Hi all,

Someday I’ll stop leading my posts with the disclaimer that I am total newbie at all of this, but today is not that day...

I’m removed my engine and am breaking it down now to bring the long block in to a shop to be rebuilt. I’ve been reading up a lot and keep seeing the suggestion to bring the engine to a shop that specializes or otherwise understands Pontiac engines. My questions are:

What is special about our engines that warrant this?

How critical is it to bring it to a shop with this experience if I’m mostly having them rebuild to stock, perhaps with a couple mods like a slightly larger cam?

What do I need to be sure to have the shop do or otherwise not do to the engine?

What questions do I need to ask to make sure the rebuild is done right (such as where and what parts do they source from? cast vs forged? etc)?

What are some intelligent upgrades to think about?

I’m trying to figure out where to bring the engine and what to do with it (eg, what to upgrade) so I don’t need to take the engine out again to fix any regrets... I have a shop my friend took his ‘52 Ford truck engine to that quoted me a good price (he hasn’t installed or fired it up yet) and I want to make sure it’s not because I’ll be “paying for it later”.

Thanks

If you consider your Firebird a long term asset, highly suggest you invest in this book:

Max Performance Pontiac V8s

It is the modernized/updated version of the original book that I have (which is pretty pricey to obtain these days). The original provides a lot of the answers you are seeking along with other critical information to have on hand when picking an engine builder for your Firebird. In my opinion, the oil galley restriction issue along with the discussion of the different V8 cylinder heads is definitely important information a good Pontiac engine builder should be familiar with. I do see comments on Amazon that some of the info from the original book (porting of OEM heads) has been cut down and the newer book has much more on aftermarket parts which it appears you want to stay away from.

Theres a guy up here in Pa, name is Paul Spotts, all pontiac as far as I know. he's done a lot of guys Pontiac's motors up here.

Bill V

I see you're in Texas. Don't know of any Pontiac engine shops in Texas. But, I'm sure there are some shops that can build a Pontiac engine.

Here's a shop in Denton. I have it on my list. So, I assume I read that he does Pontiac stuff.

http://www.waynecalvertengines.com/

These guys should know of a good Pontiac engine shop.

http://www.texastransams.com/


If you live in North TX, you may wanna consider Len Williams, in OK. He's only about 230 miles from Dallas. He gets good reviews from all his customers I've read about.

http://lenwilliamsautomachine.com/Home.html

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...j33i21k1j35i39k1j0i22i30k1.0.QkIaacRukO4

Or, you can contact one of the local Pontiac clubs in a big city near you. There's a couple in the D/FW area. They will know of some shops that can build Pontiac engines.

http://www.dapa.org/

https://www.facebook.com/DallasAreaPontiacAssociation/

http://www.poci.org/POCI_Chapter_News_Details.cfm?NID=169


"...what parts do they source from? cast vs forged? etc)?.."

Forged rods & pistons are best, if your budget will stand it.

After you get an estimate you may wanna consider a Len Williams longblock. He can build about anything you want, using the parts you prefer. Some charge more for a lower quality product.

http://lenwilliamsautomachine.com/400_Long_Block.html

http://lenwilliamsautomachine.com/455_Long_Block.html

In Houston you could call

http://www.scrogginsmachine.com

They did the machine work on my 69 Pontiac engine
Their just a machine shop they will sit do the machine work or they will assemble it for you

My shop uses these guys all the time

If you google race engine in Houston you’ll find some other machine shop also

I missed the Texas location on my 1st post, so let me add my builder to the suggestions. Donnie at Panhandle Performance in Amarillo. Not only did he do a great job putting my 455 together (consulting with Butler Performance whenever needed), he will break in your new engine and tune it (timing & carb) on his dyno as part of the build.

Panhandle Performance

The tranny shop that was next to him at the time I lived in Amarillo were also really helpful as they raced Pontiacs.