Hot Rods 57 Pontiac Drag Car Build

Neat car! 558 hp at around 3600 lbs. should get you into deep 11's or high 10's with good suspension and careful tuning. I like it!

 

Fantastic build!!!

I really like what you're doing here

Bobby

 

Just a quick update. Motor and hydro are in the car. Working on the headers now. Still need to change out the valve covers.

 

Looks awesome! The headers are probably a lot of work.
Years ago I asked Jess Tyree if he ever did a set of headers for a '57 Pontiac, and if he had a pattern.
He laughed and set he had done them and each were fitted to the car.
He said there was not enough money to do another set at his age and just enjoy the car the way it was!
Are you going to try to get to Bowling Green in June?
KK

 

Glad to see progress......

 

Neat car x 2 here.
Wondering if we're still using the old Hydro here. Modern trans and converter would be worth a a bunch of ET here, in my opinion.

 

Hey KoolKat,
You are right, the headers are PAINFUL. Thanks to my buddy John at JR's for all the work on them. I've never seen any headers for the 57. Unfortunately, I'm not going to Bowling Green but I should be ready for Meltdown.

Thanks,
Todd

 

Marc,
I Know I'd pick up some ET with a modern trans but I am using a rebuilt B&M 4 speed slant pan hydro. I think it will be fun and different.

Thanks,
Todd

 

Wow. What a cool build!! I can't wait to see some footage of when you run it at the drag strip with that new motor. Impressive. Should be a blast!!

 

Todd your build has been great. Can't wait to see it at the Meltdown. It may be easier to go the modern trans route but I believe it is pretty cool to go the direction you are going.

 

It's refreshing to see a build like this. It gets us out of the rut of the typical hotrod builds. Not that there's anything wrong with model As and tri-five chevys, but this is just exciting!


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Extremely KOOL Build!
I Approve!
57 Ponchos Rule!

 

Todd -

Wow, that looks like a lot of work to get the header tube bends you want, nice work.
Are you going to/did you do any sort of home made heat treating to try to "normalize" those tubes so they don't break from all the heat from the welding ? Seems like all that heat would crystallize the material and make it prone to cracking/breaking.

Again, nice work.

Mike

 

Had to make both front and rear cross members. Tried to use a stock 55 Pontiac cross member< per my B&M catalog but the motor and trans sat too low, not enough clearence for the headers. Had to raise the motor and thought it would be better to use the mounts on the side of the motor rather than the off the timing cover. 59 blocks have both. Also, bolted the hydro to the motor as well as all 30 bolts from the flywheel to the torus. Each bolt has to be sealed from the flywheel to the torus.

 

Love It!!

 

I can't WAIT to see photos of going down the strip..

 

Thanks Mike,
I have not done any heat treating of the tubes. You make a good point. I've had other headers done this way and they've been OK over the years.

Thanks,
Todd

 

I'm STILL watching this build. Post up some video if you can when the time comes. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Will do Butch, and thanks. Headers should be done this week. View attachment 3897072

 

I decided to use Cal Trac bars. Unfortunately we had to make spring perches in order for them to work. Almost the exact same measurements a a 57 chevy but a very different perch design. Always something.

 

Present from Jet-Hot. Headers are done!

 

Been following and it looks real good, keep up the excellent work and post some race times.

Pat

 

love watching the progress

 

Thank you guys I appreciate it.

 

Changed out the valve covers and installed the headers. Right now I'm using the breathers from the 347 motor.

 

Impressive - Very Impressive.

 

Thank God it's not a turboed LS motor! Very nice looking . Clean work man. That's definitely a car that'd make me walk back to the pits after watching it run.

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Call it the "Viagra-Mobile"; that's what it does for me anyway. This car is absolutely one of the best builds ever! The car itself is so plain-Jane, just what I like. The running gear is not plain-Jane however. Headers turned out beautifully! I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Looks fantastic. The CalTracs should work really well. She should plant hard when you kick that beast engine into action. The headers are perfect. Love this car.

 

I’d have a hard time not procrastinating on installing the rest of the front clip. Cause I would be drooling over the motors exposed beauty for days on end.
Sad shame that I’ll most likely never see this subdued rocket ship in the flesh.
Good luck and I hope you don’t rip too deep of ruts in any asphalt so that you drag the caltracs or header collectors.


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