The Pontiac Split Head six produced 60 horsepower in 1929, up from 40 horsepower in earlier versions. The customer asked for the red paint job on his engine.

Diving deeper into automotive history, the Engine Department of Jasper Authentic Custom Drivetrains recently remanufactured a 1929 Pontiac 200 cubic-inch “Split Head” six cylinder engine. These engines were built between 1926 and 1932, when Pontiac was a branch-off of the old Oakland Motor Car company.

The Split Head had a one-piece cast iron block with three main bearings. Its most unusual feature was the use of two separate cylinder heads, covering three cylinders apiece. The ignition distributor was mounted on top of the block, in the gap between the heads.

Pre-1929 versions of the Split Head were 186 cubic inches; rated at 40 horsepower. For 1929 and later models, the engine displaced 200 cubic inches, producing 60 horsepower.

Obviously, this early drivetrain component is no longer offered, nor does it fit into any production remanufacturing system. That’s where Jasper Authentic Custom Drivetrains comes in.

“One type of client that would benefit from our division, for instance, is the individual restoring a car that’s all-original,” says Alex Ernst, Jasper Authentic Group Leader. “They want the serial numbers to match, or they want their engine to be hand-built by experienced professionals”.

“With Jasper Authentic Custom Drivetrains, we spend extra time remanufacturing an engine or transmission,” Ernst added. “We give the customer that hands-on, hand-built treatment that our target customer base is looking for.”

In addition, Jasper Authentic Custom Drivetrains provides some extras for the enthusiast. “Customers can opt to have their engine dynamometer tested, in addition to the live-run test we perform on most applications,” said Ernst. “And we can provide the customer with documentation of the remanufacturing process.”

For more information on the Jasper Authentic Custom Drivetrain division, call 1-800-827-7455.