yes, that makes alot of noise if not in place and would explain how it changes with the clutch pressed in.

Yes, I installed the pilot bearing. I am going to go over this with a fine tooth comb as they say. I will take my time putting it back together after what ever is wrong is found and fixed.
The machine shop said check for a loose or bent windage tray first.
If I don't find anything on the bottom end that is obvious then I will tear it down to the short block and take it to the machine shop for them to take it down the rest of the way.
I also will make sure I have the intake thing taken care of.
EB

On some crank and blocks the crank can hit around the #7 clinder. Block needs to be filed a little.

I will check for that also. I will pull it Tuesday and begin the investigation.
Just had a pro drag racer friend who builds his own stuff come listen and he said not a rod.
We'll see.
EB

Nicely done... I type like I text because I can only type with left hand.

Did you try to rotate the crank with a wrench to hear any interference with the windage tray?

No, I did not. It will be on the engine stand tonight.
The only thing left holding it in is starter wires and two motor mount bolts.
I hate to say it but this gives me a chance to change some things like a smaller HEI dist, lighter alum intake, and repaint the block.
I painted it the older pontiac blue and hate it. I am planning on painting it Chevy orange!! (just kidding) I will paint it the lighter blue, just looks better on the ones I have seen.
EB

By the way speaking of engine paint, where do you guys get it in that light blue? All I can find is the dark pontiac paint.
EB

I bought mine from the local auto parts store. You can buy it all day long on the internet.
http://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-DE1616-Ceramic-Pontiac-Metallic/dp/B00296DY7O

Oreilys usually has it.

A couple of threads on the subject:

Hirsh

DupliColor

Thanks guys, I will call and see if it is in stock at Oreilly's.

Wish I'd seen this thread earlier.

Windage tray. Happened to me.

Ahh...the windage tray...
Had to shim mine about 1/2" to clear the Eagle crank.

I was looking at putting a Air Gap intake w/ an electric choke on my quadrajet. Does this sound OK?
I like the lighter, cleaner look of this intake.
EB

Well she is out and turned upside down, pan removed and............




I am an idiot!! I somehow dented the oil pan when I installed the engine and one of the rod bolts was hitting the oil pan where it was pushed in.
I know that this is good news but all that work because of one little dent!
Now it is time to reassemble and the tear down put a little trash in the engine, you know gasket fuzz and stuff.
What is the best way to clean it out before I put the pan back on.
I don't want to wash all the oil off of everything but may have to.
So I guess I will do some body work on the oil pan and buy a gasket set, repaint the engine and move on with the project.

By the way, does anybody have an opinion on the air gap intake?
Thanks for all the support and info.
EB

Air gap intakes are ridiculous for Pontiac motors because the factory setup IS ALREADY an air gap.

Pontiac motors already have a large gap between the bottom of the intake and the valley pan cover. As opposed to Chevy and Ford motors where the bottom of the intake manifold seals the center valley area.

I was not worried about the "air gap" part of it. I was wondering if it was a good product and mainly it was for eye candy under the hood.
By the way it is a Professional Product brand.
I have read that nothing realy flows better than the factory intake.
EB

Those arnt for Pontiac engines.

Are you saying that alum. intakes are not for pontiac or are you saying the one that I have listed is not?

From what I have heard and read on this forum the performer intake and the stock intake have about the same flow. The only thing that you will be gaining in a little less weight with the aluminum intake.

I bought the performer intake. It fit perfect, looks great, and since the car is not drivable yet can't tell you performance.
It is not going to be a race car for me so if it drives nice on cruises around town that will be fine with me.
The engine is in, running and sounds great.
EB

Has this shop done Pontiac motor's before? They are a lot different than a chevy! The rod have to go a certain way or it will mess everything up! Also did they line bore the main's to make sure they were straight(big thing with the pontiac motor's.
My good friend build's all my motor's he might be willing to talk to you over the phone! He's a nice guy and will tell you straight up! call me
520-490-9097
Bill Speer

Ebd! Sounds like you found some good news when you discovered the dented oil pan!


I just had my engine rebuilt due to low end ticking... (all bearings were shot - metal everywhere).

Drove it 3 miles a few weeks ago (after break-in procedure)... SAME EXACT NOISE. Pan pulled... metal everywhere... on a brand new rebuild.
Machine shop put 1 bearing in that was too small.

Engine is going back in the car this week. Today is the 14 week anniversary of it going in the shop.

F.