I see a lot of replacement crate engines for sale but how do you know your getting a Pontiac block. Most of them say GM 350 or GM 400. I can't find any that are for Pontiac.

There are no "dealer" crate engines for Pontiacs. The demise of the Pontiac motor was in 1981 - way before the idea of crate motors. And now Pontiac is dead.

The closest you can come to a "dealer" crate motor would be a package from one of the better known Pontiac high performance engine builders such as Butler Performance.

Most advertise in the Pontiac related magazines such as High Performance Pontiac. Which you will probably have a hard time finding at your typical food store

Absolutely, positively DO NOT have anything to do with a Bruce Fulper out of Southern California at a sham place called "Rock and Roll Engineering" or www.PontiacEngines.com. He has a long history of taking people to the cleaners in the Pontiac world.

Jim(Mr.P-Body) has a shop in Virgina. Central Virginia Machine Service(SVMS).
Havent seen him post lately, but knows Pontiac.
Maybe he can help ya out.

These guys will build and crate you a Pontiac engine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-1968-WZ4...r#ht_500wt_1077

I've seen them eBay a lot but do not know whether rep is good or bad. He has sold some engines on eBay with a 100% feedback rating.

I bought my 350 pontiac from Autobohn engines off of ebay, Now ,I don't know alot about engines and the engine i bought runs good BUT i had some issues when i installed it. I bought a complete engine minus carb rebuilt by them,i didn't tear down the engine when i got it to verify they installed what they listed but thought i would take off the waterpump to check clearances.the divider plate was corroded thru and the 2 little water tubes ( can't remember what they are called) were not installed.Glad i took it apart.If i had to do in again i wouldn't buy from them, they should have seen that if they are professional !

I would absolutely NOT buy something as complicated or expensive as an engine via E-Pay.

There is just no vehicle for rectifying problems like Harry described.

That IS a very broad stroke of the brush generalization.

AAhhhh ... just got an email from eBay stating it's my 13th anniversary.

Do we want to start a debate on this?

No need for a debate. I won't mind if you buy one that way.

I have always used a local builder. That way I can use my car club buddy's for feedback before I pick a shop. I can be there to interact directly with the builder and see the progress/work. I can supply the outsourced parts directly, after talking to the builder, and avoid the shops markup on items like aftermarket heads and intakes.

I was there for the last one when the shop broke it in on the dyno, measured the HP and torque and tuned the carb and timing. This builder actually made several calls to Butler for feedback during the build.

I have done 2 motors myself and just feel better that way. Same with the other items I usually farm out - upholstery and paint/body.

I had a 455 built for my '68 by CWRestorations in Mason Ohio, using Butler parts. Several thousand miles and no problems at all. I agree with the recommendation above that you can find good local companies by networking with car guys in your area. No need to go the Chevy small block route. (Not that there's anything wrong with that...) -Jim

I know Jim and Rodney Butler and the rest down in TN, they build good engines and if you wanted high HP, race motors they are not a bad way to go. But if you just want a good engine with a cam then I agree and go local. You'll spend less money and have someone local to make sure that it's right.

You might check with S&S in Washington State. No personal experience but I've heard good things from a couple different people.

If anyone knows someone local in the sacramento, CA area that can build me an engine I would appreciate any suggestions. I had mine built by a shop, but they do chevy and mopar, and I don't think they did mine correctly. Burning a bunch of oil after only 1200 miles, but I am past whatever warranty they provided. I also want more oomph. I would love to have butler do it, as they really seem to have it down, but like the post above, local might be beneficial in case something is wrong. And shipping to TN would become problematic.

Maybe contact Quenton in LA? he builds himself ,but may be able to point you to someone closer..

you can email me for his contact info.
bsefeldt@mhinc.com

Probably not as close as you would like, but if I was in Nor Cal I would check into Pacific Performace Racing down in San Pedro (So Cal).

Big time Pontiac builder.

Pacific Performance Racing

Or SD Performance near Seattle.

I will give them a call. I need to move farther east it appears to be in the area where most of the builders are. mmmm, I will have to talk the wife into moving. Thanks for the info. I will let you know what they say.

Ok, so no luck. It appears I have to either take my chances again, or go all out, and just order one from SD or Butler, and wait for it to come in and hope there are no issues with it. Or send mine to them, unfortunately both shops have a long waiting period.

No need to go that far unless you want to. I can see having SD do porting work on heads. There a few builders closer than that that do good work. Really depends on what you want and how much you want to spend. I can recomend a couple of builders in the bay area. Dr. Drivability(Jeff) is in elk Grove and may know somebody in your area.

I would take recommendations for the bay area, that is close enough. If that does not pan out, I think I am just going to pull it and send it to SD in Seattle. I talked to Dave yesterday, and was very impressed, as well as all the good stuff I have heard about them. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.