Restoring a Pontiac 455 Ram Air 4 - Reviving Classic Muscle Power
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2023
- Join us on an epic journey as a father and son duo take on the exhilarating task of restoring a legendary Pontiac 455 Ram Air 4 engine! Watch as they skillfully bring this classic muscle car powerhouse back to life, from disassembling the engine block to meticulously rebuilding it with attention to every detail. This project is a testament to the love of automobiles and the timeless bond between a father and son, as they combine their passion for automotive craftsmanship. Don't miss the heart-pounding sound of the Ram Air 4's roaring exhaust and the satisfaction of seeing this iconic engine roar to life once again. Subscribe now to witness the revival of pure American muscle and the embodiment of automotive heritage! 🚗💨🔧
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Anyone who builds a traditional Pontiac V8 is tops in my book.
want to let all of you know, I have known Don for over 30 years, Brandon was just a little kid, had a shop next to Dons old shop in mogadore, I love this guy, if you are into old pontiacs there is nobody that knows more about pontiac performance that Don, I have known him in the bad times and the good times, he is the real deal, great guy, the cylinder head expert
The RA/IV engine option included the recommended the 4.33 differential ratio for the heavily cammed beast,for the price of $1200.That was about 30% of the standard optioned GTO sticker.This is why they were so rare.It was not just a RA/III with round port heads.For the high lift cam,it was fitted with dual valve springs(brown outside and purple inside plus flat damper).I trashed two sets of rental valve spring compressors(same as we used on my fiend’s L79 big block)so I could do port matching and mild porting.Thus the reason for their oversized 11/32 ball-ended pushrods.In addition these were four bolt main blocks.Blueprinted back to stock,it was a full second faster than my friend’s ‘66 Chevelle SS that ran 12.6’s.Our Club’s Chevy guys had no idea that these engines existed,and I personally never saw another on the street.Had this in a ‘64 LeMans.To clear headers,had to have manual steering box and oil filter relocate kit.Been a Pontiac fan since 1964.
They are indeed rare. The RA4 was a serious sleeper and back then people didn't know what they didn't know. Its a shame GM corporate put so many restrictions on the Pontiac Motor Division. If John Delorean would have had his way, Pontiac's would have been the King's Jewel of GM.
@@dcimotorsports1111 What’s amazing is that I purchased the crated engine from Seltzer Pontiac in Chicago for $600+$30 tax to replace my tired 389 in my ‘64 GTO with 115,000 hard miles on it.Estimate on rebuild was $520.With the front member change in ‘67,this was not an easy drop -in,as I had thought though.Ain’t that the way it goes?
I’ll be watching every video on is build.
Can't wait to watch this all come together!
You are my most special subscriber 😍🙂
Can't wait to hear it, Don!!!
Thank you, I am really enjoying doing this with my son. I hope all my friends here enjoy our content so we can continue to make more videos.
Those Ram Air 4 heads are worth a pretty penny these days.
Yes they are !!! Thanks for following !!! Please subscribe and hit the notification bell for future videos. Come hang out with us on our Bench Racing Podcast every Wednesday night from 7PM to 8PM Eastern.
Damn! Is that really brandon! Haven't seen him since he was little!
Ha Ha , ya that's my son. Hard to believe he's a grown adult now. Still a pain my ass though LOL.
Great bench racing section. Totally admire your outlook on all your builds, and this one using leftover stuff, with current knowledge gained from over 50 yrs of competition. Have followed your videos, but just finally subscribed. That DN intake is still the bomb of all Pontiac intakes . Have you ever come across his tunnel ram, or had an engine to use one on? When I wuz in the AF in the 70s, stationed in Ark., went to Honest Charlies in TN, and he had a 64 Goat on the showroom floor. It was yellow, had a DN tunnel ram, backed with a Mr. G. V-gate. Super cool. Thanks for keeping the Indians alive.
Thank you for subscribing :) I actually owned a DN Tunnel Ram and it was the original magnesium not the later aluminum versions. It worked pretty good, but was limited by the plenum design. Some didn't know or realize it, but if you removed the plenum you could bolt two Holley Dominators directly on to the intake.
@@dcimotorsports1111 Yeah, I remember seeing it advertised like that in an early 70s Speedwin Automotive, (outta NY) catalog. Think I still have it on my bookshelf, along with many other memorabilias. And thanks a bunch for responding. Keep up the good work, you guys. 👍
Awesome info!! Big Pontiac fan & will someday pick up a Ram Air 5 engine from you guys.
Thank you for following :)
Same here brother 👍🏻
" Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Lol.
Hey Don,
I'm Tim in VA.....i'm a BIG Poncho dude, my first motor (i say it too) still runs today (built 1983)......i was schooled by Nunzi, as my brother and him had lunch weekly......NASTY combo ur puttin together, i APPLAUD you on usin the RAIV iron heads, as i use Kauffman's......their High Ports are just awesome (i'm usin their D- ports, 310 program)......but i dig the old-school approach.....my 462 does well, pump gas, in my '64 Tempest Post car, goes 11:07 @120, 1/4, 7:06 @99, 1/8......I WANT A 10:99 with as many 9's as needed......hahahha, it eludes me, but, i'd SURE love to see updates!!!
...MERRY CHRISTMAS to you sir, and THANK YOU for keepin TRUE Poncho Power alive!!
