“What are the most common problems with the 1967 Pontiac GTO’s 400 engine?”
The 1967 Pontiac GTO’s 400 engine is a real powerhouse, but it does have a few well-known quirks that owners commonly encounter:
1. Overheating Issues - This is probably the #1 complaint. The 400 tends to run warm even stock, and many GTOs struggle with cooling, especially convertibles with A/C. The factory cooling system can be marginal, particularly in traffic on hot days.
2. Rocker Arm Oiling Problems - The oiling system doesn’t always get sufficient lubrication up to the rocker arms, especially at idle. You’ll often hear about dry rockers or blue-ing of the rocker tips from oil starvation. This is particularly true with aftermarket rocker arms.
3. Lifter and Pushrod Issues - Related to the oiling problems, lifters can be noisy and pushrods don’t always get adequate oil flow, leading to premature wear.
4. Carburetor Flooding/Hot Start Problems - The Rochester Quadra-jet can be temperamental, especially when hot. Many owners experience hard hot starts or flooding issues.
5. Main Cap Walk - Under hard use, the main bearing caps can shift slightly, leading to bearing wear and potential engine damage if not caught early.
The good news? Most of these issues have well-established solutions in the Pontiac community. Upgraded oiling systems, better cooling components, and proper carb tuning can make these engines very reliable. Given that the GTO you’re looking at has been frame-off restored, hopefully many of these issues have already been addressed!
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