1978 Pontiac Firebird Engine Work
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Engine Work done in 2008
First: my shop of choice
Second: Engine Block work
Third: Engine Head work
I am trusting these guys to do my engine work. If you know anything about me it says something about them e-mail: proformfed@yahoo.com phone: 585-288-1499 |
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Engine Block Work |
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Pistons found in the block were forged. They will be reused. | |
Rods were stock units. We wanted to use Eagle Forged “H” beam rods buth they are on national back order until the end of January. We settled for Forged “I” beam rods. They were ordered, did show up, called the vendor, they say they were never ordered. They have been ordered now for a second time. | |
Head work has been started, chambers will be modified as suggested in Jim Hand’s book, new valves, springs rockers (also solid roller cam). | |
It’s Crank will be micro polished. Balanced. | |
Yes, a Ram Air Three, four bolt main | |
The block has been deck, line bored and honed. | |
The block has ben line boared | |
Cylinders have been honed | |
Below are all excess parts, that is they are all being replaced with new better, stroger parts. | |
After much encouragement I ordered forged rods. It turns out that the rod bearings were too small for the forged rods. They would have been too small for the cast rods that were in the engine also. The bearings that were in the engine were Federal-Mogul and replacement bearings were also federal-Mogul. So what do we do? We shorten the rod end, bolt the rod caps back on and then bore and hone the new hole to the correct sizeClick here to see the Shorten Rods Project | |
The cam is installed | |
Forged pistons 30 over | |
Timing chain is installed | |
I have three intakes to choose from. Click here to see the Intake Project | |
Time to put the pieces together. Click here to see Engine Assembly | |
Time to start to see if it was all worth it. Click here to see Dyno | |
Engine Head Work |
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And it begins | |
New Valve Guides | |
Step one install the Guide Step two cut the Guide to length Step three Hone the guide Step four check your work |
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Valve Seats | |
Jim Hand’s book on “How to Build Max-Performance Pontiac V-8s, along with Matt Shaft of Pro-Formance suggested that flow was the big problem with Pontiac engines and to help that the combustion chamber has been modified to help the flow around the intake valve. | |
Because I have gone to a 1.6 roller rocker the heads had to be clearance for the push rods as the push rods have been moved further in. Click the picture or text for more detail. |
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Time to mount some springs | |