The Jalopy Journal

slimj714 · 10-09-2012, 07:48 PM

Hey guys. I have a 1950 pontiac silver streak and i want to put a pontiac v8 to replace my 239. I want to keep my 3 on the tree tranny though. Is there a v8 that i can put straight in and will bolt up to my original tranny? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

flypa38 · 10-09-2012, 08:19 PM

Might wanna ask on the pontiac 1950s yahoo group. Those guys will know.

slimj714 · 10-10-2012, 12:50 PM

Thanks for the tip

55chieftain · 10-10-2012, 06:54 PM

Your going to need an early engine 55-60 because the trans bolt pattern is specific to those years. Than a 55-57 bellhousing and clutch/flywheel set up . The trans itself was used from 37-55 , a light duty 5 bolt top cover. The stronger 6 bolt top cover 56-57 trans could be an option also but would require some work to fit. Finding a complete 55-57 engine/trans package would be your best bet. I don't think that trans is really going to like a bigger v-8 if your going to beat on it some.

The rear end gears may not be to friendy to a v-8 either. 55-56 auto cars used a 3:08 rear gear and would bolt into the 50 housing. You would really need a 55 center section because of the pinion yoke differance between the 2 years to match what you have now.

slimj714 · 10-11-2012, 01:40 PM

So any v8 55-60 will work. Im not looking to race just a cruiser and Im changing the rear end gears also. I just want w reliable car i can drive cross country. With good gears in the back my trans should be ok right? I want to keep a pontiac in my pontiac.

**Rocky** · 10-11-2012, 05:42 PM

The 55-57 bellhousing is the only Pontiac V/8 bellhousing that will work on your 55-60 engine and interface with your 50 transmission. If you find your rear axle gearing is a little too low geared you can use the 3rd member from any 37-56 Pontiac. I've always used a 55-56 3.23 gear. You can swap 3rd members in an afternoon. If you use a 56 third member, you'll have to swap the 55 and earlier flange on to the third member...another super simple job. Just remember to use lberal amounts of blue loctite on the threads...they love to loosen up while driving.
My 41 had 3.90 gears and so did my 48...both got 3.23s and loved it.
BTW, did you see where I said 55-60 engine? Any newer engine and bellhousing will not fit your transmission. A 59 or 60 engine is 389 cu.in and will pull even the fattest old pontiac around with ease.

55 dude · 10-11-2012, 06:11 PM

do the pontiac rear end yokes your talking about have the same splines as a 9" ford rear?

10-09-2012, 07:48 PM	#1
slimj714 FNG Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Placentia Posts: 29	1950 pontiac 239 engine swap to a pontiac v8 Hey guys. I have a 1950 pontiac silver streak and i want to put a pontiac v8 to replace my 239. I want to keep my 3 on the tree tranny though. Is there a v8 that i can put straight in and will bolt up to my original tranny? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

10-09-2012, 08:19 PM	#2
flypa38 Grenade Inspector Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 346	Re: 1950 pontiac 239 engine swap to a pontiac v8 Might wanna ask on the pontiac 1950s yahoo group. Those guys will know.

10-10-2012, 12:50 PM	#3
slimj714 FNG Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Placentia Posts: 29	Re: 1950 pontiac 239 engine swap to a pontiac v8 Thanks for the tip

10-10-2012, 06:54 PM	#4
55chieftain Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canton IL Posts: 1,583	Re: 1950 pontiac 239 engine swap to a pontiac v8 Your going to need an early engine 55-60 because the trans bolt pattern is specific to those years. Than a 55-57 bellhousing and clutch/flywheel set up . The trans itself was used from 37-55 , a light duty 5 bolt top cover. The stronger 6 bolt top cover 56-57 trans could be an option also but would require some work to fit. Finding a complete 55-57 engine/trans package would be your best bet. I don't think that trans is really going to like a bigger v-8 if your going to beat on it some. The rear end gears may not be to friendy to a v-8 either. 55-56 auto cars used a 3:08 rear gear and would bolt into the 50 housing. You would really need a 55 center section because of the pinion yoke differance between the 2 years to match what you have now. __________________ Vintage Drag Meet Meltdown Drags-Byron Il July 20-21 2013

10-11-2012, 01:40 PM	#5
slimj714 FNG Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Placentia Posts: 29	Re: 1950 pontiac 239 engine swap to a pontiac v8 So any v8 55-60 will work. Im not looking to race just a cruiser and Im changing the rear end gears also. I just want w reliable car i can drive cross country. With good gears in the back my trans should be ok right? I want to keep a pontiac in my pontiac.

10-11-2012, 05:42 PM	#6
Rocky Classified Editor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska...suburb of Omaha Posts: 10,767	Re: 1950 pontiac 239 engine swap to a pontiac v8 The 55-57 bellhousing is the only Pontiac V/8 bellhousing that will work on your 55-60 engine and interface with your 50 transmission. If you find your rear axle gearing is a little too low geared you can use the 3rd member from any 37-56 Pontiac. I've always used a 55-56 3.23 gear. You can swap 3rd members in an afternoon. If you use a 56 third member, you'll have to swap the 55 and earlier flange on to the third member...another super simple job. Just remember to use lberal amounts of blue loctite on the threads...they love to loosen up while driving. My 41 had 3.90 gears and so did my 48...both got 3.23s and loved it. BTW, did you see where I said 55-60 engine? Any newer engine and bellhousing will not fit your transmission. A 59 or 60 engine is 389 cu.in and will pull even the fattest old pontiac around with ease. Attached Thumbnails __________________ My wife says I never listen to her....at least that's what I think she said.

10-11-2012, 06:11 PM	#7
55 dude Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wa. "The Wet Side"/ Socal "The Desert" Posts: 7,022	Re: 1950 pontiac 239 engine swap to a pontiac v8 do the pontiac rear end yokes your talking about have the same splines as a 9" ford rear? __________________ http://community.webshots.com/user/55dude wanted: 1936 plymouth 2dr sdn.

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