A/C and H.O. engines

chromebumpers

chromebumpers

solid fixture here in the forum
Staff member
I had a 71 LT-1, no A/C (something about throwing belts I believe) and I hated driving it once it got hot and humid. For whatever reason GM decided that it was finally ok for 72 - but nothing mechanically changed for 72. Anyway, my question is if I put together a 428 Pontiac in a 65 GTO will I have problems with installing A/C? I'm looking for info if you could get A/C in early GTOs.
 
Thanks Grumpy - that's everything. I was just concerned about throwing belts with high HP/TQ.
 
Most of the modern AC retrofit kits use a serpantine belt system Rich.
It works very good.
AC Was used on all Pontiac engines but the 1959-62 SD389. , 1961-63 SD421, 1968 Ram Air 2, 1969-70 Ram Air 4, 1969 Ram Air 5.
These engines were designed for racing. No factory A/C.

Most 428 HO had factory A/C.
I had a Complete original 1970 400 & 455 Factory A/C compressor & brackets till recent.
Sold it on ebay. Started the auction at .99 cents No Reserve.
They fought bidders till auction ended at $450.
I glass beaded all clean & repainted nice with 60% gloss GM Semi gloss black.
 
The factory A6 compressor had the original Harrison Decal intact.
1970 only Red decal. Date coded too.
A 1970 GTO Judge Ram Air 3 owner bought it.
 
Brian, I jumped in and got the XH motor with #62 heads and trips. All I could do is visually inspect and turn the crank with a breaker bar to assure it wasn't seized. The plugs are new so no story there. Now I have to find the car. 1965 is a good looking car. I'll probably find the best deal with one that was resto-moded with a sbc or some strange build that's selling at a big auction. My 2nd choice is a '67 Convertible - non #s Matching so I don't have to ruin a collector car.
 
in many cases belts being thrown are the result of loose tension-er pulleys or pulley mis-alignment

pulley2.gif

serpbelt1.jpg



serpbelt1a%20(2).jpg

serpbelt3a%20(1).gif

serpbelt5a.gif


http://www.cartechbooks.com/techtips/serpbelt/
 
There is a lot of GTO owners in Naperville, & the Chi town Burbs Rich.
Keep an eye out there.
Might find one for $15k.
More likely $25-35k.
Mint original 1965 GTO TRIPOWER 4-SPEED WORTH AT LEAST $50-80K TODAY.
 
Convertible GTO Add another $10-15k value.

Early Trans Am owners like me pretty exclusive group.
Many more GTO Musclecar owners.

You made a Wise choice buying that 428 Rich.
$$$$$ in the bank.
 
And GM couldn't get that for the Lt-1 until the last year of production in the Camaro and 'vette? and the LS-6. The Impalas with 427s could be ordered with A/C.
 
[quote="87vette81big" . . . . .You made a Wise choice buying that 428 Rich.
$$$$$ in the bank.[/quote]

I hope so Brian. I've been trying to clean house and get rid of projects big and small. I just want to end up with 1 big convertible cruiser and 1 sub 12 second muscle car. You never answered me about the automatic transmissions and the manuals for the 428. You mentioned the auto and I asked why?
 
You can bolt up any transmission you want Rich to the 428 if your creative fabricating skills are there.
Use the stock Pontiac aluminum bellhousing with a manual trans.
Or an aftermarket blowproof scattershield.
1964-65-79 stlye.
Mickey Thompson used 1939-48 Cadillac LaSalle 3-speed transmissions in his Challanger 1 406mph Streamliner. Been busy. Answer while at work waiting for parts. Or real late at night.
 
Ive built enough 400,428, and 455 pontiacs to have a good idea why a correctly built auto transmission can be a useful addition, the engines have near instant response and brutal torque if properly built, but they don,t generally need to rev high , and an auto trans with a 3000rpm stall speed, and a 3.55:1 rear gear, and set to shift at 6K rpm , can be an effective combo
we have had several good Pontiac engine builds ,in my area , Ive helped on several,over the last couple dozen years, especially since the aluminum aftermarket heads, and much better connecting rods have been available
I can assure you that the newer edelbrock heads and single plane intake can make a huge improvement over what used to be available


DECENT LINKS YOU WILL NEED
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=2358&p=6226&hilit=pontiac+info#p6226

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=1154&p=29335&hilit=pontiac+intake#p29335

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=4125&p=20488&hilit=pontiac+links#p20488

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=2358&p=6226&hilit=pontiac+links#p6226

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=362&p=2778&hilit=pontiac+links#p2778

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=450&p=554&hilit=pontiac+links#p554

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=368&p=450&hilit=pontiac+links#p450

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=449&p=553&hilit=pontiac+links#p553
 
Chances are Rich you will never need to turn the 428 over 5000- 5500 Rpms
They are torque monsters stock.
Broad flat power band.
It will pull like an LS-5 LS-6 BBC.
 
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