Not where most enthusiasts go first. As a result, peak horsepower dropped from 310 to 290, though torque increased from 390 to 395lb. Retainers: Crower steel 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. Buckets and a console were added to the top-line Catalina interior, which could be optioned with a sport steering wheel and instrumentation that included a tachometer and oil-pressure gauge. The initial press cars that were given to the various enthusiast magazines (e.g. Pontiac successfully competed against more-expensive inline four-cylinder models with their inline flathead six-cylinder engines. Rod bolts or studs/head bolts or studs: ARP cap screw supplied in Howard's rods / PMDOILING SYSTEM Also, a rumored 75 cars were built with non-Super Duty 421 engines rated at 320 bhp. Centerline: 110-deg The very modest cam, combined with a low-compression ratio of 8.4 (advertised) and 7.9:1 actual resulted in 290hp (216kW) SAE NET. gasoline (petrol) engine with displacement: 6902 cm3 / 421.2 cui, advertised power: 252 kW / 338 hp / 343 PS . in. 1962 Pontiac Catalina, Royal Bobcat Super Duty 421. Specs datasheet with technical data and performance data plus an analysis of the direct market competition of Pontiac Catalina Vista 421HO Trophy V-8 Tri-Power 4-speed in 1964 the model with 4-door hardtop sedan body and V-8 6902 cm3 / 421.2 cui, 276 kW / 375 PS / 370 hp (max) offered since October 1963 for North America U.S. special version. The new-for-1965 "Venturi" body shape and curved side glass were carried over with updates front and rear. Only one is known to survive today. The Block Date Code represents the production date of the engine. Rings: LPC (Liberty Performance Components) premium moly, standard tension The 421 was first availabe in a SD (Super Duty) model that was built for racing. It tips the scales at 3,950lbs. . Mods: Flow-test indicated '66 center carburetor would be required to improve total cfm, adapter made to fit '66 center carburetorIGNITION Using an equation the author has provided in HPP many timesmost recently with The Mule engine seriesit was revealed that around 228.6-cfm flow though the intake port of the cylinder head is required to produce the desired 470 hp. Pontiac V8 Engine Codes and Specifications. The 1981 rendition of this engine was officially called the 301-EC [EC standing for Electronic Controls] in the 1981 GM factory service manual, removing the need for a W72 option separately as it was now the standard motor, similar to how all W72 engines in 1979 were coded L78.[16]. Lift: 0.515/0.525 with 1.6:1 rockers Like previous generations of Ram Airs, it used Pontiac's special cast-iron "headers". All GTOs built from 1964-66 were powered by a 389-cubic-inch V-8 with 10.75:1 compression. All L78 Pontiac 400 equipped cars received the same shaker decal as the L80 Oldsmobile 403, being "6.6 LITRE". The 421 SD became factory installed in 1962 and in 1963 a street version became available from the factory with a dual four-barrel or three two-barrel Tri-Power carburetion. An innovative design feature was mounting the rocker arms on ball pivots on studs set into the cylinder head, rather than using a separate rocker shaft. The 1968 Ram Air II remained at 400 cu. Most Pontiac engines like total timing (rev engine past 3000 or so until the mechanical advance stops moving/advancing, vacuum advance disconnected to check total timing) somewhere between 32 and 36 degrees. Only 157 Ram Air IV Firebirds, including 55 Trans Ams, were built for 1969. By 1949 work on a 287cuin (4.7L) OHV V8 had begun, but moved along slowly. Preparation: Weigh, soap-and-water wash Both Chevy and Ford had 427 cu in performance engines, so Pontiac simply referred to its 427 as a 428 to one-up them. Still, it was the strongest American engine offered that year. However, the 1959 389 engines had the generator in front of the heads with reverse flow cooling still in use. Two tri-power 421s were optional, one with 356 bhp, the other with 376. For 1974 another 1,001 (943 Trans Am, 58 Formula) were built, after which the SD-455 was discontinued. Styling for Status. Cougar pulled out of Mustang's shadow with the striped and spoilered 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator. Well, gaze upon these numbersa 421ci Pontiac with Tri-Power carburetion. But the "Ram Air" 400 also mandated steep 4.33:1 gears(or 3.90:1 in Firebird), making the Quadra-Power 400 (400 HO) the top practical street engine option for most drivers. Engine Specifications. . Pushrods: LPC chrome moly That's the factory rating of the legendary 421 H.O. The