[THSpontiac]

Hey everyone-

I figured I would introduce myself and explain why I decided to join the forum. I'm a Technology Education teacher at a high school in CT. I teach Auto Shop and when I arrived, the "shop car" was a 1979 Firebird (or so I believe) I don't know much about it other than it's missing a bunch of parts. The students are excited to work on it, so I figured I would join the forum to learn a little more about the car, and use the resources here in class. I'll try to upload some pictures soon.

[Erwin78ta]

Welcome to FBN. You will find lots of help here.

[Pete W]

Hey Matt, Welcome to FBN! :12EMOTICHEERS:

[Formula71]

Great to have you here Matt and your entire high school project. The first 6-7 digits of the vin will also tell you what you actually have.

[taman76]

Welcome to FBN

[THSpontiac]

The first 7 digits of the first line on the Fischer tag?

79 11A 2FS87...

[taman76]

The VIN is what you want to get numbers from..

Those numbers just tell us the car was built in November and is a Firebird. Which isn't much help.

However the rest of that tag might provide info on color and interior.

[TheBat]

Welcome to the site teach!! im sure youll find tons of help from willing and enthusiastic individuals here....make sure u keep us updated and with lots of pics from the project

[TransAmer99]

Hi, Matt, and welcome to FBN. The VIN plate on these cars is located on the dash, driver's side, near the base of the windshield. The best way to read it is from outside the car, looking through the windshield. Another source of good data is the Build Sheet. Pontiac usually included two of thes, one glued to the top of the gas tank (hard to get to) and another stuffed between the springs of the rear passenger-side seat cushion. All is for naught if these components have been replaced, however. If they are still there, they must be handled delicately as time and the elements tend to do a number on them. Best preservation method is to make a Xerox copy if you can get it out in one piece.

[THSpontiac]

TransAmer99, on 06 February 2012 - 11:07 AM, said:

Hi, Matt, and welcome to FBN. The VIN plate on these cars is located on the dash, driver's side, near the base of the windshield. The best way to read it is from outside the car, looking through the windshield. Another source of good data is the Build Sheet. Pontiac usually included two of thes, one glued to the top of the gas tank (hard to get to) and another stuffed between the springs of the rear passenger-side seat cushion. All is for naught if these components have been replaced, however. If they are still there, they must be handled delicately as time and the elements tend to do a number on them. Best preservation method is to make a Xerox copy if you can get it out in one piece.

Awesome! Thank you. I'll post up the VIN in a little while, I'll have the students search for it :B):

[CF_TransAm]

Welcome to FBN!!

[Bad67Bird]

welcome to FBN matt, what a great shop class project......do post pics of the journey

[Greenbird76]

Matt, welcome to the site! You teach at trumbull High? I grew up in FFld, CT. Hey if you need any guidance on that car or parts give me a shout. I have been working on these cars for years and have tons of spare parts for the 79-81 cars. Gald to see another Connecticutite here.

[cwi inspector]

Welcome to FBN Matt and your students as well. :f_bananarockm:

[Izzy]

Welcome to FBN, We'll be glad to help in any way we can!!!! :trueconfirmed22:

[THSpontiac]

Again thanks for the kind words...and Ron, good to know thank you.

The first 7 numbers on the VIN are 2U87K9N

[Formula71]

You have 79 Formula that was built in Norwood, Ohio and came with a 403 c.i.d, 4-bbl.

1st digit - GM Division
2 = Pontiac
2nd digit - Series Number
S = Base Firebird
T = Esprit
U = Formula
W = Trans Am (75 - 81)
X = 10th Anniversary Trans Am (79)

3rd and 4th digit - Body Type
87 = Sport Coupe
5th digit - Engine Code
A = 231 c.i.d, 2-bbl V6 (1978 - 80)
G = 305 c.i.d, 2-bbl V8 (1979)
K = 403 c.i.d, 4-bbl V8 (1977 - 79)
L = 350 c.i.d, 4-bbl V8 (1978 - 79)
R = 350 c.i.d, 4-bbl V8 (1977 - 79)
W = 301 c.i.d, 4-bbl V8 (1979 -80)
Y = 301 c.i.d, 2 -bbl V8 (1977, 1979)
Z = 400 c.i.d, 4-bbl V8 (1977 - 79)
6th digit - Model Year
9 = 1979

7th digit - Assembly Plant
N = Norwood, Ohio
L = Van Nuys, California

[taman76]

Formula. Nice...

[firebird_madness]

Welcome to FBN, Matt! Great shop project! We will help in anyway!

[THSpontiac]

The students got the engine out this morning! On a side note, where is the best place to start a build thread about the car and post pictures? Should I use the Second Generation Discussion thread? I didn't see a build thread section.