Projects Newbie just shook hands on a 53 Chieftain

I just shook hands to buy a 1953 Pontiac Chieftain. Very unmolested, seems to be all original. Still 6V, straight 8, auto, and supposedly running as of 6 years ago. Here are some pics. I hope there are not too many, I am uncertain as to the rules for posting.








My short term plan is to get it running again, and evaluate everything. Then I think I am going to really tear into it, pull the front cap, doors, gut the interior and paint it the original color with a white top. I am uncertain about the side trim, I may lose it, but I do like the belt line trim. Probably paint the original wheels body color and add some bullet caps maybe, with wide whites. WHat do you guys think? Give me your opinions and ideas. This is the first 50s car I have tackled. My last project was a quick facelift on a 68 C-10 (I'm carrying it to the Fort Worth swap meet next week).

 

Looks like a good solid car. I like the dash.

 

Very cool. Congratulations.

 

Hey Poncho! (hey Cisco)

Nice base to a good fresh start. Aside of the crank becoming warped from sagging on some engines, those 8's are pretty reliable. No need to worry about it, you won't know it's bad until it's too late and it's only particular to some of them. Get it running and drive it. You'll likely need to replace the fuel pump in the back of the carb after it sitting that long. The pump isn't that smooth to begin with if you hold it and manually move it up and down, much less after some down time. When you reseal the carb, I found it hard to cut my own gaskets with the cross hatch pattern inside so I just ordered mine from the link below.

Here's one source for NOS (and other) parts for your Poncho http://www.pontiacparts.net/Mechanical/default.htm

Buy this book immediately: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1949...ZMotorsQ5fManualsQ5fLiterature#ht_1797wt_1609

There's a few Poncho guys here.

Actually I have a spare carb, I can take a pic of that pump........

Also, these guys "Owens" are here on the Hamb and are an excellent source of used Poncho parts. (anyone know their user id? I forgot)

 

I'm digging the size of that clock! Nice score.

 

Just bought the manual. Thanks for the link! That will come in all kinds of handy!

 

I added that pic and a source for used parts to my earlier post. Maybe their name is owens on here, I forgot. Anyway they have low wear parts for exceptional prices. Stuff I couldn't find elsewhere for a price that's impossible to argue with.

 

I do know the brakes will need immediate attention. The pedal is just flat on the floor. What would be the best way to fix that: stick to original, or go with an aftermarket booster setup? What have some of you done brake-wise on your frame-mounted master cylinder setups?

 

sweet dude. those are super sick cars.

 

Since my car is in perfectly running original condition I am in the process of gathering the items to rebuild the drums (a bit leaky, but I still drive it) and sticking to the original goods. If yours are so far gone that there's nothing to salvage you make your own decision if a conversion works for you.

I have a 300 hp 1992 model 32 valve 4 cam V-8 with an engine harness and computer sitting in my storage that I could have put in my '50 with literally no effort (speed sensor is on the auto tranny's tail harness, not even a speed sensor on the wheel needed, just drop and go), but I would have hated myself to lose that charm of the car's original parts. I'm still on 60 yr old OEM parts and the straight 8 with 3 on the tree and love every bit of it.

If you want something newer and safer, just decide and go for it. I personally bought my '50 for the "experience" so I'm not changing anything but the oil.

First thing you should do though on the brakes is look at the lines on the front at the wheels. They have a tendency to rub the wheels and will rub a hole in them. They are just rubber and usually get hard quick, so they need to be changed first and foremost.

 

Really nice looking Pontiac...not many around anymore, especially 2dr models. I like your paint idea too. That original color is way cool. Also, when you get it running, split the manifold and run some duals with smittys. Nothing else sounds like those straight eights!

 

I just did all the brakes on my 53 poncho that had sat since 1976. Rebuild all the wheel cylinders and the master cyl. replace all the hard and rubber lines. Not to hard. I think I got all the rebuild stuff from Kantner. Less than $200 in parts.

Rob

 

Super potential!! I am jealous!! Luck or fate...
whatever...it doesn't matter. You got it. Congrats!!

 

There's no easy way to upgrade the original master, so I'd try and rebuild it for now and run that. It's under the floor, and nothing like a Chevrolet that there are half a dozen ways to upgrade to dual chamber. The easiest way to upgrade is usually to just get a pedal mount and put it on the firewall, but these cars have a defroster core and box that needs to be moved. (the heater core is under the front seat).

 

Those engines have a habit of rotting the water distribution tube running the full length of the block. If it boils all the coolant out on the ground after warmup, that's likely the reason. Terrell Machine in De Leon, Texas stocks them.
Hope it isn't a late production car with a Powerglide ...

