IMO, Jim butler was the first person heavily invested in the Pontiac Hobby/Business world that recognized that if someone didn't step up and find another source for 455 crankshafts it was going to severely curtail his business, as well as the hobby. He made the investment into chi-com made cast cranks and then a few other vendors jumped on board the train in other areas.
Blocks were also in short supply, and a stronger block was going to be needed if there was ever going to be a sub 6 second Pontiac in drag racing history. Dick Duclow made the IA 1 block with help from a few others. So as the 40 plus year old supply of engine parts dwindles, the aftermarket has to step up and fill the holes to keep the whole thing alive.
I never in my wildest imagination ever figured that there would be a day I could build a Pontiac V8 without even one GM part. It kinda makes you step back and marvel at what has happened with the aftermarket filling all the voids left by GM/Pontiac. The only problem is that most of the Pontiac community wants the new aftermarket parts to cost the same as what they bought over the parts counter at the local Pontiac dealer, or at the junkyard in 1975...……….
