[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by Will

For the vast majority of Pontiyakkers, this "design flaw" is of no concern whatsoever. Honestly, how many people are building engines over 600 HP? How many are over 500 HP?

Smokey Yunick sometimes in his book talked about cars as machines made for surface transportation, or something close. Thinking along that line the open valley blocks that made up the majority of almost all Pontiac engines, were likely, mostly only thought of as family and grocery haulers. Engineering may have been NOT centered around the very best way to design something, but in making tuff that's good enough.
Many conversations about Pontiacs weaknesses. Yes, cast rods have limits, but the block has been hashed here, severely too. Man the 2 aftermarket blocks both have lifter valleys, done correctly!!!

500 hp is easy to do with a 455, but from my reading here, much past that, you are gambling....
All the gyrations, parts moving inside an engine, it's a wonder any engine has longevity....