Pontiac straight 6 overhead cam

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The Pontiac Overhead Cam Straight-6 (OHC-6) is one of the most unique American engines of the muscle-car era—and still a cult favorite today.

Pontiac OHC-6 Overview

• Produced: 1966–1969

• Configuration: Inline 6-cylinder, single overhead camshaft

• Displacement: 230 cu in (3.8L) and 250 cu in (4.1L)

• Designed by: John DeLorean’s Pontiac engineering team

• Fuel system: Single or 4-barrel carburetor

• Timing drive: Reinforced rubber belt (very unusual for the era)

Performance Versions

Base OHC-6

• 165–175 hp depending on year and displacement

• Smooth, rev-happy, excellent drivability

Sprint OHC-6 (the holy grail)

• 215 hp (230ci)

• 230 hp (250ci, 1969 only)

• 4-barrel carb

• Hotter cam, freer-flowing exhaust

• Factory tachometer and sport badging

Why It Was Special

• First mass-produced American OHC engine

• Revved higher than most V8s of the time

• Lighter than Pontiac V8s → better front-end balance

• Sounded more like a European sports car than Detroit iron

Vehicles It Came In

• Pontiac Tempest

• Pontiac LeMans

• Pontiac Firebird (1967–1969)

Why It Was Killed

• More expensive to build than a V8

• Dealers didn’t understand how to sell or service it

• GM politics favored small-block V8s

• Timing belt scared conservative buyers (even though it was reliable if maintained)

Today’s Collector Status

• 
  Sprint versions are highly collectible

• Loved by hot rodders and vintage racers

• Performance parts are rare but still available

• Often swapped into period-correct builds for uniqueness