WS6 Package Components

Components of my 1978 WS6 Trans Am Special Performance Package

The Dealer Order form from PHS Services documenting the WS6 option was ordered for my car

Door Stickers 225/70 R15

Lower Control Arm Brace

15"x8" Gold Snowflake Wheels

Steering gear box

Front Springs

Rear Springs

Front Sway Bar

Sway bar grommets

Rear Sway Bar

Front Shocks

Rear Shocks

Part 6 - Fortune of Wheels

My 1978 WS6 Trans Am the night I purchased it with gold snowflake wheels

My 1978 Trans Am was Built July 7, 1978. It has the WS6 Trans Am Special Performance Package option which means it came with 15"x8" snowflake wheels. When I first purchased my Trans Am last December (2012), I did not like the way the snowflake wheels looked because they were painted all gold except for the outer lip. I did not realize that these wheels are the original wheels that came with the car. I had never seen snowflake wheels that were not all machined on the spokes. I thought they were ugly.

My original gold spoke snowflake 15"x8" WS6 wheels

 I thought someone had painted the snowflake wheels and was too lazy to mask off the spokes. I did not like the way the wheels looked, so I ordered new replacement wheels. It turns out I was wrong about the wheels. 1978 WS6 wheels are all painted gold except for the outer edge.

My OER Reproduction WS6 Machines spoke gold 15"x8" Wheels

After installing the new wheels and researching used WS6 snowflake wheels and their market prices on eBay, I began to wonder if the old wheels that came on my car could be the original wheels that came with the car. I wrote to a 1978 Trans Am expert who claims the gold wheels were only used in early Special Edition and non-Special Edition WS6 1978 Trans Ams. He indicates on his website that these wheels were replaced by machined spoke wheels "sometime" in 1978. He told me that he did not think my old wheels were the original wheels because my car is a very late 1978 Trans Am (built July 7, 1978) just one month before the 1979 models came out. He also said I could probably sell my old wheels on eBay for at least $500.00. I now have a fortune in wheels and am not sure which ones to keep or sell.

I posted my set of old wheels on eBay for a week on an auction and had no takers. When the auction expired, I did not repost the wheels for sale, instead I decided to try to research the codes on the back of the wheels to try to determine when they were made. Many GM parts have date codes on them, I think these wheels do too. I tried searching the internet for help with the date codes and other codes. I could not find anyone with wheel date code information.

My Distributor Date Code 8E03 = 1978 May 03 (2 months before my car was built)

My Rear Axle Date Code F298 = June 29 1978 (1 week before my car was built)

Carburetor Date Code 0338 = 33rd Day of 1978 = February 2 1978 (5 months before my car was built)

While researching the part numbers on my car to determine if it is a "Matching Numbers" Trans Am, I learned that almost every part on the car has a date code. My body tag, engine, transmission, rear axle, distributor, radiator, and carburetor all have date codes that use a letter of the alphabet to indicate the month A = January, B = February, etc. The codes also have a numerical date (day of month 1 - 31), or a Julian Date (day of the year (1-365)), or week of the month letter (A-E) , and a year number 8 = 1978. I think my wheels also have a date code. See what you think.

Wheel 1 Date Code F 22 8 = June 22 1978 (2 weeks before my car was built)

Wheel 2 Date Code F 09 8 =  June 09 1978 (the 8 is partially stamped in the chamfered edge) (1 month before my car was built)

Wheel 3 Date Code F 20 8 = June 20 1978 (2 weeks before my car was built)

Wheel 1 Date Code F 23 8 = June 23 1978 (2 weeks before my car was built)

I could be wrong here, but logically following the same date code pattern from the other parts on the car, the date codes on the back of all four of my wheel hubs are (See above photos):

BWF 22 8, so BW (F=June) June 22 1978
BWF 09 8, so BW (F=June) June 09 1978
AWF 20 8, so AW (F=June) June 20 1978

AWF 23 8, so AW (F=June) June 23 1978

Sharp Machined Outer Edge Wheel

1/4" Spokes on my wheels

1/4" Spokes on my wheels

1/4" Spokes on my wheels

My wheels have 1/4" spokes and a sharp machined edge on the outer rim edge AND I believe they were all made in June of 1978 and are the original wheels for my car which was manufactured July 7 1978.

