Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

General engine tech -- Drag Racing to Circle Track

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tjs44
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Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by tjs44 »

Guys,Joe helped me build a engine that pretty much everyone said would never work.It was a lowly 301 short deck 80-81 economy block.Its a really long read because we ran into so many diff areas that had not gone into.God bless Joe Sherman!Tom
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/for ... p?t=710524
pdq67
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by pdq67 »

What size did this end up at, CI and "B & S"....

pdq67
tjs44
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by tjs44 »

383,4.035 and 3.75 as I remember,might have to go back and read it to confirm.Tom
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by tjs44 »

383.77 Tom
Curtis Mc
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by Curtis Mc »

Nice work.

I read the whole thing and was feeling a little let down as you provided a lot of details along the way and then around page 17-18, after the first dyno which was respectable but outside of expectations, you made a clearance change. Then the next meaningful update was that you and Joe opened up bearing clearances and then wham-o, your expected power was there. My "disappointment" if you will, was what clearances and by how much?

Great stuff, just looking for a little more detail of what appears to be a pretty significant change.

Thanks!
tjs44
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by tjs44 »

Joe used Scat BBC rods in the build and he must have missed something in the side clearance of the rods.The engine started loosing HP on the dyno and we shut it off.When opened up there were a couple big ends of the rods going blue.The engine was eating itself up as the oil could not get out.Replaced the rods,cut the crank 10,put in new bearings with the proper side clearance on ALL rods and life was good.Joe was embarrassed he missed it.Human mistake.Really no magic,just proper clearance.Just glad we caught it before something REALLY bad happened.Tom
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by Curtis Mc »

Thanks, makes sense, in all regards.
tjs44
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by tjs44 »

Our own Jon Schmidt made to spacers for the build.Tom
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by ClassAct »

Can you tell us more about the cylinder heads and what work was done to them? Did you use a 30 degree seat on the intake valve?
tjs44
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by tjs44 »

Dave at SD performance did them,he did a 260 CFM CNC port job on them,no clue on the seat specs.He chose a 2.05 intake and left the 1.66 exhaust because of the small bore.They were originally on a low performance 455.#15s.I know they floes 260@600.Tom
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by gnicholson »

It may be in the link you posted but what made you guys decide to start with a 301 as light duty as they are?
tjs44
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by tjs44 »

Because EVERYONE said I could not do it.Was all my idea,Joe just did the build and did the dyno work.There were so many issues to overcome.I like challenge.Just started a old school RA V build with some new school additions.This stuff keeps me off the streets and getting in trouble.Tom
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by Kingofthejs »

Tom, sorry, I know this is old news to you. But I'd like to talk to you about that modified torker intake. Any chance of taking it and having a casting run done on it?
-Jake
tjs44
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by tjs44 »

Sorry,sold that engine years ago.Just got the RA V off the Westech dyno last week.Pontiac build short deck 303 intakes and heads so the build was a little more EZ the crank and head gasket were still a challenge.You can text or call me at 5622430570 if I can help.Tom
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Re: Big Joe pontiac 301 stroker build

Post by BlitzA64 »

Very cool! Back in 1983 I had a 78 Pontiac Grand Prix that started knocking. I pulled the 301 for a rebuild and didn't realize what a turd that 301 was. After looking at the situation I decided to get rid of the 301 heads and put 350 heads on it. Went to the junk yard and procured a set of heads, dug in the garage and found a set of 327 11:1 Chevy pistons and it was on. I made a half assed wooden jig to hold the pistons and used a router to lower the deck compression height of them to work and smoothed the domes with a cartridge roll. Had the heads tuned up and cut a bit, bolted it together and OH SH1T!!!!! The new manifold wouldn't fit. So after some milling welding and porting I got it together. Small cam, it ran pretty decent for a small cube engine in a heavy luxury car, Not quite as good as the 406 Chevy that went in it next. The 406 was a Camaro and 5.0 HO killer. This post just reminded me of the "old making use of what I had or what I could trade for", the good old days. Oh, by the way, the same piston jig/router set up allowed me to cut most of the dish out of the 400 pistons so I could use 5.7 rods in that engine. :)
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