Projects 1956 Pontiac Gasser 389 swap (Finally Running)

1959 389 Pont. and a 4 speed B&M hydro.

 

Hey man, any updates for us Pontiac guys???


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The garage the Pontiac is at has been busy. I don't like to go down and work when he is busy as then he doesn't get things done. LOL I am retiring next month and I'm trying to get a few things at home taken care of before then also. The back half of the wiring is done but wiring pics can be boring.

I'll be down there tomorrow.

 

If am correct that car was in a magazine, did it have the 2x4 set up on it? I live in Perry and tried to track that car down I was interested in buying it...
I am in the process of building a 56 860 also.

 

Small world... I don’t live in Perry, but work there still. When I got the car, it only had a single four on it. And, yea, the guy I sold it to found the magazine article it was in. I knew it had been a race car, but it was in pretty sad shape when I got it. The owner had passed away and his son wanted rid of it. It had been sitting in a shed for years.

I might have a few Pontiac parts laying around still if there is anything you might need. Mostly what I have laying around still is engine stuff. I used to really be into Pontiac’s.

 

That is awesome, I saved the article I will post it when I'm back on my PC. I would be interested in the motor stuff

Cool story behind that car. I have the article I will post it next time I'm at my PC. My old farmer buddy knew the guy that had that car. For the day those cars were a pretty serious piece when massaged a little bit. I am interested in the parts you have, I will message you my phone number.

Thanks!

 

So, it's been a busy summer. Retired, mother in law moved and my friend with the garage has been real busy.

First time it's been outside in a long time. Should have power to it tomorrow and then a little wiring and it should finally run.

 

Glad to get an update! Looks good and I am sure you will be happy to get it running.

 

Almost.....battery in.

 

We should have the wiring done this week. Brakes are done.

 

Little more done. Just need to wire the dash.

 

Super clean wiring job !!!!!!! (from an old ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR)

 

Man that looks clean! I really like the white fire wall! What Intake manifold is that? I might have asked that before but I can’t remember.



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I may have answered before but I can't remember. LOL

Offenhauser. I've heard good and I've heard bad. My buddy says to not worry, it will work fine.

Same guy that did the wiring so I believe him. LOL

 

Well that's not good.



Just the gas gauge. Must be bad. We have to fix some wire contact damage and then try again.

 

Amp meter?

 

Gas gauge. We took the original gauge and put it into a new housing. Obviously got something crossed. LOL......should still be able to get it started (or another attempt at it) this week.

 

Or the connections are reversed.

 

We will start it without it and then figure it out. Or so the plan is.

 

Watch for smoke! We need a video of it running and looks like you have the same kind of luck I have.

 

Yikes. So, does this change the opinion on the Offenhauser intake? Just kidding...but that at least seemed humorous in my head.

Just one of the bugs to get worked out. It will all be worth it when it fires off.

 

Sweet!

 

Nice

 

Broke in the cam but this is as much a rant over cheap parts. Now granted I bought a couple of these awhile back but..........lower radiator hose had a bad place in it and had to replace it. Thermostat not working. Minor things but still.............

I can open the headers but I was kinda surprised at how quiet it is with just a set of augers in the pipes.

 

That sounds great!!! What cam did you use?


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Short story made into a long story. 5 years ago. I was tired of car shows, etc. I just wanted to tear the car up and do something different. My idea was to make it driveable still. As time moved on I kinda wish we would have went a little more track ready.

So we went with a Ram Air III cam. (I don't recall the specifics but can get them). But it gives me something to do over the years. Hopefully things improve to where I can take it to the track next year. Every winter do something to make it quicker up to a point.

I'll never be able to afford to run a series so that wasn't at the top of my list. It will go to the track though. Someone has to lose. LOL

 

I hope you have the 068 cam and not the 041. The Ram Air III was known as the 068 but some say its the 744, the Ram Air IV was known as the 041. That 041 is hard to manage on the street. I had one in my old 462 Pontiac and ended having to run straight timing. I just removed the springs to the weights so it could be started easily then once it started the weights went into full advance. I had it set for 36 degrees I also removed the vacuum advance..
The Summit 2801 was also an excellent cam to run in a big Pontiac, Jim Hand recommended that cam to me..

 

I also ran that Ram Air III in a 400 years ago in a every day driver car. It was pretty mild and very streetable. That was after I picked a Lunati cam for another 400 in another car that would have been a great SBC cam (which is all I had really built previously) but was a lot more lift than a Pontiac needed to be streetable.