there is a SIZEABLE difference. If you ever saw a 305 crank next to a 350 you would be shocked! it looks like a tooth pick! Same block just MUCH different internals!
 I'd switch out a 305 for a 350 in a heartbeat!

Might happen...she's starting to have some issues.  Depending on how serious...the 350 might be the answer.  Was trying to keep it stock...as it's all numbers matching and low miles too.  BUT...it doesn't have great value or demand with the 305.  Still a good looking and fun driver...and takes some of the heat off the TA so I don't run the wheels off of it.   

[Flounder55]

You can always keep the 305 and offer it as a second  #'s matching motor should you decide to sell it.