[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Enough HP came out of it to still give it a good feeling of power when driving the car.
Congrats on conservatively predicting 425hp range.

Didn't you do a V one time with 455 cubes or more ?
i can't remember, out of the half dozen or so you have built on here.

[tom s]

I have done a 390 short deck,a 366 short deck,a 366 std deck,434,440 ,455,now a 383 short deck.I know I have forgot a few like the alu block V engine.Already planning my next one just looking for a block.Looking at doing a 4.21 square engine for snicks.Im pretty sure the single 4 intake and carb would have made more HP than the Xram,at least it did when I ran a Xram on the 390 short deck engine.Tom

[Gary H]

Pretty good numbers! I'm surprised that it didn't make power a little higher RPM wise. What compression ratio is it?

[tom s]

9.5 CR.Steve said too much against the build.Not near enough cam and CR to go hi RPMs.I know the single 4 would do better as I did a 390 CI short deck some years ago and the engine did not like the Xram then either.Eye Candy.Tom

[tom s]

Carbs were too small(450CFM,made for 302CI)and would have liked vac secondary's better.Tom

[Gary H]

Originally Posted by tom s

9.5 CR.Steve said too much against the build.Not near enough cam and CR to go hi RPMs.I know the single 4 would do better as I did a 390 CI short deck some years ago and the engine did not like the Xram then either.Eye Candy.Tom

Eye candy it is! I love reading about this very rare factory stuff and your builds. The truth is that Pontiac made some pretty serious parts, although rare, during the late 60's and early 70's. You didn't see a lot of serious builds over the years actually using the parts though. So, it's good to see how they actually perform in different scenarios like you're putting together. Thanks again for sharing!

[grandam1979]

I have a buddy who just assembled what would be a r/a vii engine based off a super rare 455 splayed cap stock block. From what he has told me only a few of these block ever got finished. I don’t think it’s been on the Dyno yet but it’s been a few weeks since we have talked.

[tom s]

Actually Arni had a few of the splayed cap blocks.Tom

[Gary H]

Originally Posted by tom s

Actually Arni had a few of the splayed cap blocks.Tom

I wonder if those particular blocks had the reinforced lifter galley area too?

[grandam1979]

Originally Posted by Gary H

I wonder if those particular blocks had the reinforced lifter galley area too?

The one my buddy has lifter valley reinforced and large distributor hole and splayed caps. He said it’s a crazy rare block.

[tom s]

All real RA V blocks I have owned and seen have joined lifter bores,large dist hole and many had dry sump provision.366 NASCAR blocks because they were designed for RA IV head were inconsistent on both joined lifter bores and dry sump provisions.The 303 std deck block had the small dist bore,did not have joined lifter bores or dry sump,was designed for RA IV heads.ALL splayed cap blocks I have seen were 3 1/4 mains but am pretty sure they made some 3in mains in both iron and alu.ALL RA V blocks are rare some more than others.Tom

[tom s]

For anyone else crazy enough to build a 301T block,this is one ne thing that has as done to get by the head gasket issue.A bridge was welded in the water jacket next to the oil drain back to make us more comfortable.Tom