[uneasyrider]

For all of the understandable reasons I can see why the early first gen OHV V8's are not regulars on here but I don't see 350's built all that much and I don't think I've seen anyone on here building a 326. Is there some major flaw with it or is it a simple the lack of cid? Should I totally avoid a 326 if I get it given to me, for example?

Thanks,

[b-man]

The fact that you can build a 400 for less money is a big reason, 326 pistons are pricey and there's not a lot of options other than the cast ones as far as I know.

Plus the fact that the heads that came on 326 engines have small ports and valves makes them less popular.

The 350 engines have surged a bit in popularity due to the recent availability of stroker cranks and reasonably-priced forged pistons for them. You can get these items from Ken Brewer at Pacific Performance Racing, he has developed these new products.

[uneasyrider]

So it's mostly a cost to benefit thing. If a guy wants to do something high hp with one he would be into custom pistons, aftermarket heads, etc?

[b-man]

They can be built to run hard, with better heads and good pistons and such.

But most folks will pass them by simply because they want the bigger engines instead.

Bigger inch engines make street power a little easier, more stock components can be retained.

Bigger cubic-inch numbers are more impressive to most people, could be part of the reason you put a 455 in your car instead of a 400.

[uneasyrider]

Is there anyone on here that you know of that has ever fixed one up?

[b-man]

I know Ken Crocie at H-O Racing wrote about at least one nice 326 street engine build, do a search here and you'll find it.

It ran quite impressively.

The 326 is a good engine, just overlooked mostly for the reasons I listed.

[BVR421]

Originally Posted by b-man

I know Ken Crocie at H-O Racing wrote about at least one nice 326 street engine build, do a search here and you'll find it.

It ran quite impressively.

The 326 is a good engine, just overlooked mostly for the reasons I listed.

I dont recall the particulars, I believe that HO Racing motor was a 326 in size only not a real 326. Small cubic inch due to class restriction. That might have been a 400 block with a 370 crank. I think it ended up a 331"?
Interestingly, the first year of the 326 it was actually 336ci. Chev complained they didnt like Pontiac exceeding the Corporate 327 ci limit. Pontiac reduced the bore size the next year to make the 326 an actual 326. I think that was another one of DeLoreans deals, trying to slide more power into the Pontiacs just like he did with the 389 GTO.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by BVR421

I dont recall the particulars, I believe that HO Racing motor was a 326 in size only not a real 326. Small cubic inch due to class restriction. That might have been a 400 block with a 370 crank. I think it ended up a 331"?

The racing 326 built by H-O Racing was based on a 1956 317 (bored +.060 it would yield 326.3 cubes) running RAIV heads and a tunnel ram. I'm sure the 2.50" main bearing size of the 317 lent itself quite well to 8000+ RPM blasts down the 1/4 mile.

This purpose-built class racing engine is not the street 326 build I'm referring to that was built off a true 326 engine.

[440GP69]

FWIW My dad had a 63 tempest 326HO 3 or 4 speed can't remember but he said it was a fast azz car, 285hp is pretty good for 326cid! small bore long stroke!

[b-man]

Originally Posted by 440GP69

FWIW My dad had a 63 tempest 326HO 3 or 4 speed can't remember but he said it was a fast azz car, 285hp is pretty good for 326cid! small bore long stroke!

The 326 is unique among Pontiac engines just like its biggest brother the 455, both are 'undersquare' engines with a longer stroke measurement as compared to the bore size.

3.720" x 3.750" for the 326.

4.151" X 4.210" for the 455.

I think with the high price of fuel these days you'll start to see more 326 and 350 street engine builds.

[440GP69]

i actually want to build a 326 you know just a fully blue printed engine 9.5:1 ppr rods port the stock heads put in good valves roller rockers, 210i 220e hyd roller cam factory iron 4 bbl and Q jet with some high flow manifolds, no stroker kit just a nice 326 for a 62-3 tempest, do it G-machine style with some wheels and good susp, be fun!

[b-man]

Originally Posted by 440GP69

i actually want to build a 326 you know just a fully blue printed engine 9.5:1 ppr rods port the stock heads put in good valves roller rockers, 210i 220e hyd roller cam factory iron 4 bbl and Q jet with some high flow manifolds, no stroker kit just a nice 326 for a 62-3 tempest, do it G-machine style with some wheels and good susp, be fun!

