FAQ Sections:
SS Basics | Production Figures | Options | Engine | Drivetrain | Suspension & Steering | Wheels & Tires | Brakes | Electrical | Ignition | Air/Fuel Induction | Exhaust | Interior |
Exterior | Cooling System | Air Conditioning
This FAQ is a living document, always changing and updating with new and improved information. Some questions do not yet have answers, but most do. If you know the
answer to an unanswered question, please forward any information you can to the webmaster, including pictures if you have them. If you know of some good questions that can be added to this FAQ, please submit them, with answers if possible.
SS Production Figures FAQ
- What years were the Monte Carlo SS available?
- How many Monte Carlo SS’s were made each year?
- What years were the Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe available?
- How many Aerocoupes were made?
- Where was the 4th Generation Monte Carlo SS built??
Available SS Options FAQ
- What color combinations were available in what years? And what are the RPO option codes for each color?
- What are the Paint Codes for each of the available SS colors?
- What Exterior / Interior / Stripe Color combos were available?
- What is an Aerocoupe?
- Did the SS ever come with a factory 350 engine?
- Did the SS ever come with a factory moon roof?
- Was there ever a factory convertible SS option?
- What is the fuel tank capacity in the SS?
- What type of wheels were stock on an SS?
- What type of transmission is stock on an SS?
- How do I know if my SS has POSI?
- What was the rear gear ratio for the SS?
- How many of any particular option were produced each year?
- What type of rear spoilers were available and in what years were they available?
Engine FAQ
- What engines were available in the 4th Generation SS?
- How much horsepower and torque is the stock SS Engine rated at?
- Can I replace my stock 305 with a 350?
- Did the SS ever come with a factory 350 engine?
- What engines can I drop into my Monte Carlo SS and still be able to use the Computer?
- What is the stock timing for an SS?
- How do I set the timing on my SS? What is the procedure?
- What is the stock spark plug gap for an SS?
- My Oil gauge is not reading correctly. (Minimum scale, Maximum scale, Erratically)
- My Choke light comes on momentarily when I come to a stop quickly. (or is on all the time)
- My engine fan makes a lot of noise. Is this normal?
Drivetrain FAQ
- My transmission downshifts too late when coming to a stop, and upshifts
too soon when accelerating after a long drive, causing engine RPM to drop very low (or causes engine stall or near stall).
What causes it? - Can a manual transmission be installed in an SS?
- I want to swap a TH700-4R transmission into my Monte Carlo SS. What’s involved?
- What type of transmission is stock on an SS?
- I have a rear vibration at highway speed (above 60 MPH). What is it?
- What RPM should my stock SS be at when cruising at 65 MPH?
- How do I know if my SS has POSI?
- What was the rear gear ratio for the SS?
- Which transmission coolant line is which on the transmission?
Suspension & Steering FAQ
- My steering wheel is loose. What can I do?
- My steering feels sloppy, not tight, what can I do?
- What other chassis does the ’78-’88 g-body share lower front control arms / rear trailing arms with?
Tire & Wheel FAQ
- What size tires will fit on my SS?
- What’s the offset / backspacing and bolt pattern for the stock rims?
- What are the proper wheel lugs for the Monte Carlo SS?
- What type of wheels were stock on an SS?
- Are the wheels from the 1981 Camaro Z28 identical to the later (86-88) SS Wheels?
Brake FAQ
Electrical FAQ
- My dash lights are dim.. what can I do?
- My Oil gauge is not reading correctly. (Minimum scale, Maximum scale, Erratically)
- My Choke light comes on momentarily when I come to a stop quickly. (or is on all the time)
- The High position on my A/C fan (blower) doesn’t work.
- One or more of the three low settings on the A/C fan don’t work.
- There’s a green connector in front of my carburetor that is not connected to anything. What is it
and what should it be connected to? - Is there anything I can do to improve the lighting in my engine bay?
- Is there anything I can do to improve the interior lighting in my T-Toped SS?
- I cut my computer harness out, now my cruise control doesn’t work. How can I fix this?
Ignition FAQ
- How do I set the timing on my SS? What is the procedure?
- What is the stock timing for an SS?
- What is the stock spark plug gap for an SS?
- What is the firing order on my engine?
- Which spark plug wire goes where on the distributor?
- What is the layout of the cylinder number on my engine?
Exhaust FAQ
- I want to upgrade my exhaust. What size should I go with?
- Is it possible to put a true dual exhaust on the Monte Carlo?
- Is is a true dual exhaust emissions legal if I use two catalytic converters?
- My Catalytic Converter is making noise.. what should I do?
- What kind of headers will fit on the Monte Carlo SS?
- I have a chatter in the exhaust in the lower passenger side of the engine. What is it?
Air/Fuel Induction & Emissions FAQ
- I want to make modifications to my engine but want to if it’s emissions legal.
- Can I put my emissions stuff on a 350 and have it pass smog?
- Are there any aftermarket computer controlled carburetors available?
- Are there any aftermarket emissions legal intake manifolds available?
Interior FAQ
- My steering wheel is loose. What can I do?
- My Speedometer chatters and squeaks. What can I do?
- I get water on my passenger side floor mats. Where is it coming from?
- How do you remove the shifter handle to take the console plate off?
- My Oil gauge went crazy on me, now reads above 60psi (or 0psi) all the time.
- My dash lights are dim. Can I make it brighter?
- My headliner is droopy. What can I do?
- My console lid is broken. What can I do?
- My gear selection pointer in the dash cluster is stuck to the far left (Park). How do I fix it?
- Where can I get replacement red striping for my black interior pieces?
- Where can I get replacement black door strap covers?
- How to I get my bucket seat backs to be more vertical?
Exterior FAQ
- How can I keep my T-tops from leaking?
- My doors sag and are hard to close now. What can I do?
- Where can I get new stripes and decals for my SS?
- Where can I get new weather strip for my SS?
- Where can I get new gas struts for my Aerocoupe trunk?
- What does it take to remove the entire front clip?
Cooling System FAQ
- What temperature thermistat came stock in the SS (L69)?
- Can I use a cooler thermistat on the L69?
- My engine overheats or runs hot, what could be wrong?
- What style water pump does the L69 engine use?
- What kind of radiator came stock on the SS?
- On the radiator, which is the return line to the transmission?
- What is the pressure rating on the stock SS radiator cap?
- I’m loosing coolant somewhere. Where is it going?
Air Conditioning & Heating FAQ
- The High position on my A/C fan doesn’t work.
- One or more of the three low settings on the A/C fan don’t work.
- I want to convert my Air Conditioning over to R134. What is required?
- My temperature control does not work. It blows hot air all the time.
How do I fix it?
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