Hello People!

Rebuilding the original Split Six out of the 1929 Pontiac and cant seem to locate any of the tolerance specs for the build..

I am in need of the following:..

• Sleeve wall to Piston clearance (For original cast pistons)
  
• Ring clearance
  
• Rods and Mains clearance
  

Hoping someone has been through this already and has the much needed information!... Any help locating these specs would be very appreciated!

I don't think I could have picked a more obsolete project to rebuild!

Thanks,

Russell.

According to the 1930-31 Oakland Pontiac Shop Manual rod side clearance .003" to .007". Piston clearance .0025" with a 1/2" feeler gauge ribbon. Pistons should be round within .0005". Old pistons should have no more than .004" between cylinder wall and skirt of piston. New pistons should be fitted with a clearance of .0025" - .003". New rings should be fitted with a groove clearance of .001" -.0015" and end gap .006" to .012".

There is nothing said about bearing clearance but the standard that most mechanics used was .001" per inch of diameter of the journal. This has always worked for me.

Note: It does not mention anywhere in the manual that one third of the oil ring comes below the cylinder at the bottom of the stroke. If you use a modern three piece oil ring you will break the bottoms off the pistons.

A great engine. Mine had 99,000 miles when I started to drive it in 1959. It now has 499,000 miles. Rebuilt twice. Been in every state west of the Mississippi and everywhere in Canada west of Thunder Bay. I cruise on the regular highways at 50 mph and run at 55+ on the interstates up to 65+ to pass. It has decent enough acceleration that on ramps don't bother me at all. It may be obsolete and hard to find parts for but in it's day it was the first commercially produced short stroke engine, first cross flow radiator and one of the first with automatic distributor advance.

Thank you!..Thank you!..Thank You!!

I have been searching very hard for these specs!!...I talked to the guys at the Oakland Pontiac Club a while back about a different matter and was informed then that the Oakland and Pontiac were two different cars and shared nothing in the way of parts..So having no experience with these engines, the thought of using the tolerance specs from the Oakland for my Pontiac was dismissed.

I am new to this forum but I have browsed it enough to recognize your name along with your unforgettable profile pic and I was in hopes that someone of your experience would chime in..

When I picked this car up I was under the impression that the parts and information about it would be as plentiful as the Fords...I was mistaken..haha! but it is the rarity that has made it even more desirable to complete.

I sure do appreciate it!

Tinindian?...How fitting...I just may name my car after you.

Russell.

The Oakland and Pontiac are separate cars and few parts fit both BUT the Parts and Shop manuals from 26 to 31 are for both Pontiac and Oakland. Obviously you have to make sure what page you are reading and wether or not you are reading a P or an O in the parts book. However some things, for example, Pontiac 29-31 with Hotchkiss drive have an Oakland rear end but with different ratios. So bearings and seals are the same and in my humble opinion I would rather have an incorrect rear end ratio than no rear end at all. If you went through the parts book item by item there are quite a few bits and pieces that fit both Oakland and Pontiac but not usually the same year.

i have an original 1929 pontiac owners manual the info for 1930 to 1931 pontiac oakland is not for 1929 i will have to find it it's put away i do remember the piston new aluminium piston and old cast iron pistons about the clearance  and the bearing clearance are not the same as 30 to 31 i need to find it when i do i will post it

I have a service manual for the 1930 Pontiac and nowhere in the engine or specifications does it provide the torque specifications for the critical fasteners such as the main bearings, conn rods, cylinder head, flywheel, etc. I have also searched the web for these as well with no luck.

I would greatly appreciate anyone providing this information. 

Thank you in advance

You might look at this chart as a reference.

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/bolts/US-Recommended-Torque.aspx

Thanks. All this helps