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Old 09-27-2016, 09:33 PM
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Default Pontiac engine in mid 80's chrvy truck?

I can't be the only one who has done this. I recently acquired an 86 chevy truck, 2 wheel drive, and a blown up 4.3 liter. I was entertaining the thought of putting in a Pontiac engine in it. I have a complete running 326. So, what engine mounts do I need? I am not sure it will bolt up to the 3 speed. Is there an adapter plate? I probably can get a t 350 fairly inexpensively. All the wiring, fuel, and cooling I can probably figure out. Any tips? Have you done it? The truck is gonna be put together a little rat rod style. I also have a chebby 350, but like the idea of a poncho for obvious reasons. I just want it running and driving with throaty exhaust. I've been telling my daughter she'll be the only one driving to school in something like this.

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Old 09-27-2016, 09:59 PM
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May consider fabbing some custom motor mounts to get the engine/trans to sit where you'd like. There are transmission adapters however if you plan on keeping the 3speed auto probably finding a th350 or th400 with a Pontiac bolt pattern would be a better option.

I too prefer the poncho option over the typical Chevy 350. I've recently acquired a 51 ford pickup that I plan on dropping my 400 Pontiac into. Why. . . Because it's different and it's cool.

Good luck!

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Old 09-28-2016, 12:03 AM
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I remember back in the 80's when I did auto electrical. I was testing a car, when a late 60's, early 70's Chevy truck pulled up in front of me for my boss to test. It sounded really good! I had to peek under the hood, and what do I see? A dual quad Pontiac! I said to the guy, "that's a Pontiac" He said, "damn straight, if you want a Chevy to go fast, you put a Pontiac in it".

Another time, I went out to test a 68 Camaro, it had a Pontiac 400 in it too!

An old customer of mine was telling me about his 55 Chevy back in the early 60's. He drag raced it. His buddy told him, "if you ever want to beat anything besides another Chevy, you need to put a 389 Pontiac in there". He found a 59 389, and put it in, and eventually got the car in the 11's with it!

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Old 09-28-2016, 09:14 AM
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Older but my 74 3/4 ton I put a 400 in it using stock mounts on frame and motor, needed washers behind block mounts.Used M40 ,used stock 350 chevy steering column linkage.Had problem placing in low.Drive and R no problem.Still have engine truck gone.Drop in see what's needed.I noticed Big difference in how truck hauled weight,utility body, tools rack. Go for it.Never did 4wd.

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Old 09-28-2016, 09:17 AM
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The 326 is a long stroke small bore under square engine that is a very torquey for the CID. Should make a nice smooth running truck engine don't over cam it or you will ruin it.

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Old 09-28-2016, 04:42 PM
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I'm not even taking the engine apart! Just gonna clean it up a bit. I got it for free from a member here, air cleaner to pan, 1965 vintage. Ok so fab some mounts? I guess that's not something LMC sells. I have a 70 intake 4 bbl and a q jet, I guess that will find its way on the 326. OK, wheels are spinning in my head!!!

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Old 09-28-2016, 05:00 PM
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I love the idea personally! The wife has been wanting an early 70's C10 or International Scout. I said we could look, but stipulated it would get a Pontiac engine.

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Old 09-28-2016, 05:47 PM
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I have a Chevy Silverado 1977 3/4 ton long bed I want to put my Pontiac 350 in so bad because the original Chevy 350 is beyond tired the engine and trans drip oil like crazy so it sits in the dirt.. My problem is CA emissions

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Old 09-28-2016, 05:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Formulas View Post
I have a Chevy Silverado 1977 3/4 ton long bed I want to put my Pontiac 350 in so bad because the original Chevy 350 is beyond tired the engine and trans drip oil like crazy so it sits in the dirt.. My problem is CA emissions
Is it an issue of it's illegal to do that, or you're missing things like egr etc? You can always add an egr, put cats in the tail-pipes etc.

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Old 09-28-2016, 06:29 PM
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I know of two Kansas Guys with Pontiac engines in their ALTERNATE BODY vehicles.

Both run well and package very well. Coolest I have ever seen was a 62 corvette with a 421 SD engine in it and dual quads. Most times the guy would say, 'Want to race my Corvette, it has dual quads'. SURE, HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO RACE FOR?

