Is there any way to identify the year of a A/G-Body front clip? Measurements, serial numbers, etc? I'd like to know before I start purchasing some rebuild parts. Thanks, Ed
They are pretty much all the same from 78-87 with the major difference being that the 78 and some 79 model units have standard thread studs on the rotors and the late 79 on have metric studs. The only other differences are in option packages like thicker sway bars and heavier springs. But I am almost certain that the consumables on them are all the same for its entire run.
I have done a lot of G body stuff they are really all the same. If you need specific dimensions I do have the ch***is manual. Let me know and I will get the dimensions for you.
Moog lists the same part numbers for all 78-88 G body stuff. There are a couple different sway bar bushings.
Through a series of rumours, second-hand information, and possible outright lies, I'm under the impression that earlier G-Bodies had a narrower track width. Is this true? Would this effect the sway bar, tie rods, or anything like that? What's the year range for this magical, possibly imaginary narrow track width? Belltech lists thier drop spindles as 80-88, not 78-88. Typo? Something different? I've already sent them an email, but maybe someone here knows what's up. Thanks, Ed
Spindles ARE different. I had believed change came in '79, but '80 could be right--wheel bearings and/or spacing between them changed, rotor hubs are different to accomodate--I saw specs on this in '79 Pontiac supplement. Big spindles for X and B cars also made similar change.
78 models had a shorter rotor, maybe that's the magic thing with track width? and wheel bearings and rotors (again) changed in 81-82.
Thanks for the replies! Hopefully Belltech gets back to me soon so I can get some definite answers. Thanks, Ed
Belltech informs me that thier spindles will work with all 78-88 G-Bodies. Still, I'd like to know if there is any difference between the years.... it sounded like Bruce and Squirrel were on to something. Thanks, Ed
Good luck with Belltech. Their spindle is a 2100 as I recall and you just need the late 79-up brake parts - 80 is safer.
Spindles are definitely different, but the spindle can be interchanged IF you use correct rotors and bearings! It's perfectly true that spindles fit all years, but they won't fit all brakes... I usetahave a 78 LeMans. I didn't like the stock brakes--they worked fine but ate pads rapidly. Hot setup is to swap to '70's-81 F body spindles with 11" rotors. Again, years differ but whole ***embly interchanges. Another poorly remembered difference: I believe last year or two of G and F cars may have had different calipers, the fast take up kind.
bruce, you are a wealth of information! i've already looked into the f/b-body spindle swap. while they do offer larger rotors (12" actually compared to the stock 10.5"), they require custom upper a-arms that run $500 plus the cost of the spindles, brake parts, etc. too spendy and i like the smaller rotors because they clear my 14" front rims. hmm.. brain activity.. i seem to recall the third gen f-body spindles being used in the 12" rotor swap. i'll have to look into the second gen f-body spindles. i'll also have to look up the later calipers. who would have known you knew so much about g-bodies! thanks, ed
as others have mentioned....the 78-79 stuff is odd.....the calipers are the same....but rotors /bearings are different ....went through this when i did a wilwood conversion on a 78 ....had to run a real thin castle nut ....cost is a big difference too.......8/9 stuff is outragous .....where as the 80 up stuff is pretty cheap ....same as s10 .....brandon
My '78 A-G was swapped to 11" 1978 disc F body spindle, which if I recall cleared the 14" wheels--must be something like 1969-up wheels made for discs. I actually have a leftover set of tubular A arms---Guildstrand or Global maybe?? I think they're in the dining room, right between the museum of anti-tank devices and the pile of fuel injection parts... The swap can be jiggered with stock arms, I think, with a few shims--don't quite remember. I do remember lots of hammering and cursing... 3rd gen F is Mc Pherson junk. I think rear discs may fit G...
Spent some time at NAPA last night looking thru parts books... All G-Bodies listed (even performance models like the Monte SS) use the same calipers and pads 78-88. 78 was an oddball year for wheel bearings and rotors. The Timken P/N for the inner bearings is SET6 and the P/N for the outer is SET2. Rotors carry P/N 5530. 79-81 share bearings and rotors. Inner bearing P/N is SET6, outer is SET3, rotor is 5549. 82-88 share bearings and rotors. Inner bearing P/N is SET6, outer is SET34, rotor is 5547. Hope this helps someone (other than me) Ed
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