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Originally Posted by David Holmberg
Looks like I'm the only SOB here that can keep his word... 
Mongo = Blabbermouth...  |
Nobody really cares anymore, David. At least that's the vibe I get from Ken.
Skip, on the pan rail deal...think back to the early blocks that had that reinforcing rib. It beefens up the thrust side of the main saddle area of the block. I can't imagine why Pontiac engineers decided to do away with that rib in the rail, except to save money in casting, figuring for the HP and durability issues the engines would see, they didn't need it.
Yes, they do tend to split up the middle into the lifter valley area (ie - between the mains and the cam bearings). Think of our V8 as two four cylinder inline engines linked together in a V, with the two of them pulling apart from one another, stretching the link. That's what causes the splitsville up the middle. When compared to other GM blocks, again, maybe the engineers didn't feel more reinforcement in that area was needed for the HP and durability they would be exposed to...that is until the R.A. V program.