[Steve Barcak]

Tom, as you say, you remember it different. Can you date what you claim? I remember it was about 1984-5 when the pontiac corporate bb head came out. I remember it that way because I was the newsletter editor for the Az Pontiac club at the time in 1985 and I did a story on it. It was very rare to have a critical editorial towards pmd in a Pontiac club publication at that time but, I call 'em like I see 'em. You state-
"Chebby eventually forced OLDS and PONTIAC out of
the game when they said WE will build the only V8,
Buick will build the only V6, and Pontiac will build the Iron Duke 4 cylinder."
"Eventually"? This happened BEFORE the corporate head development and release, not after it as you state. It was probably around 1978-80 when Pontiac got the word that they would not be able to build a V-8 anymore after the 1981 model year. The "duke" came out in '77(?). I heard about the demise of Pontiac V-8 production from the well liked H-O newsletter "High Output" about summer 1980. At that time, I couldn't believe it. Whether the decision to can the Real Pontiac V-8 was a decision from Pontiac division or the the GM Corporation I do not know. Either way, we got a raw deal and Pontiac lost a lot of loyal customers. Say no? Look at 1982, 3 and 1984 production numbers. Who likes those years? Pmd further turned on the Pontiac loyalists at that time by dropping parts from the books and by starting to develop parts to fit cheby engines instead. All those years from Knudson onward to Change Pontiacs image and to develop our great engine went down the drain. What a waste. I know they did release a handfull of part numbers (like 455SD rods) but, with the price they were asking, they did not really want to sell any did they? Look what cheby, Ford and Chrysler has done for the musclecar generation in parts ( the reissue of the HEMI as an example). How about Pontiac? How about something from the company that was put into the #3 sales spot with that great Pontiac V-8 leading the way? Well? We get NOTHING! pmd uses retro ads and now even is bringing back the GTO as a foreign car to help bring back the feeling on the musclecar days when they were #3. But, it is not the same. The Ford guys have their heritage and can proudly buy a new Ford product. But, a Pontiac hasn't been a Pontiac since 1981 (and even earlier in some instances too).
Few will agree with me on this issue but, the 301-265 was a good engine for the times. It was light, had good low end torque and got decent mileage. If that engine would have continued in production, the tooling would have survived too and there would have been a lot more development for the real Pontiac V-8 to benefit us all. A better, stronger performance version of the 301 would have followed and Ford would have their hands full competing with 100's of thousands of 5 litre (301) REAL Pontiacs on the road that could have been built in the last 20 years! We would be proud of Pontiac and I would be driving a late model. But, no. Oh well, so much for monday quarterbacking.
On the alum block issue. For those who don't know. I've just finished my new nostalgia front motor blown, injected nitro fueler (AA/FD). I am ready to start testing and licensing too. I'm using a '59 block to start because they are the strongest, most available for a blown nitro application. But, an aluminum block is really needed for serious blown nitro use. Fuel blocks have removable cylinder liners and can easily be repaired when a componant fails and put a crack or hole in the block. Aluminum also "gives" flexes and in exremly high horsepower situations, alum simply works better. I did buy an unmachined,raw factory alum Ram Air V block from Tom s who posts on this board. With the blueprints, I have made good progress on machining this block. A few friends and I have built tools and jigs to machine a Pontiac block from scratch. I have also learned quite a bit on machining the last few years. The alum V block will be set up as a fuel (nitro use for those who don't know what "fuel" refers to) block with liners and has been fitted with one of my 6 bolt main lower girdle assemblies. It will also be reinforced in critical areas. This is my plan to go well into the sixes and, hopefully, into the fives at arourn 250MPH. Cars in this class run 4.4 inches per pound and are restricted with 12"(!) tires, no tranmissions are allowed (direct drive only) and can only use a 6-71 blower, no larger. there are also restrictions on fuel pump size and magneto type too. I realize this block will not last forever, it is also very rare but, you need good parts if you are to compete head to head against chev and Hemis. A Real Pontiac top fueler has not been sucessful in about 40 years. Top Fuel, even in nostalgia racing are the "Kings of the sport" and it would be quite an accomplishment to have a competitive Real Pontiac in this class, not just build a fast Pontiac but, to have a fast Real Pontiac to compete with head to head.
An aluminum Real Pontiac V-8 billet block is what I will need to race in this top fuel class for any length of time. I will pursue building one after the Ram Air V block is finished. Hopefully, that is this next year. If some else wants to make one, let me know, you may have a customer. The block issue is another reason I choose to hold off running the M/T Hemi stuff because the high ported Super Cheifs I built will make more than enough power for the iron blocks I have.
On my events. "Pontiac Heaven Drags & More" is only for real Pontiac powered vehicles. I stand alone in not allowing corporate powered pontiacs to attend a vintage Pontiac event. The attendance numbers that would be added by allowing the late models in is not worth it to me. I have an event for Real Pontiacs because it is what I believe in. I promote the use, interest and knowledge in Real Pontiac V-8s. I also pay tribute to the fine history that Pontiac once was and this is the best way I know how. This next event will also be featured in High Performance Pontiac magazine too. After trying to get Pontiac enthusiast to do a feature, they flat out refused to do so because I don't allow corporate (cheby) stuff at my events. Yes, the so called hard core pontiac guys at PE as they are called here are not so hard core, are they? They run stories on Firebird/Trans Am only events and they run stories on GTO/a body only events but, they won't run a story on someone who puts in a LOT of effort into a REAL vintage Pontiac event with racing, swap meet and a show. There are no other big Pontiac events in the west and they purposely choose to ignore it. Sure, they can do what the wish, it is their mag. But, they do mislead you to think they promote all aspects of Pontiac performance and they deliberatley do not. My forth event earlier this year had 600 attend with over 100 Pontiacs participating. Each event grows. The track, Speedworld Motorplex, is wonderful, nostalgic and preppared very well. Many racers run their best ETs there. I personally welcome everyone who decides to attend, you won't be dissapionted. For all you hard core Pontiac fans out there- The PE corporate BS may be something to think about when it is time to renew your subscriptions.
Real Pontiacs only!.......NO Corporate Nonsense!
Steve Barcak

[This message was edited by Steve Barcak on December 23, 2002 at 03:19 PM.]

[This message was edited by Steve Barcak on December 23, 2002 at 03:46 PM.]