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Firebird455 · 06-19-2002, 08:52 PM

I dropped my block, crank, cam, timing chain, oil pump, pistons, rods, etc off at my mechanics place. Its now offically time to start putting together the shortblock. Does anybody have any 'tricks of the trade' that they'd like to share with me? I'm having the heads ported as well, any advice for those such as screw in studs, bronze valve guides, valve springs etc? I'll be running a RAIV cam with 1.65 rockers. Would shot-peening my stock rods (w/ARP bolts) increase their strength enough to savely rev to 5500rpm? How about ARP Main bolts, yes or no? I'm sure any precaution is better than no precaution...so any advice appreciated. Thanks

Firebird455 · 06-19-2002, 08:52 PM

I dropped my block, crank, cam, timing chain, oil pump, pistons, rods, etc off at my mechanics place. Its now offically time to start putting together the shortblock. Does anybody have any 'tricks of the trade' that they'd like to share with me? I'm having the heads ported as well, any advice for those such as screw in studs, bronze valve guides, valve springs etc? I'll be running a RAIV cam with 1.65 rockers. Would shot-peening my stock rods (w/ARP bolts) increase their strength enough to savely rev to 5500rpm? How about ARP Main bolts, yes or no? I'm sure any precaution is better than no precaution...so any advice appreciated. Thanks

Tom Vaught · 06-20-2002, 08:41 PM

Floyd,
We have to get that 12.00 Ram Air 4 cam out of there and put in one of the new cams that run 14.00 on a good day. No one goes fast with that
OLD stuff except the old guys! Hum? Tom V.

Firebird455 · 06-22-2002, 09:02 PM

you got a # for ARP? Thanks for all your help guys. I just won a bid on NOS RAIV 1.65 stamped steel rockers, I know Rollers would be better but like I said this is a budget buildup [img]tongue.gif[/img]

78lemans · 07-06-2002, 08:15 PM

well i tryed a the 2900 stall today vs. the 3500 i was running and the car felt so slow, and after the sec. pass i blew up the tranny or the converter, or both. i got it back out maybe i'll be able to get ahold of some one to find out what when wrong.

Brian Baker · 06-19-2002, 09:31 PM

400 OR 455 OR ???

Floyd Hand · 06-20-2002, 10:18 PM

Tom,

I guess that I didn't read that West Coast Rag good enought. The way that I see it, the tech writers are only as good as the info they receive.

Robert Williams · 06-22-2002, 09:15 PM

1-800-826-3045

Will · 07-08-2002, 02:13 AM

Firebird455,

If you change from factory main bolts you will need to have the mains align-honed. Frankly, I would just stick with the original factory main bolts, there is nothing wrong with them at the power levels a RAIV cam will provide.

Do those PAW rods come with ARP bolts? While factory main bolts are good, factory rod bolts are not. ARP rod bolts would be a worthwhile upgrade, but again the rod needs to be resized on the big end with whatever bolts will be used in it as different bolts will locate the caps differently.

Have the head shop stay conservative on the port job. Are they familiar with Pontiacs?

Good luck on the buildup!

Firebird455 · 06-20-2002, 02:08 AM

455 of course, What would be the point in running anything else [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Half-Inch Stud · 06-21-2002, 09:09 AM

Ahem,

Ram IV cams and Main Cap bolts will serve ya'll quite well. Reuse your #4 thrust bearing if it looks close to decent.

Roller cams and main studs are for those with loose money and loose plans.

H.I. Stud

GR8ONE68 · 07-04-2002, 11:44 AM

Firebird455,

I don't know if you got your heads back yet, but if you are going with 1.65:1 rockers, make sure that you have the pushrod holes in the heads elongated. If you don't you will have clearance problems with them. I would also recommend the comp cams 995 valve springs.

Half-Inch Stud · 07-08-2002, 01:21 PM

FireBird455 : Can you get the Factory Main Cap bolts. Never seen one fail and I use them.

for the Hands:
other note: ...seriously reconsidering the RAM IV cam now. I only have 1.5:1 rockers....do you recommend 1.5s for the 455 .030 and .60 with Tall-ported D-Ports that got 11.0 with the Lunati SPC1-320?....I'm looking to maintain 12.00 in 3650LBs.

H.I. Stud

firebird72_4-ME · 06-20-2002, 04:19 AM

Never can go wrong with ARP.Pricey but WELL WORTH IT.

And make sure all oil galley plug are put back in.

73ta · 06-21-2002, 12:09 PM

I meant out dated as in I think the way to go is with a roller profile. I'm very impressed with mine as compared to the many non rollers I've run in previous motors. Better vacuum at idle and a lot less lumpy idle.

Firebird455 · 07-04-2002, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GR8ONE68:
Firebird455,

I don't know if you got your heads back yet, but if you are going with 1.65:1 rockers, make sure that you have the pushrod holes in the heads elongated. If you don't you will have clearance problems with them. I would also recommend the comp cams 995 valve springs.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Gr8one68,
I just found out that my aunts b/f works in a machine shop not to far from me and they do EVERYTHING, even head porting. He told me to bring the heads by there and he'll hook me up with a deal, so I'll be sure to mention the pushrod holes need to be elongated.

To everyone else, I ordered a set of PAW Stage II connectings rods that have already been shotpeened, magnafluxed, checked from cracks and had the large ends resized for $180. I found ARP main studs, so when I get the rods the shortblock will be done so I'll take pictures.

dr Rick · 06-20-2002, 04:58 AM

Hi,

Some great tips on rebuilding your engine can be found on "http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/archives/tech/".
Jim Taylor shows you how the job is performed on a 425hp 455HO.

73ta · 06-21-2002, 04:59 PM

By the way Tom, I used to run the RA IV cam and I am an old guy 46.

78lemans · 07-05-2002, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Floyd Hand:
73TA,

Please explain to me how the RA4 cam is outdated.Then I can go back to my friends,Bob Cook and Nolan Parker that run the Ram Air 4 cams and tell them that is why they are only running 11.80's in a 64 GTO street car and 12.27 in a street driven 4000# 77 Can Am.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">don't the parkers run the spc3 mellins ram air 3 cam? or is that what the used to run. it's been over a year since i have talked with them. but going on their advice and a little of my own using the R/A 3 cam, i got my car to run it's first pass of 7.82 in the 1/8 no nitrous with my 1983 trans am. but i'm having converter problems. i'm only MPH'ing 82-84 mph. the converter acts like it's not locking up in 3rd gear. i'm going thru the traps in 3rd at 5000 with 3.23 gears. if that was right it would be like 120+ mph so i know somethings wrong. the cars only been running for 2 weeks i'm sure i'll work the bugs out. but any help would be great.

73ta · 06-20-2002, 12:09 PM

Prep the stock rods and use a light weight piston such as an JE or SRP. Rods will be fine. I would check into using a more modern camshaft, possible a hydralic roller from Comp cams. That RA 4 profile is out dated.

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