Now I am thinking I will sell my new wheels and clean up and polish my old wheels for reinstallation on my car. If you know anything that could be helpful to me regarding these date codes, please let me know.

Part 5 - VJ9 California Emissions Requirements

WORK IN PROGRESS: More Photos and information coming 

1978 was the first year of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Requirements and the third year of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Air Act of 1970 regulations full implementation.

According to the fueleconomy.gov website, my California 1978 Trans Am with a 3-speed automatic transmission was rated for 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined fuel economy. The annual fuel cost was estimated to be $656.00.  This is the exact fuel economy rating as a vehicle without the California emissions option.

My 1978 Pontiac Trans Am with an Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch (6.6L) engine came with option code VJ9 California Emissions Requirements. This option was required for vehicles built for sale in the state of California in 1978. This requirement is a result of the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations. The option cost $75.00 extra bringing the total cost of my car to $8838.00.

The under hood vehicle emissions label and emission hose routing diagram

According to the 1978 Pontiac Service Manual, the VJ9 California Emissions Requirements required the following items:

1978 Oldsmobile 403 Small Block Engine

• L80 Oldsmobile 403 engine (VIN K) code VN-HY. This engine only has 185 horsepower, but it has an impressive 320 lb*ft of torque. This engine is part of the engine family 830M4UA 8BFV VN-HY. An automatic transmission was the only transmission available for this emissions option.

17058553 QuadraJet 4 Barrel Carburetor with no vacuum lines connected

Small port "B" Manifold Vacuum. Large upper port "T" Carburetor Bowl Vent, and large lower port manifold vacuum for the PCV valve.

Ports "K" and "H" Ported Vacuum

3 Ports at the rear of the carburetor: The upper port is the choke heater air inlet, the bottom two ports are manifold vacuum for the power brake booster (left) and the secondary vacuum break Thermal Vacuum Switch (right).

• California Emissions Quadra-Jet Carburetor. This carburetor, part number 17058553, is tuned for an automatic transmission only as well as low altitude California emissions. Most of the carburetor ports are labeled and called out on the vehicle emissions label referring to the emission hose routing diagram.

Air Injection Reaction (A.I.R.) Pump

7817872 Diverter Valve for A.I.R. Pump. Vacuum port is connected to manifold vacuum at carburetor port "B"

Left A.I.R. Manifold and 22034702 Check Valve

Right A.I.R. Manifold and 22034702 Check Valve

AIR - Air Injection Reaction. This system consists of an air pump, diverter valve, hoses, check valves, and tubes. The system pumps air into the exhaust ports on a warm engine under acceleration to help complete the combustion process after the exhaust gasses leave the cylinder help reduce Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbon (HC) pollution.

17075690 Back Pressure EGR Valve

• BP-EGR - Back Pressure - Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve. This valve is used to recirculate exhaust gas back into the Cylinders under Certain conditions (Typically acceleration) to cool the peak combustion temperatures. This will help reduce Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) emissions. This valve will not function until coolant temperature is warm and there is a slight amount of exhaust back-pressure. The Letter "P" on the valve after the part number indicates the valve is a positive pressure operated valve. There was also a letter "N" on some other engine's EGR valves that indicated a negative pressure was required for proper operation.