 

I think you've got a great start there. I always liked those '53's. Like said, I'd just get everything up and goin' and drive 'er ... I like that paint color, even think I'd do a one tone all over. '53 everything was just pretty damned cool. What kind of shape ya reckon' that Hydo is in? That could be an issue ... But good luck and nice find ..

 

I hope the tranny is ok. I will find out soon! Any inherent problems with that style auto?

 

Nice find! Good luck with it.

 

sweet car. I just bought a 52 4 door last week.

 

Welcome ! we (my son & grandsons) just finished a 53 hardtop , I was lucky enought to clean , hone and use all the org.wheel cyl. and master cyl. and they worked great. I swaped the inline 8 and hydro. with a 305 auto out of a 84 pontiac wagon , didnt even have to pull hood ,took the radiator & grille out , pulled old , put in new ,easy swap with front mounts like 55 chevy.even used the org. column shift (different shift pattern but works) rear trans. mount ,easy fix , org.radiator, had to cut a little off Ft. of driveline & use 84 yoke , change 6 v. bulbs to 12v works great. reducer on heater motor. made electric wiper from a newer van tail gate (one speed). repaired body , used 1955 pont. grille, all org.stainless & glass (little smoked but decent, no cracks) shaved hood & trunk ,painted inside & out baby blue with white top.all white vinyl interior, racing disc. & lake pipes .I dont know how to put pics on here but send your email address & will send pics . we sold the 53 and now have a 58 Edsel Ranger 2dr ht with org. 1 owner title ,to play with. Good luck ! Ps - This is my first post on here, if i done something wrong im sorry,

 

Welcome aboard. Great car. Nice that its a 2 door. Love the dash. I have a 53 Chevy tin woody wagon that I am working on. Am going to paint the roof a cream color along with the wheels the same as the roof. Solid different color for the body. Will use trim rings and dog dish caps which will show the painted wheels. I would leave the side trim if in good shape or replaceable. Just my $.02 Have fun with it. Great truck too BTW.

 

That sounds exactly how I am imagining this one, even down to the wheels!

 

do you have more pictures of the motor.im diggin it

 

As midnight 50 said these guys rock
ask for Flattop Bob, know his stuf!
Helped me out with my '54 Poncho many times.
owens salvage co.
3725 us hwy 83
wellington tx. 79095
800-798-2581 toll free
806-447-2581
806-447-2449 fax
owenssalvage@arn.net
www.owenssalvage.com

 

The master is the same as other gm cars of the era,
The rear cyls are the same as some 60's fords
the front cyls are orphans unfortunately.
All very easy to rebuild but the m/c is in a prick of a spot.

 

Hopefully going tomorrow to pick it up, and then the thrash begins!

 

The 53 Pontiac Chieftain is one of my favorite cars of all time.Probably because a 53 Pontiac was my first hot rod.

Here's a little story you may enjoy.......

I bought mine for 500$ out of a junk yard.It has sat for several years.With some help from several others,we took all the chrome off,threw a bunch of mud in the holes,primed it(black of course),and got it running.This was my only mode of transportation.I was in high school,a senior as I recall.When school was out I went to work for my uncles in SW Virginia.It was about 120 miles one way,and I would come home every weekend,and drive back every sunday.While driving to Virginia one sunday,I noticed the temp gauge starting to rise,and the oil pressure falling.I pulled over and checked the oil.There was none on the stick.I put one quart in,and still nothing,repeat this process 3 more times.Finally back to full.Put some watter in it,and drove the hell out of it for a nother year.Tough old beast.I miss that car!Later on some girl in a 240 sx hit me head on and totaled the car,and almost totaled me.

 

Congratulations! It looks like you found a nice one. I've just started the process of breaking mine out of mothballs. It's been sitting on the backburner with a bad fuel pump and electrical problems for a few years. Between kids and several other automotive hobbies, my 53's taken a back seat for far too long. I'm looking forward to driving it again this summer. Good luck with yours. If you need any help, drop me a line. I've had mine for about fifteen years and have had more than my fair share of head scratching problems. Sourcing parts for these can be a real P.I.T.A. but the mechanical parts are out there as well as most of the panels. If you need a new grill you're in for a nightmare. I've kept my eyes since I bought mine and I'm still running the grill that it came with. The grills were chromed during the Korean war and there was a severe shortage of nickel. What that means for anybody that has one of these is that the chrome basically dissolves off the underlying metal coat. The only decent chrome that you'll ever see on a 53 Pontiac is either actually stainless steel or it's been rechromed. I attached a couple of pics of mine (please excuse the years of grime, they'll be coming off before July...)

 

What a great one to start with,congrats!

 

You lucky bastard! There's no greater feeling than bringing home a new project.