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oldskool · 08-07-2020, 11:11 PM

Tho not as quick against their index, there are still at least 3 active '74 Bird Stockers, that I know of. And I may as well include Gary Riley's '74 wagon.

I think I've probably already mentioned all these cars. But, I'll mention them again here, to point out that the '74 4X head 400 is & has long been a very competitive engine.

I'm reminded of the recent final round at the Mile-High Nats. It pitted Dwaine Davis in his '74 Formula, against Gary Riley in his '74 Lemans wagon. Gary won.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2019#indextop

Then there is the Burton's "Grimace" '74 Formy, which recently made it's debut.

And, there is the '74 T/A which is sponsored by John Clegg's Mission Garage, & is said to have been built by Forest Pierdolla. I think this T/A still runs an SD455 engine. Not sure.

I suppose a '74 Bird could run a 400, a D-port 455, or if you don't mind running the high dollar SD heads, you could run the SD455.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...1&MAKE=Pontiac

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...2&MAKE=Pontiac

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...3&MAKE=Pontiac

That D-port 455 looks good, at the current 306hp factor. That engine has proven very competitive in several '73 Birds. No reason it wouldn't do just as well in a '74 model. Don't really know if the D-port 455 would be more competitive at 306hp, than the 400 @ 275hp.

I do know that Michael Brand switched from the D-port 455 to the SD455, in his '73 Bird. It doesn't seem to be running as far under it's index, now. So, unless there is quite a bit of yet-to-be-found power in that SD engine, it appears that the D-port engine MAY be more competitive, at the current hp factors. Maybe we'll get to see if Michael can get a lower ET from his SD combo this year. Because of the rarity & price of those SD heads, I'd say there is not much experimenting that could be done.

But, with the 4X D-port heads, a guy should be able to search for more power, from the heads. Because of the big chambers, many of those 455 4X heads have been junked. Those that remain are not in high demand. So, there should be some available for a decent price.

Because of the legality of adding & removing weight, in order to change classes, I don't always know which engine all the Pontiacs are running.

Looked up some Q-list numbers for Dwaine Davis & the Mission Garage '74 Bird. The times are usually a half sec under, or better. Both cars were at this div 4 race. Dwaine was .827 under, & Hunter was .755 under. Won't win all the heads-up races, but can win all other rounds.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2018#indextop

Jeremy Romero ran .929 under in "Grimace". I assume that might win a few heads-up runs.

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

So, I'll have to say that a '74 Pontiac is a decent model Stocker to run.

08-07-2020, 11:11 PM	#543
oldskool VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: The Land of Bayous, Boudin & Crawfish Posts: 1,668 Likes: 223 Liked 748 Times in 363 Posts	Re: Best Pontiac Powered Stockers Tho not as quick against their index, there are still at least 3 active '74 Bird Stockers, that I know of. And I may as well include Gary Riley's '74 wagon. I think I've probably already mentioned all these cars. But, I'll mention them again here, to point out that the '74 4X head 400 is & has long been a very competitive engine. I'm reminded of the recent final round at the Mile-High Nats. It pitted Dwaine Davis in his '74 Formula, against Gary Riley in his '74 Lemans wagon. Gary won. https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2019#indextop Then there is the Burton's "Grimace" '74 Formy, which recently made it's debut. And, there is the '74 T/A which is sponsored by John Clegg's Mission Garage, & is said to have been built by Forest Pierdolla. I think this T/A still runs an SD455 engine. Not sure. I suppose a '74 Bird could run a 400, a D-port 455, or if you don't mind running the high dollar SD heads, you could run the SD455. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...1&MAKE=Pontiac http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...2&MAKE=Pontiac http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...3&MAKE=Pontiac That D-port 455 looks good, at the current 306hp factor. That engine has proven very competitive in several '73 Birds. No reason it wouldn't do just as well in a '74 model. Don't really know if the D-port 455 would be more competitive at 306hp, than the 400 @ 275hp. I do know that Michael Brand switched from the D-port 455 to the SD455, in his '73 Bird. It doesn't seem to be running as far under it's index, now. So, unless there is quite a bit of yet-to-be-found power in that SD engine, it appears that the D-port engine MAY be more competitive, at the current hp factors. Maybe we'll get to see if Michael can get a lower ET from his SD combo this year. Because of the rarity & price of those SD heads, I'd say there is not much experimenting that could be done. But, with the 4X D-port heads, a guy should be able to search for more power, from the heads. Because of the big chambers, many of those 455 4X heads have been junked. Those that remain are not in high demand. So, there should be some available for a decent price. Because of the legality of adding & removing weight, in order to change classes, I don't always know which engine all the Pontiacs are running. Looked up some Q-list numbers for Dwaine Davis & the Mission Garage '74 Bird. The times are usually a half sec under, or better. Both cars were at this div 4 race. Dwaine was .827 under, & Hunter was .755 under. Won't win all the heads-up races, but can win all other rounds. https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2018#indextop Jeremy Romero ran .929 under in "Grimace". I assume that might win a few heads-up runs. https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...er=30#indextop So, I'll have to say that a '74 Pontiac is a decent model Stocker to run. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by oldskool; 08-09-2020 at 06:15 PM.