1958 Pontiac Wagon Build

[Tempest67]

Well, here I go again.

This time a 1958 Pontiac Wagon caught my eye.

My plans are to install a Pontiac 350, a motor that was in my 1973 Firebird when I was a teenager, add a TH350 automatic, some bucket seats with a console, Pontiac Rally 2 wheels, and have a safe, reliable, smooth running wagon.

I have already freshened up the motor, new gaskets, seals, timing chain, ...etc and have it ready for install. I also purchased a TH350 and have had it rebuilt and it is ready to go.

The BIG issue with this car is rust, and lots of it. The floors are gone, the rockers are gone, and the quarters are gone..........other than that, it seems solid. (ha ha)

My plans are to paint this one, and have it looking respectable, not that patina isn't respectable. Possibly a Teal/Blue with the white colored spear down the side? not sure yet, as that is so far away.

Anyways, I will post some pics now and add more as the work gets done,

I mentioned the motor is done, as you can see, I am going for the retro look.

Happy New Year to All

[3drburb]

Nice find, that motor was just waiting for something to go in, this should be a nice one to build. Maybe the 58 Chevy Yeoman can offer up some aftermarket sheet metal parts, if there is any out there.

[Tempest67]

3drburb, yes, you are right, this 350 was lying around, so I freshened it up, put the HO heads on it to up the compression, and it should be good to go. (and gave it some paint)

The 1958 Pontiac/Chev floor pans that are available are awful, and only include the footwell section, and the rot on this goes far beyond that. I am going to try to make my own floor pans.


Well, I started on the lower A pillars because they need to be done before I can start on the rockers. So I cut out the rot, and made some replacement pieces, the pics are of drivers side, but I did both sides

I also added a a piece to the toe board to get it ready for a floor pan

Up next will be the Pass. side rockers

[Tempest67]

Well, progress continues on the floor

I picked up some sheet metal (19 gauge) and with a cheap bead roller, put a design in the floor that resembled the stock floor.

After cutting, bending, and welding, the front floor on the passenger side is in.

I have started on the area below the seat, and soon I will be working on the rear section.

I am trying to keep the seams above the braces so they wont be seen from below, but along the trans tunnel, I have no choice.

[3drburb]

Wow! You are getting after that rust, nice job in making your own floors and braces.

Btw love the Pickup Truck.

[Tempest67]

Thanks 3drburb, but I did not make the braces. (see pics)

A friend of mine found a 58 Chev and he cut the floor out for me. I then used the braces, sections of, and welded them in

So far I am enjoying this process and just trying to install 1 piece at a time, get it in place, then move on to the next piece

[HO455]

Looking good. I do loves me some Pontiaction. Time to grab some popcorn, a Porter and watch some magic happen.

[Tempest67]

Thanks HO455, I just went through the first 9 pages of your Burb build, nice work.

I like Pontiacs too, here are 2 Pontiac projects, but the 64 has been sold

as for the 'magic', I think it is more 'brute force and ignornance', as there are a few REAL Metal Magicians on this website, and I am NOT one of them.


I hope you have a big bag of popcorn, cause this is going to take a while, but thanks for the encouragement.

[HO455]

Judging from those two it will be worth the wait.

[Tempest67]

Hi Guys

Well the floor work continues, I will update later, but have a question about seam sealer, and how much the factory used?

The pics below are of the seam between the rear floor pan and the 'arch' going over the rear axle. You can see in the first pic how much was caked in there, and then I scraped it off and you can see in the 2nd pic the screw driver showing the thickness.

The 3rd pic is the seam with all the sealer removed

Do you that was original? or do you think someone added that? as it is almost 1/2 inch thick?

Just curious, and Thanks for your thoughts

[Tempest67]

sorry, for some reason pics 2 and 3 flipped?? ooops?

[Tempest67]

lets try this again, sorry

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

A friend of mine found a 58 Chev and he cut the floor out for me. I then used the braces, sections of, and welded them in

Gotta be a good friend to do that for ya.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

Thanks HO455, I just went through the first 9 pages of your Burb build, nice work.

I like Pontiacs too, here are 2 Pontiac projects, but the 64 has been sold

as for the 'magic', I think it is more 'brute force and ignornance', as there are a few REAL Metal Magicians on this website, and I am NOT one of them.


I hope you have a big bag of popcorn, cause this is going to take a while, but thanks for the encouragement.

I like the Rally I's.

I have Rally I wheels on my '63.

K

[Tempest67]

that's a beauty 63,

I don't see many of those, thanks for the pic,

[Keith Seymore]

Thank you; Dad had two.

He gave this one upon his passing to a family friend. I saw it at a show this past summer, first time I had seen it in 17 years.

K

[Keith Seymore]

More Pontiac stuff, if you like:

https://over-drive-magazine.com/2023...athery-fabric/

https://www.motortrend.com/features/...-still-family/

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=560524

[HO455]

I saw this and thought you might enjoy it. I enjoyed it a lot more once I turned the sound off. The factory buckets are pretty cool.

https://youtu.be/C3mKYO1tdto?si=TAdX6rwk756e_1VH

[HO455]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

Hi Guys

Well the floor work continues, I will update later, but have a question about seam sealer, and how much the factory used?

The pics below are of the seam between the rear floor pan and the 'arch' going over the rear axle. You can see in the first pic how much was caked in there, and then I scraped it off and you can see in the 2nd pic the screw driver showing the thickness.

The 3rd pic is the seam with all the sealer removed

Do you that was original? or do you think someone added that? as it is almost 1/2 inch thick?

Just curious, and Thanks for your thoughts

It wouldn't surprise me that the factory used that much sealer. Especially if it was an early production car.

My GTO had a pancake sized blob of sealer in the middle of the passenger side floor that appeared to have spilled and never wiped up.

[Keith Seymore]

Probably factory.

At the end of the application the guys would wipe the excess off the wand somewhere obscure on the vehicle rather than cleaning the tip on a rag or on their apron.

K

[Tempest67]

Thanks HO455, that video gives me inspiration, or depression, depends how I look at it (ha ha) as my wagon does not look much like that one

Keith, thanks for the links, very neat stories about you and your Dad.


Thank you both for the seam sealer confirmation,

[Tempest67]

I have been welding in patches on the Passenger side floor.

Put in a piece on the wheel well, then a piece under the seat with the seat plate, and now positioning the rear footwell and time for some trimming.

still making progress

[Tempest67]

Hi Guys,

Pushed the wagon outside onto the street today to turn it around as I am ready to start on the driver's side (rockers and floor)

here are some finished pics of the Passenger side, just needs some seam sealer and paint, and it should be OK.

onward and upward

[3drburb]

Wow! Along with the very good friend who offered up those braces you must have a shop full of helpers.

Very nice and fast work!

[HO455]

Wow no kidding! I've seen pro shops do half as much, in twice the time. Impressive work.