Personally I'd chuck the 326 heads and use a set of '68 #17 or '69 #47 350 small-valve heads or the '69 #46 400/428 lo-po small-valve heads. The ports are far superior and the valves are bigger than what comes in 326 heads (1.96/1.66 for the 350 & 400/428 vs 1.88/1.60 or 1.92/1.66 for the 326), but not too big for the 326 bore size.

[440GP69]

good point!, i always think of things i could do with the long lost engines of past, 326/350 usually fall to more expensive yet more powerfull 400-455's, i think 320-350 hp could be possible wit the small engines even more with $

[gtofreek]

I agree with B-mans last statement. Or if you want it to look stock and you want to use the stock pistons with a decent cam, you could opt for some 092 heads. These have the same valve angle as the 326 pistons were cut for and a larger port than the 326 heads. They can be had for far less than the 093 GTO heads, which are basically the same thing. Hell, I probably have a set or two in my shed. Instead of useing the stock 1.92 intake valve, I use a 1.94 Chevy intake valve and re-cut the seat to 30°. It's lighter and is easy and cheap to come by. It's just a little longer but not by much. They can be tipped or use of adjustable rockers makes it a non-issue. These heads coupled with a Harold special camshaft and you would have a very nice running 326 that makes 325-350 horse. Then you could pop the hood when you smoke a Mustang or Camaro and say "see, it's a stock 326"! They'll never know the difference!

[Ken -Ace- Brewer]

Originally Posted by 440GP69

good point!, i always think of things i could do with the long lost engines of past, 326/350 usually fall to more expensive yet more powerfull 400-455's, i think 320-350 hp could be possible wit the small engines even more with $

Just finished a 383 with STOCK 17 heads with 2.08 valves and a small 212/218 duration cam with a Performer on top. I will be dynoing it shortly. I will let ya all know the power it makes. I will revisit this thread then. It will make at least 1hp per inch I believe. :-)
I have sold ALOT of 383 assemblies lately. Another one was just ordered friday.

We will be starting on our 383 race engine very soon. It will be goin in our 4 linked and tubbed 1976 Banshee(Corvette).

Be Cool,
Ace

[PunchT37]

Anyone watch "Muscle Car" today? There was that gold LeMans in the burnout contest. Wasn`t that a stroked 326? Sounded pretty good to me.

[Overkillphil]

Years ago we had a couple of real nice runners that happened to be Pontiac 350's. I was always fond of the much maligned engine.

I am very happy to see guys like Ace resurrecting the 350 and showing what it can really do.

Any idiot can build a big inch motor that makes power. It gets kinda boring after awhile. The smaller Pontiacs being built captures alot of interest.

[NO67GTO]

I had the 326 rebuilt when I restored my Lemans back in 94. Stock bottom end new pistons, upgraded cam, cyl head work, performer intake and Edelbrock carb, R/A exhaust never went better than a 15.5 cold and 15.9 hot w/AC stuff. No better with a Holley. Was running a super T 10 4 spd w/3:90 gear.
Convinced myself it wasnt gonna get any better so ripped out the A/C and the 326 for a built 455. That's a good way to shave 3-4 seconds of your et. No substitute for cubic inch.

[Wareagle]

Originally Posted by Ken -Ace- Brewer

Just finished a 383 with STOCK 17 heads with 2.08 valves and a small 212/218 duration cam with a Performer on top. I will be dynoing it shortly. I will let ya all know the power it makes. I will revisit this thread then. It will make at least 1hp per inch I believe. :-)
I have sold ALOT of 383 assemblies lately. Another one was just ordered friday.

We will be starting on our 383 race engine very soon. It will be goin in our 4 linked and tubbed 1976 Banshee(Corvette).

Be Cool,
Ace

Cool-Ace.

[Ben M.]

I like the 350 just because it is still a plentiful engine and people usually give them away for nothing. They gouge you on 400-455 blocks but ignore the 326-350 ones. My biggest problem with the 326 is lack of all 5 block mount holes ;-)