After the race, "that's no chevy engine!"

Reply, "Never said it was, you were the one who wanted to race, big boy, show me the dough"

Tom V.

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Old 09-28-2016, 06:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4dblnkldude View Post
I can't be the only one who has done this. I recently acquired an 86 chevy truck, 2 wheel drive, and a blown up 4.3 liter. I was entertaining the thought of putting in a Pontiac engine in it. I have a complete running 326. So, what engine mounts do I need? I am not sure it will bolt up to the 3 speed. Is there an adapter plate? I probably can get a t 350 fairly inexpensively. All the wiring, fuel, and cooling I can probably figure out. Any tips? Have you done it? The truck is gonna be put together a little rat rod style. I also have a chebby 350, but like the idea of a poncho for obvious reasons. I just want it running and driving with throaty exhaust. I've been telling my daughter she'll be the only one driving to school in something like this.
You might be able to use the engine brackets with the frame (rubber) mounts. Leave the frame bracket pieces attached to the frame and cross member.
Bolt the engine brackets to the engine and bolt the rubber mounts to the engine brackets.
Lower the engine and trans into position. Positioning the trans mount where it needs to be...if possible.
The rubber mounts MIGHT land on the frame mounts, allowing you to mark spots to drill for rubber mount attachment.
The frame/crossmember mounts can also be moved, I believe.

This is somewhat of a crap shoot. Worst thing I have think you might run into is that the engine asembly(the including mounts and brackets) might be a little too narrow, hence needing spacers.
I've seen 2 70's pickups with Pontiac 400's in them. The vehicle owners were both thrilled with the performance and MPG!

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Old 09-28-2016, 07:58 PM
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On 75 and later in CA if you substitute the engine the engine needs to be newer than chassis and then the smog levels required to pas are based on new engine... My block is a 70...I am moving out of CA as soon as possible anyways as I am retired now

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Old 09-29-2016, 10:23 AM
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A little off topic. Guy at local show has an opera window tbird with a 428 in it. Did I say 428 Pontiac.

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Old 09-29-2016, 10:42 AM
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You should check the local laws. Here, you cannot install an engine that is older than the car[or truck, in this case].

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Old 09-29-2016, 11:37 AM
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I've done 4 jeeps (65, 67 Wagoneers, and a J4000 pickup, and a military 5/4 ton) with Pontiac V8s in them, just need some fabricating abilities and welding skills to make the swap. The added torque of a Pontiac engine is a great asset in a truck. As shown below my Jeep truck was a tow truck and a snowplow so the better low end is a nice addition.

Below the 73 J4000 originally came with a 360 AMC, converted first to a Pontiac 350, then later to a 455. After a spun bearing in the 455 (carb flooding issue) a 400 was used till it's demise in 2001 due to a rusted frame.



The Jeep used a T400, so same as the chevy a chassis with a GM transmission makes the swap fairly easy and the biggest area of fabrication will be the front motor mounts. Wiring is usually just modifying the starter connections, the ignition is roughly the same position as a chevy. I've used stock manifolds in most of my swaps. In the jeep truck I went for headers and used 3 tube units. Because of the right hand front drive shaft for the 4 WD I had to modify the right header extensively for clearance. Log manifolds will fit fairly easily.

Since the chevy has the same radiator setup as the Pontiac cars even stock replacement hoses should work.

If the truck your working with is a 2 WD the swap should be fairly straight forward and be done in 2-3 of weekends.

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Old 09-29-2016, 01:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gtofreek View Post
You should check the local laws. Here, you cannot install an engine that is older than the car[or truck, in this case].
Good advise, I've never checked that out in the laws here.

Wife wants a 72. My 455 is a 73...that should do and it'll give me an excuse to build something like a MR1.

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Old 09-30-2016, 11:07 AM
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The only problem I see is the weight difference between the 4.3 and the 326. Hooker used to make a kit to install SBCs into an S10 platform. The springs in that kit would get you closer to the same weight as the 326, but it would still be lighter than the 326.

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Old 10-02-2016, 09:50 PM
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I am not worried about laws, I'll just get some sticks for it. I've secured the t 350 out of my buddies 70 lemans. I'm still in the research phase but this is sounding good!!!!

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