Stock 301NA Trans Am owner/s

[TA301]

Anybody here who owns a stock 1980-1981 TA with the 301NA?

[5th T/A]

Please don't shoot me, In February of 2020 I purchased a 1980 TA, with 6600 original miles, always garage kept and was told never driven in rain or snow. When purchased it had the original 301 NA engine. After I rebuilt the carb it ran very well, smooth, quiet and idled nice. With A 2.41 rear axle would even squeak the rear tires punching it from a dead stop. But acceleration could be described as leisurely at best. I purchased a running 1974 Pontiac 455 that I had planned to rebuild and install. Then another TAC member sold me a new Pontiac 400 stroker built by Butler Performance. So I did this.....

http://www.transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=83455.0

[FormTA]

I own a 79 formula, stock 301 4 barrel and my 79 TA was a 301 and I drove it stock for many years. I LS swapped it about 4-5 years ago now.

[roadking77]

Seeing a theme, LOL.

[TA301]

This is the case almost all the time, making the 1981 TA with the 301EC motor the rarest of them all. I firmly believe that.

[TA301]

I own a 79 formula, stock 301 4 barrel and my 79 TA was a 301 and I drove it stock for many years. I LS swapped it about 4-5 years ago now.

Does it have AC and cruise?

[FormTA]

Yes it does. It also mechanically very original (just maintenance parts replaced).. I've had it parked in my barn for quite a few years.  I replaced 90% of the sheet metal, including the T top roof. I just fell into an LS drive train so I swapped that into my Trans am and this car fell to the wayside. I actually have the low mileage 301 that 5th TA pulled from his car. It was so original and beautiful (and crazy low miles). It will be going in the Formula when I get back to it. I have so many car projects but I'd really like to get to it.

[TA301]

Yes it does. It also mechanically very original (just maintenance parts replaced).. I've had it parked in my barn for quite a few years.  I replaced 90% of the sheet metal, including the T top roof. I just fell into an LS drive train so I swapped that into my Trans am and this car fell to the wayside. I actually have the low mileage 301 that 5th TA pulled from his car. It was so original and beautiful (and crazy low miles). It will be going in the Formula when I get back to it. I have so many car projects but I'd really like to get to it.

There is hope. Do you mind taking a couple of pictures of the AC dryer and compressor mounting? Also showing the cruise diaphragm mounting bracket. I am about to finish that part of the restoration. If you can help, that will be great. Thanks.

[TA301]

I am wondering if you are going to honor my request to take a few pictures of the areas of the car I mentioned. If you are not going to then say so I can move to someone else who will.

[FormTA]

Sorry, I just saw this post. I can try to get back to it today.  It's in my barn buried in the back and my barn is a 1/4 mile behind my house.  I'll try to get back there today before it gets dark and see if I can access it to get your pictures.

A nice direct message would have been easier and quicker as the messages go out in an email.... Plus I would be a little more motivated to help... But I have been on this message board for many years an enjoy helping others when I can so, stay tuned.

[roadking77]

Yeah, Cmon Luke step up to the plate LOL! 
Sometimes guys dont look at every post every day. Its easy to 'not see something'. A DM is the best way to get through to someone, except in my case as I have been known to let them sit unanswered for way too long Patience, patience.

[FormTA]

Sorry, when I got back to the car I found the hood wasn't attached and I could only open it about a foot before it started to dig into the dash. Also there is only solar powered lights back there so these are the best pictures I could get...

Ac compressor







Ac compressor brackets on the 80 301 I got from Larry (5th T/A)







Ac and cruise brackets









Again, sorry. I did my best to get pictures but it was tough to get these. Hope something here helps you.


Looks like some mice have found the only material in the barn (hood insulation) and stuffed it under the carb..... I have to get back to this car and the 67rs Camaro next to it....

[5th T/A]

For some reason I guess I didn’t comprehend what you were looking for. To reiterate I have a 1980 TA that originally came with a NA 301. While I have removed the original 301 I have lots of under hood photos of the original 301 engine installed as came from the factory. I could post some clean under hood pictures of the AC compressor mounted. I still have functional factory AC so if you can tell me what specifically you want shown of the AC dryer assembly I could post those as well. The car is an 80, not an 81. Normal carb, not EC. Let me know?