first letter equals the month. Unique exterior features included "2+2" badges, twin lens taillamps, and chrome bodyside gills; Pontiac's famous eight-lug aluminum wheels were the ultimate optional touch. Shipping to: 98837. The 1955-up Pontiac V8 that finally reached the public was an overhead valve engine with cast iron cylinder heads and block and wedge-shaped combustion chambers. Paul Stenquist. A big chunk of the appeal of the 1965 and '66 2+2 was the fact that you got a standard 421 under the hood: The 338hp, four-barrel 421-cu.in. Hewing to GM's standing edict limiting engine size to 400 cu in for its midsize and smaller cars, the 360hp (268kW) (underrated),[citation needed] the 400 cubic inch Ram Air V-8 was the most powerful and advanced option available in the 1967 GTO and Firebird. The rod weighs 751 grams versus the stock rod at 958 grams. Open pressure: 282 pounds at 1.100-in The 389 V8 was first introduced by Pontiac in 1959. Muscle cars wouldn't have much muscle without horsepower -- but what exactly is horsepower? Seat pressure: 110 pounds at 1.600-in The 4-barrel version was available from 1978 to 1981 and the Turbo version was limited to the 1980 and 1981 model year, however, it was originally intended to be available for the 3rd generation Firebird before its cancellation by GM. The code consists of 3 or 4 digits. The engine compartment of this concours Catalina is beautifully finished. For a few more ponies through better oil control, a factory full-length windage tray will be added, since Pontiac didn't use one on this engine originally. [4] It was replaced by the 455 for the 1970 model year. SPECIFICATIONS. In 1961 and 1962 they were available with either one 4 barrel carburetor or a dual 4 barrel carburetor setup depending on whether the buyer wanted to head to the racetrack or drag strip. Standard ratio with the 400 was 3.55:1(except 3.36:1 in Firebird for 1969) regardless of transmission(3.23:1 for cars with air conditioning). One version of the engine featured camshafts driven off the front of the engine, another design had the cams driven by gears off the back of the engine. Timing chain: LPC, double rollerINDUCTION On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. . A larger 4in (101.6mm) ram air flex duct to the air cleaner from the left-hand fender, specific carburettor calibration for the Rochester Quadrajet, a "T/A 4.9" callout on the shaker, 60 psi oil pump, and cam similar in grind to the 220hp (164kW) 400 from the 19781979 model year were also included. Furthermore, this car had an automatic, air conditioning, a 3.08 axle and weighed 4,010 pounds (1,819kg). intake duration and later 1964 L with 288deg intake essentially the same as the 068 cam. Plans were made to produce Firebirds and GTOs with advertised ratings of 355hp (265kW) and 375hp (280kW) respectively but concerns about emissions, the response of the automobile safety lobby, and the warranty implications of a high-revving street engine led to cancellation of the program.[why? For 1959 the V8's stroke was increased to 3+34in (95.3mm), raising displacement to 389cuin (6.4L). The 301 had a bore and stroke of 4in 3in (101.6mm 76.2mm). The W72 also featured a camshaft with a higher duration, finer tuned 800cfm Rochester Quadrajet, insulated fuel line, larger 60PSI oil pump, chrome valve covers, a larger harmonic balancer, and the "T/A 6.6" Shaker decal. In 1961 Pontiac continued to push the horsepower upwards with the release of the 421 engine. Casting number: 97770716, '64 date 1965 Pontiac LeMans GTO Mecum. See Consumer Guide Automotive's New-Car Reviews, Prices, and Information. Lifters: Crower solid with EDM oil hole (0.024 inch) It included a new camshaft with duration increased from 288/302 (No. 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. This was the only Poncho with standard 421-cid power. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Both Randy and Stan were aware of the . For 1965, however, the 2+2 became a bonafide muscle car. This included the ESC (Electronic Spark Control) distributor and controller borrowed from the 301 Turbo, which allowed for higher timing without the penalty of engine damaging pinging or preignition. [20] Pontiac asked Mopar (Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth) for help in designing it and making it work. The W72 offered many improvements over the standard L78 400 Pontiac. