[cjwilson99]

Hello guys. I have a friend whose mother bought a 58 pontiac hearse. I have not seen it but it supposively has an original Pontiac 370 in it with a hydramatic tranny labeled "p,n.d.2.1.r". That is a quote pasted from an instant message he sent me. I think it probably said PMD instead of PND. They are replacing the engine with an SBC. I am desperately trying to talk them out of it. I suggested putting in a Poncho 400 or 455 but they say that it will not fit. I am not sure about the early engines but I thought all Poncho V8s were physically the same dimensions. I also thought that some adapters could be purchased and the newer pontiac engine would bolt right up. If I cannot convince them to go with a poncho, they will be selling the original engine and tranny. I think they are crazy. Their ignorant mechanic is the one telling them to put in the SBC. Am I correct in assuming that the 400/or 455 would drop right in?

Thanks Chris

[cjwilson99]

Hello guys. I have a friend whose mother bought a 58 pontiac hearse. I have not seen it but it supposively has an original Pontiac 370 in it with a hydramatic tranny labeled "p,n.d.2.1.r". That is a quote pasted from an instant message he sent me. I think it probably said PMD instead of PND. They are replacing the engine with an SBC. I am desperately trying to talk them out of it. I suggested putting in a Poncho 400 or 455 but they say that it will not fit. I am not sure about the early engines but I thought all Poncho V8s were physically the same dimensions. I also thought that some adapters could be purchased and the newer pontiac engine would bolt right up. If I cannot convince them to go with a poncho, they will be selling the original engine and tranny. I think they are crazy. Their ignorant mechanic is the one telling them to put in the SBC. Am I correct in assuming that the 400/or 455 would drop right in?

Thanks Chris

[bonneville Joe]

That is the correct shift pattern for that car and a Pontiac motor will fit in a Pontiac. A 455 will drop right in. Funny they say a 455 Pontiac won't fit in a Pontiac but a SBC will?

That SBC is gonna take all sorts of mods to fit, not to mention the tranny. A 400 or 455 makes way more logical sence and it will still be Pontiac. I just learned that Jegs sells an adapter plate that will mate a 65 and up Pontiac block to a 700R4 tranny. That would be the ultimate set up. It just won't match the shift pattern. Nothing will for that matter once that old tranny is out. Keep it pure Pontiac and post a pic as soon as you get a chance. Im looking for a Hearse myself.

Foolproof and Sucka free since 1979.

[stevep]

The newest motor that will drop in is a 1960.
55-60 has the same bolt pattern.

The difference between inlaws and outlaws-outlaws are wanted

[bonneville Joe]

So a 61 and newer won't fit?

Foolproof and Sucka free since 1979.

[DanC]

I have a '59 Pontiac retrofitted w/ a '65 389 and TH350 in place of the orig '59 389 and whatever that tranny was called. The two piece driveshaft also fit the later model TH350.

The selector on the gear shift IS P N D 2 1 R
Park,Netural,Drive,2,1,Reverse!!! This column shift auto linkage also worked on the TH350 but have to remember that the indicator is not correct!

Perhaps what may not interchange is the '58 tranny bellhousing pattern to the later Pont eng?! But to a "C word" engine I dunno!?!

Please get them talked outta the "C word" powerplant!!!

DanC

[Stuart]

'60 and earlier Pontiacs had different engine mounts - there was a single one in the front that bolted to the bottom of the timing chain cover and two at the rear (I'm not sure exactly how the rear ones worked.) I believe the timing chain covers on those earlier engines were steel or cast iron, while the later ones were aluminum (they still had the same mounting bolt holes at the bottom edge like the earlier covers.)

I once saw a car featured in a Hot Rod magazine from the early 60s that had a later model engine bolted in using the early style front engine mount, and they claimed the aluminum timing chain cover stood up to the abuse.

[bonneville Joe]

Wow. Glad I learned that now before it was too late. Still dosen't discourage me from doing a '59 with a 455.

Foolproof and Sucka free since 1979.

[Floyd Hand]

Stuart and Joe.

The 1955,56,57 and am 95 percent sure the 58 had one motor mount up front on timing cover and one on each side of transmission bellhousing.

The 59-60 and up had two mounts forward ( on each side of block) and one rear mounted on transmission tailshaft.

Those that are interested in a starter adapter for the pre-64 engines, go to WWW.Wilcap.com and click on new products.

[This message was edited by Floyd Hand on August 02, 2003 at 02:21 PM.]

[cjwilson99]

I feel like a dolt. I did not realize that when he said transmission was labeled P.N.D.2.1.R that he was talking about the gear selector.

Anyways. Its too late. The pontiac is out and they already started making the modifications to install the SBC. My friend, the son, has assured me that should he inherit the car he will make it pure pontiac. If this car was as nice as he said it was, then a crime was committed today.

What really gets under my skin about this is the only reason they are doing this is because their "certified mechanic" told them the SBC was "more reliable". There is nothing wrong with the drive train that was in it.

[bonneville Joe]

Their "certified mechanic" is a certified jackass. Im starting up a Lynch Mob.

_____________________________
Foolproof and Sucka free since 1979.