7817872 Diverter Valve for A.I.R. Pump. Vacuum port is connected to manifold vacuum at carburetor port "B"

• Diverter Valve - This manifold vacuum operated valve at the rear of the AIR pump is responsible for preventing the AIR pump from supplying air into the exhaust system while decelerating. The valve opens when engine vacuum levels from carburetor port "B" are low (like during acceleration). When the diverter valve is closed, the air pump air exits the diverter valve through a silencer attached to the valve. (See the small holes on the right)

3-Port ACDelco Thermal Vacuum Switch Location at right front of the intake manifold

3-Port ACDelco Thermal Vacuum Switch Part Number 212-582

3-Port TVS Vacuum Switch Port Designations (accurate)

• DS-TVS - Distributor Spark Thermal Vacuum Switch (3-ports) - This prevents vacuum advance when the engine coolant temperature is below 120 degrees F. This helps warm up the engine more quickly. This valve permits full vacuum advance when the engine coolant temperature is above 220 degrees F. This valve is marked 210 (degrees F) on the base. 
• The top port (labeled 1) is connected to ported vacuum through the Distributor Spark Vacuum Delay Valve and the Exhaust Gas Recirculation/Distributor Spark Thermal Vacuum Switch which connects to a carburetor port "H".
• The middle port (labeled D) is connected to the distributor vacuum advance.
• The bottom port (labeled 2) is connected to a 4-way vacuum tee.
• The tee also connects to manifold vacuum at port "B" of the carburetor base.
• The tee also connects to the transmission vacuum modulator to control shift quality.
• The tee also connects to the A.I.R. Pump Diverter valve to exhaust pump output during deceleration.

DS Delay Valve Installed between bottom of 2-port TVS and top of 3-port TVS

Distributor Spark Vacuum Delay Valve

• DS - VDV - Distributor Spark Vacuum Delay Valve. This valve delays quick changes in the level of ported vacuum supplied to the distributor vacuum advance during rapid throttle opening (like heavy acceleration). When testing this valve, it should take 20 - 30 seconds for vacuum applied to this valve to drop from 15" to 0" Hg.

17056978 Evaporative Emissions Storage Canister

ACDelco A478C Evaporative Emissions Storage Canister Filter

• EEC - Evaporative Emission Control. This consists of a 4-port Vapor Storage Canister, Canister Filter, hoses, pipes, carburetor, fuel tank cap, and fuel tank. The Vapor canister stores gasoline vapors from the fuel tank and carburetor bowl when the engine is off and then pulls the vapors into the intake manifold and burns them as part of normal combustion during steady speed driving. The four ports in the above photo from top to bottom are: 
• Manifold Vacuum (5/32" small hose) connected to a vacuum port on the intake manifold in front of the carburetor.
• Carburetor Bowl (3/8" hose) connected at port "T" on the carburetor.
• Fuel Tank Vapor Line (5/16" hose) connected to the fuel tank.
• Purge line (1/4" hose) connected to ported vacuum at port "K" on the carburetor.
• EFE - Early Fuel Evaporation system. On the Oldsmobile 403 the EFE system consists of an exhaust crossover pipe that connects the left exhaust manifold to the right exhaust manifold. This crossover pipe has a 1" orifice in it which forces exhaust to also travel through the intake manifold crossover passage. This heats up the base of the carburetor and helps the liquid gasoline atomize and vaporize as it is pulled into the intake manifold, cylinder heads, intake valves, and cylinders. Gasoline vapors burn, liquid gasoline does not burn.

EGR Vacuum Delay Valve installed between bottom of 2-port TVS and the EGR Valve

EGR Vacuum Delay Valve

• EGR-VDV - Exhaust Gas Recirculation Vacuum Delay Valve. This valve delays quick changes in the level of vacuum supplied to the EGR valve for an extended duration under low engine vacuum conditions (like wide open throttle). This allows NOx reduction under heavy acceleration or rapid throttle movement.

2-Port ACDelco Thermal Vacuum Switch Location at left front of the intake manifold

2-Port ACDelco Thermal Vacuum Switch Part Number 212-29

2-Port TVS Vacuum Switch Port Designations

• EGR/DS-TVS - Exhaust Gas Recirculation/Distributor Spark Thermal Vacuum Switch (2-ports). This valve delays vacuum to the EGR and distributor vacuum advance valve during cold engine operation (Below 120 degrees F). This valve is marked 120 (degrees F) on the base.
• The top port (labeled E) is connected to a 3-way vacuum tee.
• The tee also connects to the EGR vacuum delay valve and the EGR valve.
• The tee also connects to the distributor spark vacuum delay valve and port 1 of the Distributor Spark Thermal Vacuum Switch.
• The bottom port (labeled S) is connected to a ported vacuum source (Port "H") at the carburetor.

