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manual trans for a '60 389?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by forsakenfew, Oct 12, 2006.

  1. forsakenfew
    Joined: May 30, 2003
    Posts: 1,063

    forsakenfew
    Member
    from seattle

    thinking about switching out the th350 for a manual this winter. (this is in my 31 sedan) am i stuck with the 59-60 factory stuff?? i know without the spendy adapter, i was stuck with the original automatic.
     
  2. specialk
    Joined: Sep 28, 2005
    Posts: 598

    specialk
    Member

    389 poncho? Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_V8_engine#389 says this was the same engine from 1959 - 1966. Is that not true?
     
  3. forsakenfew
    Joined: May 30, 2003
    Posts: 1,063

    forsakenfew
    Member
    from seattle

    pretty much the same internally, but the 59-60's are kind of their own en***y with other things, like bellhousing bolt pattern.
     
  4. Yessir....the '61 and newer Pontiac has a different "back of engine block". You'll need to find a '60 or earlier bell and go from there.
     
  5. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 9,034

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    A '55-'60 flywheel will work, but a '58-'60 bell housing is what you'll be looking for. The '55-'57 bells were flanged for those ****y "selector" type three speeds that have a unique bolt pattern.
     
  6. forsakenfew
    Joined: May 30, 2003
    Posts: 1,063

    forsakenfew
    Member
    from seattle

    ok, this is what i'm looking for...thanks!!

    now, what transmissions bolt to the bell?? sorry for the stupid questions, just not alot of experience with the manual stuff.
     
  7. carmak
    Joined: Aug 8, 2005
    Posts: 451

    carmak
    Member

    Keep an eye out for a mid to late 50's GMC truck. They used Pontiac V8 engines and most of them were stick shift.

    Good luck
    Carmak
    Riverside, Iowa
     
  8. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 9,034

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    The '58-'60 bell has the common bolt pattern of all modern General Motors 3/4/5 speeds.
     
  9. b0ne dry
    Joined: Sep 13, 2005
    Posts: 20

    b0ne dry
    Member
    from n0r*cal

    food for thought...

    my mild 389 likes to eat muncies when pushin 3800 pound cars...

    and i have a 59' 3-2 intake sitting in my storage.... if your looking for one.
     
  10. Not to hijack, but has anybody got a picture of the stock setup in a 59-60? More specifically, the z-bar and linkage?
    I'm changing my 60 to a stick, and I've got damn near everything to do it--I just wanna make sure
    Sorry for ****in' in, and thanks in advance!
     
  11. axle
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 4,013

    axle
    Member
    from Drag City


    your info is 100% correct. be prepared,this **** is hard to find. i have this stuff but not letting go of it.
     
  12. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 9,034

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    Here's a tip--if you're patrolling a swap meet and see an aftermarket transmission adapter that looks somewhat like an early Olds, but not EXACTLY like an early Olds, it's a '55-'60 Pontiac adapter intended to be used in conjunction with the front half of a stock hydramatic bell housing. I've seen guys try to p*** them off as Olds adapters before.
     
  13. mpls|cafe|racer
    Joined: Jun 18, 2006
    Posts: 1,323

    mpls|cafe|racer
    BANNED

    [​IMG]

    You are right!

    This is what you are looking for. I lucked out and got this stuff with my 389 from the seller for an extra $50.00. Ended up paying like $200.00 for everything.

    Keep your eyes on the lookout though, like others have said, this **** does turn up once in awhile!
     
  14. axle
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 4,013

    axle
    Member
    from Drag City

    my flywheel is bad if anyone has an extra they want to part with?
     
  15. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 9,034

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    How bad is bad? Can it be resurfaced? If not, pm me.
     

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