[Va68goat]

Does anyone here remember the guy on the forum that makes and sells the Pontiac engine cradles?

[Joe's Garage]

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=824217

[craigs69]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=824217

Those are nice. I purchased one a few years ago.

Va68goat, if you have any trouble getting one, let me know and mine is available. I am in Wisconsin, so I would have to ship it to you. PM me if you are interested and we can work out the details.

[gtohunter]

Originally Posted by Will

RE: Ballooning torque converters.

Is it possible for a torque converter to expand/balloon while in operation but "shrink" back to normal when not rotating?

My son had a Tbird Supercoupe and he dropped a replacement crate motor in it (supercharged V6). Around 20K on it, and it started knocking, so we pulled it. Found the thrust brg killed and upon looking, found the torque converter to have a very nice imprint of the flex plate bolts ! So, yeah, I'd have to say they do.

[tom s]

Guys,on the engine dolly,they are for sure the best.James is a one man show so sometimes the demand gets a little ahead of his production.Worth waiting for.Tom

[Skip Fix]

They are the best. I have 2 Pontiac and 2 Chevy ones. Best casters also.

[Cardo]

I heard from James this week and placed my order. He has a few available right now.

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

We shipped engines all over the country,on an oak pallet, on their side wrapped in shrimp wrap, banded to pallet.
Occasionally we built custom pallets, with the engine sitting on the pan rail. Enclosed it in ply wood. Dyno tested oil filled. Or rare/$$$$$ ones to deter them “getting lost”.
Never an issue, we shipped a lot of them far and wide.

I assume no problem was found in pump and dizzy. As I recall you really scored on the purchase of this car, sucks karma is making you pay a debt for your good fortune. (SH)It happens. It will come together soon this way.

[Va68goat]

STEELCITYFIREBIRD,

I did score huge when I purchased this car with a service replacement Ram Air motor (9792506) and the Ram Air carb. I don't think karma has anything to do with the problems this motor is having. Either way, after making all that money for the block and the carb, I'm still ahead of the game. I've already turned down more money than I have in the car but there's no way I'm selling this car. As I've told a few of the guys that have helped me with the car, I'm disappointed but I'm not discouraged. I'll get some more done on the car while Paul works on the motor. The good thing is that I've learned more about cars in the last 2 years than I have my whole life. When we get this motor back and installed, it will all be worth it!

[indymanjoe]

^^^ Good attitude goes a long way ^^^

[1967Tempest]

Im posting my last weekends adventure for inspiration. My friend just got into cars. Me and all our other friends are gear heads who do their own work etc.. He asked us to help turbo charge is 90 Mustang. Last weekend was the first round to get this going. SBF HO 302 engine with a T5 going to TKO600.

Motor out, trans out.
Intake off, heads off oil pan off, old cam out.
New cam in.
New Canton oil pan drilled perfectly for return oil bung for turbo. WIN!!!!!
Heads on intake on, flywheel on.
Drop engine in car..
Prime engine....Prime engine.....prime.....prime.....WTF? Clip on new ARP oil pump rod, wtf? FAIL!!!
Pull engine. pull oil pan, (After draining oil back into the jugs it came in) Fix ARP oil pump shaft, now the pump spins with drill. WIN!!!!!
Install oil pan, put back oil, install engine. Prime engine, WIN!!!!!
Start engine.....
hmm.
Start.
Hmm..
Start....
2 hours later he tells us he saved EFI program.. Load last EFI stored profile and make camshaft adjustment.
Start. WIN!!!!!!
Starter binds, FAIL....
add timing..
WIN!!!!! car starts great!!! runs good with initial tune.
Stab tranny, add fluid, install driveshaft, install rad and coolant. Car down off of jack stands.WIN!!!

Start car and put in reverse.

WTF?

Stop car.
DOA rear main seal....... as my friend has installed 100's in HO 302's, has to be the seal.... spewing!

So it isnt just you..... keep at it!!!

[Va68goat]

1967Tempest,

We're tapping out!!! I'm packing up the motor and it's going back to Arizona. I have to say that the knocking has stumped every Pontiac guy that has looked at it. Under the direction and approval of Paul, we've either replaced parts or checked everything without finding a smoking gun. All the guys agree that the knocking noise is low and internal in the motor. I'm hoping to have the motor in Pauls hands very soon and back in my car for this season. Considering this motor has next to no miles on it, when I get it back, I will be sure to post the burnout videos!!!

[torqhead]

I know we threw out a number of ideas on this trying to help you out, definitely interested to see what Paul finds.

It reminds me of a lower end problem I had years ago with a 455 motor that drove me nuts for months and it was a fresh motor. Shortly after running it, it developed a knock. After finally giving up with it in the car I pulled the motor and upon tear down found it was caused by piston slap. Needless to say cylinder issue found that wasn't addressed in machining.

It was definitely painful, but after you get through all the pain and start testing your traction issues it becomes a distant memory... Keep us updated, most all of us on here like to continue to learn!!!

[Va68goat]

torqhead,

A few of my friends think that it's piston slap. I don't know enough about cars to make an educated guess but it just seems like the knocking noise is coming from the bottom of the motor. Who knows! I'm curious to see what Paul comes up with as well!

I certainly appreciate all the suggestions on this forum. I've learned a lot!

[grivera]

Joe - what's on the spec sheet for piston side-clearance?

[gtofreek]

Originally Posted by grivera

Joe - what's on the spec sheet for piston side-clearance?

It's .0045", the minimum required for that piston. If it's piston slap, it's because the skirt collapsed.

[HWYSTR455]

I would lean more towards a pin got sloppy than slap. The noise is diff than slap, pretty familiar with the sound slap makes.

I know on my Olds engine, a couple pins were big (clearance), machine shop let it go and said it would be fine, and I assembled it against better judgement. It could probably go 100k miles like that, but just drives me nuts. Think the spec was .0005-7, and the couple in question ended up in the .0012 range, but that's straight from memory.



.

[mgarblik]

My guess is the speculation will be over within a month, after Paul has the engine back in his possession. Can you believe over 20,000 views of this thread? Allot of people will learn something from this. Sorry for the time and expense the principals involved have to deal with. Every engine problem has a solution.

[dataway]

I assume piston slap would only take place every other revolution on the power stroke?

[grivera]

Everyone is in suspense - can't wait till Paul digs into this engine and finds the cause!