'55 Pontiac questions.

Good morning. Tried to post these questions over on the Performance Years site a friend told me about as it may not be for this board, but I still can't post over there and I grow impatient. Hoping to get answers for the project. New to the Pontiac world and I'll probably have a few.

Some history. A couple months back I purchased a '77 TA to drag race with a nice healthy rebuilt 400, fresh 400 trans (also have a Muncie) and the posi rear etc. But...it is what it is and I just can't "like" the car, for that matter I'd rather have my '66 back. To much to do right now and just haven't been excited about the car with the exception of having something to take to the track.

So thanks to Flattop along comes this '55 Pontiac 2 door 870 wagon, now I'm excited. Engine is shot and don't want to use the manual trans or rearend (maybe) either. It will be here Wed. and I want to get moving.

Plan is for complete drivetrain swap. So here are the questions and the needs to fab, buy or locate a few items for those that have done this.

Instead of reworking the front control arms I'll probably purchase drop spindles/springs from?

S10 front brakes from the local pull yourself.

These cars were 5 on 5, I need 5 on 4 3/4. Rearend width's same or? and mounting brackets for springs, shocks? rear spring relocation? NO TUBS. I'll probably have to buy another set of rear Saltflats for the correct offset.

Need motor mounts.

Trans crossmember for both types.

First year for 12 volt system so no problems there.

Will be drag raced frequently. Factory weight is 3750 lbs, so I gotta get it down to like 3400.

Well, there's a start. Please post anything I'm missing and all suggestions you may have. If this is not ready for Power Tour, I will be one lonely man. She will go with someone else. Thanks, Bill

 

I am not sure if they can help with everything you are looking for, but go into yahoo! and type California Pontiac Restoration. I also have a 55 Pontiac (for sale at the roundup =) ) that needed a few parts and they seem to have everything I was looking for. Or call them, their number is (714) 245-9800 or 1-877-504-8124. Good luck!

 

I had a 56 Safari and I can tell you that it was nothing like a Nomad. With the stock rear I could only run a 7 inch wide rim on the rear, and yea, they are an odd bolt pattern.
But I can tell you thar I I have been told by a few people that the wagon you have use's the Chevy hanymans wagon body. The Safari was one in it's self. Matter of it even had a "sweet heart" dip where a Nomad does'nt. If you'll notice your taillights will mount to a 55 Chevy wagon body I believe, where a Safari and a Nomad won't. Another tid bit for ya, a Safari is seven inches longer than a Nomad. When I bought mine I could not believe how much different they were! I think you will find that body wise, yours is like a Chevy. They reason I brought the rear is that mine only would fit a seven inch rim becouse of the slope on the rear wheel tub. They are squared on a Nomad, but sloped on a Safari. What that does is cause the top inside of your tire to rub. Anyway, I hope that helps and if you need anymore help Me or I'm sure safarinut would be glab to help!..................Oh and, congrats! I'm sooooo jealous!

 

There is a Yahoo auto group called Pontiac-1950s that should be able to help.Rick Gonser is the moderator and pretty knowledgeable on modifying 50's era Pontiacs.

 

I did a 400ci Pontiac with auto trans swap in my 56 Chieftain. We had to fab the frame to motor mounts and used 67 Firebird motor mounts also used 67 Firebird trans crossmember that was cut down to fit in the x brace area of the frame. It was angle cut on each end then welded plates to the crossmember and bolted to the frame. One challenge was drivers side steering box header and starter clearence they are all on the same side. I went with Le Manns rear dump exhaust manifolds and the motor mount on that side had to be brought out at an angle from frame to motor mount to clear steering box. Get a ceative exhaust man to do the system these cars have a few challenges in the exhaust area, under seat heater core and x member frame but duel pipes are not that bad, first shop I took mine to said he couldnt do it so I got to drive cross town with open manifolds, that was fun second shop did the job well. These are a few things I had to overcome doing the swap on my car its a 2dr sedan so the wagon may be different not sure if the frame is the same with the x member.

 

I can't speak too much on American Pontiacs, as I've never owned one - Canadian Pontiacs are all on Chevy frames with Chevy drivetrains, But one thing I am doing on my 56 sedan delivery is using a 55 Chevy taillight bezel with Lee style lenses. This was a lot cheaper than trying to locate decent wagon taillight pieces and then getting all that pitted old potmetal fixed - and it looks way better too.