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Projects 1956 Pontiac Gasser 389 swap (Finally Running)

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by wvenfield, Oct 29, 2014.

  1. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    Thanks, I'll note all of this but when I was deciding 5 years ago I'm pretty sure we went with the 068. I have the paperwork in the car.
     
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  2. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    That was a good story nonetheless. Lol I look fwd to seeing pictures of it running at the track.

    After readying Jim Hand’s cam article I went with the 068 for the Catalina. We will see how that goes.

    Scott


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  3. Elcohaulic
    Joined: Dec 27, 2017
    Posts: 2,212

    Elcohaulic

    I always liked Jim Hands articles. He has done so much with the Pontiac motor and he freely shares it with us.. I think his son is one here. He is also very knowledgeable with Pontiacs..
     
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  4. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    Yes, Jim Hand’s son is in here but I can’t remember his H.A.M.B. name. I’ve had a few pm conversations with him
    and same thing. He is very knowledgeable about Pontiacs and very willing to help.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2020
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  5. VOETOM
    Joined: Aug 6, 2006
    Posts: 330

    VOETOM
    Member
    from MO

    Joe Hand is one son, 37 Chevy truck, and Tom Hand is the other, VOETOM. :) Sincere thanks for the nice comments about Dad.
     
  6. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    Almost have it idling. Looking for suggestions. Reads 150 degrees when it's running. We have staarted it enough times that air should be out of it but that's what it's acting like. After running a bit it will start puking out some coolant. When shut off the temps (as read by the temp gauge) will shoot up to 220 plus after shut off.

    We have a high flow thermostat that is working correctly (160 degree). Going to try and put in a regular one and drill small hole in case it's still air pockets.

    It's a new water pump (which you can't always trust any more) and a dual pass radiator. I know I don't currently have a fan shroud but that's not it. The upper hose, intake is cool.

     
  7. caper
    Joined: Jun 12, 2009
    Posts: 36

    caper
    Member
    from Cape Cod

    Excellent build - love the problem solving. Great car !
     
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  8. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member


    MAYBE your fill level in the system is too high. Try letting it puke then get cool and see where the level is in the radiator. Then run it again (watching out for overheating) and see how the temp is.

    Unless you have a recovery tank most systems do not need to be filled to the top there has to be space for expansion.

    And rising temps after shutoff is just because the engine still has heat in it but no circulation.
     
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  9. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    Reading I think perhaps the metal plates in the water pump aren't set up correctly.

    Going to pull it and have a look.
     
  10. Joe H
    Joined: Feb 10, 2008
    Posts: 1,525

    Joe H
    Member

    Part of the heating issue is the water pump pulley, it way under driven to cool correctly. Second issue is the water pump design, those early pumps never worked very well. Try adjusting the inner plate closer to the impeller when you get it apart, it really helps the newer designed pumps. I will go through my parts manual and see if I can find a smaller diameter pulley, your other choice is to switch to the later front cover with the 11 bolt water pump. The engine block and heads rarely effect cooling, they hold plenty of coolant. I worked on two GTO's this summer with the early water pumps, and both heated up quicker then they should have, and both were fresh rebuilds. Pontiac changed pumps in '68 for a reason.
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2020
  11. Joe H
    Joined: Feb 10, 2008
    Posts: 1,525

    Joe H
    Member

    I scanned the pages for you. The early pulley sizes are not marked, but most all A/C equipped engines use smaller diameter water pump pulleys. '66-'67 will work with the front cover you have.
     

    Attached Files:

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  12. Joe H
    Joined: Feb 10, 2008
    Posts: 1,525

    Joe H
    Member

    Pulley ratio's.
    7 1/4" diameter crank -- 8" diameter water pump = 1:1.1 under driven 1000 rpm /899 rpm water pump
    7 1/4" diameter crank -- 7 1/2" diameter water pump = 1:1.03 under driven 1000 rpm /966 rpm water pump
    7 1/4" diameter crank -- 5 11/16" diameter water pump = 1:1.32 over driven 1000 rpm/1274 rpm water pump
    https://www.blocklayer.com/pulley-belteng.aspx pulley ratio calculator.

    '73 and up - all A/C
    7 7/16" diameter crank - 6 5/8" water pump = 1:1.12 over driven 1000 rpm/ 1122 rpm water pump
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2020
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  13. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    I have a 400 front cover. Will that interchange and use the newer pump?
     
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  14. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    Just to keep everything documented in one place just in case anyone cares to read one day. If you saw my other thread trying to find out my cooling issue, I did figure it out. Early Pontiac aftermarket intakes often have two coolant holes. The rear hole is for early engines and the forward one is for later engines. You need to plug the correct one. I didn't have the correct one plugged. (see pics)

    intake.jpg intakeII.jpg

    All better now. Still need to get everything lined out but runs and stays cool.

     
  15. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,190

    bchctybob
    Member

    Sounds good. Looking forward to that test drive video!!
     
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  16. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member

    Happy for you that the fix didn't cost you anymore parts except gaskets. :)
     
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  17. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    Well we have had the carbs off and apart about 4 times, LOL, but just about got it.

    Capped headers.



    Uncapped headers.

     
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  18. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    I think they should all sound like that! Looks awesome! Sounds awesome! Good job man!


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  19. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member

    Happy to see you got the bugs out of it without too much hassle. :)
     
  20. doubleduece
    Joined: Dec 4, 2010
    Posts: 24

    doubleduece
    Member

  21. Longstroke
    Joined: Dec 23, 2014
    Posts: 63

    Longstroke
    Member

    Amazing build and a lot there to be real proud of. Continued good luck with all your efforts and looking forward to further updates. Cheers.
     
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  22. Elcohaulic
    Joined: Dec 27, 2017
    Posts: 2,212

    Elcohaulic

    Your Pontiac looks familiar. Did you have it in Pittsburgh?

    I put together a few Pontiacs... Frankly, I liked the old 389-421 closed chamber best.. I used to hammer a 1-1/4" freeze plug into each head to block off the intake heat. The new gasoline does NOT need the intake heated like the old gasoline. You can do this on the 63-64 heads, I don't know any others but I'm sure they're out there..


    Here are a few I've owned..

    64 just painted.jpg Bonneville interior hurst.jpg 66 Bonneville.jpg 64 Grand Prix interior.. 1976.jpg 64 bonneville 8 lugs.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2021
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  23. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    I bought it wrecked in Kentucky and as I was told it came from California before that. It is a California car and has an old oil change sticker from Arizona on it.

    We did block off the intake heat. It's real cold out. Brakes are done and as soon as it warms up a bit we will take it out. Looks like hopefully the week after this one.
     
  24. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    Car does run and drive after 6.5 years. Sorry, no video yet. Mostly posting to document for myself.

    Filled in the holes in the floor where underseat heater was and where we made access for brake master cylinder.

    IMG_20210303_154917359.jpg IMG_20210303_111228712.jpg

    Filled in the heater box holes in the firewall.

    IMG_20210304_163832547.jpg

    Decided to paint the dash. Hopefully finished pics soon.

    IMG_20210317_131052289_HDR.jpg IMG_20210317_125006007_HDR.jpg

    IMG_20210317_145307586.jpg IMG_20210317_145232947_HDR.jpg
     
  25. Smrtmike
    Joined: Nov 11, 2018
    Posts: 16

    Smrtmike

    Looking good.
     
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  26. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

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  27. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

  28. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member

    Nice, it sure has come a long way. :)
     
  29. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

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