I have a 1969 el Camino with a very tired 307 under the hood. A friend of mine has a 1973 Pontiac 400 4bbl that I could get fairly cheap I think.
I didn't really have any use for it at the time so I passed it up. Today, I got to thinking about my nice El Camino with the tired engine. I hardly even drive it any more because of the oil consumption.
Am I wasting my time daydreaming about the possibilites here? How much trouble are we talking to make the Poncho motor work?

Greg Reid
Palmetto, Georgia

I have a 1969 el Camino with a very tired 307 under the hood. A friend of mine has a 1973 Pontiac 400 4bbl that I could get fairly cheap I think.
I didn't really have any use for it at the time so I passed it up. Today, I got to thinking about my nice El Camino with the tired engine. I hardly even drive it any more because of the oil consumption.
Am I wasting my time daydreaming about the possibilites here? How much trouble are we talking to make the Poncho motor work?

Greg Reid
Palmetto, Georgia

Oh well, that'll teach me to check the archives before posting a new question. I just found the "Pontiac Power in Other Makes" thread and it kinda answered my question...that is..it can be done but not exactly a drop in.

Greg Reid
Palmetto, Georgia

Greg , It should be almost a drop in. Get some GTO frame mounts, pulleys and brackets for the Pontiac motor. May need a new Ponitac P/S pump. Fuel line is on the opposite side but not a big deal.

A buddy in the 70s put a 455 in a 65 Chevelle for a street racer and was a killer car!

How about the transmission? It has a TH-350. Is the bolt pattern the same for the bell housing?

Greg Reid
Palmetto, Georgia

Different bolt patterns but TCI etc make adapters.

I've got a 79 Camaro about to get a 455 and a TH 400, going to have to modify the crossmember for it.

Thanks Skip. It's just something I'm kinda thinking about right now. A Poncho 400 sure would breathe new life into the ol' girl.

Greg Reid
Palmetto, Georgia