Given that, it was no accident that the leader in intermediate muscle also put together the finest full-size performance machine -- the 1966 Pontiac 2+2. All Pontiac V8s from 1955 to 1959 were reverse cooled, known as the "gusher" cooling system. 10 with 308/320 degrees of duration and 0.445/0.447-inch lift (11.3/11.4mm) with 1.65:1-ratio rocker arms and solid lifters, special #529238 forged-steel connecting rods, forged aluminum 4.09-inch (104mm) bore Mickey Thompson pistons, #542990 forged-steel crankshaft with a 4-inch (101.6mm) stroke and 3+14-inch (82.6mm) diameter main journals. Offered on select models from 1957 through 1966, Pontiac's Tri-Power induction system added a new dimension of performance to the General Motors brandand a colorful new term to the hot rodder's vocabulary. Royal Pontiac's engine swap wasn't a new trick for Pontiac. Not where most enthusiasts go first. Since the story of this 421 is better told in pictures, follow along as we take you on this exciting journey! Jets, Primary: Center #64 adjust power valvespring for 12 Hg at 1,000 rpm The 1979 W72/WS6 equipped Trans Am was considered to be one of the overall best performing cars of the decade due to having a powerplant that produced more power than any other competitor on the market at the time with handling equipment to supplement the performance.[12]. Available only in the 1973 and 1974 Firebird Formula and Trans Am, the SD-455 consisted of a strengthened cylinder block that included 4-bolt main bearings and additional material in various locations for improved strength. However, it can easily be determined by examining the cost price of the option, where the package excluding the W72 engine cost $251, and with the engine, cost extra at $324.[10]. From 1977 to 1981 there were 4 distinct 301 versions: For 1981 model year vehicles, the engine codes are the 8th digit of the VIN. These motors were built mainly for NASCAR or other racing purposes and were equipped with all the extra racing goodies that people were looking for. This money bought a potent 389 V-8 with 267-283 bhp . 1969 - 400 Ram Air III Code 62. An HO version could be ordered in the GTO, as GM had lifted its restrictions on offering engines larger than 400cuin (6.6L) in mid-sized cars (resulting in the 454 (7.44) Chevrolet Chevelle, This resulted in a lightweight design weighing less than the Chevrolet small-block V-8. Thus, the quest to find 100 hp in a 421 started on the flow bench, before a wrench or machine tool touched any part of the 49-year-old engine. like the earlier 1971-1972 motor, but it was not the same motor, and featured standard d-port heads with a very conservative camshaft. Well, gaze upon these numbersa 421ci Pontiac with Tri-Power carburetion. This new material had stronger alloys in the iron. or choose Generic to see kits that might fit a . Year: CU IN: Casting # 1967: 326. However, the 1959 389 engines had the generator in front of the heads with reverse flow cooling still in use. [citation needed]. The heart of the build, a code 45B 1964 421 HO 370 HP manual trans 4-bolt main block, all Pontiac 421 engines without exception had 4-bolt main caps. Unfortunately, that's what happened with the 1963 Pontiac Super Duty 421. SB International 00958 1963-1966 Pontiac 389 421 Engine 1.920" Intake Valves (Fits: 1966 Pontiac GTO) $7.98. Lobe separation angle: 112-deg "1966 Pontiac 2+2" The SD-455 used round-port cylinder heads similar to those used on the 1971 and 1972 455 HO, with specific "LS-2" intake and cast-iron exhaust header manifolds. Retainers: Crower steel The 428 was increased to 456.12cuin (7,474cc) in 1970. Specifications listing with the performance factory . Rod bolts or studs/head bolts or studs: ARP cap screw supplied in Howard's rods / PMDOILING SYSTEM It produced 120hp (89kW) After 1981, the Pontiac V8 was replaced entirely by the GM "corporate" V8's from Chevrolet and Oldsmobile. [4] It was replaced by the 455 for the 1970 model year. 1966 Pontiac GTO. . According to the engineers who worked on the project, the SOHC 421 engines produced around 625hp and were capable of turning 7,000 rpm. In 1964 when the new "A" body intermediates came out there was a new corporate (GM) engine size limitation to anything less than 330cuin (5.4L). The engines feature a cast-iron block and head and two valves per cylinder. Seat pressure: 110 pounds at 1.600-in The four-barrel 400 was a popular performance option for many of Pontiac's cars. Head mods: Port, cook, magnaflux, glass bead, convert to screw-in studs The 1971 455 HO was available in the Firebird (optional in Formula; standard in Trans Am), the GTO (standard with "The Judge" package), and the 2-door LeMans, LeMans T-37 (including