Little Big Chief - Part II: Assembling The Long-Block - Pontiac Tech

Installing the Durabond cam bearings was the first step in the assembly procedure after the two-bolt main 0.030-over 350 block was washed one last time.

New, high-quality Pioneer brass freeze plugs and steel oil gallery plugs were installed. These parts don't seem important because they don't make horsepower, but a leak can very easily require the engine to be pulled out of the car and possibly disassembled.

The stock Pontiac rods, attached to the Sterling cast +0.030 pistons were each placed in a rod vise so the caps could be unbolted safely. For this combination, cast pistons are strong enough and offer advantages. The cast piston is less expensive than the forged, uses a tighter wall clearance so the engine is quieter, and the engine uses less oil. The cast piston is also closer to the weight of the original so there is less cost in balancing. Finally, the cast piston is press-fit to the rod. A forged piston requires the stock rods to be bushed for floating pins, which also adds cost.