Projects 1932 Ford 3 Window with 389 Pontiac

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Just thought I would put my 2¢ in again concerning a SBF in a 32. I have a 302 in my 32 5window and it just doesn't look right. It does not have the "traditional" vibe even though they were in 62 Fords. I originally put it in there because I stripped a Mustang of all its parts, but in its next reincarnation, I intend to put something else more in tune with the 60s era. Plus, the pulley setup on Fords is a headache.
Join a local rodder's club. You will get leads on lots of engines and builders to save you money and time.

 

Quick update. Pulled the engine from the shop it was at, they were not returning calls and had not checked the block as we had talked about, plus their price was high and they showed little interest in me or my engine. I was OK paying a couple hundred (2-4) to know for sure if the block is good. Dropped it at a another machine shop to have it worked on, checked out. I was quoted 1000.00 for him to disassemble block, clean, tank, verify it is rebuildable, machine it, then reassemble the long block with parts I provid. He said he wasn’t going to chase down parts for an engine he never even knew existed. As time goes on and with a lot of research I am really leaning towards a Pontiac, I think my 1st choice is trying to rebuild the car/engine as is. So if I can get the 287 running That’s plan A, Plan B if the 287 is a dog I am leaning towards a 1959 389. If I could find that block close by I think it would be almost identical to the 287 and I could reuse many parts. Anyone have a lead on a 59 389? Interior guy came by last weekend, he said no problem bringing it back to the look in the photos. He said the headliner still being in place and having the door panels and seats help. For the guys sending links to parts and cars thanks.

 

Ken,
Just found, and read through this and all I can say it f@$&ing WOW. A car that your dad drove and now you have the honor and duty to care for and carry forth his vision.

My hats off to you going from SBC, disc brakes and power do dad's to keeping with the original and very traditional direction the car has and your looking to maintain.

Killer car brother and great news on your last machine shop find and look forward to future updates. Have you had a chance to pull the wheels and drums off to have a look see.

Cliff Ramsdell

 

Update... Had Dad for the last 10 days, he was in town for a Seattle Cancer Care appointment. (the clinical trail, Hail Mary people) Basically the Spokane WA doctors have given up. Yikes... That said we worked on the car, and I showed him this web site, he read the whole thread. He was impressed by the help offered, the knowledge of the guys and corrected me on the history of his Pontiac Engine. He said the Pontiac was in the car for a few years, it blew while they were testing it within 1 mile of the old deer park Washington 1/4 mile strip. (Both my uncle and my dads best friend live very close to the track.) It was fun working on the doors with my son and my Dad. Now both doors close, you just have to lift up a little on the pass door. I have not heard back from machine shop, I know a guy with the 59 389 I would love to have and I am twisting his arm. My boss let me work a lot of overtime lately which cuts into the car time but helps the car fund. I am still hoping to get this thing on the road by November.

 

You can do it

 

It's funny , my raggy old 3W has the same malady. I've been lifting up on the passenger door for 46 years to get her to shut right , not a lot ; just a little upward tug on the handle. Good luck on your 389" quest.

 

Ken, I just read this whole thread. You are a lucky man to have such a great car and from what I have read a dad that is even greater. I like that you are trying to get the car back in driving order before you lose your father. I lost mine in 1990 but my brothers and I still have most of his old cars. In my avatar you can see 2 of them at the HAMB drags. We ran them again last year they were the slowest thing on the track but they are running their original drivetrains that have never been rebuilt. My dad bought these back in the mid 1970's so they are a part of our family history and will remain in the family as long as we're alive.

Prayers for your father and your family and good luck on this historical journey with that awesome car.

 

Good luck on all you do.
The days weeks and OT hours will go by just the same,,, spend time with your dad.
Your previously stated budget is more than enough to get the car on the road again at almost any shop in North America long before November. just pick a shop that speaks "traditional hot rod" and preservation of history because not all of them do. If working on the car with your dad is something you both want to do then make that happen. There's really not too much to the old stuff. Planning and ordering the parts you need and finding place to out source things you can't do are the biggest things.

 

Visited with Ken yesterday and checked out the car which is very cool. Looked it over well. The transmission is a 1935 case, has 32 steering box. The rear end has the tube shock mounts so most likely a 47-48. The side of the frame rail was bumped out where the steering box is, maybe to help clear the engine. Doesn't look like it had working shocks on it at all, so will need to provide some direction on best way to mount, but keep it period. He hasn't been around these type of cars much, but is learning and is motivated.

 

Free that Pontiac up and drive the car, ATF and acetone will break it loose if it's stuck, I have a car that sat for 25 years with a 57 Buick engine, got it running and drove it daily for 12 years before I did the engine. Think like a 50's kid and have some fun in an old Hot Rod.

 

Things are getting interesting. 287 back from shop untouched again. I went by to see how it was going and the guy said he didn't do anything because "only a idiot would waste money on a Pontiac 287" at that point I told him to load it up... Good news I did pick up a rebuilt Pontiac 400, it's a 76 with 70's heads. 1600.00 (Backup plan or a start on my next project 1973 Firebird) Better news I got a call from my 1st choice and I will be headed to Spokane to pick up a 1959 Pontiac 389 on Sunday. The 389 is a rebuilt (10 years ago but never run) tri power with Offy intake and Rochester carbs. So by Sunday night I will have 3 Pontiac's sitting in my garage, should I be worried or proud? Been looking at wiring kits, Painless and Kwik wire etc. I like the detailed instructions of the Kwik since it is my first attempt. Read a previous thread from 2011 about wiring, any updates since then?

