Author Topic: 1979 Firebird Trans Am aka the turdbird has problems  (Read 9 times)

Offline Ponchonutty

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Thanks for letting me in Cliff.  So here's a long winded tale of my issues.  Bought a 79 Trans Am with matching Pontiac 301 and Th350 that was gone through mechanically.  Sent carb off to Classic Carb Rebuilders in Eden NC.  I knew the carb wasn't right from the start due to the Holley reman sticker on the side.  Also, the throttle would always hang up just off idle so fine tuning it was impossible.  CCR said the carb was warped and since it's not the original carb I should look for a better core.  Found one that was listed as a Pontiac one but was for an Oldsmobile.  He then called me asking if I needed all the extra brackets on the old carb.  I said yes, I need those because one bumps up idle when the AC is on and the other shuts off the AC compressor when floored.  He said he never seen such a thing (first red light).  He also said the old carb was full of rust in the bottom of the bowl.  So, I replaced every single fuel related item including the tank.

Got the carb back and it still would hang up at idle.  It would bump up about 400 rpms. when it would do it.  So I messaged CCR again.  He stated that possibly the shaft he used from the original carb may be slightly bent and for me to send it back.  I do then when he gets it he calls screaming I am name bashing on FB.  I assure everyone I did not.  I merely mentioned I still had an issue that I have to send the carb back to him on another's post.  After him yelling at me he said he was going to blueprint this carb and make sure everything was in tolerance.  Grand total of about $800 I still have what I believe is carb problems.

For the life of me I can not get the mixture to richen up at all.  It starts great.  Off, part, and 3/4 throttle is fine.  Floor it and it slows down.  Sometimes will even backfire.  I do have a wideband and its showing it's way lean like in the 20's cruising and pegs at 50 when WOT.  Only time the wide band shows decent numbers is when the choke is on.  The secondary does indeed open.  I can see fuel pumping through it.

Before anyone mentions a plugged exhaust, I just replaced the original exhaust with a Pypes kit.  Also swapped the trans to a 2004r but had this issue with the original one.

Carbs are outside my comfort zone.  Had I known about this site I would have given it my best and tried to rebuild it myself.  Right now the car is at a buddy's shop.  He suggested getting another carb to see if it changes anything for the better.  Found one that's in great shape to see if that corrects anything.  Cliff, if I drive to you, would you wanna rebuild another?


Offline Ponchonutty

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