[The Champ]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by meanken:
Why all the chevy bashing? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Maybe (at least on this thread) it's because the opening post on this thread made the comparison:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I hate to say it but I actually prefer the way a small block chevy has a seperate timing cover from the water pump. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[skid2964]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dan&Dot:
<span class="ev_code_RED">Please remain calm. This is a hijack.</span>

skid,
What kind of Jeep and do you have pictures? A friend of mine is majorly into Jeeps and I would like to show him your setup.

<span class="ev_code_RED">You may return to your previous topic now.</span>

Dan <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, as a matter of fact, I did a temporary install of the empty block and transmission case today to measure for building new mount towers. Turns out, it is a close fit, may not have have to do alot of fabricating... I can post pics, but dont want to hijack this post too bad! want me to email them? or I can start a new topic, that is if anyone cares to see an installation of a Pontiac 455 in a Jeep Cherokee.

[PMDRACER]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> the only thing that frustrates me about my 389 is the distributor in the back of the motor. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Get hold of BOP Engineering. They can get you all setup with a front mounted distributor.
http://www.bopengineering.com/beltdrive_acc_front.shtml

[PMDRACER]

I will never complain about the angle for Pontiac headers. The extra time spent is more than paid for with the ease of spark plug changes and lack of burnt plug wires.

Besides, the only really hard bolt to tighted is the rear one on the center exhaust.

[charles vance]

AHHHH! Come on guys, lets here some testimonals from the other SIDE!!!

Were the hell you at inbred?

[bmpmdf]

On the Distributor in back part, if I remember right, there was a fear of water drowning problems. Also since the chassis required the rear sump, it was easier to have the distributor at the back of the engine to drive the oil pump. They never imagined the kind of pressures the modern race stuff puts on the cam as far as twist when the oil pump is also driven at the other end of the cam. Todays spring pressures were unheard of then, as the most radical cams and valvetrain was not much more than a now typical flat tappet cam set up. Do you realize the Pontiac V8 design has been in use 50 years this fall? That is an achievement !!! And just think, chevy borrowed many ideas from it to get their small block in production. So hats off to the Pontiac engineers of 50 years ago.

[Dryseals]

Having owned and worked on many different cars and engines, sounds like Pontiac should have moved the distributor up front. The it would be almost perfect.

[ATF204]

A intake manifold seperate from the block with a valley pan? And why did the engineers decide to incorporate the timing cover with the water pump and attach it at the bottom with the oil pan? I hate to say it but I actually prefer the way a small block chevy has a seperate timing cover from the water pump. The whole valley pan and "air gap" type set up on a Pontiac motor is nice I guess for keeping engine heat away from the intake manifold, right? Any other questions you guys ever ask yourselfs about "why did pontiac do this with their motors?" feel free to post 'em.

-Adam

[bmpmdf]

One point I forgot to mention. The GM board decided to keep the chevy engine because it was in production in nearly every country GM sold vehicals, Mexico was also the cheapest labor cost. Pontiac did not have engine plants all over the world or in Mexico.

[RAJNWDY]

you want bashing for the other engines too? AMC, like Pontiac and the small block Chevy, Outside block size stayed the same but bore and stroke changes for more cubes.
BUICK, Differant engines bolted up to same tran's bolt pattern... BOP

Unlike Ford, Small block, small block trans, Big Block, Big block trans, FE engine? Didn't match anything but FE. 3 differant 351's C, M, W. No interchange: but 289, 302's probably the best engines Ford made, besides the straight 6 300.

I HAVE A SAYING: IF YOUR BEHIND IT AND YOU CAN SMELL IT, 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 IT'S A FORD!!!

Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth: Small blocks, Big blocks, Wedge, Hemi....nothing more need's said here.

I think that if the aftermarket providers would have got on the band wagon and made more Pontiac HP parts then the chevy's way back then. The Pontiac engine might have been around a lot longer. But, you have to remember that when the GTO's first came out everyone had to put HP stuff in just to stay with them. That's why you go into a parts store today and see Ford and Chevy HP parts. They are still trying to keep up!! But seriously weight means HP, which mean's fuel consumption and with that, GM went with the easier engine to mass produce and change with the times. They are also a lot lighter (HP per Pound) then the Heavier Pontiac mill. Just remember that Pontiac came up with a lot of the Ideas that are still in use today on internal combustion engines.

AMC CU IN up to 401
CHEVY CU IN 265-400
PONTIAC CU IN well you know!!!

[Steve Barcak]

Most everything has been mentioned but, there are still more. Tom mentioned about not having to pull the dist to do an intake swap but, it is even better than that. You can pull both heads, change rod bearings or more and not have to touch the dist/mag. Having the starter on the left has proven to be an advantage as some chebs have switched to a left side starter for an oil pan kickout on the right side. What about the rocker baffles? I have seen them in the Bill Mitchell catalog for chebs as a "new idea"!.
I like the motor mounts, the Pontiacs have the nut welded on, the cheb guys have the fuel pump in the way and have to hold a nut while they turn the bolt. There are so many little things like that that make a Pontiac more pleasurable to work on.
As to Pontiac engine production and the corporate thing. Believe it or not, it actually started in 1959! That is the last year that GMC trucks with the V-8 option used Pontiac power. I read that, though GMC customers were happy with Pontiac touque under their truck hoods, the Pontiac engine plant wasn't able to keep up with production for both cars and trucks so they dropped GMC and let cheb use their V-8s. Imagine how many HD 4bolt truck blocks and forged cranks and rods there would be today if Pontiac still supplied engines for GMC!
Steve www.pontiacheaven.org