The Original Bead Type Catalytic Converter. These were fairly restrictive and are no longer available

A brand new aftermarket monolithic California Emissions Catalytic Converter on my 1978 Trans Am

• OC - Oxidizing Catalyst. This catalytic converter uses extra oxygen from the air pump to reduce Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels by adding an additional oxygen atom to form Carbon Dioxide (CO2). The catalytic converter also reduces hydrocarbons (HC) (which is unburnt fuel) by completing the combustion of the HC with extra air from the air pump. These conversions heat up the catalytic converter to over 600 degrees F. 
• NOTICE: California requires all 1972 and above vehicles to have a catalytic converter that meets California emissions standards. Factory original equipment catalytic converters were the bead type and are no longer available. The only option available is an aftermarket "Direct Fit" (bolts in place of the original part) or a "weld on" catalytic converter. Each aftermarket catalytic converter must be marked with a certification code proving it is built for California. Do not purchase 49-State Catalytic Converters, they are not legal in California

.

ACDelco PCV Valve CV679C fits into an ACDelco CV5004C Rubber Grommet

ACDelco 12C26 EGR Fresh Air Intake Filter and Tube Assembly

• PCV - Positive Crankcase Ventilation. This manifold vacuum supplied system keeps the engine crankcase pressures at a low vacuum level. Normally combustion blow-by would get past the piston rings and pressurize the crankcase, contaminate the engine oil, and promote oil leaks. The PCV system pulls the crankcase fumes into the intake manifold and burns them. The other half of the PCV system is the inlet breather filter and tube that connects the the air cleaner housing and the valve cover to pull in fresh air.

Carburetor Secondary Vacuum Break Thermal Vacuum Switch 560880

• SVB-TVS - Secondary Vacuum Break - Thermal Vacuum Switch. This switch controls the vacuum to the air cleaner TAC motor and the carburetor secondary vacuum break. The switch prevents the carburetor secondary ports from opening while the intake air temperature is below approximately 123 degrees F  This prevents a cold lean backfire from an inadequate air-fuel mixture. I have not been able to find this part in a GM part number or an aftermarket part. 
• The upper port on the far left (labeled E) of the photo is connected to manifold vacuum at the rear of the carburetor. It is also connected to the lower port on the left and feeds the Thermostatic Air Cleaner (TAC) door motor temperature sensor. 
• The port on the right (labeled S) connects to the carburetor secondary vacuum break and is open until the air temperature is above 123 degrees F.
• TAC - Thermostatic Air Cleaner - This system uses a thermal valve to control a vacuum motor and damper door in the air cleaner inlet port. The port will be closed to outside cold air until the air cleaner air temperature reaches 123 degrees F plus or minus 20 degrees. While closed, the air cleaner will pull heated air across the left hand exhaust manifold, through the stove pipe, the carburetor and intake manifold. The warm air will help atomize the fuel for better combustion and lower emissions.

Part 4 - Saturday Brake

After months of searching for all original ACDelco brake system parts for my 1978 Pontiac Trans Am, I have finally found and acquired all the parts needed to completely replace my entire brake system.

ACDelco Brake Parts Collection

Thanks to ACDelco's online catalog, Amazon.com, and ebay.com, finding all the parts was easier than I thought it would be. I am trying to avoid any aftermarket parts, I prefer to put the car back in all original condition with all the correct parts. Original brake pipes are not available so I found a company in Michigan inlinetube.com that reproduces brake lines, fuel lines, and any other pipes you need for your older cars. I purchased stainless steel brake pipes so they will not rust.

