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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 | Hi all. New to the site. I apologize if this has been discussed but I'm still learning the ropes here. I have a 1957 GMC all original parts truck that has been sitting for many years. The 347 pontiac motor has a ton of cracks in the block. The truck 347 motor is hard to find and extremely expensive to buy. The rebuild kit is crazy priced. So Im looking for opinions on pontiac V-8s that will bolt up to the original manual transmission, column shift. Thanks for any thoughts.
Butch | | | | | Joined: May 2017 Posts: 100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2017 Posts: 100 | PONTIAC 389 Early one will bolt right in . Late 50's very early 60's 389. even those are getting hard to find. good luck hunting
!956 Gmc Napco 4x4 Factory line built .
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,715 Carburetion specialist | | Carburetion specialist Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,715 | There is an 8 1/2 x 11 by maybe 3/4 of an inch paperback which, after reading, you will move to your "required reading" library section. I don't remember the exact name, but close to "Pontiac Performance - 1955 to 1979". The author is Pete McCarthy. EDIT: Didn't realize they were this pricey, and you might find a used one, but here is an ad with a picture: Pete McCarthy bookJon.
Last edited by carbking; 01/13/2020 8:06 PM.
Good carburetion is fuelish hot airThe most expensive carburetor is the wrong one you attempt to modify. If you truly believe "one size fits all," try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes!The Carburetor Shop | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | There was a "1958-only" 370 cubic inch engine that would probably be a bolt-in swap, but those are likely to be harder to find than a 347. Some versions of that one made 300+ HP.
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 01/13/2020 7:37 PM.
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: May 2017 Posts: 100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2017 Posts: 100 |
!956 Gmc Napco 4x4 Factory line built .
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 854 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 854 | I've seen GMC's with Olds motors in them too. That might be an option. The BOC bell housings of that era were all the same so you could bolt up an olds or even a Cad for that matter, though that wouldn't appear stock. I once had a 57 Pontiac with a real fire-breather 347 in it. I had no idea that they had become so expensive.
1951 3800 1-ton"Earning its keep from the get-go"In the DITY Gallery1962 261 (w/cam, Fenton headers, 2 carbs, MSD ign.), SM420 & Brown-Lipe 6231A 3spd aux. trans, stock axles & brakes. Owned since 1971. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 232 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 232 | I believe that Pontiac's reverse flow cooling ended in 1959. 1960 and up used a conventional cooling system and a totally different water pump.
Are your '57 heads useable?
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 | If it were me, and I could find one, I'd put a Buick Nailhead in it. I wouldn't go with the 322 Nailhead which was used in big GMC trucks in that era. I'd go with a mid-sixties 401 or 425 cu in Nailhead.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Not sure if all nailhead cranks were drilled for pilot bearing, best to check first.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 | Thanks. I have heard that on the 389. Leaning to that option if I can find one | | | | | Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 | Good tip on the book. Thank you | | | | | Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 | I believe that Pontiac's reverse flow cooling ended in 1959. 1960 and up used a conventional cooling system and a totally different water pump.
Are your '57 heads useable? I'm not sure on the heads condition yet. I havent removed from the block. If I dont see visible cracks I'll take in to gave cleaned and penetrant inspected. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 | Thanks for all the replies. I'll take a look at these options. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 113 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 113 | I believe the 1960 389 is a direct bolt in including front motor mounts and does not have the reverse flow cooling. Later 389s I believe you would have to change the timing cover for the front mount. At least that is what I have been told in my search for a '55- '60 Pontiac motor.
I invest my money in precious metals, mostly rust!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 | I believe the 1960 389 is a direct bolt in including front motor mounts and does not have the reverse flow cooling. Later 389s I believe you would have to change the timing cover for the front mount. At least that is what I have been told in my search for a '55- '60 Pontiac motor. Thanks I will be pricing them out. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 232 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 232 | There is a 1956 complete Pontiac engine listed on Seattle Craigslist for $750.
not mine | | | | | Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 113 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 113 | If you need more info on the GMC truck Pontiac engines you may want to look at pontiacsafari.com for a lot of good material.
I invest my money in precious metals, mostly rust!
| | | | | Joined: May 2017 Posts: 100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2017 Posts: 100 | https://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-PONTIAC-389-COMPLETE-ENGINE-HYDRAMATIC-BONNEVILLE-VENTURA-CATALINA-ENGINE/293038460612?hash=item443a740ec4:g:GV4AAOSw4eNcqUmP
!956 Gmc Napco 4x4 Factory line built .
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 | | | | | | Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2019 Posts: 21 | Thanks There is a 1956 complete Pontiac engine listed on Seattle Craigslist for $750.
not mine Thanks | | |
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