The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Pontiac 317

I have a friend with a 56 gmc with the Pontiac 317 engine and auto transmission. I know nothing on these. Does anyone have this setup?
Thanks

No one out here in the west knows about this combination after the fire?

what fire would that be?

Are you referring to the Hydra-Matic plant fire in 1953? (if you are referring to another fire, I'll delete this post - sorry).

If you are referring to the H-M Plant fire: "By the time the 1954 models debuted in late 1953, Hydramatic production had returned to normal levels and all '54 model Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs with automatic transmissions were once again equipped with Hydramatics."

https://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/Biggest_Industrial_Fire_in_History

Sorry, I know little about gmc's. I heard there was a fire and that's why gmc used the Pontiac engine. Again, sorry.

I am trying to help out a good young man with verbal and moral support for his project. This 56 gmc was his grandfathers. It's in pieces and he has the will to get it back together. It has the Pontiac 316/317 engine and automatic transmission. I believe he has the original setup. He said he cannot find engine mounts.

How hard of a project has he gotten into? I told him to get the manuals and find web sites.

Thank you

Dennis,

You do not have to apologize. I was just posting information.

Are the transmission and engine together/attached?

You might want to suggest that he find a shop that works on automatics/hydra-matics - a shop that would know about the mounts (a H-M rebuilder might not know that information).

Maybe someone will post the name of a shop in SoCal that knows old H-Ms and engines?

You might try Turners just south of Fresno. It's almost worth the trip just to look around but they ship out too.

I'd suggest he study the info at oldGMCtrucks.com and join the discussion forums there.

I know nothing about the 317 GMC engine but when I googled it it sure looks like a Buick Nail Head instead of a Pontiac. The exception is if it has the Tri-power set up is a Pontiac engine.

It looks nothing like a nail head Buick except for the fact they are both V8 engine.

GMC trucks used Pontiac V-8 engines from 55 through 59.
55-287, 56-316, 57-347, 58&59-336. They also used the GM Hydramatic trans.
Some of the larger trucks used Olds engines.

Dennis, I'll ask around. One of my friends had a Hydramatic trans done for his 57 Cameo a few years ago. It still works so I guess the shop must be OK.
Fred