Hi Tim in VA :) That's awesome and it sounds like you have some really mentors. We all get addicted and want that just little bit more lol. Stay at it and you will get it. Especially if you hang out with us every Wednesday nights on our Bench Racing Podcast. Thanks for following !!! Please subscribe and hit the notification bell for our future videos. Make sure to come hang out with us on our Bench Racing Podcast every Wednesday nights from 7PM to 8PM Eastern.
@@dcimotorsports1111 i will, and gonna sub here in a min......I'm sub'd to Kauffman, T.I.P, for Poncho stuff, will GLADLY add u guys!!...TY sir!!......btw, that first 406 still runs today in a '69 Bird....i was blessed with GOOD teachers, as u said.....lemme get to sub'n!!!...PEACE!!
@@dcimotorsports1111 i'm officially sub'd!!!.....bring on the Poncho lovliness!!!!......btw, that Doug Nash manifold, is worth a fortune now.....i know it well, but have only seen a few, GOOD ON YA MATE!!
Thank You Sir 😁 This Wednesday we are not doing the Podcast because of the Holidays. We will be back next Wednesday. @@user-bc9sz1dj1g
TY sir, next Wed, i'll be there......PONCHO POWER!!!!
Actually, Edlebrock did have an aluminum rotary valve head for pontiac in the 80's. I was really close to buying a set. The valves were about the size of a small peach rotating with a bored out oval passage through the center to represent the opening of a valve. No springs what so ever. I cannot find any examples on the internet, but they did exist.
I think I know which heads you're referring to and I don't think Edelbrock made those. I think It was someone like Duntov or Aries who was playing with that idea.
@@dcimotorsports1111 I am not sure they made them, but I am pretty sure they sold them under the Edelbrock name. I remember the literature that I got with my Torker II intake manifold for my 455 had this information in some catalog. It is the only way I know about them.
Are you going to do the lifter valley bracing? Can you school us on your recommendation? Lifetime pontiac lover here. Thanks for keeping the brand alive ,love it !
Thank you for following and supporting my channel. I didnt run a lifter brace back when I was racing quite a bit. I do think though that I'm going to build one for this engine. The main reason why is because we are going to eventually put a set of my RA5 heads on this engine. If we do that I'm going to run a lot more lift with them.
Don I have the same Doug Nash
Manifold they don’t much material
To port out I think you have epoxy
The the intake also just saying great
Video
12 MINUTES AND PUTS THE BEER DONE ..
Just curious, Pontiac did make 455 4 bolt main blocks, wonder why you’re not using one of them?
Pontiac had some pretty sharp engineers and they had the for-site to use 1/2" bolts and dowel pins to locate and hold the main caps in place. Unlike other engines that used a step register to center the caps on the block. With a stepped register the main caps can walk around and move front to back causing bearing failure. So other brand X engines need 4 bolt mains to help prevent that. Even with the extra bolts on those other brands. The caps will still walk around. A doweled main cap cannot walk around like a registered cap because the dowels are press fit in the block and exact fit in the caps. Thanks for following !!!! Please subscribe and hit the notification bell for future videos.
Nobody wanted to spend that money for a RA 4 for supposedly 4extra hp.
I know crazy isnt it. 🤪@@bobroe7521
Most 455 Pontiac blocks had drilled and tapped outer bolt holes for 4 bolt main caps on the center three main bearings. All you had to do was get 4 bolt caps on center three and have block align-bored/honed. The unique 1973-1974 SD455 blocks was very unique and rare. It had provisions for dry sump oiling and I believe had a solid lifter valley, unlike regular pontiac blocks where the lifter valley is open. SD455 stuff is unobtainium and huge money today.
For a guy that says he knows so much he should know the difference between a motor and an engine. An engine is not a motor.
A true engine builder or machinist does not call an engine a motor.
Ha Ha I'm pretty sure I know the difference between an ICE ( Internal Combustion Engine) and a Motor. However here is a link to the correct definition www.dictionary.com/browse/motor. Keep in mind GM stands for General Motors and PMD stands for Pontiac Motor Division. The ICE has been referred to as a motor for decades and probably will for many more. Thanks for following !!! Please subscribe and hit the notification bell for future videos. You're welcome to come hang out with us on our Bench Racing Podcast every Wednesday night from 7PM to 8PM Easter.
Another Keyboard Kommando!
Do you have an enginecycyle?
I bet your an enginecrosser.😂
If you're old enuff, you may remember "MOTORS" repair manuals. They were great. (50s, and 60s) Had a drawing of the frt grills showing the cars covered in each chapter. I still use the term "motor" too, and find it aggravating being corrected, just like the new Pontiac police who jump all over people saying they have a "big block Pontiac" in their car. It's all old news now. I had-ta scroll down to the bottom of the comments, to find these "know-it-alls."
coors light is much better
😁
Motor? Is this a electric car?
HA HA I know its habit lol
Okay, "DR."
Give it a rest.
Ram air 4 engine was a 400
Yes it was from the factory, but this is an old build I ran back in the 80's and 90's that we are resurrecting. I ran the RA4 heads on a 455 back then that I had in an 81 Grand Prix I drove on the street. It ran 10.20's at 136 MPH back then. We are going to see if we can get some more out of it with what we have learned over the last 30 years. :)
455 RA IV ???
No such engine!!!
Oh But there is and we are building it 🙂 Thanks for commenting and following my channel. Please subscribe if you haven't already. Come hang out with us on our Bench Racing Podcast every Wednesday night from 7PM to 8PM Eastern.