[unruhjonny]

ok fair enough.

my opinion is that if you are trying to make it look correct, the intake nad heads are what everyone can see - the block almost no one looks at (aside from the application code - if it's still there)...

[JMB36TA]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

ok fair enough.

my opinion is that if you are trying to make it look correct, the intake nad heads are what everyone can see - the block almost no one looks at (aside from the application code - if it's still there)...

Agreed but this is what I have to work with right now. Maybe down the line I’ll get a RA IV intake but I’ll leave the heads. Most people won’t know the difference unless they’re a Pontiac purist. Besides, I’ll have the RA IV intake pans on that will cover most of the intake and take their attention away from it.


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[ponyakr]

"...The pistons are forged Oldsmobile pistons that were reasonably priced..."

So, that brings up the question of what rods you used ?

Looking at forged 455 Olds L2323F30 pistons. They have a 1.735 pin height. That's more than 400 Pontiac pistons. But, the Summit pics show these to have a center marking which your pistons don't appear to have.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...ake/oldsmobile

They look different on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Sealed-Power-.../dp/B01BNX1K4W

The cast SP pistons are smooth like yours, & have a 1.725 pin height. Just wondering if there is some other brand of cheap forged 455 Olds pistons.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...ake/oldsmobile

So, for you engine builders, when using stock length 6.625" rods, how much pin height can you get by with, without the top of the piston sticking out of the hole ? This is assuming no more than a minimum deck square & clean-up cut. I ask this because most of the stock replacement 400 cast pistons I've seen have a 1.700 pin height. And, many say that some Pontiac engines came with about .023 deck height. So, if a 1.700 piston has a .023 deck height, by my math, that would put one of those forged L2323F piston tops .012 above the deck(assuming factory stock stroke). So, does anybody know FOR SURE, exactly what the pin height of a factory 400 Pontiac piston was ?

[JMB36TA]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

"...The pistons are forged Oldsmobile pistons that were reasonably priced..."



So, that brings up the question of what rods you used ?

The stock rods were used but there was one problem. The rod was too wide for the piston so it had to be ground down to fit. It was no problem. The reason we went with Olds pistons is because that’s what was in there and assumed new ones would fit like the old ones. And they had the right dish with the right cc’s, and were $340 for the set.


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[JMB36TA]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

"...The pistons are forged Oldsmobile pistons that were reasonably priced..."

So, that brings up the question of what rods you used ?

Looking at forged 455 Olds L2323F30 pistons. They have a 1.735 pin height. That's more than 400 Pontiac pistons. But, the Summit pics show these to have a center marking which your pistons don't appear to have.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...ake/oldsmobile

They look different on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Sealed-Power-.../dp/B01BNX1K4W

The cast SP pistons are smooth like yours, & have a 1.725 pin height. Just wondering if there is some other brand of cheap forged 455 Olds pistons.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...ake/oldsmobile

So, for you engine builders, when using stock length 6.625" rods, how much pin height can you get by with, without the top of the piston sticking out of the hole ? This is assuming no more than a minimum deck square & clean-up cut. I ask this because most of the stock replacement 400 cast pistons I've seen have a 1.700 pin height. And, many say that some Pontiac engines came with about .023 deck height. So, if a 1.700 piston has a .023 deck height, by my math, that would put one of those forged L2323F piston tops .012 above the deck(assuming factory stock stroke). So, does anybody know FOR SURE, exactly what the pin height of a factory 400 Pontiac piston was ?

Looks like the 369P30 pistons from Summit are close to what I have. The other 2 have the larger dish which is going to lower your compression. My pistons are around 14cc’s and those larger dishes are like 20 something I think. Mine may be cast and not forged, I’ll have to check. I’ve had them for over a month and can’t remember...lol


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[RAJ7395]

69 TAs with automatic transmissions didn't get the power steering cooler line on top of the radiator. Only the 4 speeds.

[JMB36TA]

Originally Posted by RAJ7395

69 TAs with automatic transmissions didn't get the power steering cooler line on top of the radiator. Only the 4 speeds.

That's interesting, I didn't know that. I thought it was standard on RA IV cars.

[JMB36TA]

I got lucky yesterday and a monsoon rolled through and lowered the temperature enough to paint the engine. I jumped on the opportunity and got some primer and color on it. I used Hirsch Auto engine enamel that resists heat up to 700 degrees. http://www.hirschauto.com/ I didn't have to use primer but I wanted an extra layer of protection. The color is as close to original Pontiac blue that I've seen in an engine enamel. It's so good to finally see it back in color! I'm expecting the push rods today, once those are in I'll be getting ready for the install.