Where to go for a 389 Rebuild kit or motor

[Nick]

I just purchased a 66 Pontiac Catalina when I started the thing it was smoked so much I was afraid that someone was going to call the fire department and sounded like it had marbles in the heads. Pulled the valve covers off and rocker arms werent even on the valve springs. Lifters were mostly collapsed. Tookd the intake and valley pan off and found about an inch of oiliy residue all over the pushrods and block that looked like a burnt piece of wood. Then I found a broken pushrod jus sitting in the middle of the block. I am in college and need the cant afford a very expensive rebuild I was wondering who had the best kits for the price or if anyone close had motor for cheap 400 455 301 I dont care as long as it bolts to the tranny.
Thanks, Nick

[Scotch]

Post your needs and requests at www.classicalpontiac.com (http://www.classicalpontiac.com) There may be a diehard Pontiac guy close to you who'd help. It sounds like you need "good, used" parts, and I bet one of the guys over there will help ya.

Scotch~!

[Tcoupe]

Try Northern auto parts (http://www.naparts.com/) or Kanter (http://www.kanter.com/) . They have kits for the 389 but are kinda pricey.

[draggin'GTO]

Try Paul Spotts at Spotts Performance in Hatfield, PA. Very honest guy who really knows his Pontiac shit, he should be able to set ya up.

More than likely a new stock cam/lifters, a set of pushrods (new or good used) as well as a new timing chain set will cure your problem. Pontiacs are easy to work on, similar to a small-block Chevy only simpler. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

www.spottsperformance.com (http://www.spottsperformance.com)

----- Bart -----

[flamedabone]

Just cause it's a Pontiac, you don't nessesarily have to go to a specialty joint. Try plain old PAW or Summit. PAW has ring, bearing, gasket,timing chain, oil pump kit for 260 bucks. They will toss in a cam/lifters/push rods on the cheap too.

The only thing that is real high dollar are GOOD pistons. Cast replacements aren't too high, but a good set of forged 10:1s are about 500 bucks.

Don't rule out the possibility of an engine swap either. Luckly for you, your Poncho is 65 or newer. After 1965, all Pontiac engines are interchangeable. That means anything from a 326 to a 350, 389, 400, 421, 428, 455 is a direct bolt in. Lots of parts even interchange. The only thing they changed, for the most part, was the bore and stroke. Manifolds, heads, cams, oil pans, water pumps, etc are all the same.

You might be able to score a good running 400 out of a '76 Catilina, or Firebird or whatever and it will slide right in there. I wouldn't pay any more that 400 bucks for a GOOD running motor and tranny.

Good luck and if you need any help, gimme a holler.

-Abone.

[1oldtimer]

if you want oe style try:
www.egge.com (http://www.egge.com)

[Rocky]

fLAMER-a-BONER SPEAKS GREAT TRUTH....The onliest thing I'd add is change the timing chain and gears on a used motor before bolting it in place.....takes about an hour..

[31Rodder]

At the time when I rebuilt my 389 the best price was thru warrior racing. I found an add for them in High Performance Pontiac Mag.
Warrior racing 734-728-6600

Also if my memory is right you can bore the block on a 389 .060 over and have a 400 and that might save you a few bucks too on a kit.

[porknbeaner]

Summit Racing sells a reasonable kit, mostly federal mogul pieces. But that doesn't get you cam lifters or pushrods.
By the time you get the machine work done you're lookin' at a grand anyway.
Check out mortec.com. worm your way through to the class ads. Good source for GM stuff.

[draggin'GTO]

If you find you do need to completely rebuild your 389 it can be done using standard-bore 400 pistons (the engine needs to be bored .0575" over, close enough to .060"). A new forged piston set by Speed Pro can be had for $279.60 from Summit. Summit also has a 'true' Pontiac guy there who can help you out with your needs, Scott Esterle. He can be reached at 1-800-517-1035 EXT. 6225 between 8AM and 6PM eastern time.

Personally I won't deal with Warrior anymore, poor customer service when I dealt with them and their prices are not that great.

Good luck.

----- Bart -----

[draggin'GTO]

Nick,
Here's an ad for a fresh Pontiac 350 engine that is close to you: 350 engine (http://forums.performanceyears.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=7286011111&f=1866081811&m=556602585& r=556602585#556602585)

----- Bart -----