I'm curious, what pushrods did they supply in it? Are they 1 piece or welded ends?
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CK5
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57 Pontiac "Zero Fox"
- Thread starter tRustyK5
- Start date
They appear to be welded.
I think that would be the one thing I would upgrade on the engine if it was mine, everything else seems to be nice pieces, full steel roller rockers, guideplates, aluminum heads, forged crank, forged pistons, etc...
I'm always a fan of the 1 piece pushrods, its like cheap insurance for the valvetrain.
Then again I don't know what that does to the warranty from blueprint.
I'm always a fan of the 1 piece pushrods, its like cheap insurance for the valvetrain.
Then again I don't know what that does to the warranty from blueprint.
I think they're pretty confident in the pieces they use, or they wouldn't offer a 50,000 mile 30 month warranty. I'm going to run them, at least through the warranty period. 
After that point who knows where I'll be at with this car? I might be tearing it down to add some ring gap so I can run boost, or maybe I'll be so dang happy with it I won't touch it...I really don't know. FWIW those tiny little welds look really good.
After that point who knows where I'll be at with this car? I might be tearing it down to add some ring gap so I can run boost, or maybe I'll be so dang happy with it I won't touch it...I really don't know. FWIW those tiny little welds look really good.
Yeah, that's not wrong. I think you'll be happy with the engine either way. Chances are they will be fine.
I think the engine is better than I expected, especially for the price. I look forward to you banging gears with that thing!
I think the engine is better than I expected, especially for the price. I look forward to you banging gears with that thing!
If you ever add boost you will want a cam with wider LSA, that would be a good time if you want to swap them.
For now just run them and enjoy the mean machine and don't give two fox what others say. ha ha 
For now just run them and enjoy the mean machine and don't give two fox what others say. ha ha
If you ever get a minute check out some of the vids on Blueprint on youtube. A channel called Stapleton42 did a really in depth tour of the place, that left me even more impressed. Another big sell for me was the blocks are brand new castings and use splayed 4 bolt mains, thicker decks and a few other improvements. Today I'll get a good idea of how accurately they're built when I dial in the bellhousing. I'm optimistic...
Well, the bellhousing dialed within 0.0025" which is well within the specs Tremec calls for. I've seen a few vids on Youtube of guys dialing in the bell with an OE engine and it being out nearly 0.020" total. Glad to see Blueprint is a lot more fussy with their machining. The thought of having to fox with offset dowels wasn't very appealing.
My phone died, but I will add some pics later. I had my flywheel installed, torqued and cleaned when I realized the containment shield needed to be installed first.
Next up, clutch, pressure plate, bell (again) and then trans!
My phone died, but I will add some pics later. I had my flywheel installed, torqued and cleaned when I realized the containment shield needed to be installed first.
Next up, clutch, pressure plate, bell (again) and then trans!
I had already foxed that up at that point, so I did get the containment shield figured into the pilot depth...
I had done pretty good at only doing things once so far, but I knew having to undo something was imminent. lol
I had done pretty good at only doing things once so far, but I knew having to undo something was imminent. lol
Some pics...before the bitching starts.
those numbers are so good!!
So the flywheel comes with bolts, some fancy pants low profile 12 point head stuff. Because I had to remove the flywheel to install the containment shield I had to wire wheel the lock tite off those very special bolts. Third bolt gets sucked into the wire wheel, does a lap around the guard, hits me in the chest (owie!! lol) and ricochets into oblivion.
Thankfully Heath is super thorough when he sells you parts and he had included a package of new Flywheel bolts. Next up was to finally install the pressure plate...and for the first time I have the wrong stuff. 5/16" bolts, 3/8" holes in the flywheel. I was able to grab some from the local speed shop, but had to end up dealing with the Autozone ex employee there. First thing he ask me was "year, make and model?" I didn't even answer, just looked at him. Then he asks me what engine is it for. "389 Chevy"
So I told him again I need the 3/8" flywheel bolts. Finally he asks what brand of flywheel, so I told him it's a billet Hays flywheel. More head scratching and he finally heads to the aisle with the ARP bolts and digs up the 3/8" flywheel bolts I need. Just painful...
Next up is getting the clutch fork, and throw-out bearing set up. hoping not to have to fox with the pivot ball...but I'm not holding my breath. Heath did include an adjustable one...and I'll probably be installed that after dinner.
So, as I grab the bell to trial fit it, I find the rogue flywheel bolt from earlier...typical!
those numbers are so good!!
So the flywheel comes with bolts, some fancy pants low profile 12 point head stuff. Because I had to remove the flywheel to install the containment shield I had to wire wheel the lock tite off those very special bolts. Third bolt gets sucked into the wire wheel, does a lap around the guard, hits me in the chest (owie!! lol) and ricochets into oblivion.
Thankfully Heath is super thorough when he sells you parts and he had included a package of new Flywheel bolts. Next up was to finally install the pressure plate...and for the first time I have the wrong stuff. 5/16" bolts, 3/8" holes in the flywheel. I was able to grab some from the local speed shop, but had to end up dealing with the Autozone ex employee there. First thing he ask me was "year, make and model?" I didn't even answer, just looked at him. Then he asks me what engine is it for. "389 Chevy"
So I told him again I need the 3/8" flywheel bolts. Finally he asks what brand of flywheel, so I told him it's a billet Hays flywheel. More head scratching and he finally heads to the aisle with the ARP bolts and digs up the 3/8" flywheel bolts I need. Just painful...Next up is getting the clutch fork, and throw-out bearing set up. hoping not to have to fox with the pivot ball...but I'm not holding my breath. Heath did include an adjustable one...and I'll probably be installed that after dinner.
So, as I grab the bell to trial fit it, I find the rogue flywheel bolt from earlier...typical!
Very typical, the moment you give up looking and replace it, then you find it.
You aren’t going to paint the engine orange?
Asking for a friend…
Martin
Asking for a friend…
Martin
It's a Pontiac, should probably be painted light blue.......
Martin
Martin
Orange would look good.
Light blue would be cool.
Slamming in in the way it is is good too.
Light blue would be cool.
Slamming in in the way it is is good too.
For some strange reason I think he gives zero fox what color anyone else thinks he should paint it. 
Black is the new Chrome...
Black block, valve covers, water pump, distributor, carb, plug wires, and when they show up, black ceramic coated headers.
The correct Pontiac engine color for Canadian cars in 57 is the dark turquoise on the 261. Nothing cool about that color I'm afraid.
Black block, valve covers, water pump, distributor, carb, plug wires, and when they show up, black ceramic coated headers.
The correct Pontiac engine color for Canadian cars in 57 is the dark turquoise on the 261. Nothing cool about that color I'm afraid.
The bellhousing kinda stands out like a whore in church though...but I'm leaving it.
I doubt the bell will be seen once the engine is in the car. That is unless you get under it.
Wheelstands!
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