I love Pontiacs. I run Cometic MLS gaskets. Last pair I bought was 2013 & I'm on my 5th installation as I re-use them a min of 5 times. I also use studs. Stay away from old cast-iron. Use aluminum if you can as they are much better. I run Kauffman heads. My 474 makes 680 HP@6300 & 635 'lbs of Torque @5000 RPM. 93 octane shell Vpower gasoline.
I would love to see what power could be made with the Kauffman heads on the 301 T. Could run much more cam I would assume. I ran the 6X-4 heads on my 74 455 and had to feed it 93 all day long.
Excellent video Joe. I have run MLS head gaskets, and most of the manufacturers are now moving to them, but you are right. The problem then moves to the next weak link. (Pistons probably) for someone building a performance/race motor it is probably a good option and that person should understand the risk. On a streetcar/cruiser, the composite gasket is probably better. I think you should offer it as a possible option. Great video!!! Thanks
Put the Kaufman heads on a 301. This should become a more easily doable option for the 301 owners. I think there's a market for it and it would be a great engine. A lot of people can learn from you how to make it happen.
Excellent video. I have lived under the assumption ever since I was a teenager (1982-89) that the problem with putting conventional heads on a 301 was the intake manifold. I really thought they were a direct bolt on. I would love to run one in Street Stock dirt track racing but I need a very rugged engine to withstand those multiple laps at 4000 rpm+ and aluminum is strictly prohibited. Maybe I'll just stick with the older engines for now!
I just put a 77 400 in my 79 Formula in place of the 301. The 400 is totally rebuilt and runs like crap. I used the quadrajet off the 301 minus the 1-1/2 inch alluminum spacer. I have no vacum to the PCV. Wondering if deleting that plate is the source of my problems.
Why not just throw the turbo hardware on a 350 or 400 Pontiac engine? Prolly gonna need a bigger turbo and down pipe, but most folks will do that anyway.
I'm theorizing with you, I don't have a Pontiac head near me right now but could you mill the scallop off, or is there not enough surface left after? Also can you mill a better flowing head enough to get a workable compression? How far can you bore a 301 before you have issues? Could you open it up enough to get a large valve to clear? Sorry for all the questions but I have a 301 turbo short block laying in the garage from my TA. When I bought the car the engine was in the back seat and the heads were missing. I found a 69 350 built that and shoved it in. But I really would like to try building a 301 that's actually worth while. Also all the old school guys used to hard chrome the crank for strength, could hard chroming the crank help.
I don't think you can mill the conventional head far enough to remove the scallops. The intake port will get really close to the bottom. I have successfully bored a 301T block to .065". Should probably still notch the cylinder if trying to use a large valve.
you can weld heads,block,manifolds ect. with oyx & ace, all you need is a powder welding torch kit. dont buy a china made unit junk. you have to pre heat about 200/250 degrees and cover for slow cooling. later dude
Thank you for your channel. Its god send to me.
I wish the 301 was the same block as the 326-455, might have been better. Good video Joe
The light weight 301 was great for handling tho, depends what you want to do with the car
I love Pontiacs. I run Cometic MLS gaskets. Last pair I bought was 2013 & I'm on my 5th installation as I re-use them a min of 5 times. I also use studs. Stay away from old cast-iron. Use aluminum if you can as they are much better. I run Kauffman heads. My 474 makes 680 HP@6300 & 635 'lbs of Torque @5000 RPM. 93 octane shell Vpower gasoline.
I would love to see what power could be made with the Kauffman heads on the 301 T. Could run much more cam I would assume.
I ran the 6X-4 heads on my 74 455 and had to feed it 93 all day long.
Love the videos and the obscure information they bring!!!
Excellent video Joe. I have run MLS head gaskets, and most of the manufacturers are now moving to them, but you are right. The problem then moves to the next weak link. (Pistons probably) for someone building a performance/race motor it is probably a good option and that person should understand the risk. On a streetcar/cruiser, the composite gasket is probably better.
I think you should offer it as a possible option.
Great video!!!
Thanks
pontiac is the best most well taken care of car ever
I used a circular shim die to punch holes in the head gaskets on my 454 build…. Works great.
Put the Kaufman heads on a 301. This should become a more easily doable option for the 301 owners. I think there's a market for it and it would be a great engine. A lot of people can learn from you how to make it happen.
Excellent video. I have lived under the assumption ever since I was a teenager (1982-89) that the problem with putting conventional heads on a 301 was the intake manifold. I really thought they were a direct bolt on. I would love to run one in Street Stock dirt track racing but I need a very rugged engine to withstand those multiple laps at 4000 rpm+ and aluminum is strictly prohibited. Maybe I'll just stick with the older engines for now!
What a great video expellant. You know your Pontiacs Thanks keep up the great work.
I really hate it when I hear that the turbo 4.9 is a slug of a motor.Truth is with a little work ,it may just be a huge surprise for many.
I just put a 77 400 in my 79 Formula in place of the 301. The 400 is totally rebuilt and runs like crap. I used the quadrajet off the 301 minus the 1-1/2 inch alluminum spacer. I have no vacum to the PCV. Wondering if deleting that plate is the source of my problems.
Why not just throw the turbo hardware on a 350 or 400 Pontiac engine? Prolly gonna need a bigger turbo and down pipe, but most folks will do that anyway.
I have a question for building a N/A 301. Would it help to deck the block and heads to raise compression without piston to valve interference?
Is there a shop you could recommend, have a 1981 SE Y84 with cracked heads unfortunately. My mechanic and I are trying to find heads .
Did you allow for installation of conventional heads with your custom made head gaskets ?? Oops. Still not possible, 😒
Great comparison and explanation. Can you port the 301 heads on the intake side?
Great video!! can you bolt on a set of cast exhaust manifolds (326-455) onto a 301 to help with installing a true dual exhaust?
You can bolt regular manifolds to a 301 head. 77-80 non turbo 301 manifolds will also work for dual exhaust.
Is 6 x head good for a 71 400
I’ll finish watching but I wonder if I can take the heads off my 400 slap it on my 301
I'm theorizing with you, I don't have a Pontiac head near me right now but could you mill the scallop off, or is there not enough surface left after? Also can you mill a better flowing head enough to get a workable compression? How far can you bore a 301 before you have issues? Could you open it up enough to get a large valve to clear? Sorry for all the questions but I have a 301 turbo short block laying in the garage from my TA. When I bought the car the engine was in the back seat and the heads were missing. I found a 69 350 built that and shoved it in. But I really would like to try building a 301 that's actually worth while. Also all the old school guys used to hard chrome the crank for strength, could hard chroming the crank help.
I don't think you can mill the conventional head far enough to remove the scallops. The intake port will get really close to the bottom. I have successfully bored a 301T block to .065". Should probably still notch the cylinder if trying to use a large valve.
You could build up the conventional head by spray welding then machining it.
The aluminum head
Why can you use the 301 block head gasket on the 350/400 heads if your putting them on a 301 block? Wouldn't that save alot of problems? 🤷♂️
The 301 head gasket's cylinder bore is too small for the combustion chamber of conventional Pontiac heads.
@ttaperformance1046 I think you are wrong , the 301 has a 4" bore stock , the 350 is just a little smaller at 3.975" stock, the 400 is 4.12" stock .
What happen to the headgaskets you used to offer on your website?
They have been discontinued.
THE 301 IS JUNK I HAD THREE AND EVERYONE WAS JUNK
you can weld heads,block,manifolds ect. with oyx & ace, all you need is a powder welding torch kit. dont buy a china made unit junk. you have to pre heat about 200/250 degrees and cover for slow cooling. later dude