G/A Father Son Project

[SafariWagon]

Hopefully you were able to hold on to all the usable parts from your GA parts car.
These cars look awesome in black and gold two-tone.

The only interior pieces I need I sold to Kent (AKA Grandamman). Same guy I bought this car from! I am putting the 4spd stuff in the wagon now. Everything else is long gone. So if anybody has some black quarter trim panels that go around the window please let me know! I am going to try some new fine texture paint I found on the web to try and restore the panels I currently have.

Thanks for the specs G_body-vet. Sounds like a good combo. Cam is different than what I've seen so far as well. Lobe separation angle looks kind of tight compared to stuff I've seen. "Shotgun" was kind enough to give me some specs he likes. He's always given me good info in the past. An "068" cam was his suggestion. Not exactly sure yet what that means. If it's a factory Pontiac grind or what?

 

[Longroof79]

Hopefully you were able to hold on to all the usable parts from your GA parts car.
These cars look awesome in black and gold two-tone.

The only interior pieces I need I sold to Kent (AKA Grandamman). Same guy I bought this car from! I am putting the 4spd stuff in the wagon now. Everything else is long gone. So if anybody has some black quarter trim panels that go around the window please let me know! I am going to try some new fine texture paint I found on the web to try and restore the panels I currently have.

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Realistically, I'm sure you had no idea that you'd be acquiring a Grand Am project, so holding on to many of the parts wasn't in the cards..so to speak.
Kent is the man when it comes to GA parts, and probably your best source out there.

 

[tdvick]

Hey Lindsay,

No problem on the fender. Just happy that it will get used on a good project.

I think I'm just a couple years behind you with the father/son deal. My boy is only eleven and he's already bugging me to start looking for a Pontiac for him.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Thanks for the specs G_body-vet. Sounds like a good combo. Cam is different than what I've seen so far as well. Lobe separation angle looks kind of tight compared to stuff I've seen. "Shotgun" was kind enough to give me some specs he likes. He's always given me good info in the past. An "068" cam was his suggestion. Not exactly sure yet what that means. If it's a factory Pontiac grind or what?

The "068" is a factory Poncho grind and considered a mild performance cam. The 068 are the last 3 numbers of the cam 9779068. It's quite common and kind of a middle of the road cam. Most of the Pontiac cams I've seen have relatively low lift and have an LSA around 110-112+.

I'm no engine builder, but an LSA of 106 leads me to believe that I'd have a rough idle with monster torque, yet run out of breath quick. On the other hand, the guy building my engine says he'd be comfortable taking it to 6K with the parts we're using.

We're also looking at variables such as higher compression and a tighter quench area....something that wasn't available in the 70's.

Here's a list of Pontiac cams too
http://pontiacpower.org/PontiacCams.htm

 

[Blake442]

Looks like a pretty clean car... Sweet find on the frame that's all ready to go!

 

[grandprixghost]

ur off to a good start man

 

[grandamman]

Looks like it has found a good home. This 78 started my collection. I found it and my blue 79 in my avatar the same time. Both cars were with their original owner(s) in North Carolina.
Seems like everyone who stopped by always commented about liking the white/blue 78.
Lindsay actually came over to purchase a black and gold 79 (that I bought from the original owner in N.C.too).
The 78 is much more complete and has, dare I say, a factory aluminum radiator support!
I am on the trail of additional black interior plastic....
As you saw, my inventory isn't very organised. I'm working on that too...

 

[jmt455]

Great start on that Grand Am...nice score on that frame!

I agree with the comments regarding the lobe center on the recommended cam. I've really liked my Pontiacs with 110 -114 LSA.

The 068 cam was used in MANY different engines in the 60's and '70's. It is a very popular choice; you'll probably be happy with it. Make sure you choose an appropriate rear end.

Another point to consider; the 068 might seem mild in your 462+ CI. Your builder's recommendation might take better advantage of all those cubes...

 

[drogg1]

The "068" is a factory Poncho grind and considered a mild performance cam. The 068 are the last 3 numbers of the cam 9779068. It's quite common and kind of a middle of the road cam. Most of the Pontiac cams I've seen have relatively low lift and have an LSA around 110-112+.

I'm no engine builder, but an LSA of 106 leads me to believe that I'd have a rough idle with monster torque, yet run out of breath quick. On the other hand, the guy building my engine says he'd be comfortable taking it to 6K with the parts we're using.

We're also looking at variables such as higher compression and a tighter quench area....something that wasn't available in the 70's.

Here's a list of Pontiac cams too
http://pontiacpower.org/PontiacCams.htm

That cam you're using sounds great to me. That tight LSA leads to more overlap(edit: whoops). More overlap is useful for engines with fairly small valves for the engine size.

For example:

A sbc displacement to valve ration would be something like : (383cu.in.)/(8cylinders)/(2.02in. intake valve diameter) = 23.70

This is fairly middle ground if not upper end compared to perhaps:

A 302 with 2.02 intake valve : (302cu.in.)/(8cylinders)/(2.02in.) = 18.68

A 455 with 2.11 intake valve : (455cu.in.)/(8cylinders)/(2.11in.) = 26.95

So in theory you could use more overlap if you wanted, therefore tightening the LSA even further. I think it will also love more compression to be sure.

So after all that what I'm trying to say is I think you've got probably a damn good engine builder and you should have a beast of a 455.

Speaking to the OP, as stated above, a tighter LSA that leads to more overlap is useful for big engines with small valves. I know that the 068 cam is popular and proven with poncho guys but I think you'd do very well with a cam almost exactly the same as G-Body_Vet's. Perhaps with a 108 LSA for better driveability and as much lift as you can get for that duration range.

 

[motorholmes]

You know, Lindsay, it's not against the rules to start a build thread mid-stream.. Let's see the wagon!