GT-37), and LeMans Sport. Pontiac engineers tested their 269cuin (4.4L) V8 in 1949 or 1950 against an OHV Oldsmobile Rocket V8 303cuin (5.0L) downsized to 270cuin (4.4L). Compression jumped from 11.0:1 to 12.0:1, while other tweaks increased maximum shift points by 500 rpm, to a screaming 6400 rpm. The most famous S/D of them all. Transistorized ignition was available. Coil: GM . Both of these engines were originally dealer-installed options, but since the NHRA moved to limit racing eligibility to factory-available options on cars available to the public, Pontiac made the SD 421 a factory option for 1962, and most of the approximately 164 SD 421 engines were installed in the Catalina, with another 16 being installed in . For 1967, Pontiac retired the 389cuin (6.4L) and replaced it with the 400cuin (6,554cc), a 389 bored-out by +0.06in (1.5mm) to a bore and stroke of 4.12in 3+34in (104.6mm 95.3mm). / 8.3 mpg (U.S.) / 3.6 km/l, more data: 1966 Pontiac Catalina 2 . Various Pontiac sources have emphatically stated that NO 310hp (231kW) versions of the SD-455 were installed in regular production cars. Every torque specification should be in this table, however if there is one missing, please Contact Me and I will get you the spec and add it to the table. 301 Turbo (210hp, 157kW), (with the 5th VIN character being a "T". The 400 remained in production through the 1978 model year, with 1979 cars receiving engines produced the previous year. Effectively, Pontiac's V8s were all small blocks, sharing the same connecting rod length 6.625 in (168.3mm) (except for the later short deck 301 and 265 produced in the late 1970s and early 1980s before Pontiac adopted universal GM engines). In 1968, a 320hp (239kW) HO option was offered in the Tempest and Firebird. With the 1964-1967 Pontiac Catalina 2+2, Pontiac achieved a combination of power, road-holding, and fine styling superior to any other big Pontiac, and most of the competition's models besides. The Ram Air IV replaced the Ram Air II in 1969. Ultimately Pontiac produced only 295 1973 SD-455 Firebirds (252 Trans Am, 43 Formula). Piston pins: Icon, SAE 1016 to 1022 The goal of making a Pontiac Hemi succeeded but the engine was never produced. As with all other Pontiac V8 motors that evolved from the 316 V8, the 421 was simply a bored out and stroked version of the popular Pontiac 389 V8. Dual Carter Carburetor 500cuft/min (14m3/min) #3433S (front) and #3435S (rear) carburetors with manual chokes and mechanical linkage. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. By 1963, the more powerful Pontiac 421 was beginning to outshine the 389 for performance applications. Engine Block Date Code. Brand: Crower PN 60311, solid Power ratings increased accordingly: Several dealer-installed camshafts were optional to increase power further to 317hp (236kW). In addition, a shallower spherical-wedge combustion chamber moved the tuliped valve heads .040" closer to the piston at TDC, improving mixture draw considerably during the intake stroke. View the Pontiac Engine Torque Specifications for engine repairs and rebuilds. Wires: NAPA Belden 7 mm Next time we will cover the induction system and the dyno testing to see if Jim meets his goal. In 1969, Pontiac unveiled its Trans Am model Firebird, and since racing rules required engines of less than 5L (305.1cuin), Pontiac unveiled the 303 for racing models only, never available to the public. Again, its bore was expanded, this time 0.03in (0.76mm) to 4.1525in (105.47mm). which was seen on the hood of the 1957 Daytona Grand National winning car driven by Cotton Owens. The Fresh Air package continued into the 1966 model year. Beginning in 1967 casting nnumbers moved to the rear of the block just behind cylinder #8 . The standard head seen on an L78 400 Pontiac was the low compression 6x8 head, while the 6x4 head seen on the W72 had hardened valve seats for a higher RPM operating range, improved air flow, and higher compression. Pontiac first offered three two-barrel carburetors in 1957 and the Tri-power set up was an option on the GTO from 1964-66. gasoline (petrol) engine with displacement: 6902 cm3 / 421.2 cui, advertised power: 252 kW / 338 hp / 343 PS . Though a change of camshaft would delay production, Pontiac decided to change camshaft, employing one with identical timing to the 744 camshaft, which had been used in the 400 Ram Air(aka Ram Air III) engine with manual transmissions. The fuel-injected engine became an option on any Pontiac model, carrying a staggering price tag of $500 (almost 15% of the car's base price). Carb: (3) Rochester two-barrels PMD SPECIFICATIONS. Even more powerful were the 421 Super Duty V8s that could produce up to 410 horsepower. A