I also have a reprint of the 1980 GM Firebird assembly manual. So it’s possible what you are looking for is in there. If so I could scan and post from the manual, but the quality of print is not great.

[FormTA]

Larry, are you saying my pictures are c$%@? 

[5th T/A]

Luke, absolutely not. Just offering some options to TA301 if he is looking for something not shown in your photos. But looking at all those toys, is it time for a barn addition?

[FormTA]

Ha, ha. I have two barns and one is stick built with a second floor. Both of them are full. I have been trying to get my wife to let me build another one for finished projects (now that I actually have some).

[roadking77]

Luke, My daily driver pickup threw a code and was starting to run a bit rough. Took it to the shop. There was about 10lbs of fibreglass insulation stuffed in the engine compartment. Right next to where I park my truck in the barn was a pile of insulation I had leftover from a job.

[FormTA]

Crazy how they get to thar stuff. I put half a 5 gallon bucket of bait out every fall too.

[kentucky yeti]

Looks like he hasn't been back on here since his "honor my request" post 

[roadking77]

Maybe he saw it and did not respond. He does have quite a few posts so not a one hit wonder. I will give the benefit of the doubt with this for now.

I am on the aaca forum and there are a lot of people that pop on and ask advice with a single post. I went out of my way for one fellow looking for a special part to be made. I involved several people that stepped up to the plate to help this fellow out. He responded back after a few days, thanks but no I will do the job myself. I kinda took it personal and wont offer anything to one posters anymore.

[TA301]

Thank you so much for posting those pictures.

[TA301]

Looks like he hasn't been back on here since his "honor my request" post 

Don't be presumptive. I almost quit on this topic since for days there was no response to my request. Has happened before. He came through and that is all that matters.

[TA301]

Maybe he saw it and did not respond. He does have quite a few posts so not a one hit wonder. I will give the benefit of the doubt with this for now.

I am on the aaca forum and there are a lot of people that pop on and ask advice with a single post. I went out of my way for one fellow looking for a special part to be made. I involved several people that stepped up to the plate to help this fellow out. He responded back after a few days, thanks but no I will do the job myself. I kinda took it personal and wont offer anything to one posters anymore.

You turned out to be correct. I basically gave up on it and then today I revisited and voila, the pictures are posted. He came through, I am very thankful for that and now move on. On that note, you have people who post a problem and are given advice and never close out the thread by writing if they succeeded or failed. No closure. That is bad.

[TA301]

For some reason I guess I didn’t comprehend what you were looking for. To reiterate I have a 1980 TA that originally came with a NA 301. While I have removed the original 301 I have lots of under hood photos of the original 301 engine installed as came from the factory. I could post some clean under hood pictures of the AC compressor mounted. I still have functional factory AC so if you can tell me what specifically you want shown of the AC dryer assembly I could post those as well. The car is an 80, not an 81. Normal carb, not EC. Let me know?

I also have a reprint of the 1980 GM Firebird assembly manual. So it’s possible what you are looking for is in there. If so I could scan and post from the manual, but the quality of print is not great.

Please do. The more, the merrier. Of great need is the drier brackets and related harness routers/holders.

[5th T/A]

OK, here you go.

This is from the GM assembly manual. If you click on the drawings you can enlarge them.

AC compressor.
Compressor 301 NA by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

The evaporator assembly. The drier connects to the top of the evaporator and is supported by a band on the bottom (not shown on drawing) connecting the evaporator housing.
Evaporator by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Pictures of the drier bracket.
IMG_2205 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_2206 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Some under hood pictures showing AC system with original 301 engine installed.
 IMG_6348 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_6886 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_6887 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Some detail of compressor mounting bolts.
IMG_6927 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_6928 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Engine out of car, but showing most of the AC brackets still bolted to the block.
IMG_9630 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_9631 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

Are you still looking for cruise control drawings? My car did not have cruise, but I seem to recall the assembly manual had a diagram of the servo mounting. Let me know if interested?

[TA301]

I am forever grateful for your efforts, posting these pictures as they are crucial in my restoration efforts now that I am 80% done. I do have the assembly manual and the drawings, but the picture of the actual setup is unbeatable. The cruise control I can possibly figure out from the posted pictures by FormTA.
Once again, many thanks for the invaluable pictures.