Pontiac Power is still alive with the US Postal Service

[5th T/A]

Since TAC is largely a Pontiac Firebird Forum I thought I would switch gears a little bit with a more friendly US Postal Service discussion.

While Pontiac has been out of business for a dozen years, Pontiac power is still responsible for helping deliver US mail. Starting in 1977 Pontiac built a four cylinder engine referred to as the Iron Duke or Tech Four. It was used in Pontiac’s, Old’s, Buick’s, Chevy’s and even AMC Jeeps. It was a bare bones power plant designed for fuel economy. So when installed in the 3rd Generation 1982 Firebirds, its meek 90 HP didn’t really scream Pontiac excitement.

Grumman Corp built mail delivery trucks that many of us are familiar with from 1987 – 1994 for USPS. From what I can find online it looks like they built roughly 140,000 of these vehicles and as many as 100,000 may still be in service. They were named LLV for Long Life Vehicles with an expected life span of roughly 20 years. The majority of these LLV’s were built with the Pontiac Iron Duke. Since some have been in service in excess of thirty years they probably could have been named “Really Long Life Vehicles”. Kind of amazing when you compare it to the 12 years of age for the average American car still on the road.

IMG_9459 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_9460 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

[roadking77]

Same mail truck my post office is still using. Interesting about the 'duke'.

[Jack]

Used here as well, thanks for posting.

[Steve B]

Mine too and I think my mailman tries to improve his 0-60 time at each stop.  I can hear him coming several blocks away. 🤣😁

[kentucky yeti]

Grumman bolted their aluminum body on a S-10 chassis.  They were fitted with whatever Grumman could source- some 2.2's and some 2.5's (Iron Dukes).  The Duke engines have held up better than their counterpart.  But these were all supposed to be retired by 2012, until the Congress stripped USPS' funds for their own use.  The result is that these are constantly breaking down.  Several in just the past few years have had major fires and been destroyed from leaking windshields dripping onto the fuse box and making impressive fires.  They have been patched up over and over.  But yeah- the little 2.5 held up well for a long time.  Unfortunately, everything wears out.   Their time came years ago, but the money isn't there to replace them.  USPS spends well over $500 million/year now just to keep the nationwide fleet running.

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

The only ill repute for the Iron Duke is its power output, which in relation to performance cars like Camaros and Firebirds is laughable. But for a mail truck, that power is inconsequential. Otherwise, it is one of the hardiest, most reliable little mills ever constructed by GM and demands lots of respect simply based off of that.

[mrbandit]

Grumman bolted their aluminum body on a S-10 chassis.  They were fitted with whatever Grumman could source- some 2.2's and some 2.5's (Iron Dukes).  The Duke engines have held up better than their counterpart.  But these were all supposed to be retired by 2012, until the Congress stripped USPS' funds for their own use.  The result is that these are constantly breaking down.  Several in just the past few years have had major fires and been destroyed from leaking windshields dripping onto the fuse box and making impressive fires.  They have been patched up over and over.  But yeah- the little 2.5 held up well for a long time.  Unfortunately, everything wears out.   Their time came years ago, but the money isn't there to replace them.  USPS spends well over $500 million/year now just to keep the nationwide fleet running.

This would explain why Fiero's have jumped in value lately.

[firebirdparts]

I can hear our letter carrier coming a mile away.  not sure why that duke is so loud, but I guess they put a cheap muffler on there.  And then too she probably leaves every mailbox at WOT.

[5th T/A]

The USPS trucks that come around my neighborhood are not that loud, especially compared to the UPS vehicles. While my hearing is not great the USPS trucks have a very distinct sound like nothing else, I can always hear when my mail has been delivered. Also, the aluminum bodies have held up very well in the rusty Midwest.

[5th T/A]

The only constant in life is change. l was no longer hearing the mail truck around my neighborhood. Yesterday while walking the dog, I saw the reason why. My letter carrier was ear to ear smiles when I walked up to him, he got a brand-new replacement for his 1995 truck. This has more room, safety equipment and air conditioning. Built by Mercedes Benz. He said it will take years to replace  their entire fleet of ancient vehicles. I wonder if these replacement trucks will be in service for 27 years?

Sady, he informed me our previous letter carrier who retired a couple years ago had just passed away. Really a shame as he was a super nice person.

IMG_9656 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

[kentucky yeti]

Ours have spent as much time in the shop as they have delivering mail.  Wheel bearing failures with a only a few thousand miles seems pretty common.  If you notice, the M-B emblem on teh front is missing and replaced with the USPS logo.  Mercedes wanted an additional fee to use their emblem, so USPS used their own.

[5th T/A]

I noticed the USPS logo immediately, why pay Mercedes to advertise for them. I don’t understand the wheel bearing issue unless they are improperly installed or junk parts, the chassis is old S10 technology.

[kentucky yeti]

I noticed the USPS logo immediately, why pay Mercedes to advertise for them. I don’t understand the wheel bearing issue unless they are improperly installed or junk parts, the chassis is old S10 technology.

LOL I'm talking about the new M-B vans in the shop.

[5th T/A]

The little engine that refuses to go away.

A new article on this old engine.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/a-detailed-look-at-gm-s-2-5-liter-iron-duke-engine/ar-AA13EbeB?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=59ab217a3c5f4a34aaa14cb1d5f8cd03

Years ago one of my brothers had an Olds Cutlas Calais with the Iron Duke/tech IV engine. It quit running because the upper timing gear went. I was told the gear couldn't be replaced without partially pulling the engine out. I managed to replace the gear leaving the engine in place by slightly grinding away part of the frame and heating up the new gear so it would slide on. At the time I never thought of it as a Pontiac engine.

[firebirdparts]

They say, and I admit I have seen this, that some people who think they know cars confuse the Chevy II two-thirds-of-a-230 with the iron duke, which to me is shocking.  You're supposed to know it's a Pontiac.  they don't look alike.  The Iron Dukes were crossflow. 

[jonathonar89]

My friend has a repair shop that services 3 different villages for these.  The engines blow all the time and they’re all rebuilt by Jasper.  I wish they lasted longer.  I sometimes work on them due to working next door.