Best Pontiac Powered Stockers

[oldskool]

Qualifying begins today.

https://www.nhra.com/schedule/2020/n...nals-presented

According to the pre-entry list, looks like there are only 3 Pontiac powered Stockers entered. Randi Lyn Shipp. Brad Burton, & Leo Glasbrenner.

https://www.nhraeventreg.com/ListEve...=PC1&cc=8&rn=1

Brad & Leo are also entered in SS. Lindy Lindholm is entered, with his '74 Bird. But it was stolen. So I don't reckin he'll have it there. Looks like a max of 5 Pontiacs, total.

https://www.nhraeventreg.com/ListEve...=PC1&cc=7&rn=1

All 2 speed transmission only combo’s can be replaced with 3 speeds.

Originally Posted by oldskool

Another question:

I just noticed that the auto trans version of the '68 350 2-barrel engine, came with the 2-speed ST-300 trans.

(1) Under current rules, could you run a Glide in this combo ?

(3) Could you run a 3-speed auto, like a TH350 ?

Sorry, I'm just not up on all the rules. Makes sense that you'd have to keep the same number of speeds.

[oldskool]

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven

All 2 speed transmission only combo’s can be replaced with 3 speeds.

Thanks for the info Todd !

Hey Richie Hoffman recommended you as a possible Pontiac Stocker engine builder. I know you stay busy racing. Do you also build Pontiac Stocker engines for others ?

If not, who would you recommend, up in the div 1 area ? For that matter, could you give us some other names, in any part of the country who build 'em, and who you'd trust to build one for you. I'm not talkin about as a personal favor to you, buy rather those who would build one for most anybody.

[oldskool]

I'd really prefer not to repeat most of what I post here.

BUT, I know how posts can get buried in a thread, and some will never go back & see 'em.

AND, this is something I'd really like some opinions on, from those who may know, or be a position to give a real world, experienced opinion about.

It concerns the 1974 2-barrel 400 engine. It uses the 1.25V carb, & the #46 heads, with 88.9cc chambers.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...6&MAKE=Pontiac

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...7&MAKE=Pontiac

(1) NHRA weight for a base '74 Bird is 3545. A Formy is only slightly more. At the current 255hp factor, you could add a little weight & run M/SA, with a 12.85 index. I don't think a 2-barrel 400 could run that quick. But, I don't know.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...px?ENGINE=2087

http://www.classracerinfo.com/NHRA_Classes.aspx

(2) It has been posted, & most here know that you can many times get NHRA to lower the hp factor on some combos that have not been flogged much, or at all. IF you could get them to lower this factor to 225hp, the Birds could run P/SA, with a 13.45 index.

So, the question is, how quick could this combo go ? Do ya'll think low 13's are possible ?

That 225hp number is 50hp less than the '74 Q-jet 400. Does a 225hp factor seem reasonable to ya'll ?

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...9&MAKE=Pontiac

Even a bit lower might be reasonable. I say this, because the 1970 350 Chevy 2-barrel engine is 224hp, compared to the 290hp factor for the Q-jet version. That's a 66hp drop. And the 2-barrel is a 1.375V model.

So, if you dropped say 65hp from the Q-jet 400, you have a 210hp factor.

Just exactly what do ya'll think this combo could run, & how much do you think someone could get NHRA to lower the factor ?

I know a lot of ya'll have been familiar with the NHRA hp factoring system for a long time. So, I'd like your opinon on this.

[oldskool]

Just ran across this pic. I'm posting it because it's just sort of a rare Stocker. It's not that the car itself was rare. But I just don't remember seeing many of these big Pontiacs, from that time period, on the track. And this looks to have been a serious Stocker.

It has "Walton's Mountain" on the front fender.

[R. Thorne]

That’s Bruce Walton. He had a 74 GTO later.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by oldskool

It has been posted, & most here know that you can many times get NHRA to lower the hp factor on some combos that have not been flogged much, or at all.

Ever since the 302/2V FFFord "accidental gift", the only way that you can get HP back on a combo is to build it and run it. If it goes slow enough either by design or intent, it will get HP off. The 20+ Hp that you're looking to get off would take you 6-8-10 years. You'd better get busy.

[oldskool]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Ever since the 302/2V FFFord "accidental gift", the only way that you can get HP back on a combo is to build it and run it. If it goes slow enough either by design or intent, it will get HP off. The 20+ Hp that you're looking to get off would take you 6-8-10 years. You'd better get busy.

Thanks for that info !

I'm not building a Stocker. There is only bracket racing in my area. I have a bracket car I'm workin on.

I'm just trying to come up with all the info I can about past & present Pontiac Stockers. In that, I'm trying to come up with all the possible competitive combos. Just thought this one MIGHT have potential. But, I don't have any experience running 2-barrel carbs, except on dirt tracks. So, I have no idea how quick any particular Pontiac 2-barrel combo could go.

From what you say, it would be taking a BIG chance to build a 2-barrel Pontiac, not knowing whether it would even run the index. And not knowing when or IF, NHRA would reduce the hp.

I suppose the only way to experiment, might be to build an engine that used the same shortblock & heads, for both the 2 & 4-barrel versions, if such an engine exists.

Anyhow, at least for now, I'll forget about 2-barrel Pontiacs. Most competitive combos have a Q-jet.

[oldskool]

At the Winter Nats:

In Stock, Randi Lyn was #25, with an .887 under, 10.663. Brad Burton was #33, with an .844 under, 10.706. They're both running D/SA.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...er=30#indextop

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by oldskool

Thanks for that info !

I'm not building a Stocker. There is only bracket racing in my area. I have a bracket car I'm workin on.

I suppose the only way to experiment, might be to build an engine that used the same shortblock & heads, for both the 2 & 4-barrel versions, if such an engine exists

Nobody ever said that you couldn't bracket race a Stocker!
Build a "Stocker type" motor, put it in your bracket car and experiment to your heart's content.