1976 Pontiac Grand Prix Air Conditioning
Aftermarket Systems |
Parts & Services |
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1976 Pontiac Grand Prix
1976 Pontiac Grand Prix | Front
1976 Pontiac Grand Prix | Side
1976 Pontiac Grand Prix | Side
1976 Pontiac Grand Prix | Rear
1976 Pontiac Grand Prix | Rear
1976 Pontiac Grand Prix | Interior
1976 Pontiac Grand Prix | Interior
1976 Pontiac Grand Prix | Engine
INFORMATION on the 1976 Pontiac Grand Prix
| Factory A/C Specs | Overview | Stats & Specs |
About the OEM Factory Air Conditioning System Originally Installed on the 1976 Grand Prix
AC System Type: | VIR (Valves-in-Receiver) system, which combines the expansion valve, POA valve & accumulator in one valve/Electric & vacuum controls. No safety switch in this factory system, which relied instead on discharge outlet on A6 compressor. |
|---|---|
Compressor: | Single-groove, GM A6 compressor located on passenger side of engine. Learn more about GM compressors. |
Condenser: | Tube and fin. Learn more about GM condensers. |
Controls: | Vacuum & electrically operated manual or automatic controls. Learn more about GM controls. |
Evaporator: | Located in engine compartment on the passenger side firewall. Learn more about GM evaporators. |
Filter-Drier: | VIR (Valves-in-Receiver) - Mounted to the Evaporator unit on the passenger side firewall. The VIR combines the expansion valve, POA valve and accumulator in one valve.Learn more about GM filter-driers. |
Hoses-Lines: | Pre-crimped hoses. Learn more about GM hoses-lines. |
Refrigerant: | |
Valves: | VIR (Valves-in-Receiver). Learn more about GM valves. |
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Grand Prix background and what was new in 1976
The Grand Prix as a model
The Pontiac Grand Prix was first introduced in 1962 as Pontiac’s answer to the Ford Thunderbird, slotted as a luxury, performance, mid-size car, between the larger Bonneville and the smaller Tempest in the Pontiac lineup.
The 1976 Grand Prix in context
The 1976 Grand Prix was the fourth of the A-body based 3rd generation (1973-1977). With the 3rd generation, the Grand Prix still continued its long hood/short deck design but introduced a fixed rear “opera” window and a concave top edge of the door panels.
76 vs 75 Front
The front of the 1976 Grand Prix was changed substantially. Most noteworthy was a new split vertical bar “waterfall” grille that folded up onto the hood. The dual round headlights of the 1975 Grand Prix were replaced with horizontal dual ones framed in square chrome bezels. The “GP” hood ornament remained.
76 vs 75 Side
The side panels of the 1976 Grand Prix were cleaner than the 1975, without any sculpting or trim.
76 vs 75 Rear
The rear of the 1976 Grand Prix was virtually the same as the 1975 except the vertical trim lines in the taillights were replaced with stronger, horizontal trim lines.
76 vs 75 Other
Standard (No “J” this year), sportier, more luxurious SJ and top end LJ styles were offered. Actually, the SJ became its own model this year with the LJ as an optional upgrade from the SJ only. The standard equipment level was lowered and the base price reduced. The standard engine was the smallest ever offered in a Grand Prix up to that time. The lower pricing, the departure of the Grand Am, a taste change in favor of large cars, and the pared down equipment and pricing combined very successfully and production set a new record, up to almost 230,000 from under 90,000 in 1975. Of the 228,091 produced, 88,232 were SJ and 29,045 were LJ.
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General Statistics & Specifications on the 1976 Pontiac Grand Prix
Generation: | 3rd Gen (1973 — 1977) |
|---|---|
Model No: | 2G |
Total Production: | 228,091 |
“Std” Body Type: | 2d-hardtop-5p |
Other Body Types: | None |
“Std” Price: | $4,798 |
“Std” Weight: | 4,048 lbs |
“Std” Wheelbase: | 116 in |
“Std” Length: | 212.7 in |
“Std” Engine: | 350 V8 160 hp |
Other Engines: | 400 V8 170-185 hp, 455 V8 200 hp |
Special Trims: | SJ, LJ |
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Note: The “Std” body type, dimension, price, weight and engine is for the best selling base model. Production totals are for all models combined.
Air Conditioning Solutions for your 1976 Pontiac Grand Prix
- S6 Replacement Compressor
- 1976 Grand Prix Condenser
- 1976 Grand Prix Air Condtioning Controls
- 1976 Grand Prix Evaporator
- 1976 Grand Prix Air Conditioning Safety Switch
- 1976 Grand Prix Air Conditioning Hoses, Lines & Fittings
- 1976 Grand Prix Air Conditioning Rebuilt VIR
- 1976 Grand Prix Heater
- 1976 Grand Prix Air Conditioning Repair and Rebuild Services
- Other Replacement Parts?
- CONVERTING TO 134a
Grand Prix Resources
Rocky Rotella, 1973-1977 Pontiac Grand Prix, High Performance Pontiac, July 2006.
www.grandprixforums.net
www.ClubGP.com (more late model)
Something we should add? Let us know.