I've been obsessed with building my "A" using Pontiac power with the rest being mid 1960's issue stuff. This motor is by no means a numbers matching, era correct piece of perfection, more what I could get my hands on. There have been some really nice Poncho powered rods already, Alex Idzardis' deuce is one that comes to mind. Anyone have pics to share and maybe some of the guys that have them can post up. I'm ready to fire mine up on the stand and can't wait to hear it run. I realize there was a thread back in 2008 but a lot has transpired since then. A pic or two to get things started....... My build thread- https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...-vicky-body-a-build-thread-with-pics.1197541/ My engine on the stand, now completed. The other pic is Idzardis' coupe.
Love the fact that you are using Pontiac power! Here’s my long term 1931 Pontiac project with a ‘69 428.
My 34 uses a '57, 347 bored .125 to 370 cu in. Old Jahns pop-ups with a Lunati cam, 73 GTO cylinder heads, Offy intake with a single AFB [for now...got a dual quad setup for it too] with Muncie 4 speed and Winter's quick change.
I have built a pile of Pontiac powered hot rods. I just finished this one. Just a little blown 389 that makes about 700 horse. -Abone.
347 Pontiac from a 57 GMC pickup in my 28 T modified on a 21TT chassis Sent from my moto g(10) using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I have a buddy that has a 51 Mercury with a built 1957 Pontiac 370 and Muncie 4-speed. He has had the motor in the Merc since the late 50s.
My all time favorite Pontiac is the 389.. I've had the 421, 455 (462), 400, 428, 370, 350 and 326. The 65 or 66 389 is a runner with some good tuning and blocking the intake manifold heat.. Those Long Branch exhaust manifolds are amazing!
WOW! A load of really nice stuff here. There are monster torque motors and I'm sure it will move the "A" just fine. For the record, the one I'm using is a '66 389 with 9.0 to1 pistons, nice Comp Cams 268 H-10 with Comp valve train and roller rockers. Mallory duel point and box coil, decent heads with a fresh valve job and mild clean up and match port work, a Tripower Inc. aluminum '66 repop mainifold along with the big bore Rochesters milled to 1 3/8" and a pair of NOS street headers. All this is put to the Ford 3.03 with a Ram lightweight flywheel and 3000lb. pressure plate and Ram disc, inside an old blowproof bell. I'm thinking maybe 400 HP and gobs of torque. The motor is finished and I'm doing a bit of rework on the chassis in my spare time. I also have traded my banjo that I was going to use with the 283 for a 31 spline 9". I've narrowed it to 57" and added a Detroit Locker center with 350 gears, a pair of Moser axles and aftermarket brakes. Pretty sure that will take the Poncho no problem. Program is messed up on my phone and I can't post pics at the moment but it all looks pretty cool and is ready to go together. I am curious as to how hard to cool they are. I'm using a Walker full size '31 radiator and if necessary I could add an oil cooler. Any thoughts on that gentlemen?
"I am curious as to how hard to cool they are. I'm using a Walker full size '31 radiator and if necessary I could add an oil cooler. Any thoughts on that gentlemen?" Koz. My first trip a week after I got it on the road was from the Omaha area to Joplin, Mo for the HAMB drags. I had my 2.71 gears in and a 180 thermostat. Going down the ambient temps were in the 80s-90s and the needle stayed on 180-190. Coming home I ran into construction on I-70.....about 20-25 miles of it in mid 90s temps. Stop and idle for 2 minutes, creep ahead for 2 minutes. I run a Walker radiator with original 57 Pontiac fan, no shroud and a small coolant tank with a closed system...8 LB cap. The engine temp creeped up to about 195 a few times but with big hood side louvers and a homemade aluminum under-carb heat shield, [walmart cookie sheet, cut down] my car never stalled or ran funny. I've got a 160 in it now but I have great luck running no 'stat at all. BTW, even with the late cylinder heads on my 57 engine, I fab'd up a pair of 1/4" thick adapters to keep running the reverse cooling system the early engines came with and no, the brass or stainless water gusher tubes will not fit in the late heads. Don't need 'em. Photo was taken before I installed the elbow hoses. Alternator bracket is made from scrap and {I think} a 59. 389 adjuster arm with a stiffener welded into it for strength.
My Wife's 40 Pontiac. 1963 421 Super Duty with a Muncie close ratio 4 speed. 9" ford rear end with a gear drive positraction center section.
Mike Zenor from the Chicago area has a ford coupe with 389 Pontiac engine but I haven't seen him post for awhile.
my friend Bill has a 39 poncho sedan with Pont 350 motor, Pont wire wheels, over 200,000 mi on it, been across country more times than he can count..prestige plate on it "39 goat"
While we're yacking, I haven't been able to fire mine yet due to lack of carb parts but I'm working on my brakes right now and contemplating if I'll have enough vacuum to run a power booster. I'm diabetic and have some leg problems that aren't going to improve with age so a booster would be a nice addition. I may have to wait to see what kind of numbers I pull but if anyone has any experience with this cam I'm all ears.
Close, Steve. Bill's 39 actually has a late 60s/70s Olds engine in it. Says if it ever gives him trouble, he'll replace it with a Poncho motor.
Damn Jeff, this may be the sexiest one you have built. Its PURE hotrod.. an I like the blown pontiac in it
Built a Brookville '32 with a 350 Pontiac because of the car I'll post 2nd. I had a 389 for it but the block was junk and I found a running 350 to put in it's place. I planned to upgrade later but sold the car. This car my dad built and handed down to me a couple years ago. He had been a Pontiac guy for a long time, 2nd car was a '65 2+2. He sold a '67 GTO to finish ths '57 so he put a 455 in it. I've made a lot of changes to the car but it'll always be Pontiac powered. Both of these cars have Muncies.
Here's a thread i did a while ago with what seems like a lot of the same pictures. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/poncho-powered-hot-rods.1207254/ EDIT. In looking at the pictures in this thread i see it's exactly one year old.
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