Pontiac 455 swap. sooooo much fun. - Engine Swap - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Kross4031 · 07-30-2004, 11:28 AM

This is my little piece of big block heaven.

Kross4031 · 07-30-2004, 11:28 AM

Kross4031 · 07-30-2004, 11:29 AM

it isn't much, but it's mine... lol

RB83L69 · 07-30-2004, 11:38 AM

Looks good so far....

But if I may be so bold, it's not a big block; it's a Pontiac motor. Not that the block isn't big; it's just, there's no such thing as a "big block" Pontiac. Either it is a Pontiac motor, or it's not a Pontiac motor. The bore spacing (the thing that sets a "big block" apart from a "small block") is the same on all their motors; even the little 151 4-cylinder has the bores on the same centers as a 455.

I see you still have the exhaust manifolds on it. What are you going to do for exhaust? Any idea how long it might be before the rest of it is hooked up and running?

Kross4031 · 07-30-2004, 11:55 AM

as far as you being bold, i dont mind. to be honest, i know nothing about pontiac. and even less about chevy. i am a ford guy. but, the motor and the car landed in my lap so i ran with it. i had purchased headers for it thru pontiaction racing but they didn't fit correctly. so my buddy gave me these maniflods, which he says are off of a early 70's GTO. they dump in the same location as the 350 i pulled out. i was thinkin of getting a cat - back system and havin the local muffler shop make something up to conect them togoether. the motor is running, the car is not .. lol. i have to redo the brakes( complete ). get a driveshaft made. the interior is completely gutted. i am guessin in a month it'll be on the road.

lbrohez · 07-31-2004, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RB83L69
Looks good so far....

But if I may be so bold, it's not a big block; it's a Pontiac motor. Not that the block isn't big; it's just, there's no such thing as a "big block" Pontiac. Either it is a Pontiac motor, or it's not a Pontiac motor. The bore spacing (the thing that sets a "big block" apart from a "small block") is the same on all their motors; even the little 151 4-cylinder has the bores on the same centers as a 455.

It is a big block Pontiac, because the 301 Pontiac was smaller than all the rest of the Pontiac v-8's

RB83L69 · 07-31-2004, 08:33 AM

The 301 has the same bore spacing as all the others. In fact, the 151 4-cylinder I mentioned, is half of a 301. That's the "Iron Duke" POS.

However, the 301's deck is lower than all the other V8s; so it's a "short deck" block.

Kind of like big block Chevy motors. There's small blocks, and there's big blocks; within the big block category, there's short deck motors (passenger car and pickup type trucks) and tall deck motors (larger trucks like buses and dump trucks). Or Oldsmobile; every one of those has the same bore spacing, but the 400 & 455 have a tall deck, and the 307, 350 and 403 have a short deck. Again, no "big" or "small" blocks.

There are no "big block" or "small block" Pontiacs.

Kross4031 · 07-31-2004, 02:47 PM

all i know is it makes enough power and torque to twist this little camaro in half.... and i might just let it .. lol

LT1guy · 07-31-2004, 03:56 PM

Just curious why the headers wouldn't clear...did you use their mounts? Where was the clearance problem? Cool project BTW!

Kross4031 · 07-31-2004, 04:08 PM

i used their mounts. the headers, first of all, were in my opinion poorly made. i am a machinist and a part time welder and i could have done a better job welding the flanges. who knows, maybe i got the only bad set they have. second, they hit on the lower motor mounts and crossmember and the frame rail on the passenger side. now i would have no problem working with the headers and making them fit. but, i paid over 500$ for something that wasn't coated and didn't fit. HELL NO! lol

nolanr0413 · 07-31-2004, 05:54 PM

omg , sweet , i want to do that . I looked into it , what kind of project was it. I love it . Hey , chiefmanyhorses.com sells headers and motor mounts that are meant for a thirgen with a poncho engine. What kind of tranny did u use. And what kind of problems did u run into .

