[gtoquick]

I bought this 57 Chieftain 2 door HT about 10 years ago. It is a very original car, straight and rust free body – Look at the fit of the doors and moldings! I have known the car since the early 80’s… shows 85k on the odometer.

It does have a 65 389 (YE code) with 76 heads and a slimjim tranny that was swapped in the 80’s.

Anyway, time to get it back on the street. I want to have the interior re-done, and get it to be a nice driver without any paint work at this time. So I need interior foam, complete brake overhaul, suspension parts, etc to ensure it is safe on the road.

I know that some parts are the same as 57 Chevys, and some are Pontiac only. Any experts want to share their knowledge on what will interchange and a good supplier for good quality parts? I have spent the past 25+ years with GTO’s, but lost most of those to a shop fire a year ago, so time to move on to other projects.

Here are some questions off the top of my head:
Interior – I see there is seat foam and door panel board backs available for 57 Chevys – are they the same as Pontiac? What about carpet? And inside front door arm rests? Sunvisors and mounts? Rear package shelf?

Brakes – wheel cylinders, master cylinder, brake hoses and shoes – Who is a good source for good parts – I see lots on the net but don’t want to get stuck with junk.

Shocks – is there a coil over rear shock – I would like to get the rear up 2 to 4 inches.

Need a battery hold down - is the Chevy the same?

Will a 235/70/15 tire fit on the rears or will it rub? Currently have 215/70/15 on all four corners
Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

[Stuart]

California Pontiac Restoration has the brake parts listed: http://www.pontiacparts.net/. I've had good luck dealing with them in the past.

[Safari Larry]

Love that Chieftain, it's a beauty! Nice with the 389. Bummer about the shop fire!!!

Agree with Stuart about California Pontiac Restoration (CPR). I've bought a lot of parts from them. They know Pontiacs. The other Pontiac parts Supplier is Ames, www.amesperf.com. You may run onto Kanter in your search for parts, I do NOT recommend them for suspension parts.

Regarding interchangeability of Chevy/Pontiac parts. Lots of body parts interchange, including glass, doors, seats, and most interior trim. All door parts should interchange including door panels and armrests (trim will be different). I believe sunvisors will interchange. Floors are not the same so carpeting will likely not interchange.

Virtually nothing else interchanges. Fisher Body made the body for Chevy and Pontiac. The body then went to the respective Chevy and Pontiac assembly plants where Chevy and Pontiac each went their own way with just about everything. Mechanically, Pontiac has much more in common with Oldsmobile.

You may want to get familiar with www.PontiacSafari.com. Check out the "Links" page and the "Pontiac Garage" page. You'll find the shop manual, Fisher Body manuals (Body by Fisher Service News), Master Parts Catalog, and more.

Larger tires will probably not rub but you may find it difficult to install them on the rear.

[Stuart]

I should also point out our host Performance Years also lists some brake parts for a '57.

As for Kanter, I installed their front end rebuild kit on the '61 Bonneville convertible I used to own and had no problems, but I have heard other people have had durability issues.

[gtoquick]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the replies.

I was looking at Kanter, and they have the brake parts, but I will check out CPR too - I had forgot about them.

[KoolKat57]

I have 235/70-15 Radial T/A's on the back of my '57. They are mounted on 15X7 American Torque Thrust wheels. I have air shocks on the back which are still available from many sources. Brakes are also available from multiple sources, just watch for country of origin on the parts you buy.
Door panel backers are readily available also, same as Chevy as is the package shelf, weather stripping and all other seals. Ditto for glass! seat foam is more like the '55 and '56 Chevy.
CPR is a great source for what you need including the battery hold down and sun visors and mounts.
I have found most of what I need or want on ebay and as you will find out wheel bearings are always handy to have on hand both front and rear along with seals.
I try to buy new old stock for bearings as I don't trust the new stuff from off shore!
Hope that helps! KK

[Safari Larry]

Originally Posted by Stuart

As for Kanter, I installed their front end rebuild kit on the '61 Bonneville convertible I used to own and had no problems, but I have heard other people have had durability issues.

My problem with Kanter was not with durability of parts, it was with getting defective parts and poor quality control. It took three months, a letter to Dan Kanter, and returning defective parts three times before it was resolved. I was never reimbursed for the last shipping of returned part. See http://www.pontiacsafari.com/KanterProblems/index.html for the full story.

To their credit, in the end I got a correct part that worked. Not to say I would not have had the same problem with CPR (they may get the parts from same source) but with them I could have called and explained my problem. With Kanter when I called there was no one to talk to that understood the Pontiac front suspension so I had to take photos and send to explain the problem. It took many hours of my time. In retrospect, I would have ordered from CPR even though price was a little higher. Lesson learned!

[gtoquick]

KoolKat -

How does your car ride with the airshocks? I have not ran airshocks for 20+ years, but on my 66 GTO I had them and the ride was so stiff I swap in taller coil springs and coil over shocks to get the ride height I wanted and had a better ride too.

If you have a photo I would like to see how your car is sitting with the 235's and airshocks. I want a little rake on my 57...

Has anyone put in the new leaf springs that are available from Eaton? (thanks Safari Larry for the links off pontiacsafari) I see I can order them in +2" to +4" ride height increases.

Thanks.

[KoolKat57]

Mike
My car rides great, the new airshocks ride really well!

KK