Projects Pontiac torpedo

Inline six and three-on-the-tree.
I'd drive it.

 

A few years ago, this same guy dropped off a Mustang.
The mechanics class overhauled a 302 for it and sourced an AOD.
My guys started stripping the car. It needed the firewall, upper cowl, A posts, roof, both Qtrs and a complete floor. So that car got pushed outside.
Then he bought the Pontiac.
I guess we could use the SBF

 

Small block Ford PERFECT!!!!!
Dan

 

Wow! That Poncho looks like my family's first car, a '41 Torpedo (my avatar photo). I can almost smell the musty mohair from here. I can't wait to see what you do with it. Here's another photo: Sugar, our shepherd; sister Pamie; Handsome Harry (dad) and me in my Eton suit, getting ready to go to church.

 

I dug a bit in the olds rear pumpkins.
Mid 3 series for them, the bigger engines/higher trims had taller gears.
Went from a 50 3.64 to a 52 3.42.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1949-1952-oldsmobile-pontiac-rear-end.1088908/
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/pontiac-olds-rearend-tech-post-it-here.129676/
IIRC, 55-up was different.
If you have a hollander, it might help pick what you want, especially if you are going with shorter rear tires. While a 3 speed is era correct, I'd look at either a th350 or a 5 speed manual. A few more bucks, but much better drive experience.

 

you can use a center section out of a rear end up to 56. 55 and 56 had 3.08 in the automatic cars.
Auto city classic in Minnesota probably has the disc brake parts you need.

 

1. Request a blank check.
2. Keep it all Pontiac.
3. Source a 421 Super Duty and a four speed.
4. Install #3.
What's so hard about that!

 

That sounds like a hot rod
This one needs to be low and slow

and cast iron is cast iron

 

300 Ford
...with a Pontiac script on the valve cover.

 

My vote goes to the Pontiac OHC 6……if you can find one.

 

If you have that SBF/AOD, that would be awesome.

Would be a good running and performing package. Your students would get the benefit of not only working on the car, but also the opportunity to think like car builders. Encounter problems in the reengineering of the car with a powertrain that wasn't its native habitat and work through them to find cost effective solutions.

 

AM >>I guess we could use the SBF>>This one needs to be low and slow>>

Yes. It would meet your 'slow' criteria.

 

What it really needs:

 

Anthony,

You said originally that you have a 250. HOWEVER, should you decide to look for something else I wholeheartedly agree with some other folks on here that a Pontiac overhead cam six should be the only engine choice. That's assuming of course that you can actually find one.

 

My Aunt Beth had a '41 Pontiac with a straight six and manual trans... drove it through her high school years (late '60's) and I almost had my folks convinced to let me take it (she said I could have it since she drove a Rambler then)

 

Does this Pontiac still have the original flathead 6 or 8 engine? Will it turn over or is it seized? Or does it just cost stupid money to refurbish these engines?

 

Bet I know someone that would drive it and probably will before the owner gets it back! HRP

 

Engine and trans is gone

the 250 or any other straight 6 would fit the easiest

 

I'd do the 250 and auto. Like you said, make it go and stop. very cool car

 

Keep it GM and roll with the 250..... it's not like it's going to be hitting the dragstrip

 

I belive Canadian Pontiacs used the Chev 6, so you'd be keeping it all Pontiac. I used to service one of those when I worked at the gas station. Elderly lady hardly drove it.

 

I thought he would want to make a Gasser out of it.

 

If the guy drops this of for you to do, I bet he is looking for cheap and reliable over cool factor. The cheapest, best simple GM engine you come up with will meet the end goal. And then you can drive it. Here’s hoping your shop gets incorporated into the new school, without to much erosion.

 

Wouldn’t even let the car in the shop if that was the plan

 

With that big a boat, maybe you should look for a 292. Might need the torque…

 

I’ve got one on my engine stand now.
But that one’s mine
We did a reseal on one last school year.
Pulled from a scrap yard beater. Mechanic students ran it in their run stand. Had great compression amd oil pressure. My guys cleaned it up, replaced a bad dampener and timing cover and built the PS and alt brackets.

Pic during the bracket mock up stage. It all worked out great and currently being used in a 61 Chevy truck

 

You can drive a gasser slow, not so much low tho
Dan

 

Id don’t hate em
I recognize their place in auto history.
But they look so goofy. Not one of man’s brightest moments.

 

I was just jacking with ya, you would drive one right? He he ha ha
Dan

 

Sure would. With a big ole cheesy grin.
If I kept it I’d correct the goofy by dropping it