I have a 67 Firebird and just got my PHS paperwork back and have a question. I always thought I had the standard 400 4bbl engine. Apparently, my car came with the 400 "A.I.R." (code WU)engine. The sheet shows that only 1220 were built in 67. What exactly does the "A.I.R." mean and where can I verify on the engine that I actually do have this rare engine? Thanks!
1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 4 Speed Convertible 1973 Opel GT
If I'm not mistaken, the A.I.R. here would signify that the car was built to meet California emissions requirements. I think this would have been done by changes to the air cleaner and routing of lines from the valve covers, etc.
So, while rare, as this wouldn't create a higher horsepower engine. I'm not sure that this would add much value to the vehicle.
1968 400 Coupe, verdoro green, black vinyl top 1968 400 Convertible, verdoro green, black top 1971 Trans Am, cameo white, auto 1970 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 350-4(driver)
A.I.R system is an Air Injector Reactor pollution reduction system "smog pump' The pump pushed air into the exaust manifolds at each port to help complete combustion of the exhaust gasses and reduce emissions. Of course it sucked power and one had to burn more gas to get the same performance which led to more emissions etc.
Yes it did that, and if you tested the exhaust at idle it would have less emissions than without one, but the pump and all the other smog junk they put on robbed power thus more fuel was burned to get from point a to b and the cycle started again. Go from point a to point b and burn one gallon of gas at one pound of emissions per gallon or go from point a to point b and burn two gallons of gas at 3/4 pound of emissions per gallon. Less emissions per gallon but more gallons burned. But I don't think were speaking about the original question posted and I apologize.
Again, no. The engineers who designed and tested the systems were well aware of the possible outcomes and a system that produced more emissions per mile driven definitely would have failed.
The result was a noticable drop in HC and CO emissions per mile at a slight cost in fuel economy.
JUST FOUND THIS INFORMATION ONLINE. YOU GUYS KNOW YOUR STUFF THANKS!
1220 of them were “(WU)” 400 A.I.R. 4 barrel manual transmissions. (Engine codes in parenthesis are for cars built with AIR Injector Exhaust Control, code 616. This was an emissions reduction modification performed on the heads. They were cast with an air injection passage to reduce emissions. They were installed on Firebirds manufactured for sale in California only).
1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 4 Speed Convertible 1973 Opel GT
I am glad I found this thread... I also have a AIR 400 or California-emissions Firebird 400 four-speed but mine is a hardtop.
1967 firebird A.I.R. 400 or California-emissions Firebird 400 four-speed hardtop. It also came with dual factory traction bars or safe-T- track rear axle, 10 bolt posi, front power disc brakes, PS, a Muncie 4 speed, Console, Dual exhaust, dual horns, and Soft Ray Glass windshield. Red on Red car... and a hood tach, rally gauge cluster... Maybe for sale??? Its sitting in MO and I am now in CA. Anyone want to haul it my way? PM me.
1220 of them were “(WU)” 400 A.I.R. 4 barrel manual transmissions. (Engine codes in parenthesis are for cars built with AIR Injector Exhaust Control, code 616. This was an emissions reduction modification performed on the heads. They were cast with an air injection passage to reduce emissions. They were installed on Firebirds manufactured for sale in California only).
It has a 24 339 code for the dealer on it from PHS... It was from Peninsula Pontiac, 2909 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrence, CA 90505
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