Pontiac Firebird SD-455 Engine - New-Age Super Duty

When Bob does a cylinder head, it is constantly on and off the shop's state-of-the-art SuperFlow computerized flow bench. By combining established Pontiac engineering with modern machine-tool procedures, you know our 455 is going to be a real runner!

RaceKrafters uses a precision hone to correct main bearing tunnel misalignment. This is called align honing. A drive-and-feed mechanism operates a mandrel with separate stones. There is a pair of guide shoes for each stone, which provide a long, rigid alignment average. After align honing, the crankshaft will run true in the engine block.

New connecting rods were going to be used, so other than an inspection and measuring for quality check, they were ready to be weighed for the balancing procedure. To do a proper balance, the rotating and reciprocating weights need to be separated. A rod-holding fixture allows for each end of the connecting rod to be weighed separately. Here, the small or piston side of the rod is being weighed.

Once the mass of all of the components are recorded, the bob weights are made up and attached to the crankshaft to simulate the piston and connecting rod along with the bearing and rings. This is the proper method to balance a Pontiac engine.

Craig uses a highly accurate Hines balancer to determine what crankshaft modifications are required to bring it into harmony. Many HPP readers think that if the pistons and rods are weight-matched, the engine is balanced. All that means is the pistons and rods weigh the same. That would be like balancing a tire independently of the rim.

Have It Your Way
Finding a good machine shop has always been an issue, but locating one that will work with the enthusiast on the level they want can be very difficult. RaceKrafters Automotive Machine is willing to do just that. Bob and Craig Wise recognize that many Pontiac people want to do their own assembly work but don't have the means to perform machining. No problem. RaceKrafters will provide any level of Pontiac service you desire, from a complete rebuild to a race engine or something in between. Cylinder-head work, carburetor rebuilding, engine or chassis dyno-tuning, or anything else under the hood can be purchased separately. Many Pontiac customers have also come to see the benefit in having RaceKrafters design their engine package and source the necessary parts from them. To make it simple, the company is geared to properly pack, ship, and receive anything from a carburetor to a complete Pontiac engine. As a matter of fact, when HPP was there, a Pontiac carburetor came in from Norway!