The old drum brake parts after being washed off with a brake cleaner

My oldest son and I began the brake system teardown today. We removed all the brake hardware, rotors, drums, hoses, pipes, emergency brake cables, and combination valve. I had already replaced the brake vacuum booster and master cylinder with GM restoration parts.

Right Rear axle seal leaking

We discovered that the left axle seal has a small leak, so I have to order seals, gear oil, limited slip additive, and an axle cover gasket and replace them before we reassemble the brake system.

Original Nylon Injected U-Joints.

In the process of working on this car, we discovered that the original nylon injected u-joints are still installed in the driveshaft. When this type of u-joint gets replaced, the new u-joint uses internal snap rings to hold the u-joint in place. These u-joints have no snap rings and have never been replaced.  Why does this matter? The odometer of the vehicle shows approximately 55,000 miles. I doubt this car only has 55,000 miles on it, but it definitely is not a high mileage car.

Measuring rotor thickness of 1.004 inches 

Continuing my quest for an idea of how many miles this vehicle really has on it, I decided to measure the brake rotor thickness. These rotors appear to be original GM brake rotors, if they had been replaced, it is unlikely that most people would purchase original GM rotors because they cost more than aftermarket rotors.  Working on that assumption, new rotors are 1.030 inches thick. 

Motor minimum thickness specification casting

The minimum thickness (discard dimension) of the rotor is 0.956 inches (as shown in the above photo. The left front rotor measured 1.004 inches. This means that 0.026 inches of material has worn off of this rotor.  In my many years of teaching for General Motors, they taught us that you should allow 0.030 inches of rotor thickness loss for each set of brake pads.  The brake pads on this vehicle were not the original brakes, but is is possible that they are the second set of brake pads since the rotor. There is still enough rotor material left on this rotor for another set of brake pads to wear down. This tells me this vehicle is not a high mileage vehicle.

The right front rotor thickness measured 0.992 inches, a full 0.012 thinner that the left front

 The right front rotor thickness has worn down down to 0.992 inches. The discard dimension of the rotor is 0.965 inches. This thickness does not allow for 0.030 inches of rotor thickness decrease for wear. The rotor needs to be replaced.  I am replacing both rotors and drums.

Left front steering spindle with all brake hardware removed.

While the brake system is disassembled, I am going to clean and paint the backing plates, rear axle housing, sub frame, control arms, sway bars, and most of the under body.  We had to remove the inner fender wells to access all the brake pipes and hoses we are replacing. We removed all the hoses and pipes today.

My leaking fuel tank - One more thing in the never ending list of repairs on this vehicle

 This week I also discovered the source of gasoline fumes coming from my car. I had replaced all of the rubber hoses, installed the proper factory spring clamps, replaced the fuel tank cap, and a cracked evaporator emissions canister. I still could smell gasoline vapors. 1978 emissions regulations required a closed evaporative emissions system, so I knew there had to be a leak I was not seeing. I decided that the only place left was on top of my fuel tank.

Fuel leak at tank vapor line

We removed the fuel tank and found a huge leak were the vapor line connects to the tank. It is not something I wanted to repair or to have repaired. We also found another rubber hose on top of the tank that needs to be replaced. I was disappointed to not find my car's "Build Sheet" on top of the fuel tank. My last hope for the sheet is in the seat frame, but the upholstery has already been replaced and it is unlikely that it will still be there. I won't have time to check the seats for several weeks.

The New Fuel Tank waiting for the fuel level sending unit to be installed.

I looked online for replacement fuel tanks and found a reasonably priced new tank; I ordered it. It showed up yesterday.

Rear underbody with fuel tank removed

I will install the new fuel tank in a week or so after all the cleaning and painting. I want to paint the underbody above where the fuel tank is mounted. You can see the rear portion of the new exhaust system in this photo.

Blower motor and heater core are accessible with the inner fender removed

With the left front inner fender well removed to remove the brake pipes, I photographed the inconvenient location of the blower motor and heater core I referred to in Part 2 of this blog.

The ACDelco replacement blower motor for my Trans Am