[fastgtr]

I just stumbled across a complete rotating assembly for the 69 303 RA V last night and bought it all. It has a forged and cross drilled crank that has never been cut, but has slight surface rust and will have to be cut .010 to clean it up, a set of brand new in the box TRW Powerforged pistons from god knows how long ago, and a special set of rods i havent seen before. It also came with RA V solid lifter cam and lifters and a passel of other things that have nothing to do with RA V. Ideas as to either value or a RA V block and heads would be greatly appreciated. I would like to do a 69 TA clone, and this seems a very good start to doing a really unusual autoimobile that will flat out scream! I am open to selling the assembly but am more interested in ideas on how to complete the motor. If someone knows where the parts can be had...I have the money to do it. Also any specs that can be gathered would be VERY useful.

[Johnny406]

We would love to see some pictures...

[fastgtr]

but the cranks rods and pistons are off to the machine shop for intense cleanup, inspection of the crank for cracks, and then cut it or polish it depending on how much it needs to go. I will be more than delighted to share once the parts are back. The rods and pistons are new in the box-literally. Rods do not appear to be a factory super duty but more like a carrillo or oliver or crower or other high end forged rod. They have a modern design, but I have never seen these particular rods so my machinist will id them for me. He does mostly pontiac stuff and gets lots of esoterica so this ought to be right up his alley. The crankshaft appears to be the real deal, though there arent many casting numnbers to identify the thing. It is definitely cross drilled, and has none of the parting lines you would expect from a cast crankshaft. Oddly enough i can hoist this thing with one hand fairly easily. I measued the journals and they are all std 303. Stroke appears to be VERY short. Bizarre find that has my head spinninn with the possibilities as well as the potential for building a super hi rpm pontiac. I spin my 455 to about 6000 before I lose my nerve...and that thing has $13K in it!

[baron_]

excellent

someone with a ram air V on here and not afraid to use a camera

[tstevea]

get a hold of tom s he is in to those intresting finds. good find!!

[tom s]

call your machine shop and have him tell you if it is a 3in main or a 2 1/2 main crank.If a 3in main crank it wil fit in any 400 block.If a 2 1/2 main good luck finding a block as they only made 25 of them.If a 3in main you can use and RA V head but need a RA V 400 intake.If a 3in main you can also use any std pontiac or aftermarket head and intake.A set of RA V heads and intake in this market is in the 9K range IF you can even find them forsale.Tom

[fastgtr]

the crank has 3 inch mains. The crankshaft shop's foreman just happened to be there and said it would clean right up with a .010 cut. I am not sure of the stroke length, but it appears VERY short. The bobweights are also very small. Wish I could tell you all more, but the stuff ought to be back in a week or so, andf then we will be able to ascertain which direction to go. Thanks for all the replies, and pics will be forthcoming. I see a set of Tiger Wideports in my near future. Blocks are easy to come by so this looks like a good one to build! My machinist is going to balance and assemble the parts so all I have to do is locate a block and add heads of choice when the bottom end is built. This ought to be a LOT of fun.

[Tom Vaught]

Crank has a 2.84 stroke, about a inch less than a normal Pontiac 326/389/400 type engine. Crank will be light as most true 303 cranks were center feed cranks for the oil passages.

Rods are most likely a set of the Carrillo 7.080 type rods. I have some of them too for a 366 type engine. Pistons would have a "funny" set of valve reliefs in the piston top if true RA-V pistons vs 400 style normal valve reliefs.

Tom v.

[Steve Hoog]

You bought the stuff last night and it's already at the machine shop and your not sure what to do with it all? WOW

You find some holly grail peices, get them to a machine shop faster than lickidy split (less than 24 hours according to your post), and you're not sure how to approach a build.

I'm not sure which part doesn't add up, let me ponder on it.

[fastgtr]

Hmm? Call the folks there if ya doubt me. 408-842-7937. I dont work due to a severe motility disorder, so what is so hard to believe about me driving to Menlo Park, (check yesterdays craigslist for the sf bay area and keyword 303), bringing it all home last night, and getting it off to my machinist with haste today to find out what shape it is all in? The shop is 30 minutes from my home. i have a motor being built there now. Ask away.

[Steve Hoog]

That is not a doubt or lie emote, it's a confused emote. And I still am. Sure it's possible to by parts in an evening and get them to a shop in the morning; no problem there, impossible at my house but more power to the man that can accomplish it.

I'm just thinking here; but if you happened on to a killer deal of V parts, there is no need for a frantic rush to the machine shop because of the bargain prices. If you paid a top dollar, darn sure should have checked out shape before handing over cash. Not that everyone would do that, but sure advisable.

And I think! I would have to gloat at the pieces for several days before I even thought about building, just because they would make me very excited and I couldn’t stand the thought of not spending some quality time with them.

Seems odd.

[INJUNTOM]

If it were me I'd be in a hurry to find out what shape it's in, but not in a hurry to grind the crank...I would want to know for sure which rod/piston combo will be used, and then clamp a set of bearings in the rods to measure with a dial bore gauge to be able to set the clearance where i wanted it VS just machining it to "specs"

[tom s]

Tom V,here is my build.Offset grind the crank to longest stroke with a 2in rod J.Get a 301 turbo block and bore safe max.Get a set of pistons and rods to fit.Get a set of the smallest chamber KRE D ports avail.Get a 301 intake and cut the water X over.Get a T1 intake and cut the runners to fit and reweld.Do a hyd roller cam to match the build,wont take too much with the CI.Your thoughts?Tom

[Tom Vaught]

Total combination is good except for the "Turbo 301 block" Weak link in the whole deal, But with a short stroke it might live on the street for a good while.

JMO

Tom V.

[tom s]

I think 1/2 filled with such a short stroke crank it should live fine.I just cant see building a std deck 303.Tom

[Tom Vaught]

A friend is building a 3" stroke "326" engine using a 303 forging and a 400 block. We will see how it runs.

Tom V.