Pontiac SD 421 came with forged steel rods and crankshafts for extra durability. Email Email. For 1971, Pontiac introduced another High Output (HO) version with standard internal parts, a reinforced block with four-bolt main bearing caps, and improved cylinder head design with 18-inch taller (3.2mm) intake ports and special round exhaust ports for better breathing, yet still making just 335hp (250kW) gross (or 310hp (231kW) in the more accurate SAE Net system). Cam was a #541596 McKellar No. Ram Air induction was optional in the GTO, though power ratings were unchanged. The 389 V8 was first introduced by Pontiac in 1959. The 455 HO designation made its debut in 1970; Rated at 360 or 370hp (268 or 276kW) (depending on which vehicle it was installed into) & 500lbft (678Nm) of torque, it differed from the regular full sized car 455 by large valve heads with smaller combustion chambers, and a larger camshaft. Like the 326, it was offered in both 2-barrel and 4-barrel versions. Initial advance: 18-deg The head design was incorporated from the earlier 1970's 350 Pontiac heads, and could satisfy emissions in all states except for high-altitude emissions states and California. Save pontiac 421 complete engine to get e-mail alerts and updates on your eBay Feed. The first letter equals the month. The 421 Super Duty had been the first of these, and their large bore and stoke made them popular in NHRA and NASCAR competition throughout the '60s. It had 2-bolt main bearing caps in 1969, but went to a block similar to the Ram Air IV's in 1969 that was drilled for 4-bolt main bearing caps (but used a cast crank and cast rods). / 8.3 mpg (U.S.) / 3.5 km/l, more data: 1966 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible . 287. Price $15500.00. Engine Specifications. He wanted to confirm his parts are up to the task of holding the cylinder pressure that creates horsepower. The code consists of 3 or 4 digits. Pontiac first offered the 2+2 as a Catalina engine, suspension, and trim group in 1964. Muscle cars wouldn't have much muscle without horsepower -- but what exactly is horsepower? Standard only for the Pontiac Bonneville was Pontiac's first-ever fuel injection system. Tri Power engine however was optional. 1969 - 400 Ram Air III or 350HO Code 48. The company says engines running this cam benefit from headers, cylinder-head port work, a large-cfm carb, and an ignition upgrade. Two tri-power 421s were optional, one with 356 bhp, the other with 376. Pontiac listed the 290hp (216kW) rating at 4000 rpm for a motor that had a 5700rpm redline on the factory tachometer. It remained on the same platform, but for the 1966 models, it became a different Pontiac series. The 421 was first availabe in a SD (Super Duty) model that was built for racing. Required airflow at 28 in/H2O = HP/ # of cylinders/0.257 Simply called "Ram Air" by Pontiac[17] it was the first in a series of engines available from Pontiac as regular production line options and officially called Ram Air. Unusual for a major automaker, Pontiac did not have the customary "small-block" and "big-block" engine families common to other GM divisions, Ford, and Chrysler. The 1972 455 HO was rated at 300hp (224kW) @ 4,000rpm and 415lbft (563Nm) @ 3,200rpm. Pontiac V8 Engine Tune Up Specifications. They came up with a 269-cubic-inch (4.4L) L-head design. The 1966 Pontiac GTO was also the first car to replace the aluminum grille with plastic mesh-pattern inserts. Preparation: Cook, bead blast, magnaflux, bore, true decks, align bore Jim told HPP, "Since I was a young man in the '60s, I always thought how great it would be to find a true 100hp in a legendary 421 Tri-Power setup that retained its iron heads and intake. The GTO's new hood scoop design, with the inlets centrally located and mounted above the carburetor, provided the opportunity for experimentation. The L75 455 engine continued as an option into the 1976 model year for the Trans Am, however, Pontiac opted to drop the "H.O." What is important is the total timing, the . Around January 1966 Pontiac took the next step and began offering as a factory option the XS-code engine. Made with a provision for dry sump oiling, it truly was a racing engine, detuned for use in passenger cars. Engine displacement is a function of bore and stroke. From 1955 through 1959, the Pontiac V8 was also used in some GMC pick-up trucks. This 1966 Pontiac 2+2 Convertible is a beautifully restored big-block convertible that is ready for some boulevard cruising! In 1967 the 421 was enlarged to 426.61cuin (7.0L) by increasing its bore to 4.12in (104.6mm). For 1967 only Pontiac called this engine the Quadra-Power 428. It was rated at 376bhp in 1967 and 390bhp in 1968 and 1969. 