Classic Car Engine Specs: 1955 Pontiac 287 (180 hp) V8

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Year: 1955
Model Designation: V8 55-27, V8 55-28
Wheel Base: V8 55-27 - 122, V8 55-28 - 124
Valve Location: In head
Bore & Stroke: 3.750 x 3.250
Piston Displacement, Cubic Inches: 287.2 Compression Ratio: 8.0
Maximum Brake HP @ RPM: 180 @ 4600
Maximum Torque Lbs. Ft. @ RPM: 264 @ 2400
Normal Oil Pressure Lbs: 40

TUNE UP SPECIFICATIONS

Disconnect vacuum line when using timing light to set timing.
Ground Polarity & Voltage: N-12
Spark Plug Type: A.C. 44-5 Tighten to a torque of 15-25 lbs. ft.
Spark Plug Gap, Inch: .035
Distributor:
Point Gap, Inch .016
Cam Angle Degrees: 26-33
Firing Order: (-V8 cylinder numbering (front to rear): Left bank 1,3,5,7, right bank 2,4,6,8): 18436572
Ignition Timing:
Timing Mark: When cranking engine first line to come under pointer.
Timing Mark Location: Damper
Idle Speed RPM in Neutral: 450-475
Compression Pressure @ Cranking Speed Minimum: 120

VALVE SPECIFICATIONS

Running Clearance:
Int: zero
Exh: Zero
Valve Seat Angle, Degrees: Intake 30 degrees, exhaust 45 degrees
Valve Timing (-BTDC: Before top dead center. ATDC: After top dead center.)
Intake Opens Deg. BTDC: 22
Exhaust Closes Deg. ATDC: 27
Valve Spring Pressure Lbs. at Inches Length: Inner spring 5 @ 1 5/32, outer spring 102 @ 1.20
Valve Lift Zero Lash
Int: .327
Exh: .327
Stem Clearance:
Int: Guides taper .0015" to the inch and when started in the guide the valve should fall through of its own weight. Exh: Guides taper .0015" to the inch and when started in the guide the valve should fall through of its own weight.
Stem Diameter, Std.
Int: .3407-.3417
Exh: .3407-.3417

ENGINE TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS

Torque specifications are for clean & lightly lubricated threads only. Dry or dirty threads produce increased friction which prevents accurate measurement of tightness.
Spark Plugs Ft. Lbs.: 25
Cylinder Head Bolts Ft. Lbs.: 95
Intake Manifold Ft. Lbs.: 40
Exhaust Manifolds Ft. Lbs.: 25
Rocker Arms Shaft Bracket Ft. Lbs.: 15
Rocker Arm Cover Ft. Lbs.: 3
Connecting Rod Cap Bolts Ft. Lbs. 45
Main Bearing Cap Bolts Ft. Lbs.: 95 (Rear 120.)
Flywheel to Crankshaft Ft. Lbs.: 95
Vibration Damper or Pulley Ft. Lbs.: 160

COOLING SYSTEM & CAPACITY DATA

Cooling System Data
Quarts No Heater: 22 3/4
Quarts With Heater: 24 1/2
Rad. Cap Relief Pressure: 7
Thermostat Opening Temp
-For permanent type anti-freeze: 180
-For alcohol type anti-freeze: 151
Fuel Tank Gals: 20
Engine Oil
Refill Quarts: (-Add one quart with filter change): 5
Summer Grade: Use 20W for 10 degrees to 110 degrees temp. Use 10W for 10 degrees below zero to 95 degrees above.
Winter Grade: Use 20W for 10 degrees to 110 degrees temp. Use 10W for 10 degrees below zero to 95 degrees above.
Transmissions
Std. Pints: 1 3/4
With Overdrive Pints: None
Automatic Qts.: 9 1/2
Rear Axle Pints: 3 1/4

DISTRIBUTOR SPECIFICATIONS

Part No. (Stamped on plate riveted to side of distributor housing): 1110828
Rotation: (-As viewed from top. CC-Counter Clockwise): CC
Cam Angle Degrees: 26-33
Breaker Point Opening, Inch: .016
Condenser Capacity, Mfds. (-Microfarads-as indicated on a condenser tester.): .18-.23
Breaker Arm Spring Tension, Ounces: 19-23
Centrifugal Advance Data Degrees @ RPM of Dist.
Advance Starts: 1 @ 325
Full Advance: 15 @ 1700
Vacuum Advance Data
Inches of Vacuum to Start Plunger Movement: 4-6
Inches of Vacuum for Full Plunger Travel: 12 1/2-13 1/2
Maximum Vacuum Advance, Dist. Degrees: 8

PISTON, PINS, RINGS, CRANKSHAFT & BEARINGS

Ring End Gap (-Fit rings in tapered bores for clearance given in tightest portion of ring travel)
Comp: Top ring .010", second ring .008".
Oil: .015
Wristpin Diameter: .9805
Rod Bearings
Shaft Diameter: 2.2488-2.2498
Bearing Clearance: .001-.003
Main Bearings
Shaft Diameter: 2.498-2.499
Bearing Clearance: Front .0005-.0025", rear .0008-.0033", others .0005-.003".
Thrust on Bear. No.: 4
Shaft End Play: .003-.008

GENERATOR & REGULATOR SPECIFICATIONS

Generator
Generator Number: 1100304
Rotation: & Ground Polarity (-C-Clockwise. N-Negative): C-N
Generator Output
Amperes: 25
RPM: 2780
Brush Spring Tension, Ounces: 2/8
Field Current Amperes: 1.5-1.62 (At 12 volts.)

Regulator
Regulator Number: 1118945
Cutout Relay
Voltage to Close Points: 12.6
Armature Air Gap, Inch: .020
Voltage Regulator Setting Volts: 14.3
Current Regulator Setting Amperes: 25
Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap, Inch: .075

STARTING MOTOR SPECIFICATIONS

Part No: 1107631, 1107632
Rotation: (-As viewed from drive end): C
Brush Spring Tension, Ounces: 35 Min.
No Load Test
Amperes: 95
Volts: 10.1
RPM: 3500
Torque Test
Amperes: 470
Volts: 5.4
Torque, Lbs.Ft: 10 1/2

REAR AXLE & BRAKE CYLINDER SPECIFICATIONS

Ring, Gear & Pinion Backlash, Inch: .003-.012
Drive Pinion Adjustment: Shim
Drive Pinion Bearing Adjustment: Spacer
Axle Shaft End Play, Inch: None
Hydraulic Cylinder Bore Sizes, Inch:
Wheel Cylinder: Front: 1 1/16, Rear: 15/16
Master Cylinder: 1

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Caster, Degrees:
Limits: -1/2 to -1 1/2
Desired: -1
Camber, Degrees:
Limits: 0 to +1
Desired: +1/2
Toe-In, Inches: 0 to 1/16
Toe-Out on Turns, Degrees: (-Incorrect toe-out, when other adjustments are correct, indicates bent steering arms)
Outer wheel: 19
Inner Wheel: 20
Kingpin Angle, Degrees: (-Incorrect kingpin angle with correct camber indicates bent suspension arms or steering knuckle support): 1 1/3 @ Camber