[frank.g]

Originally Posted by sdbob

Thanks Frank. Hmm I wasnt where of pumping problem. My all original SD still has the 80 psi pump. When I built my other SD, I used the 60 psi spring in an original SD pump. I had a 421 in a 63 GP in the 70s. I pumped enough oil in the valve covers,about 5800rpm, it came out on headers,scary.

Turns out, in stock form, the 80 lb. pump was overkill - rule of thumb is 10 pounds per 1000 rpm. 60 lb. pump is perfect for these high torque Pontiac engines, in stock configuration. The 80 lb. pump was most likely supplied because engineers expected this engine to be modified for racing applications. Remember the motor had ports for installing an external oiling system, among other features.

The 60 lb. spring was good choice for a stock rebuild.

What year is your all-original SD? If 73, you might want to pull distributor and check wear on teeth of the distributor gear. Quite a few of the 73's seem to have suffered oil starvation at the gear, with resulting gear failure. It seems that the 74's improved the oil supply to the distributor (larger port) , as gear failure was not as common on the 74's.

[sdbob]

1974,40k. I ordered car, non air or power,waited 5mos.Drove it to Norwalk at least 12 times,showed Sat,raced Sunday then drove it home.The other is a put together car. Now for the unbelievable story. Back in 75 I needed a distributor for my 65 Lemans. So went to local salvage yard.got to scrap pile started rolling over blocks saw Pontiac oil pan,grabbed distributor. Here it was a sleeved distributor, I thought RA V OR SD455. Block,8 rods pistons oil pump there. So I walked in side said how much for junk Pontiac block,he we got to get 35.00,I hymmed,i dont know,ah ok. The block was an SR with a sleeve in # 5.strange!! Bored .030 with new crank ,pistons same rods.Found used 73 SD heads and intake,new 455 crank.Have over 200 runs on engine. Me building in backyard I call it,3800lb 2nd gen,73, car ,stock GM parts. 3200 stall,3.73,12 teens,110.Around here. I know more cam and springs will wake it up but it doesnt cost much to run.

[frank.g]

Originally Posted by sdbob

1974,40k. I ordered car, non air or power,waited 5mos.Drove it to Norwalk at least 12 times,showed Sat,raced Sunday then drove it home.The other is a put together car. Now for the unbelievable story. Back in 75 I needed a distributor for my 65 Lemans. So went to local salvage yard.got to scrap pile started rolling over blocks saw Pontiac oil pan,grabbed distributor. Here it was a sleeved distributor, I thought RA V OR SD455. Block,8 rods pistons oil pump there. So I walked in side said how much for junk Pontiac block,he we got to get 35.00,I hymmed,i dont know,ah ok. The block was an SR with a sleeve in # 5.strange!! Bored .030 with new crank ,pistons same rods.Found used 73 SD heads and intake,new 455 crank.Have over 200 runs on engine. Me building in backyard I call it,3800lb 2nd gen,73, car ,stock GM parts. 3200 stall,3.73,12 teens,110.Around here. I know more cam and springs will wake it up but it doesnt cost much to run.

Great story! Junk yard finds were always a lot of fun. Too bad it's a lost pastime. At least around here, junk yards have gone the way of the dodo bird in NJ.

[sdbob]

I liked to go every Saturday esp when raining usually got better deals-$$. That was my best, I wish I had got some GTO parts cars had many chances, money and space. Yes around here too,no 60s - 70s cars.