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Old 10-19-2022, 08:24 PM
taktikian taktikian is offline
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Default Major shoutout for Gary H

I am the original owner of a 70 RA IV , 4 speed Judge. In late 70's blew up the WW block. Car went into hibernation for 40 years. Had the RA IV pieces put on a 455 4 bolt with Molnar rods and Ross pistons early in 2020. Local engine builder gave me back engine that was just never "right". It did not sound right, run right or smell right, and leaked oil profusely. Went back and forth with him for months. He was nice but I thought it was being regarded by him as just an old Pontiac. Luckily I ran into Gary H. He offered and I accepted. It started out as just a rear main job but he also knew something was off with this engine. He graciously redid everything . When he found problems he contacted me, ordered what was needed,waited for delivery, installed it and this was with the car sitting protected in his garage. Who does that nowadays? This went on for about 5 months. I never got the bums rush. I would also like to add that Shaker 455 resurrected the Q-jet and points distributor and it was of course well done. The second Gary fired her up I knew I got what I wanted. Anyone needing a GTO doctor would be well served, if he has the time. Sorry so long winded but I have a lot of gratitude I wanted to unpack

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Old 10-19-2022, 08:58 PM
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Good that you got what you wanted. It can be stressful waiting. Congratulations.

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Old 10-19-2022, 09:50 PM
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Old 10-19-2022, 10:13 PM
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Congratulations.... You dealt with good folks there. I'm sure you have an excellent engine.

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Old 10-20-2022, 08:02 AM
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Really nice and uncommon to hear of experiences like this these days. Any pics?

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Old 10-20-2022, 09:15 AM
taktikian taktikian is offline
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Without this forum and the members within it I think I would be out of the classic car hobby. I will snap a few pictures over weekend of engine. Next week will pursue paint and body

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Old 10-20-2022, 11:18 AM
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Where in the world is this GTO doctor located?

Glad it all worked out in the end...

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Old 10-20-2022, 02:55 PM
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I am guessing FL.

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Old 10-21-2022, 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by vertigto View Post
I am guessing FL.
Thanks so much Paul for the kind words. Love your car! Original owner, RA IV, Orbit Orange, 70' GTO Judge. What's not to love?

Yes, I'm in Jacksonville. Harrison Racing and Restoration is my business. Been building nothing but Pontiacs for 40 years.

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62' Lemans, Nostalgia Super Stock, 541 CI, IA2 block, billet 4.5" crank, Ross, Wide port Edelbrocks, Gustram intake, 2 4150 style BLP carbs, 2.10 Turbo 400, 9" w/4:30 gears, 8.76 @153, 3100lbs
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Old 10-25-2022, 11:04 AM
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I am guessing FL.
Vertigo, I sent you a PM.

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Old 10-25-2022, 06:21 PM
694.1 694.1 is offline
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What did he find in there?

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Old 10-26-2022, 01:54 PM
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this people on the forum have been so great , I really enjoy my time on here, glad you are happy !

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  #13  
Old 11-02-2022, 08:38 PM
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Default What Found ???

Quote:
Originally Posted by 694.1 View Post
What did he find in there?

This would be good information.

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Old 11-02-2022, 09:31 PM
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A story I've heard & seen before but this time with a good ending!
Glad to have been a part in restoring faith in die hard Paul T. A true Pontiac Enthusiast !
Kudos to Gary H.!

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Last edited by shaker455; 11-02-2022 at 09:37 PM.
  #15  
Old 11-03-2022, 08:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 694.1 View Post
What did he find in there?
. Ditto; can you list the prior mistakes...?

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  #16  
Old 11-03-2022, 06:23 PM
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I spoke with the owner of the car, Paul, and he gave his Ok to give a summary of what I found. This engine had multiple problems, but these are the main ones I ran into. Paul initially brought me the car primarily because of a bad oil leak coming from the rear engine area. We suspected the rear main seal and so the engine was pulled from the car to diagnose. Once the pan was off, I pulled the main caps to lift the crank and was going to replace the rear seal. While already there, I pulled a couple of rod caps to inspect the rod bearings and found that they were worn badly down to the copper. This was a factory 455 crank, std./std. and the mains mic'd good but, the rods had WAY too much clearance, right at .004. I had the rods turned to .010, left the mains at std. and put a new one-piece BOP seal in. While apart, because cylinder walls looked glazed, we honed the blocked and then put new rings in. We think the glazing happened from a fuel issue where the dyno operator put a Holley carb on it and then jetted it WAY up to get the AF ratio he wanted washing down the cylinder walls. But the reason it was jetted up was that the intake gaskets were leaking, causing a vacuum leak, throwing the AF off. Another issue discovered was the RA IV heads showed a lot of oil on the valves. When we disassembled the heads, the seals were so loose on the valve guide bosses that some were falling off. Those were replaced, and the heads were touched up. Also, when checked, the valve spring pressure was too low and those were shimmed up to get where we needed to be. Lastly, when I checked the cam, it was advanced 6 degrees with the timing chain multiple gear sprocket to get it to 108 ICL. It was ground on a 112 and I thought the RollMaster timing chain was at issue. I put a Cloyes on it and checked and it showed the same. Some of the other specs on the cam didn't quite match up to the specs it says it was so the decision was made to go with a Bullet solid flat tappet cam and Crower cam saver lifters. Now, engine has the Shaker 455 Qjet back on it, cranks and idles great, runs very well, and doesn't leak a drop. I love this car! An original owner Judge, Paul's car is very rare, being a 70' Orbit Orange Judge with a Ram Air IV 4 speed. It was an honor to work a piece of Pontiac history and for such a class guy as Paul.

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62' Lemans, Nostalgia Super Stock, 541 CI, IA2 block, billet 4.5" crank, Ross, Wide port Edelbrocks, Gustram intake, 2 4150 style BLP carbs, 2.10 Turbo 400, 9" w/4:30 gears, 8.76 @153, 3100lbs
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Old 11-20-2022, 09:33 PM
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Thumbs up Gary H

IMPRESSIVE. Great work. Enthusiasts like you keep this hobby alive.

  #18  
Old 11-20-2022, 09:48 PM
mgarblik mgarblik is offline
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It's great to hear when an engine gets it's bugs fixed and then runs great like it should. The very first post really nailed the single problem. When the OP said he felt the first builder treated it as "just an old Pontiac". That's the kiss of death right there. Because as explained, the engine didn't have a single big problem. It had dozens of little problems that all add up to a lousy engine when put together. Sure, other than the oil leak it would make it in and out of a trailer and out to a local car show and home. But that's not how it should be built. It should be build to perform as good or better than it did in 1970. That's thankfully how it is now. Good job guys.

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