Engine Building Tools

Engine Building Tools

Building a high-performance Pontiac V8 requires more than just quality parts—it demands specialized tools for the precision clearances and proprietary steps involved. Butler Performance understands the unique needs of the traditional Pontiac engine and offers a crucial selection of Engine Building Tools, many of which are specifically designed or curated to simplify and perfect the assembly process.

By providing the right tools for the job, Butler Performance helps professional builders and dedicated enthusiasts achieve the same high standard of assembly found in their famous Butler Built Crate Engines.

Select a Sub-Category

View  
Engine Building Tools - Misc Tools
Misc Tools
Engine Building Tools - Fender Covers
Fender Covers

More About Engine Building Tools

Precision Assembly: Specialized Engine Building Tools for Pontiacs at Butler Performance

 

 

Tools for Crank, Piston, and Rod Assembly

 

The foundation of a reliable high-horsepower engine is the bottom end. Butler Performance offers specialized tools for installing, measuring, and preparing these critical components.

  • Piston Installation Tools: Butler offers specialized tools, such as steel shot-filled plastic piston installation handles, that simplify the process of installing pistons and rods into the cylinder bores without damaging the skirts or cylinder walls.1

     

     

  • Ring Filing Equipment: The Manual Ring Filer is an essential tool for high-performance builds, ensuring piston rings are filed to the precise end gaps required for the engine's intended use and power level.2 This attention to detail is critical for proper sealing and longevity.

     

     

  • Piston Ring Squaring Tools: Available in various bore sizes (e.g., 3$4.000$" to 4$4.230$" bores), these tools ensure piston rings are perfectly square in the cylinder when checking ring end gap, leading to accurate measurements.5

     

     

  • Crankshaft and Balancer Tools: For supercharged or high-RPM applications, Butler Performance offers the proprietary Pontiac Crank Pinning Kit.6 This fixture allows builders to effortlessly drill and pin the Pontiac crankshaft and harmonic balancer together, preventing slippage under extreme load.7

     

     

 

Head, Cam, and Valvetrain Tools

 

Properly timing the camshaft and setting up the valvetrain is the single most critical step in maximizing horsepower. Butler provides the precision instruments needed for this phase.

  • Cam Degree Kits: The Butler Cam Degree Kit is a comprehensive package that includes a degree wheel, a crank socket, and a cam checking tool.8 This kit is indispensable for accurately "timing" the camshaft (setting its precise position relative to the crankshaft) to ensure peak performance from the chosen cam profile.

     

     

  • Pontiac-Specific Valve Seal Installation Tool: To prevent damage to delicate valve seals—especially those used with high-lift roller camshafts—Butler offers a custom Billet Valve Seal Installation Tool.9 This tool fits specific seal sizes (10$0.500$" / 11$0.531$") to ensure seals are installed correctly without being torn or warped.12

     

     

  • Camshaft Installation Tool: Featuring an extra-long handle, this tool simplifies the process of installing the camshaft without damaging the cam bearings.13

     

     

  • Adjustable Pushrod Length Checkers: These are crucial for determining the correct length of pushrods needed to achieve the proper valvetrain geometry, a vital step when installing performance cylinder heads and roller rocker arms.14

     

     

 

Miscellaneous and Specialty Tools

 

Beyond core assembly, Butler Performance offers several custom tools designed to solve common Pontiac-specific challenges:

  • Pontiac Pipe Plug Tool: This specialized tool is designed for the installation and removal of the proprietary oil galley plug located behind the distributor and the 15$3/8$" hex plugs in the engine block.16

     

     

  • Oil Pump Primer Shaft: A simple but necessary tool that allows the builder to prime the oiling system and check for proper oil pressure before the engine is started for the first time.17

     

     

  • Water Pump Alignment Studs: These studs simplify the alignment of the water pump plate and the 11-bolt water pump housing during installation, a step that is key to achieving proper water flow in the Pontiac cooling system.18

     

     

  • Dipstick Tube Installation Tool: A dedicated tool for installing the dipstick tube into the block without damage.19

     

     

By providing these specialized and high-quality engine building tools, Butler Performance reinforces its role as the ultimate resource, ensuring that every stage of a Pontiac V8 build can be executed with maximum precision and confidence.