[thepontiacman]

They put thrust brg on #1 main.

Spun bearings and cracked block 455

Bought used engine , someone didn't know what they were doing on Pontiac.

Make sure your engine builder knows Pontiac.

We learned square and round pegs in kindergarten. Only one place made for thrust bearing. How can someone get it wrong.

#2 main cracked in block

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[TAKerry]

Im not a motor guy, know very little about anything mechanical, BUT I have always been under the impression and told that a Pontiac guy needs to build a Pontiac motor. Not the same as building a chevy. When I was looking for someone that was the first question I asked. I went through about 4 guys. The guy that I settled on answered with 'I have blown up more pontiac motors than most guys have ever seen'. That suited me just fine. He went on to elaborate that starting when he was a teenager, he would get a Pontiac motor from the junkyard, build it, race it until it blew then build another. He can do them in his sleep now.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by TAKerry

I have always been under the impression and told that a Pontiac guy needs to build a Pontiac motor.

It's a pushrod V8 designed in the 50s. As long as you have a competent engine builder, the make of the engine doesn't matter. Clearly in this case, somebody didn't know wtf they were doing, and chances are whatever they built would've blown up.

[77 TRASHCAN]

I don't work on other brands of engines, unless I take it apart. Who knows on this one....

[thepontiacman]

There are 5 main bearing in a Pontiac V8. 3 of the bearing look alike(1,2,3, )then the thrust bearing is different and rear main is different.
Thrust bearing goes on #4 main. It's made to go there. The rear main can only go in the rear.
This is why I say a kid can be given 5 bearings and could figure out which mains they go in.

See how the #4 main is machined different to fit the thrust bearing.

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[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by thepontiacman

They put thrust brg on #1 main.

Spun bearings and cracked block 455

Bought used engine , someone didn't know what they were doing on Pontiac.

Make sure your engine builder knows Pontiac.

We learned square and round pegs in kindergarten. Only one place made for thrust bearing. How can someone get it wrong.

#2 main cracked in block

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Criminal stupidity, Preston. Whoever did this needs to stick to coloring books and crayons. Geez, that main saddle got hot.

[Tom Vaught]

You do not need glasses to see the Block is cracked at the oil hole.

What a butcher job.

Tom V.

[OCMDGTO]

Originally Posted by TAKerry

Im not a motor guy, know very little about anything mechanical, BUT I have always been under the impression and told that a Pontiac guy needs to build a Pontiac motor. Not the same as building a chevy. When I was looking for someone that was the first question I asked. I went through about 4 guys. The guy that I settled on answered with 'I have blown up more pontiac motors than most guys have ever seen'. That suited me just fine. He went on to elaborate that starting when he was a teenager, he would get a Pontiac motor from the junkyard, build it, race it until it blew then build another. He can do them in his sleep now.

Who are you talking about?

[Bills Auto Works]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

It's a pushrod V8 designed in the 50s. As long as you have a competent engine builder, the make of the engine doesn't matter. Clearly in this case, somebody didn't know wtf they were doing, and chances are whatever they built would've blown up.

THIS!^^^^

I have built LOTS of Chevy engines & a handful of Pontiac's...The damage done here is just stupidity! Like what was also mentioned, certain pieces only go in certain places

My Butler Stroker Kit engine that was done recently is the 1st engine that was not built by myself or with my Dad. I trusted the machine shop that has been doing my boring, balancing, head work, etc for decades to assemble it as I just don't have the time anymore.

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...closed.614419/

[Vid]

Truly an epic fail. I feel for you. Not to mention one less good block when they’re already so hard to find.

file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/60/00/80FD744C-58E1-4DFC-BB99-1BFBBCA846E2/tmp.gif


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[Mr Twister]

Was there an additional thrust bearing in the #4 position?

[thepontiacman]

No thrust on 4. Thrust on 1 and #1 brg on 4

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[Verdoro 68]

You don't have to be a Pontiac guy to know that the thrust bearing doesn't go on #1. Is there any engine where the thrust goes on #1? If you're paying attention, the machining on the block tells you where these things go. Crazy.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by thepontiacman

No thrust on 4. Thrust on 1

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That's not correct for a Chevy either.

Thrust bearing goes on #5 (rear) for a Chevy.

K

[thepontiacman]

Only second time I have seen this in all my years.
Both have been 455's.

Just someone who didn't know what they were doing.

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[dataway]

With trouble many people have with Pontiac thrust bearings I would have put three of them on there at 2, 3, and 4 Then you could inflate your torque converter like the Goodyear blimp.

[NeighborsComplaint]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

That's not correct for a Chevy either.

Thrust bearing goes on #5 (rear) for a Chevy.

K

This. A competent engine builder is one who doesn't pretend to know everything and consults an assemble manual and torque spec table even if he thinks he knows the engine by heart. I never had built a Pontiac when I tackled my first one 20 years ago (it's still running) and had only built a Chevy and an FE plus assorted motorcycles and snowmobiles. It's not that difficult when you don't think you're a know-it-all and let your ego get in the way of good sense and using a manual.

[mgarblik]

In our engine building class, 16 engines. 13 different types. 1 Honda K24, 1 Honda B16, 2 SBC, 1 tall deck BBC, I old Hemi, 1 Mopar 400, 1 Mopar 360, 1 AMC 401, 2 SBF, 2 5.3 LS GM, 1 Studebaker 289. Quite a mix. I have personally never been inside an AMC 401, or a Honda K24. So I insist the students take lots and lots of pictures coming apart. I insist they each buy a book that is specific to their engine family. SA design and Car Tech have one or more books for each of these engines including the Stude. Then use the AERA information for more help. As has been said, you must do your homework, use common sense, and not be a know it all. Going from memory, I think the Studebaker V-8 does take the thrust on the #1 main. A bad attitude toward Pontiac engines is a contributor to some of the failures. Pontiac V-8 is a simple engine. They have 1/2 the fasteners of a SBC. They do have some particular little details that can improve the outcome such as sealing techniques. Every engine has little details that can improve them. That 455 block is a giant mistake. Unfortunately, they can happen

Worst in my career at the school was a student 20+ years ago building a Buick 455 stage 1 engine. He put the cap halves of the main bearings in the block, all 5 of them. Engine started, ran about 30 seconds and screeched to a stop. We had to have the crank re-ground, re-line hone it, new bearings and it was fine. Got lucky sort of.

[455dan]

The AMC 401 should be fun, Good engines afaik all came stock with forged cranks and Rods. They like to starve the rear main on start up at least my Honcho did there is a mod to run a line under the intake to help feed the rear main.

Those 401's will rev as well. .. They also use a tapered design on the cam bearings as they progress to the rear of the engine and have large .903 diameter lifters.

[KEN CROCIE]

Wouldn't that thrust have to be hammered in place 'cause there's no receiver cut in the block?