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. PONTIAC : 1965-75Tune-up Specifications : Year: Engine Car Model: Spark Plug Type (AC) - Gap: Point Gap: Dwell Angle: . The 1971 455 HO was rated at 335hp (250kW) @ 4,800rpm and 480lbft (651Nm) of torque @ 3,200rpm (gross). Headers: Hooker Super Comp (for dyno test) As Stock drag racing heated up at the dawn of the Sixties, the factories were serving up a constant stream of engines, transmissions and lightweight body par. Specifications listing with the performance factory . This chart covers Pontiac V8 Engines; 265, 301, 326, 350, 389, 400, 421 . Pontiac differed from other GM Divisions and most other manufacturers in producing only a single small block V8, rather than adding a larger big block to its line-up. It was renamed 428 HO for 1968. A total of 1,808 Ram Air IV production cars were built over its 2-year production. Block description: '64 421ci #157 Forged steel 6.625in (168.3mm) rods (Ram Air V style), Large-valve heads (valve diameter): 2.4in (61mm) intake, 2in (51mm) exhaust, Small-valve high-RPM head (valve diameter) 2.19in (56mm) intake, 2in (51mm) exhaust. It was the same engine as the '67-'68 400 HO[18] but for 1969 and 1970 it included a driver-selectable outside air induction system on the GTO(it was a separate option on Firebird), with the hood vents opened and closed using a knob located under the dash, below and to the right of the steering wheel, its bracket labeled "RAM AIR". The results showed Pontiac that an L-head simply couldn't compete with an overhead valve engine. Offered from 1967 to 1969, it produced 360 and 376hp (268 and 280kW) in 1967, 375 and 390hp (280 and 291kW) in 1968 and 360,370 and 390hp (268,276 and 291kW) in 1969. A new engine was fast-tracked, its relatively late start allowing it to take advantage of developments proven in the Oldsmobile V8 and Cadillac V8. Metallurgy of the critical parts is an area often overlooked, but not by Jim Taylor. Along with proper parts selection, accurate machining and assembly are also important. 540306 featured 1.92/1.66-inch (49/42mm) valves and was carried over from the previous model year, production stopped in March 1962 and then casting No. So large are the intake ports that the pushrods run through the center of each port via pressed-in tubes, in addition to streamlined airfoils over the tubes themselves to improve port shape, and increase flow velocity. Cam choice is always extremely important, and Jim decided to go with an aggressive Crower mechanical flat-tappet stick with 247/252-degrees duration at 0.050 and 0.515/0.525 lift (0.495/0.505 with 0.020 lash) with 1.6:1 rockers. Oil pump: . The main upgrade for the engine was the ESC, (Electronic Spark Control)[15] which provided slightly more power at 170hp (127kW) with 4.9L (299cuin) for the 19801981 model years. 1966 Pontiac 2+2 $64,995. The 338-bhp four-barrel was the base engine. For 1970 the Trans Am was the only Firebird available with the Ram Air IV, and 88 were produced during the abbreviated 1970 F-body production run. The 421SD was available in 1961 as a dealer option or over the counter then in 62 and 63 from the factory, and was fitted with a list of internal modifications designed solely to withstand the abuse of drag racing. All Pontiac Catalina 2-Door Sedan versions offered for the year 1966 with complete specs, performance and technical data in the catalogue of cars . It was called the Ram Air IV due to the planned use of four air inlets. ][citation needed] T, While the exact total number of Ram Air V engines produced is not positively known, only about 25 303cuin (5.0L) engines were produced and about a dozen 428s and 366s. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. For 1956 the V8 was bored out to 3.9375in (100.01mm), increasing displacement to 316.6cuin (5.2L). In 1967, Pontiac moved on to a technologically simpler nodular cast iron (invented in late 1940s) crankshaft, which they used until 1975. 1962 - 389 SD Code 544127. View the Pontiac Engine Torque Specifications for engine repairs and rebuilds. Cam was a #541596 McKellar No. The piston weighs 630 grams with the pin versus the stock piston and pin weight of 790 grams. Pontiac planned to produce the 1953 models with the V8, but Buick and Oldsmobile appealed to GM management and earned a 2-year delay. Price $14000.00. Balancer: Original PMD rebuilt by Damper Doctor By 1965 and 1966 the same combinations would be rated at 338hp (252kW) for the 4bbl and the two Tri-Power versions would be rated at 356hp (265kW) and the H-O version at 376hp (280kW). These guys lived by mathematics since every function of an engine that converts chemical to mechanical energy can be assigned a number. Pontiac's V8s share the same 6.625in (168.3mm) connecting rod