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? for expert engine builders regarding pontiac 301

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Old 06-09-2001, 02:16 AM
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? for expert engine builders regarding pontiac 301

I know it isnt a 3rd gen engine, but i still could use a little insight. This is regarding the little 301 that pontiac put out in the late 70's. I've been told that pontiac uses the same block for all its engines (thats why theres fighting over whether or not a 400 is a BB or SB), anyways, if they use the same size block for all their engines, how come you cant put a set of aftermarket heads on a 301 with maybe a 350 intake manifold? I know a pair of heads will bolt up, but there was never an aftermarket intake manifold made for the 301, so if pontiac used the same block for all its engines, how come you cant use a 400 intake manifold, or a Pontiac 350 intake manifold?

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Old 06-09-2001, 02:30 AM
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Different deck heights... which is the distance from the centerline of the crank to the top of the engine block. The 301 is shorter, so the manifold isnt as wide.
Old 06-09-2001, 03:23 AM
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Car: 88 Firebird WS6
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
The 301 isn't a motor, it's just a good boat anchor. Don't rebuild it, get a different motor.

Old 06-09-2001, 03:03 PM
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LoL, i never said i wanted to rebuilt it. I was just curious. I knew a long time ago that the 301 was just a good boat anchor

------------------
1988 Pontiac GTA 5.0 TPI *deceased*
*FOR SALE* MAKE ME AN OFFER
Mods: K&N Filter, Hypertech Air Foil, Hypertech Perf. Chip, 2.5in Flowmaster Muffler, Catco Hi-flow Cat
Maryland Int. Speedway Bracket Racing Trophy Winner
Best ET-15.32@88mph 2.077 60-ft.

*New for graduation*
2001 Camaro SS/6-speed

1979 Pontiac Firebird
301/2-bbl automatic
Dog slow, flowmaster true duals
Best ET-break out the hour glass
Old 06-09-2001, 11:58 PM
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Hey, for the day the 301 turbo wasn't that bad of an engine. Just look at what turbo buicks were running back then and what they became w/ another decade of development. The 3rdgen engine bay was designed to accomodate a 301 turbo...I think a sfi turbo pontiac would have been a killer engine.



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87 IROC-Z, 5.7,auto, 3.27, leather, !cat, Holley fpr, K&N'S, SLP 1-3/4" Jet-Hot coated headers, Accel .219 cam, Comp 1.5 roller tip rockers, $uperPITAram, Edelbrock lower intake, Holley 52mm tb, Dynomax\Flowmaster catback. Coming Soon- DFI or prom burner, Dart Iron Eagle 200cc heads, 6" rod 383 or a 406

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Old 06-10-2001, 12:01 AM
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i believe ive read somewhere that pontiac does not differentiate between SB and BB
dont believe there's any classification
Old 06-11-2001, 07:19 AM
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Car: 88 Firebird WS6
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by irocz:
Hey, for the day the 301 turbo wasn't that bad of an engine. Just look at what turbo buicks were running back then and what they became w/ another decade of development. The 3rdgen engine bay was designed to accomodate a 301 turbo...I think a sfi turbo pontiac would have been a killer engine.
</font>
Yikes, a defender of turbos and carbs put together in the early eighties. Almost as bad as the Oldmobile Diesel 350's or the Cadillac 8-6-4 variable cylinder motors. Not picking on GM, but thats some serious junk.
Old 06-11-2001, 08:35 AM
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Have a friend who had a 79 T/A w/ the 301. I outran it w/ my 2.8. Thats all it took to put it on my "Junk Engine" list.

Clayton
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