New member sayin hello

[patrick1151]

Hi I just found the registry and joined. I am currently fixing up/restoring two Pontiacs, yes most of you will laugh at these cars but I enjoy the old H-Bodies. Great forum though

1979 Pontiac Sunbird 262/TH350
1977 Pontiac Astre Safari wagon 151/TH350

[Larry]

"Laugh"? Are you kidding, with gas predicted up to $4.00 per gallon by next summer?! You're probably the smartest one out there right now.

Actually, you have two really neat Pontiacs, and the best of both worlds... economy too. As with every car-- regardless of what people say-- there is a time when everything becomes collectable. Our fear in the car hobby, however, has been that the cars of the late '70s and into the '80s (and beyond) would become too complicated for the average hobbyist what with all the emissions and electronic stuff on them. But, I am guessing that people will learn and adapt.

I'm a little confused on the Sunbird 262 engine. I can only find a 151- 4, a 231 V-6, and a 305 V-8.

Keep us posted on these Pontiacs as you progress/enjoy them.

[Stu Norman]

Welcome to the forum, patrick1151!

I show a 262 V-8 in the 1975-1976 Monza, but not in the Sunbird. For 1979 I show the 151-4, 231 V-6 and the 305 V-8 listed for the Sunbird. Do you have any block codes for that engine?

[stucky2947]

Welcome aboard! For every kind of car out there, there is someone who really loves it! I applaud each person who restores ANY car.

[duncan2plus2]

Welcome, Patrick!
It's great you are into the H bodies...every Pontiac is special, especially to the people here at PontiacRegistry.
You certainly don't see many of the H bodies around anymore.
I am anxious to see pictures.

[super]

Welcome to Pontiac Registry. There is a great group of members on this site.

The Sunbird was a great looking car in my opinion. I own a 1980 Sunbird hatchback with the iron duke 151. Extremely economical. Might have to drag it out and start driving it to work.

Larry has a few articles and discussion in this forum about Sunbirds.

Hope you enjoy the site.

Super

[ThomasL]

Welcome! My High School ride my senior year was a brand new yellow 1979 Sunbird coupe with the Iron Duke, 4 speed and pop out sunroof. It was a tremendously fun car car to drive. Wish I still had it.

[Larry]

Check out this article in our On-Line Magazine at: http://www.pontiacregistry.com/members/online_magazine.php?view=1&article=156

It is about a 1980 Sunbird with a rare W66 package.... SWEET!

[Larry]

I have dropped a note to John to see if he can give us some info on articles, etc. about his turbo. Will let everyone know what I find out.

[Larry]

John Sawruk mentions that he probably wrote about his two turbo '84s in his column somewhere in Pontiac Enthusiast, but doesn't recall what particular issues.

Any subscribers hav info to share that I can prepare for everyone to enjoy?

[super]

I believe I may have this issue. I will have to see if I can dig it out. Lots of my stuff has been shuffled around while building my new shop. Hopefully I can find it with little effort.

[patrick1151]

Thanks guys, I love these cars. The 262 is out of an earlier Monza, converted before I bought it. I would like to put a Pontiac engine in it but I do not want to put the 151 that was origionally in the car back in it.
The only thing is, excuse my ignorance here for a minute the 326 or or the Pontiac 350 are big blocks by my understanding. I know someone who is putting a 301 in a Sunbird but everyone seems to think the 301 is a waste of time. Putting a big block in one of these cars is more modifications than I want to do to this car.

If anyone is interested, I know where a 1980 Sunbird Formula hatchback W66 in pretty nice shape is for sale. As that is a pretty rare car, the $12000 asking price reflects it.

[patrick1151]

That one is basically identical to my Astre wagon except mine is yellow. Not a bad looking wagon too.

[patrick1151]

But I am either going to leave it stock with the 151 in it or I am buying a rebuilt TH350 and the guy is basically giving me a 252 V6 set up for a 4 barrel that I may put in it.
I dont know how many Astre wagons were built but there sure arent many survivors so I should just keep it stock.
They maintain a H-body registry and there are only 3 Astre wagons on it, no other 1977's. And I have never seen another one in person. Which is weird considering how many Vega wagons were built.

[Larry]

According to John Gunnell's book "Standard Catalog of Pontiac 1926-2002" there were 10,341 '77 wagons built.

Personally, I would keep it stock, especially since it has the "Iron Duke" 4-cylinder. Two pluses there: 1) gas is going up in price, and 2) there are a lot of performance tricks for the Iron Duke which could make for a unique little wagon that is quite quick too.

If you really want to do something neat and very rare, look for the optional 5-speed gearbox.