Kross4031 · 07-31-2004, 07:48 PM

i am using a 77 th350. the only real problem i had to deal with was moving the trans mount back about 3.5" and needing the driveshaft retubed. needs to be about 5.25" longer. other than that.. i had to make my own radiator brackets and the rest is off the shelf stuff. i put a torque arm on that mounts to the floor and not the trans, it's 1/2 the length and is supposed to be better for wheel hop. with the pontiaction racing mounts there is enough room for a small oil filter. the exhaust manifold exit in the same location as the originals from the 350 chevy. all in all ... it was an easy swap. just takes time.

nolanr0413 · 07-31-2004, 08:40 PM

will the trans mount that spohn sells work with this swap or do you have to custom make a tranny x memeber. If i did it that way it would be easier.

LT1guy · 07-31-2004, 10:19 PM

The Spohn crossmember/torque arm setup will work...thats the route I'm going with my Th400.

Kross4031 · 08-01-2004, 02:25 AM

i looked into the spohn torque arm kit ... but i spent 160$ for the jegster torque arm and made my own braket for the trans.i did not have to do anything to the trans cross member. you do the math .. lol:rockon:

ops32 · 08-02-2004, 12:27 PM

Very cool. Too bad your car isn't a Firebird!

ops32

Kross4031 · 08-02-2004, 12:32 PM

i went with what i had .. i have decided that this car is going to be my test subject. when i have completed it i will know exactly everything i need to do the swap. then i can search for the permanent car. who knows... could be a fairmont .... lol.. it all depends on what i like at the time .

Parrydise7 · 08-04-2004, 12:42 PM

IIRC, the originally Pontiac Firebird 455s (about 1970, etc) were a bear when it came to spark plug changes. Something like, loosen motor mount, jack up engine, contort hand and arm into bizarre shape and go from there.

Are you looking at the same thing?

Kross4031 · 08-04-2004, 12:48 PM

nope... a ratchet, spark plug socket and about 10 min is all i need to do the plugs on this car.

megaracerx · 08-04-2004, 01:02 PM

one word.....wow..

i love that swap

Kross4031 · 08-04-2004, 01:07 PM

thanks. i think it's worth the effort.

Projek: 85 3800 · 08-04-2004, 01:17 PM

I think this thread should be made a sticky for those who keep whining that a Poncho swap in a third gen is "too much work", "too hard"

Poncho in the HAY-OUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(yes, Pontiac blue is so cool that I painted my engine the same color

)

Kross4031 · 08-04-2004, 01:27 PM

lol... this was my first motor swap of any kind and i thought it was very easy. gut the computer and it's harness. use the remaining harness for the rest of the hookups. the wires are already there. hell ... use the stock dash if you like. i used auto meter gauges myself. all in all... 160$ for the tourque are from jegs. 80$ for the motor mounts from pontiaction racing. 275$ for drive shaft mods. a couple of home made brackets, which anyone whith a 9th grade education should be able to figure out, and it's in there. no fuss no muss!

Tony Walch · 08-05-2004, 01:52 PM

I like this swap,now just add EFI and a 6speed and that thing will haul the mail..................this is the way things should have been done at Pontiac....Good job:hail:

305Tiger · 08-05-2004, 03:57 PM

its sweet, so props to you. Another F0RD guy converted from the dark side! Muwahahahaaaa!

-G

Projek: 85 3800 · 08-05-2004, 04:04 PM

WHen it gets done, take it Pontiac & Chevy car shows. Should be quite a topic starter

MIght even want to get some SD-Z/28 decals made

Aaron91RS · 08-05-2004, 11:52 PM

I commend you for your effort just because anytime a poncho swap is brought up everyone says don't waste your time.

Kross4031 · 08-06-2004, 03:22 AM

i'll tell anyone who wants to know exactly what i did. what brakets i made and the dimensions for them. it's well worth the time .... the money got a lil out of hand ... but it's all motor and trans money. but hey .. if your gonna do it ... do it right. don't half *** it. with close to 500 h.p. and well over 500 ftlbs of torque... i think this car is gonna get some looks. lol.

Projek: 85 3800 · 08-08-2004, 07:18 PM

I'll take you up on that offer. I was origonally gonna put a 400/400 combo from a 76 Bonnie into my ride, but then I wouldn't have any car to drive durring that time, and had no place to do the swap

Kross4031 · 08-08-2004, 07:32 PM

i'll post the dimensions and what wiring i did as soon as i get all the info in front of me. i have everything sprawled all over my garage.