[74SDformula]

This is an incredible story. Thanks for sharing it with us. Just curious about what intake manifold you plan to use.

[mscicluna007]

Good Question.

This motor came with an intake manifold which is also pre production. I am just in the middle of going over everything and trying to document it all and than will put it up also. But here is a sneak peak.

[nytrainer]

Gotta ask. What became of the 455 SD shortblock I sent you from NY? Hope all is well with your family Mike.

[mscicluna007]

Hi Dave,
I still have it here also. Nice and safe. I wasn't looking but it was hard to look the other way on this piece due to all the early pre production gear my car would have been running.

I have alot of options to think about now.

I had a bit of a rough time with health a few years back but all is back to normal now and fighting fit.

Hope you guys are all well also.

Did your son ever get through his build in the Le Mans I think it was.

Michael

[nytrainer]

Glad you’re on the mend Mike. We still have both 68 convertibles and are just finishing up an interior resto on his. Of course I can’t even find time to even drive mine as I am the family mechanic and painter lol. We just painted his 600 HP 2008 Civic SI (his first car he won’t part with it) and we brought back his 2008 M3 from South Carolina that he bought. Here’s pics of his cars. Be well.

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by mscicluna007

Good Question.

This motor came with an intake manifold which is also pre production. I am just in the middle of going over everything and trying to document it all and than will put it up also. But here is a sneak peak.

Please post more pictures of the manifold when you can. By the looks of this picture this manifold is missing something that is unique to the SD-455 manifold.

[mscicluna007]

I will do Paul.
It definitely does not have LS2 cast into it. There is a part number also at the rear of the carb pad. I will definitely be posting pics up of it.

[mscicluna007]

Originally Posted by PAUL K

Please post more pictures of the manifold when you can. By the looks of this picture this manifold is missing something that is unique to the SD-455 manifold.

Hi Paul,

Here is the manifold 490471.

Its very different to how we expect to see it. LS2 is nowhere to be seen and part numbers ground off everywhere . I have tried not to miss any details on this motor so it has taken time to get photos and do some homework


Enjoy.

Michael

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[mscicluna007]

The cylinder heads their was some holes that have been plugged .

One of Rocky's photo's from the press release showed these early developmental heads.

The stamping INSERT from what I understood from Rick was in testing they were burning out valves real bad. Louie Clemens modified the heads with an insert in the coolant area to divert coolant.

Rick arrived in 78 until around 84 so was able to learn from who was left at the Proving Grounds. This motor sat quietly in the back of the shed. Most stock was already movedon or scrapped. So I am really glad it survived.

Michael

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[mscicluna007]

Another interesting part is there is no 132 cast into the side of thebblock like production SD 455.

Instead this one sports 212. ThebBlock code sports 490132 at the rear of the block.

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[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by mscicluna007

Hi Paul,

Here is the manifold 490471.

Its very different to how we expect to see it. LS2 is nowhere to be seen and part numbers ground off everywhere . I have tried not to miss any details on this motor so it has taken time to get photos and do some homework


Enjoy.

Michael Attachment 602714Attachment 602715Attachment 602716Attachment 602717Attachment 602718

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Thank you! I will post some pictures and explain what I'm not seeing on your manifold that the production engines had.

Is that manifold off the engine? If so would you post a picture looking at the intake ports please?

I went through a Super Duty engine that was pieced together by the Pontiac Corporate Service Garage back in the day. They really liked using those hand stamps. It was fun trying to decipher what they all meant.

[mscicluna007]

Hi Paul,

Sure no problems. Its still off the engine at the moment so I will get some photos for you.

Would be great to learn more.

Did tou want me to email them if there is too many pics.


Michael

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[mscicluna007]

Hi Paul,

Let me know if you need more.

Michael

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[mscicluna007]

Couple more of the intake ports.

[PAUL K]

Thanks! It looks like that flange is taller so it will cover the taller ports (kinda obvious). What I noticed was the scallop at the top of the manifold ports that the production manifolds used is missing on yours. I'm guessing maybe after your manifold was designed they figured the valve cover was getting too close to the manifold and added the scallop for additional clearance.

Thanks again, what a great project! I'm glad that engine was saved and can't think of a better car for it to go in since the Grand Am didn't survive.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by mscicluna007

Yes it has a Partial Vin at the front of the block and i was able to get PHS on this Vehicle.
I will share the PHS and VIN.

Good Lord !
Hollywood can't even write stuff this good

... remember that time a guy over in Australia bought a run of the mill Y-Code 73 TA project , and decided to get the PHS Invoice just as a formality ? It was a pre-production SD magazine test car

... remember that time a guy over in Australia bought an Eng/Dev pre-production SD engine , and it had a VIN stamp . It came from the ultra-mysterious 1 of 1 SD Grand Am magazine test car

The dynamics have been astounding
More congrats to you Michael
The paper trails of Pontiac have been amazing and invaluable.