In the process of owning, restoring, and driving your Pontiac, problems will crop up from time to time. Be they routed in age, outdated technology, or poor initial design, you still want to fix them with a better part to avoid future hassles. Other problems are project related, having little to do with the design and engineering of your Pontiac. Rather, they come from the desire to do things better and/or easier.
High Performance Pontiac sought out 10 common problems areas that persistently pop up on vintage and late-model Pontiacs—and provides 10 problem solvers that come to the rescue. Among them, you’ll find aftermarket offerings to make working on your Pontiac project easier, restore its original look, make it perform as intended or better, and/or provide you with a safer driving experience.
Problem
It’s very difficult to move a non-running Pontiac around your garage to gain access to work on it. Even if it’s running, it’s still tough to position it exactly where you want it when clearance is at a premium, as it is in most garages. It’s also difficult to tuck that same Pontiac close to a wall to free up more garage space when you aren’t wrenching on it.
Solution
These US General mechanical wheel dollies (PN 67287) solve both problems. The foot-pedal activated ratchet system means that you don’t have to jack up the car and lower it down on the dollies, as is the case with low-cost designs. They have a 1,250-pound-capacity each and will work with tires up to 10-inches wide, which should cover all stock and most modified Pontiacs. We’ve been using these dollies for about 10 months, moving the T/A around just about every other weekend. They have performed great, are durable, and even roll over the floor cracks without any problems. The T/A requires so little effort to move that a 10-year-old can do it—not that we recommend it.
Applications
All-year Pontiacs
Problem
If you remember the days when Pontiac street and drag racers tied chains around frames (or subframes) and motor mounts to keep their high-torque engines from snapping the motor mounts, then you’re already familiar with the limitations of the factory hold-me-downs. Solid motor mounts are popular for dedicated race cars, but not for high-torque street and street-strip applications due to vibration.
Solution
These new motor mounts are made from interlocking stainless-steel pieces with a layer of polyurethane, which makes them significantly firmer than factory units, while still allowing for energy and vibration absorption. They’re rated at 650-plus lb-ft of torque, which can handle most high- performance street cars, pro-touring cars, and street-strip machines.
Applications
’64-’72 GTO, LeMans, and Tempest, with more models to follow
Problem
You’ve done your best to keep your Fourth-Gen Firebird or Trans Am in mint condition, but one morning you open your car door and gasp when you see the hard-plastic upper dash pad is cracked, a frequent occurrence with these models. You call your GM parts dealer, but the part is discontinued.
Solution
Classic Industries offers the genuine GM replacement part—not a reproduction—just like you could have bought from a GM dealer years ago. Since it’s a GM part, you’re guaranteed a perfect fit. They are limited in quantity, so get yours before they’re gone.
Applications
’93-’02 Trans Ams and Firebirds
Problem
Your factory-issued valve covers leak and are distorted at the bolt holes from overtightening, won’t fit over your new set of rockers, or both.
Solution
PRW Industries’ new fabricated aluminum valve covers for Pontiac engines are constructed from billet aluminum, and feature thicker-than-stock rails to prevent leaks and provide a tight seal. They measure 3.03-inch tall—that’s nearly 1-inch taller than the 2.06-inch stock height—and are available in satin silver, black, and polished; or paint them Pontiac blue after you get them.
Applications
Pontiac V-8 engines