New transplant idea
 

So I have this 57 chieftain without engine/trans...or interior for that matter. Anywhoo, I came across a guy who just picked up a rough 68 Sprint. He's gonna ditch the OHC6 for a cheby small block. Normally I would discourage such behavior but I'd kinda like to see that cammer in my 57 engine bay. I know the chief is about 1k heavier than the tempest. Plan would b to put 5 spd behind it. Your thoughts on the matter please gentlemen.

A 1957 Pontiac weighs about 3700 pounds which is pretty much the same as a ‘68 A-body Pontiac and a few hundred pounds more at most than the same year F-body, both of which came with the OHC-6 as the standard engine.

The weight difference isn’t an issue so swap away.

The body lines of the ‘57 make it look like it’s a heavy car but it really isn’t.

I think it would be an interesting project, I have a Home made vintage Tri Power intake that I think would fit under the taller hood of a 57 if you are interested

Transplant
 

I think for a 57 Chieftain you should go v8. You will have much more power and fun. It would be more valuable and more people would be interested. Ohc is great but your limited.

It would be cool.
 

I've recorded many OHC 6 transplants over the years with a good number of them being in older Pontiacs but never a '57.

This would be a cool project.

Well OHC-6 member Bill K is building a Canadian 57 Pontiac that he is installing the engine I sold him (Tom Langdons old Cammer from the Hole Shot 6) So at least 1 is being done on a 57 Pontiac. But his car originally had a GMC inline 6 installed in it.

Well, I'm currently waiting to hear back from this cat about it. I had previously intended to just put a 400 in it but after reading here the difficulty with exhaust clearance has me reconsidering options. I'd really like to put a firebird subframe under it but that doesn't sound really feasible either. Not that I don't have the skill, it's just another project when I have way too many already.

Anyone have any idea what 5 spd tranny configuration would work best in the 57? I have no interior for reference

I forgot about Bill's project.

i say why not. those cammer 6 engines are cool . a t5 would probably work nicely.

A friend of mine put one in a 62 Wagon and he said it drove fine. I would not worry too much about weight, correct gearing is more important. The more gears the better.

Bigger....you could probably use a T50. They came in some Gbody cars and some Monzas with v8s. I got one out of a 80 Olds cutlass. They had different 1st gear ratios. I've been saving this one for years because I have an OHC6 sitting in the barn(since '83) and thought this would be a great trans behind the low power/torque OHC6.

I was meaning more along the lines of where shifter will end up in cabin

Now I'm thinking I may as well cut the front frame off and graft on a 2nd gen subframe. Then would bolt up. Anybody know how well this works? I have a couple sitting here.

I can't help with the subframe, but I added a couple of shots of the engine swap in Bills 57.

I understand it is running now.

Glad to see that Ol Cammer being used again,
 

Just not sure a '57 will do it justice :( ;)

Jeff do you still have contact with Tom?

Jeff I have not spoken to him in a couple of years, but I still do have his Phone #

I was just wondering if he ever located the Anglia.
Last I spoke with him several years ago he mentioned having a lead to it whereabouts.

Not that I am aware of, he knew I had the engine and I told him if he ever found it I would donate it back to him. He never contacted me about returning it.

Gtospieg: years ago I put a T50 behind the Sprint in my previous Lemans. Had a 3.9:1 axle and the T50 made it more comfy on the freeway. A great combo. Had to modify the crossmember ad change driveshaft length. Otherwise, a piece of cake.

George