Technical 1949 pontiac silver streak

I am completely new to pontiacs. I am about to purchase one that has no drive train but was previously set up for an SBC/T350 combo. Its still has the original rear-end. It's my understanding that these cars are similar to chevy's of that period but only in appearance. Having done a rearend swap on a 51 styleline to a camaro rearend, will this work for the pontiac? I'm told that the pontiac is wider but i can't find rear end specs on these old pontiacs anywhere. Thanks in advance for any helpful responses!

 

Wait till ya get the car
Pontiacs were open drive shaft

 

Google shows a tread width of 59” and 60”. You have to figure in a little wheel offset but in those days they were mostly pretty close to centered. So, 59”- 60” should be in the ballpark.

 

Why would you want to?

The Olds, Pontiac rears were the 9" Fords of their day.

 

mebbe the same as an olds, only the '49 olds was torque tube...

 

If your '49 was an 8 cylinder hydro, the existing 3rd member will be perfect ... if not, an Olds or Pontiac 3rd member thru '55 bolts in ...

 

Any idea what the gearing was in the 49?

 

Thanks for all that replied. I'm picking it up on Saturday so i will post pics and follow up info soon. Thanks again.

 

Not without knowing what engine & trans were in it ...

 

I concur that there is no real good reason to replace the rearend. They are plenty strong and in 49 should have freeway gears of either 3.08 or 3.23 depending on the model.

 

^^^ for some reason had it in my head that this was a Hydramatic. Gearing will be much steeper if it’s a manual.

 

I am almost positive this is wrong. Olds was an open driveline, Buick and Chev used torque tube driveline.

 

Does the Silver Streak side emblem have an 8 between Silver and streak? If so it is the 248.9 ci straight 8. If there is no 8 then it was a 239.2 six cylinder. It could also have a manual 3 speed transmission in it.
And just for your education the Silver Streak was not a model designation. It was a trim package. There were two models in 1949, the Chieftain coupe and the Streamliner. The Chieftain was available in four versions, Sedan, Sedan Coupe, Business Coupe and Deluxe Convertible Coupe. The Streamliner was available as a sedan and a sedan coupe. Sedans were 4 door while Sedan Coupes were two door.

 

What about station wagons?

 

Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe all Pontiacs of this era were considered silverstreaks due to the center hood trim that ran from the front to the back.

 

Catalog says they're Chieftains ...

 

Dmoz, did you get the car? Take pictures for us?

 

The SilverStreak trim did refer to the hood waterfall and sometimes there was a trim piece on the trunk. It was not an official body style though.
"The "Pontiac Silver Streak" refers to the prominent chrome or stainless steel trim that adorned Pontiac cars from 1935 through 1956, running the length of the hood and sometimes the trunk to create a streamlined, futuristic look. This design element was a distinguishing feature of Pontiacs during that era, with its form evolving over the years until it was phased out in 1957."

 

Thanks to everyone that responded. I did get the car and it has been on the backburner for a while. I will be dropping in a 350/th350 combo i picked up that was out of a 79 L82 corvette. It looks like she is missing the top of the grille surround/ hood bonnet trim. Any direction in that regard where to source those pieces would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Try Browns in Sunset Tx.

 

Just mold it in and drop the rear. Looks good without it.

 

Pontiacs don’t have bonnets!!! They do however have hoods. What’s wrong with putting a Pontiac engine under the hood?

 

It was already setup for a SBC/TH350..just trying to get it on the road..i have too many non running projects as it is..

 

Desert Valley Auto Parts in Arizona lists a 49 they're parting out on their website, it shows the hood bar trim and side pieces still on it. Maybe check with them and see if they still have it. They are 1 year pieces for direct fit.

 

Awesome..thank you very much!

 

Pontiac 3rd members were basically the same from '39-'56.
Very similar to Olds of the era.
. A 57 Olds rear, up to were they changed to rear coil springs should work too.
A 57 Pontiac rear was a 1 year only & pretty expensive.
Happy wrenching

 

Nice old Pontiac. Good luck with it.

 

Depending where you are in Texas, might try Owen’s Salvage in Wellington, TX. He is a great guy and a HAMBer with lots of vintage tin still. @FLAT-TOP BOB 806-447-2581

 

If it were mine it would get a 300” Ford 6…. Something to fill up the engine compartment !

 

A 389 or 421 would fill it better. Just saying.