Art & Inspiration Remains of 55 or 56 pontiac.

What kind of mill are you going to be running?

 

Here are pictures of the vin & cowl tag and other views. I pulled the sparkplugs on the drivers side. the third one is a bit crusty. I put trans fluid mixed with acetone in the cyls. I notice the starter is missing, I probably have one someplace in my hoard?

 

Built in Kansas. Short wheel base. Chieftain not a Star Chief. A 56. Standard (obvious).

4 Door Sedan. Medium Green cloth with Grey artificial leather. Two tone Kerry Green/Hialeah Green.

You know, in case you decide to restore it.

 

I had a tread with poll on my stock 66 389 2bbl or caddy 500 the 389 won

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I got it unloaded with the lift on the rear of my M Farmall. Poured every cyl full of ATF and Acetone. Filled the crankcase two gallons over full with used oil I have saved from oil changes in my vehicles. That used oil might soak the cam & lifters and of course the entire crankshaft. I put a socket with a breaker bar on the front crank bolt. Its stuck tight. Ive always believed that a engine in good condition was more likely to stick than a badly worn one. The bolts that hold the starter one is sheared off flush with the bellhousing and the other one is bent 45 degrees.

 

I had a '57 Plymouth a dozen years ago, sold the wings for more than I paid for the whole car. Sawzalled them right off the bumper and shipped them that way. I think $300 each fronts and $250 for the good rear, $100 for the bent one.

 

I would loosen all the rockers as well and remove the plugs when trying to spin it over or just pull the heads/pan and have a look

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Yes I will certainly pull the oil pan and valve covers. The dist is still there along with the cap. But the cap isn't on the dist. and it has been raining into the dist for quite some time. Im certain I will need to remove the dist before this mill ever spins free.It was pouring rain this morning. And unbrearably hot after it quit. Possibly tomorrow AM at daybreak when its much cooler? I will get the fire wrench and remove the cowl and free the engine from the frame.

 

(fire wrench)My favorite tool

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I got a bit done today. Removed the cowl with the ***ist of the fire wrench. Then pressure washed the heck out of the mill. Managed to pull the engine. removed trans, bellhousing & clutch. the rear engine mounts look like tri 5 chevy upside down. The dist was frozen and stuck in the block. A BFH and heat got it out. The oil filter didn't look too dirty? From the amount of greasy crud built up at the engine front its apparent the front crank seal was leaking. The flywheel and bell housing are Ok. weird shifter only has one lever from the collum. I will have to make a floorshift. or put the 56 gears and tailhousing on a older buick top shift case? I found a condenser with a weird mount. I intend on getting the mill inside the shop mounted on a engine stand. When you try and soak cyls in a V engine still in a vehicle or setting with the carb base hori zontal the cyls that have pistons near the top only get soaked on the lower portion. On a engine stand you can turn so the pistons are horizontal and get full coverage. Pull the rockers so the valves are closed and you can get a 100% fill. I actually wish the bellhousing was like the GMC trucks and would accept the 318 Muncie trans. the flywheel also has the less desirable small diameter clutch.

 

I pulled the valve covers. Its apparent this tin indian mill isn't going to run anytime soon! one valve cover didn't have a cap in it. and the mud wasp had been busy. plenty of condensation rust. the valve covers insides wherent too bad. I will probably at least tear it down to the short block. I have a tri power intake that will fit it.

 

I blew off the crud with compressed air. removed all the rockers and push rods. only three stuck valves. all on the cruddiest side that was missing the breather oil fill cap. And all stuck valves are exhaust valves. I sprayed some PB Blaster on the stems and tapped on them a bit with a br*** hammer. They moved and are now stuck farther open. When I get it on a stand in the shop I will remove the exhaust manifold. The heat riser is closed on the other side. The drivers side was open and no head pipe. Bet its full of mud wasp nest. Might even have a cyl packed full too.

 

Could probably cut the dash out of the cowl and sell it to someone for a C-note or so.

 

Yes I already stored it in a old van . Not gonna haul it for s****. I need to check on a guy that has a 59 Pontiac. He was going to swap in a 350 chevy engine & trans. I need to try and buy his 389. I have something ive been itching to put a reverse cooled Pontiac mill with a stick in. Was gonna use the 287 from a 55 GMC but just couldn't tske the truck apart. I sold the GMC not long ago.

 

Let me know if you're not going to use those valve covers...I sold mine and would like to replace 'em.

 

If he keeps his, I may have one. One's better than none I suppose.

 

I haven't touched the 56 engine in a while. But Ive scored a GMC (Pontiac) engine bell and 318 Muncie trans. And a car Pontiac with a 389. The GMC engine will rotate 7/8 a turn them stops . Turn it the other way 7/8 and it stops. Might have a valve stuck open? Im not gonna force it. I will pull the oil pan and valve covers. Maybe buy a Bore Scope and get a look inside the cyls.