So after dicking with this flathead for a few weeks I've decided to throw in the towel. Between new rings and head gasket in in it for over $100 and i still do not have compression on cylinder #1. Engine has to come out, and i really wanted a bigger motor from the start. Why spend more $$$ on the flathead. Today i brought home the Jimmy 302. Its a military motor, but fully rebuilt. The money i saved on building it i can spend on whatever it takes to convert over...
I don't understand wanting a Jimmy 6 over a V/8 pontiac motor but it's your thing. I always wanted to use a 55-60 Pontiac engine in one of those cars and get it to bolt in. Both 6 and straight 8 used similar mounts to the early V/8s with mounts on bell housing and under the front pulley. I suppose the steering gear might be a point of interference but may be overcome with cunning and ingenuity. The 6 banger should clear any steering components ok. A later GMC 6 banger bellhousing, flywheel and clutch should accommodate a modern GM manual trans...even a T-5 which would work with the old axle gears. A later Pontiac V/8 would also work with the same transmissions as the GMC. My old 5 ton army truck and all the vehicles in the motor pool had 24 volt systems. Might have to find a 12 volt GMC starter if your is a 24 volt unit.
Part of the reasoning for the inline is the engine bay is just so damn long. Made to accommodate the str8 eight. A V8 would take up the length of half that engine... That and i have wanted a Jimmy 302 for quite a while
Looks like a great project, definitely go with the inline, those old truck motors are bullet-proof. I think I'd stop at lowering it a bit and maybe some interior stuff if it is too worn., then drive the wheels off.
Yes it has sealed ignition, it's part of a fording kit. All the electrical system was water tight ever the generator was sealed.
Which is turning into a royal pain in the ass. Ive depleted my stash of parts, and all the good local old school junk yards are crushed out, or buried in snow right now...
They had goofy heaters in these cars, instead of blowing out of the dash the main heater is under the seat with a couple of ring cores that radiated it out. May have a small unit for defrost, the later Pontiacs did. I would consider going to a Vintage Air or some late model unit, I see S10 square bodies still hitting yards and they have a fairly small, adaptable heater box if you don't mind spending the time to take one out. I do still have my '57, I might part with the rear from it if you go that route. I have a Trans Am rear I could stick in that car. It's up and rolling although one side only has one stud to hold a wheel on. But for that matter you could use a second-gen Camaro/Firebird rear in there. To get the bolt pattern to match up you'd have to go to some 51-54 Chevy drums. The hubs may even fit with the right bearings.
Advertise on the HAMB in the parts section and parts wanted section it's at your finger tips no snow to wade thru
The motor already has a flex plate on it the trans should not be hard to find. Fords, Lincolns, Hudsons, Packards, Olds, Caddy., Pontiac, GMC and Chevy pickups all used them under different names, even Tank's used them. I have 2 of them 1 out of a Hudson and 1 out of a Nash both are duel range. Check some of the older transmission shops. Used to buy them at surplus stores.
Theres a guy selling an 8qt 248 pan for ur 302..if u dont want it ,ill buy it for mine. Also theres a tech where u can get a gm v6 distributor and mod it for a gmc 302..
I left a '59 Hydro out of a Pontiac up to Reardons you could have as far as I'm concerned if it can be found. Probably needs rebuilding though.
I was told this bellhousing and flexplate will not work, and i need to find a 235 bellhousing and GMC specific flexplate from a 12v civilian unit. Im only going by what im finding online...
Thanks for the tip. Ill try and find it. Ive read that any inline six distributor should work. Im currently looking for a 235 dizzy. Whatever it is i want a points type
There is a 54 Olds across the street from my house ive been trying to get. Any idea if early hydro linkage work on dual range trannys?
I just found a GMC truck locally. Its sitting in somebodies mini junkyard rotting away. I seen it from the road, from what i could see it had a shifter on the column. No signs of anyone being around there for quite some time. Im making phone calls now to see what i can find out...
Good choice on eng. You have a wide range of choices for the rear gears 39 56 Pont, and Olds are the same. I picked up a 3.90 out of a 39 olds to go in a 50 olds.
I have a Hudson Hydramatic sitting in my garage that is probably just a core. I would love to get rid of it but it's quite heavy and the shipping would be brutal. I also have what I think is a rebuilt GMC Hydramatic with a Hudson tailshaft. I think my uncle had it rebuilt by the local octogenarian guru for a drag car we were going to build but never did. He is gone now so I don't know for sure but I think I have a welded torus in a box too.
Good news! I am so blessed to have good friends. I was able to track the guy down, and called him today. He is willing to help me out! He has 3 separate properties with HAMB friendly vehicles. One of them is rumored to have over 100 in it! The guy raced dirt track years ago with a '56 chevy, he knows his stuff. Hoping to get out there Saturday. He tells me the truck i seen has a 4spd in it, but i swear i seen a lever on the column. It tweren't no blinker lever either... From what i hear this guy is one of those guys who will not give you the time of day if he doesn't like you. (I usually get along great with those kinds) When my buddy told him what i was trying to build he said his eyes lit up and he actually said that he'd like to meet me. So let's hope i don't disappoint...
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