1978 Pontiac Firebird Engine Work

 Click picture to see larger image

Engine Work done in 2008

First:  my shop of choice
Second:  Engine Block work
Third: Engine Head work

Pro-Formance_Link_small 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
 

Engine Block Work

PC180001_small Pistons found in the block were forged. They will be reused.
PC180002_small 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.
PC180003_small Head work has been started, chambers will be modified as suggested in Jim Hand’s book, new valves, springs rockers (also solid roller cam).
PC180004_small  It’s Crank will be micro polished. Balanced.
PC180005_small    
PC180009_small  PC180013_small
PC180014_small Yes, a Ram Air Three, four bolt main
PC180016_small  The block has been deck, line bored and honed.
PC190010_small  PC190009_small
The block has ben line boared
 PC220008_small  PC220009_small
PC220010_small Cylinders have been honed
Below are all excess parts, that is they are all being replaced with new better, stroger parts.
P1130002_small  P1130003_small
Rod_shortening_001_small 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
Cam_012_small The cam is installed
 Forged_Pistons_0009_small Forged pistons 30 over
Timing_Chain_011_small Timing chain is installed
Intake_012_small I have three intakes to choose from. Click here to see the Intake Project
Assemble_058_small Time to put the pieces together. Click here to see Engine Assembly
Dyno_027_small Time to start to see if it was all worth it. Click here to see Dyno
 

 Engine Head Work

PC180003_small  And it begins
New Valve Guides
PC190001_small  PC190002_small
PC190006_small
 PC190007_small
 PC190003_small  PC190004_small
PC190005_small
Step one install the Guide
Step two cut the Guide to length

Step three Hone the guide
Step four check your work
Valve Seats
PC190011_small   PC190012_small
PC190013_small   PC190014_small
PC190015_small   PC190017_small
PC220003_small  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.
PC220004_small
 PC220006_small
Push_Rod_Clearance_038_small 
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.
Valves_012_small  Time to mount some springs
Valves_034_small  Valves_037_small