length, with the exceptions of the later short deck 301, 265, and 303 Ram Air V. Most Pontiac V8s had an overall length (to the edge of the water pump pulley) of 28.25in (718mm), an overall width of 27in (690mm), and a height (not including air cleaner) of 31in (790mm). . While the 400 offered excellent power in the GTO (360 horses and 445 lb-ft of torque in 1968), Pontiac turned to what it called 'big journal' engines for the muscle machine's next upgrade. While production of 196970 A-body Ram Air IV cars was low at just 1563 units(759 1969 GTOs including 302 Judges, and 804 1970 GTOs including 397 Judges) 1969 and 1970 model year F-body Ram Air IV cars were even rarer at just 245 total units produced. It was rated at 310hp (231kW) @ 4800rpm and 400lbft (542Nm) @ 3,000rpm on 10.5:1 compression. The 1958 370" engine and the 195960 389 version was named the "Tempest" V-8 and changed in 61 to the "Trophy" V8. SELLER Glendale, Arizona 85305. Surprisingly, Mopar actually agreed and sent over several of the engineers that designed both the 392 and 426 Hemi. Whether all were installed in GTOs is unknown. #9770716 aka "716" heads featured a 170cc intake port volume, and were considered a milder "street" version of the vaunted SD421 Super Duty heads. 1969 - 400 Ram Air III Code 62. - P.B. Pontiac had prepared for the forthcoming cancellation of the venerable 400 by producing large volumes of the stronger cast "XX" 400 blocks in 1977 that were assembled in 1978, and stockpiled at a warehouse by the assembly plant for later use. 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]. None of Pontiac's Ram Air engines actually enjoyed any true ram air effect. . Laconic would be one way to describe this Pontiac's eBay listing, all it states is, "1966 Pontiac Ventura, 421 Tri-Power, 4 speed Runs/ Drives Great, Very Clean - Garage Kept".OK then, now you know what I know. Beginning in 1967 casting numbers moved to the rear of the block just behind cylinder #8. 1968 - 400 Ram Air II Round Port Code 96. Pontiac first offered three two-barrel carburetors in 1957 and the Tri-power set up was an option on the GTO from 1964-66. 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. Super Duty 421s were back, tougher than ever. aluminum V8 it had offered in the Tempest and replaced it with a small-bore version of the standard 389cuin (6.4L) Pontiac V8. 3.75. This engine was first offered in 1967 as the top engine option in full-size Pontiacs. Regarding Crower's upgrade suggestions for its . 421 CID V8 - 4BBL - Automatic - P.S. Original plans called for a forged crankshaft, although actual production SD455s received nodular-iron crankshafts with minor enhancements. Bearings: Sealed-Power mains and rods, cam Dura-Bond Even more powerful were the 421 Super Duty V8s that could produce up to 410 horsepower. This same camshaft was also used in Pontiac's 19691970 RA IV production cars. The 1979 Firebird model line was the last year for the Pontiac 400, and by this point not only was it required with the 4-speed manual transmission, it also required the WS6 Special Handling Package as mandatory equipment. 1966 Engine Codes ; Code: Application: Displacement: Compression: Horsepower: Transmission: Heads: Camshaft: Carb: WA : 389: 8.6:1: 256: Manual: 91: 254: 2 bbl: WB . A mere five were built, all with a four-speed transmission. Also added was the #48 casting number heads with a 68cc (4.15cuin) chamber for higher compression, along with larger 2.11 and 1.77in (54 and 45mm) valves. Both used a single two-barrel carburetor. 1969 - 400 Ram Air III or 350HO Code 48. The tri-power equipped XS-code 389 was shipped with the Ram Air pan in the trunk, and the dealer had to fit it and cut out the underside of the hood scoop to make it functional. In 1969, Pontiac also used a revised crankshaft out of a Pearlitic malleable-iron, although it still used the "N" casting letter. HOT ROD and CAR AND DRIVER) were fitted with the Ram Air IV-spec camshaft and functional hood scoops - a fact that has been confirmed by several Pontiac sources. Simply put, what good is the power if the engine does not last? From 1969 though 1970, the Ram Air IV was available in both A-Body (GTO, including Judge) and F-body (Firebird, including Trans Am) form. The 421 badging was standard on the 2+2, the 421 H.O. The 303 had shorter connecting rods, smaller 2.5in (64mm) journals and a solid lifter version of the Ram Air IV camshaft. From a performance perspective, the 2+2 is pretty impressive. Released in 1961, the 421 was a bored and stroked 389 which sported a bore of 4.094 and a stroke of 4.00. It could only be ordered with a TH200 automatic transmission and a 2bbl configuration. The 421 also marked the end of the option for a forged-steel crankshaft. