[donziboy]

Originally Posted by tallrandyb

All of you Pontiac experts, I figured somebody may recognize this shop from the exterior, from the engine test rig, from the interior/office area with the posters on the walls, etc. Or maybe you recognize one of the GTO's sitting around waiting to be restored (one of yours? ). Bonus points if you recognize the dog!

I'm trying to find out what shop did my frame-off restoration, and the dealer I purchased from doesn't know, but provided me a folder with pix. I have more pix but can only post 5 at a time, so let me know if more could help. This was an in-theory approx 2011-ish? restoration.

Any ideas, THANKS for any help! Mainly, I'd like to know exactly how the engine was put together (compression, valve seats, etc for gas/timing purposes), but it would just be great to know who they are and be able to contact them.

THANKS!

Check in to see if you were able to figure out your engine build. If the answer is no can you describe your curb idle (lumpy or smooth), RPM and what vacuum you see.
Thanks

[tallrandyb]

Originally Posted by donziboy

Check in to see if you were able to figure out your engine build. If the answer is no can you describe your curb idle (lumpy or smooth), RPM and what vacuum you see.
Thanks

I haven't cracked into the engine yet:

• Idle: Curb idle is smooth even around 600 rpm.

• Vacuum: I was pulling 17" @ 450 rpm and 18" @ 700 rpm.

• Advance: With centrifugal and vacuum advance, I'm at about 15 base with mechanical bringing it to ~27-28 at 2500 rpm with vacuum adding about 20 more when available.

[donziboy]

Originally Posted by tallrandyb

I haven't cracked into the engine yet:

• Idle: Curb idle is smooth even around 600 rpm.

• Vacuum: I was pulling 17" @ 450 rpm and 18" @ 700 rpm.

• Advance: With centrifugal and vacuum advance, I'm at about 15 base with mechanical bringing it to ~27-28 at 2500 rpm with vacuum adding about 20 more when available.

Ok thanks for the numbers, my engine runs very good with plenty of torque and sounds very healthy. There are not a lot of miles put on it since the rebuild and the odometer shows 4200 miles. I’m currently idling around 725 rpm with 14” vac. My timing is set at 12 initial, 24 mechanical and vacuum takes me up to 43.
I’m running a tri power and ideal screws are 2 1/4 turns out. I would describe my idle as a very slight coarseness at idle.

[tallrandyb]

Interesting! Sounds like our mechanical is about the same, mine adds about 12-13 degrees. But I have more vacuum, adding as much as 20 at some points maxing at around 47-48 degrees, I wonder if they installed different cans on yours and mine. Without me running 110 I wouldn't want to run 15 degrees base, but it really likes it, never pings, detonates, hesitates.

I'm planning a trip to Oklahoma next year, then will be cutting east and I'm going to stop by this shop address to see who is still there/what they know. Then headed to the POCI convention after.

[donziboy]

Originally Posted by tallrandyb

Interesting! Sounds like our mechanical is about the same, mine adds about 12-13 degrees. But I have more vacuum, adding as much as 20 at some points maxing at around 47-48 degrees, I wonder if they installed different cans on yours and mine. Without me running 110 I wouldn't want to run 15 degrees base, but it really likes it, never pings, detonates, hesitates.

I'm planning a trip to Oklahoma next year, then will be cutting east and I'm going to stop by this shop address to see who is still there/what they know. Then headed to the POCI convention after.

As discussed I have nice details that include pictures of the restoration done 30 years again. Also have maintenance records but unfortunately no details on the engine build. Would like to know what cam was used however at this point my judgement is something similar to a 744 cam. My engine likes where the timing is set now and dwell angle is set at 30. Idle is good but can be better, ignition, vacuum leaks and carburetors have been sorted out. I’m running blended non ethanol gas that gives me around 98 octane. Next thing will be to verify all 16 valves are opening (approximately) the same amount. Although unlikely could have a worn lob or two, more likely I will find it out of adjustment. Also don’t believe your engine would be looking for 110, worked at a gas station as a kid and we sold Sunoco custom blend thinking 8 grades and 260 would bring you in at 98 octane.

[tallrandyb]

Originally Posted by donziboy

As discussed I have nice details that include pictures of the restoration done 30 years again. Also have maintenance records but unfortunately no details on the engine build. Would like to know what cam was used however at this point my judgement is something similar to a 744 cam. My engine likes where the timing is set now and dwell angle is set at 30. Idle is good but can be better, ignition, vacuum leaks and carburetors have been sorted out. I’m running blended non ethanol gas that gives me around 98 octane. Next thing will be to verify all 16 valves are opening (approximately) the same amount. Although unlikely could have a worn lob or two, more likely I will find it out of adjustment. Also don’t believe your engine would be looking for 110, worked at a gas station as a kid and we sold Sunoco custom blend thinking 8 grades and 260 would bring you in at 98 octane.

Agreed I'd like to know the specs too, but I'll likely leave it alone until an issue forces a teardown. And yes I'm going to start trying some 91/110 blending or other non-ethanol combos and see what it likes; I can easily drop base timing to 12 degrees if needed. 75% 91 (what Wawa has here) and 25% 110 would give me about 96, or I can drive 10 miles further and go 75% 93/25% 110 for 97.25.