Hello from Indiana. I have just acquired a 1955 Pontiac star chief 4 door sedan. what I'm needing to know is what are all the headlight buckets that will fit this car? I have read that 55-57 chevy cars, olds,pontiac, etc will work and bolt in but I am not sure and don't want to buy them and they not fit. Finding parts specifically for the Pontiac is hard to come by and know that other makes will probably fit. mine are so rusted out that I don't think they can be saved. Also would like to hear from anybody that converted their 55 Pontiac 287 to a newer engine with how indepth the swap will be. my 287 is extremely tired. One last thing... is there any (excluding aftermarket) electric wiper motors that will bolt on work on my car? Thanks in advance for some input to these questions.
Not sure about the headlight bucket interchangeability but an electric wiper motor from a 55-56 Chevrolet will fit.The only problem is they are the same as the early Corvette and are "cubic dollars".NewPort Engineering sells a great one for about $180 and takes about 10 minutes to install.The only hitch in the installation is the new switch knob is held on with a set screw that is located at the 12 o'clock position and the only way to install it is to install it before tightening up the nut that holds the switch in.They may have corrected this problem since I bought mine several years ago as I had called them to inform them of the problem.
The guts the headlight mounts to for dual round lights are the same. The actual piece that mounts to the fender may work with modifications. 287 swap requires new mounts fore and aft because of the stock chin mount, some guys try to keep them but blocks after '59 need mods to use it and they're not that great a mount in the first place, it's easier and likely cheaper to fab something. Not to mention when they get old they can just break off.
Check this guy he's in your area, or locate hamber applekrate he has a yard full of Pontiacs. http://www.indianapontiacs.com/1955partscarpage.html
Thanks for the replies. I'm trying to figure out how to post pictures. as soon as I do I'll do that. I really like driving this car around but the transmission in these cars as I've heard was before their time, isn't much to speak of today. any info on where to find parts catalogs for these cars would sure help. I don't need to much but and don't plan on spending a ton of money on her, but just want to make her dependable to drive. thanks again.
Thanks 55chieftain. I appreciate all the responses you give. Another question I have that you may be able to answer. I have read on mulitiple forums is the terrible compression of the 287. My 287 is really lacking on power. all plugs are light brown and appear to be burning clean (thought it was running extremely lean) I pulled the coil wire and cranked engine over to test compression. I got 2 cylinders at 75, 4 @60, 1@55 and 1 @ 40. do you know what a decent compression reading should be? Thanks again for all your help, I just ordered a catalog from California Pontiac.
Only Pontiac Headlight bezels (or doors, or buckets, whatever you prefer to call them) will fit the old Ponchos. 55's had Chrome bezels, 56's had painted ones. I luckily got a set of two for cheap, 57 dollars. I've seen sets, or even single ones, go for well above 100, even 200 dollars. I just sold my old one for cheap, surprisingly. 55's and 56's had interchangeable parts, only the design of the grille on the dash, the knobs, and the front bumper and trim on the sides were different. If you need anything, let me know, I have a few parts I'm selling. As for the compression tests, I believe your owner's manual or shop manual should tell you. Check out pontiacsafari.com, something like that. A gold mine for restoring and maintaining our Ponchos. I still have the original 316 CID in mine, runs like a champ, just fell asleep on me for about 4 or 5 weeks. Should be awaken soon though.
Thanks 56pontiacpiano. Ive got bezels that are in extremely good shape. what I am needing is everything except the bulb and bezel. all the parts to aim bulbs and tabs for the retaining ring are toast. I have found that the 287 has 8:1 compression but that really don't tell me a lot. I will check the website you gave me and see what I can find. Thanks again for your help.
Those numbers seem low, maybe the way your testing it? The engine needs to be warm and a screwdriver holding open the carb ****erflies. I never checked the one I had but at least closer to 100 or more would be better.
If you mean the actual parts that hold the bulb in when you connect it (the housing), that should be an easy find...I think the bulb is 7 inches or something. Still made, you should be able to get one at any auto store. The housing however, I'm not sure. I'm sure that's an easy find as well. You need a spring that snaps on as well. My housings are in good shape, its the inside of the headlight itself thats a bit rusty. Not too much though, and all the wiring is still good. I would imagine any vehicle with the same size bulb should have the same size housing. There's two screws on each one, a spring, and I believe that is it. Good luck
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