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Pre-Owned. Besides a variety of displacements, the Pontiac V-8 block saw a number of other changes over the years, including starter locations, main-journal diameters, engine-mounting points, and . The Pontiac 389 engine was produced from 1959 to 1966, and has a 4.06" bore and 3.75" stroke. The premier SD 421 cylinder head was the late 1962-early 1963 casting #9771980 aka "980", featuring a larger 11.3cuin (185cc) intake port volume, flowing 230cuft/min (6.5m3/min) @ 28in (710mm). Pontiac ignited the classic muscle car era with a stroke of marketing genius. Instead, they were substituted with the L80 Oldsmobile 403, or the L37 Pontiac 301 if they still requested a 4-speed transmission. Pontiac went to open-chambered heads in some 1967 models and all 68 and up to improve power, engine breathing and reduce emissions. The 421 SD Tri . Unfortunately, there were no improvements in the casting number "01" small-valve high-velocity heads, which would have yielded greater improvements in power. of torque at 3,600 RPM in the Firebird, with only a small throttle restrictor tab on the Firebird being different. Pontiac engine production records report that 190 XS-code 389 engines were built during the 1966 model year. Pontiac first offered the 2+2 as a Catalina engine, suspension, and trim group in 1964. In 1968, there was also a 350 "HO" which had increased power with the addition of higher compression #18 heads (#17 and #46 were the most common 2-barrel heads), a four-barrel carburettor and matching intake that was also used on the 400 and 428 engines. ENGINE. The concept car Pontiac Strato-Streak was used to introduce the V8 and in later years the engine was installed in Pontiac products. Located at the back of the engine near the Distributor. In 1968 the 326 was replaced by the similarly 389-derived 350, which used a 3+78in (98.4mm) bore and 3+34in (95.3mm) stroke for a total displacement of 353.8cuin (5,798cc). Engine Oil: 120 ft-lbs. 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. Starting at the bottom, Jim will employ lighter and stronger parts in the reciprocating assembly, as evidenced by the choice of Howards billet rods and forged Icon pistons. Vacuum advance: Not usedEXHAUST This camshaft sported a 308-/320-degree duration with 0.47-inch (12mm) lift. Pontiac . At the end of 1976, Pontiac was no longer able to continue production of the 455 (7.5 L) V8 motor due to the tightening emissions requirements. release the 421 V8 officially to the general public and the motor would continue to be available until the end of the 1966 model year. 63 421 SD: 64: D-Port: 2.02/1.76: 77: 65 GTO, 65 421 HO: 65: D-Port: INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLT PATTERN IS THE SAME FOR ALL 65-79 HEADS. . The 421 engine is available only with related heavy-duty driveline components. The 1966 Pontiac Ventura doesn't necessarily come up when speaking of 60's muscle cars, but the type of V-8's offered with the Ventura meant plenty of power. 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. The inlets were all well within the boundary layer that exists close to the surface, so all of these systems would more accurately be described as "outside air induction" systems, benefiting from the intake of cooler, and thus denser, outside air versus the comparatively hotter and less dense air under the car's hood. Displacement (CID) Bore (Inches) Stroke (Inches) Mains (Inches) 1955. - P.Top - Correct Exterior/Interior. Primary tube length: approximately 31.00 inches A concave rear window, fender skirts, and ribbed die-cast lower body trim, augmented the Grand Prix's upscale appearance. Forged rods and forged-aluminum pistons were specified, as were unique high-flow cylinder-heads. Diameter: 516-in After the 1974 SD455 was dropped the 1975 Firebird's top performance engine was an 'L78' Pontiac 400cuin (6.6L). The XS-code 389 was still rated at 360bhp at 5,200 rpm, same as the more common WS-coded Tri-Power 389, but performance was noticeably improved on acceleration runs. The engines feature a cast-iron block and head and two valves per cylinder. In 1963 Pontiac dropped the Buick division built 215 cu. 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. More 400cuin (6.6L) engines were produced by Pontiac than the other versions - estimates range from 80 to 200 units. 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.