 

Only an idiot wouldn't understand why you wanted the 287 running again.

The 59 is certainly a very good option.

 

The engine with the tri power might not be the exact engine your dad had in the car, but if he would have had a chance to I bet he would have put it in there.

 

Fascinating thread!

 

I’ve installed quite a few Kwik wires. Reasonable and good quality.
Be sure to read the H.A.M.B. post on wiring before you get started.
Lots of good information.

Biggest PRE WIRING Regret
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/index.php?threads/Biggest-PRE-WIRING-Regret.965368/

 

I'm on the edge of my seat....

Rich

 

Ken, Just read everything up to this point. Now for my two cents. While the engine is out, pull the radiator & gas tank if you already haven't. Take them to a radiator shop and have them boiled out. Make sure the radiator is good. You want to be able to cool your engine. Replace all brake lines, and gas lines, as well as rebuild your brakes. Install new master cylinder. Put in new floor, then insulate well and put down carpet. This should help car keep heat out of passenger area. Crank down rear & side windows, and open front vent. That should help wife keep cool while drive at 55 mph. Put new fluids in trans. and rear end. Try using some linseed oil to bring out the original paint that was on the car. Old restorers trick. Get some polishing cream and some old rags and go to work on those wheels that are on it, to bring out the luster in them. Install engine back in,& put new hoses on. Buy a Kwik Wire harness or a Rebel wiring one on here. Tell them what you are running, as you don't need a 20 circuit panel. Install new glass if needed, replace tires if needed. Fire that baby up and take Dad for a ride. Paint is the last thing you need to worry about for now. I'd check on some local car clubs and see if there is one you might like to join. With your story about trying to get the car running to take Dad for a ride in it, I'm sure some of the guys would love to help. Just be careful of any one asking you a lot of questions about certain historic original parts, and do you want to sell them off of it. Someone may be making friends with you to try to steal those parts. You should be able to figure out who is going to help, and who is going to help themselves. Good luck . Subscribed.

 

Ken, the 389 sounds like a good option for the car, plus puts you a step closer to get it back on the road.

 

Cool car & story, good luck !

 

Re read this thread top to bottom and want to thank everyone for their interest and insight. I have learned a lot, and there have been many great ideas. When I started this I really had no idea there was a difference between a hot rod and a street rod. I brought up my Dad's health issues to give some background on why I might be taking some short cuts to just getting this thing on the road. Funny thing is I am the guy that is arguing with him to keep it old school. He couldn't care less about period correct, or paint, or chrome. His only concern is, can it beat the guy next to him. His attitude I think is exactly why I need to keep this car as close to 1959 as possible. That said here is the game plan as of now. I am excited to get the 59 389 this weekend, with the tri power on the 389 it will be the car my Dad always wanted it to be and frankly the kick ass non cookie cutter look I am looking for. I am keeping the exterior the same, no changes other than clean up, fix the ugly spots, and hit it with a black primer or metallic black paint. I posted about a hood/AC it was meant to be a humorous tongue in cheek post, but based on the emails my sense of humor doesn't play well or I am just not very funny. No AC, no hood in the future of this car. Also no Pontiac 400, that was meant as a tease as well. Just as a reminder I have no experience, tools/expertise as a mechanic or car re-builder. My short term plan, dis-assemble to the frame clean up sand down, clean up cutting torch cuts. Posting some pics, as is. Guys There is no way the pics I posted of the car in 1959 can be the same rear end. The rear end in it now seems way too wide.

 

Build it how you and your dad want

 

It's the same rearend (1948ish Ford). You just have wheels on it now with much more offset. Put some Ford steel wheels on it like there used to be and you will have the same look.

 

Thanks I will give it a go

 

Yes Those are pretty damn deep.

 

Well it was a long drive but I am now in possession of the engine I really wanted. 1959 389. It also came with another Offy intake and 3 more carbs, and their rebuild kits. This engine was rebuilt 10-15 years ago and never run. While we were talking cars and prices his daughters were filling the opening in the heads with every screw, washer, bolt, light bulb and misc other parts that would fit. His daughters were 3 and 4ish and cute as buttons. They also had no issue inspecting the bottom of the engine as it swung on the cherry picker. Really nice guy. Any of you have some surreal part buying stories? While I still feel like I am in way over my head this was a major piece of the project to get in place that will really keep the car period correct yet still have plenty of horse power. One thing I will never understand is the Robin Egg Blue Pontiac engine cooler. I will repaint to black and chrome.

 

Paint it what ever color you want. You’ll never hide the fact that that is a baaaaaad mutha. Vrooom, freakin, vroooom vrooooom.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

It will match the steering wheel
Congrats on the engine !

 

Wait......the kids were putting bolts and light bulbs into the intake ports?! Might wanna be really careful before putting it together, gotta make sure nothing got past the valves and into the cylinders, that will make that whole rebuild a complete wash come start up time

 

Yeah no kidding I am going to pull it all apart just to check everything. (And paint) May change the pistons to a dish type and get rid of the “rubber” rods. I will have a professional give it the once over. I got everything for 2200.00 so I have room in the budget for some tlc, new gaskets etc. Just excited to have the correct block to base the build around.