[unruhjonny]

I am far out of my depth with 1981 stuff.

I have understood that there were some differences between Canadian and USA cars for 1981, and was wondering if anyone has observed different “export” engine codes which are absent from Rocky’s documented codes (in the appendix of his updated ‘How to rebuild Pontiac V-8’s’ book).

My brother is looking at an 81 Pacecar which appears to retain it’s original drivetrain, but it has an engine code of WCJ.

Is there any good resource for 1981 Firebird codes ect?

Can anyone help?

[unruhjonny]

In typical fashion, I hit a proverbial brick wall then coming here and finding nothing I posed a question;

Then I got an idea of another printed resource to look to…

I just found this near the front of the listings part of my 1977-81 Pontiac MPC:



Lower left corner, under the 305 - I almost missed it(!).

The only thing is Rocky’s book suggests all 1981 Pontiac engine codes were three character codes, and all started with a “W”;

Did Pontiac add a character “W” at the front of their engine codes for 1981 for some reason?

Because if the “W” wasn’t actually a part of the engine code, then I just found it(!);

This is by the way from a GM-Canada MPC, so it may show “export” codes along side the USA codes.

[johnta1]

Don't know much on the 1981 Birds.
Most buildsheets I looked at had WBO. (for the Turbo 301)
But none were for a Pace car. Possibly the Nascar version had the different code?

BTW, the buildsheets showed the 3 letters with W being first.

Have one Canada version of PHS for TTA. Sold from Addison on Bay Ltd.

[78w72]

Cant help with the codes for export cars but I know the 1981 export turbo cars used the 1980 engine set up without the CCC computer system, should be the same codes as USA pace cars. I can check my 81 pace car original engine code but its not an export so may not be much help.

Indy or nascar pace cars used the same engines & codes as non pace cars, just like 1979 10th anniversary cars used the same PWH code for the pontiac 400/4speed as non 10th cars, same for other 2nd gen SE cars, engines were same codes as non SE.

[burd]

Look in the HPP 70-81 numbers crunch book. It has everything.
They also did one year a month in their magazine, all I have is on 1978 though.

[johnta1]

I forgot about them.


From the article:





But it doesn't show the one posted?