I have a nice 1960 389 Im building to replace the 347 in my 57 pontiac I found a Great set of Nos .040 pistons for it....flat tops with the 4 valve reliefs, just like the factory ones anyway......... Also found a NICE set of 1967 061 heads,they are from a 330 hp 400..... Wondering if I can use these heads without having any clearance problems,or should i just use 400 pistons in the block????
Wasn’t the 60 Pontiac reverse flow cooling also? Will they fit the earlier block? Will the coolant passages line up? I honestly don’t know. I do know the will work on a 65 and up 389.
Earlier Pontiac engines also oiled the top end through the rocker stud. I think there are ports on the deck that needs plugging and you can switch to later hollow pushrods. Something to look out for..
They will fit. Do some research there is a good bit of info on what all you need to do. Nothing too big of a job.
I have absolutely no idea what I am talking about but I seem to recall hearing something about 64 389 heads not working on a later 389 or maybe it's that they would fit if you used the correct year intake manifold. Something like a 64 tri-power intake will only work on later engine if you use the 64 heads. I dunno ... just something ringing a bell but the bell is covered in spider webs, moss, and is very heavily tarnished. Hopefully someone will step in a clarify or dispell
Just have to use 65 and newer intake. Also note those are closed chambered heads and depending on pistons you could be getting up there around 10:75 compression with those heads and also depending on which head gaskets you use. I did build a 389 once using standard bore 400 pistons and 65 up heads. I think, its been a few yrs, that I was ok up to around .500 lift.
You will find what you are after at this site, first one is the home page, second one is under the tech tips section, http://www.wallaceracing.com http://www.wallaceracing.com/interchange.htm ( some of this can be made to work ) His list is strictly bolt on.
The valve reliefs in the pistons were at slightly different angles for the 1967 and newer engines. I don't know if you'll have interference between the valves and pistons, but it's something you'll need to confirm - the pistons for the earlier engines can be modified with new reliefs, or you can use the newer style pistons.
Elcohaulic you are so right about the cam, I have found that my engines and ones I've done for friends are still running and running good with a nice milder cam than a "wild mutha thumper". Most of these street cars run 3.36-3.70 ratios through mufflers in around town traffic and will run all day. Pat
The 670 head was used on GTO, Firebird and possibly Grand Prix...the 061 head was used on full size applications. There are a few other head numbers too, including 143 and some 326 cu in.. and 2 barrel heads.
IF it don't 'sound-like-a-hot-rod'......they why do it? From a kid-in-the-60's.....all the Pontiacs I remember sounded VERY healthy and most were screamerz (the rest.....didn't impress me much so I forget them!) Why not tighten that LSA about 6 degrees and gear-it IF you loose too much on the bottom?!!! 6sally6
I forget most but I do recall the Pontiac 400 6X heads were most desirable to top the 350 or 389 BB's.
Because not all of us on this site are building hot rods. Some of us just want a nice running, reliable engine that isn't a terror to drive, with enough balls to keep it interesting.
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