[sprechs69firebird]

All things being equal, is there any reason to build a '59 389 over a 400 or 455? It will ultimately go into a '69 bird. Trying to find a good motor to build, but reasonable 400's and 455's are hard to find, at least in Vegas.

[INJUNTOM]

i wouldn't go with a '59 389 for many reasons.

the main reason is that the early engines aren't meant to have the starter bolt to the block.

also if i remember right, the bellhousing bolt pattern may be different as well.

a 400 shouldn't be too hard to find in a wrecking yard. lots of fullsize cars from '67 to '79 had them.

not to mention 70s firebirds.

[Steve Barcak]

Unless you are building, or planning, to get very serious with a blown, N20 or turbo'd I do not feel it is worth the effort to use a early block. There are plenty of later style blocks around. The later style blocks (post '60) aren't as strong but, probably strong enough for your useage. Good luck,
Steve

[JUDGGTO69]

What would you call reasonable for a rebuildable 455???

[sprechs69firebird]

Reasonable 455? +-$400. Keep in mind reasonable is relative.

[chiphead]

The early engines (pre-64) are an earlier design. Parts selection is limited for these engines compared to the newer engines. You'll have a harder time finding parts, and making it run as well as a '64-newer 389/400 for the same cost and trouble. I don't think later cylinder heads or manifolds will fit. Dont even know if the motor mounts are the same.

$400 for a rebuildable 455 is cheap.

[Steve Barcak]

chiphead- get your facts straight, you don't know what you are talking about, ignore his last post. It is full of wrongs.
Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

[chiphead]

How about enlighting us? I'd like to learn as well. This site doesnt often touch on engines made before '66. '59 was the first year for 389, right? I thought the crank snout was shorter, the intake manifold bolt pattern was different, the heads had smaller valves and closed chambers, the front assemblies not interchangable with '67-newer engines, etc. Some early engines depending on year and size had the 'rubber rods', different starter mounting, etc. What interchanges between the early engines and the '65-later engines?

If I see a technical error made by a previous poster, I politely point it out. Why are you the asshole?

[tom s]

any pontiac head-timing-cover-intake will fit a 59 block if they match,that is a 61-64 head with a 61-64 intake or a 65up head and intake.The bellhousing and flywheel are issues which can be overcome with adapters but usually not worth the trouble.All the internals will interchange like oil pump,cam lifters etc.Tom

[chiphead]

Ah OK. So what's the diff between '59-60 top ends and '61-64? Did the early 389s use the same bore, stroke and journal sizes as the 65-later 389s? Was the crank snout shorter '64-earlier? Did the earlier engines use windage trays, baffled oil pans, etc? Oil pump driveshaft the same? And what about the motor mounts?

[tom s]

crank snouts are shorter but that is NBD.I have 2 engines with short snout cranks and 69-70 timing covers and balancers.Dont remember about the baffels.Valley covers are diff for diff years but are interchangeable depending on the intake.The motor mounts im really not sure about as I have never used a pre 61 block.The bore and stroke on a 59 389 is the same as a 66.One important thing is to use the correct timing cover with the correct balancer and pulleys as there are changes thru the years.Tom

[Steve Barcak]

You're posting false info and I am the a hole? It is probably best you remain ignorant. You got some info here but, hardly all of it.
I don't hide behind a nick name. Those who do, as you havem tend to speak out with false info and then call others expletives.
Real class you are
Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

[tom s]

WOW Steve!Someone piss in you cornflakes?He along with most of this and other pontiac boards dont know ANYTHING about pre 65 stuff.Give him a little knowledge instead of jumping on him!Tom

[PONTIAC DUDE]

Originally Posted by tom s

WOW Steve!Someone piss in you cornflakes?He along with most of this and other pontiac boards dont know ANYTHING about pre 65 stuff.Give him a little knowledge instead of jumping on him!Tom

Bwahahahahahaha.

Someone needs to go to charm school 101, does one? LOL.

Steve can call Tony Stewart. Seems to work for him this year. A different person. LOl.

Basically any 350/400 block from pre real early 75 will hold 600hp.......... if prepped right.
Any 389 block with capability to mount a starter will work.
Any 455 will work.