1975 Factory Service Manual lists the SD-455, but the SD-455 did not meet emissions for the 1975 model year and was canceled. It tips the scales at 3,950lbs. For 1974 another 1,001 (943 Trans Am, 58 Formula) were built, after which the SD-455 was discontinued. On the invoicing for the 1979 model year Firebirds, they had the option listed as L78, however, every 1979 400 equipped car received a W72 engine. Despite their work, the division's conservative management saw no immediate need to replace the Pontiac Straight-8 until later in the 1950s. Three two-barrel carburetors, 10.75:1 compression, 290hp (216kW) @ 5000rpm, 375lbft (508Nm) @ 2800rpm. This was the beginning of factory supplied performance items such as 4 bolt main bearings and windage trays to reduce friction from crankcase oil. To determine horsepower from airflow, invert the equation: In the early '60s, the engine program at the Pontiac division of General Motors was a wide-open operation that bustled with innovation. Valve seals: U.S. Seal Officially named the Quadra-Power 400 for 1967 and renamed 400 HO for 1968, the 400 HO was first offered for 1967 as the third engine in the GTO line after the automatic-only 400 2-barrel and the standard 400 4-barrel (the 400 HO would not be offered in the Firebird until the 1968 model year). PONTIAC : 1965-75Tune-up Specifications : Year: Engine Car Model: Spark Plug Type (AC) - Gap: Point Gap: Dwell Angle: . Information and specs for the Pontiac 421 V8 engine. If you enjoy the videos and would like to Sponsor me on Patreon, my Creator link is https://www.patreon.com/MyCarStoryWithLouOn "My Car Story" we're in Huntl. The SD-455 motor was listed as an option in dealer brochures for the 1973 Grand Am and LeMans GTO(and planned for the Grand Prix as well) although none were produced for sale. On premium fuel, it was rated at 207 hp at 5200 rpm and . ", https://tran-zam.com/fhistory/1977Engines.aspx, "Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Site - WS6 and WS7", https://tran-zam.com/fhistory/1978Engines.aspx, https://tran-zam.com/fhistory/1975Engines.aspx, "Unsung Muscle: '75 455 HO Pontiac Trans Am", https://tran-zam.com/fhistory/1981Engines.aspx, "Directory Index: Pontiac/1967 Pontiac/1967_Pontiac_Performance_Brochure", "609ci Pontiac Ram Air V - Chief Stomp 'Em", Pontiac experimental V8 427 Hemi TOHC Tamrazs Parts (800) 442-4601, "McKellar's Masterpiece: The Pontiac Overhead Cam 421 V8", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pontiac_V8_engine&oldid=1136467635, Articles needing additional references from January 2010, All articles needing additional references, Articles that may contain original research from October 2016, All articles that may contain original research, Articles needing cleanup from September 2022, Articles with bare URLs for citations from September 2022, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from September 2022, All articles covered by WikiProject Wikify, Articles with multiple maintenance issues, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2008, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2018, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from April 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2016, Articles that may contain original research from September 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2018, Articles to be expanded from February 2020, Articles with empty sections from February 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 7.9:1, 8.0:1, 8.4:1, 8.5:1, 8.6:1, 8.9:1, 10.0:1, 10.25:1, 10.5:1, 10.75:1, 11.0:1, Two-barrel carburetor, 7.9:1 compression, 192hp (143kW) @ 4400rpm, 297lbft (403Nm) @ 2800rpm, Four-barrel carburetor, 8.9:1 compression, 216hp (161kW) @ 4800rpm, 315lbft (427Nm) @ 2800rpm, Two-barrel carburetor, 8.9:1 compression, 205hp (153kW) @ 4600rpm, 294lbft (399Nm) @ 2600rpm, Four-barrel carburetor, 8.9:1 compression, 227hp (169kW) @ 4800rpm, 312lbft (423Nm) @ 3000rpm. The rod weighs 751 grams versus the stock rod at 958 grams. For 1959 the V8's stroke was increased to 3+34in (95.3mm), raising displacement to 389cuin (6.4L). [9], The W72 engine was standard in all 1977 Pontiac Can Ams (bar the 1977 Can Ams sold in California/High Altitude states which received the L80 Oldsmobile 403) and was optional in all 1977-79 Pontiac Firebird Formula and Trans Am models. A set of Hooker Super Comp headers will be used on the dyno, and Jim is porting the stock heads to increase intake-port flow by 30 cfm. It was offered in the following forms: For 1957 the V8's stroke was increased to 3.5625in (90.49mm), for a displacement of 347cuin (5.7L). Detroit, however, was reluctant to relinquish its time-tested biggest-car/best-engine formula.