Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

spitfire_er · 06-10-2013, 07:54 PM

After about 6 months of looking for a replacement engine for my 55.5 GMC 100 I finally located a 55 gmc bus conversion with what I thought was a 347 Pontiac in it.

I got some photos of it and figured it looked like a Pontiac so what do I have to lose. 6 hours on the road, an engine, and a Model A chasse later, I got this thing home.

Started decoding the numbers and found a few surprises. I can get numbers for anyone interested, but it turns out to be a 370 ci, Dec. 23rd 1957 Block, Dark green color, 1959 389 heads and exhaust manifolds, light blue in color, a misc year intake, I think 57, orange, and a misc year water pump housing/front case cover, also orange. I'm thinking the original V8 was tossed and a bunch of Pontiac car engines were cannibalized to make up this one "GMC" engine minus the intake and front crank/water pump cover.

So I have this tie dye color engine, but it runs and has had the heads rebuilt recently. owners of the bus said engine was rebuilt a few years back, then the Hydra-matic crapped out on them and it never got fixed, so I feel I scored big. Only thing I'll need to change is it has "Tea Pot" intake spacer between the carb and intake which will need to go away.

Anybody know what a 370 block and 389 heads give me assuming it hasn't been bored? Also would it make sense that if they rebuilt the engine, maybe it got bored out to close to if not a 389? I'm not sure if it could be done, but it would be good for me!

I'll try and get some photos up later.

NEWFISHER · 06-10-2013, 08:07 PM

About the same as a a henway

just kidding, I couldnt resist

Sounds like a cool motor, if it was in fact original parts combo it would be a toss up not to loose the tie dye. With the proper documentation it would be cool to restore it in those colors.

1project2many · 06-10-2013, 09:11 PM

The heads won't change the displacement. They will probably affect compression ratio. Do some research before assuming this combination is good to go.

spitfire_er · 06-10-2013, 09:34 PM

OK, so the orange is pretty faded, but it's there.

Old Money · 06-10-2013, 10:16 PM

a henway!!!!!!!!!! that is excellent, my wife couldn t figure out why i was laughing so hard. old money

OrrieG · 06-11-2013, 12:11 AM

Thats a lot of engine for that tiny single barrel. It is screaming for a tri-power setup....

**mr48chev** · 06-11-2013, 11:12 AM

Back when those were rally common it was pretty normal to run to the wrecking yard and grab a Pontiac engine and stick it in and go again with rigs like that engine came out of.

spitfire_er · 06-11-2013, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Thats a lot of engine for that tiny single barrel. It is screaming for a tri-power setup....

its actually a two barrel!

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**G&R's57GMC** · 06-11-2013, 06:46 PM

Here's my 347 in my '57.

I also have a '59 Bonneville 389 in my '56 GMC with a Carter AVS 4v. (no pic)

spitfire_er · 06-11-2013, 08:16 PM

would love to put a 4 barrel or a triple deuce on here, but for now, it's just getting thrown in to get my truck on the road. I can always upgrade later.

**mr48chev** · 06-11-2013, 09:16 PM

I'd clean it up and paint it the proper color and call it good for now.

spitfire_er · 06-12-2013, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I'd clean it up and paint it the proper color and call it good for now.

yeah i think that's the plan right now. picked up some red-orange Chevy paint, so hopefully its close enough. think I'll try and do the headers cast iron color. thought about black but bought the cast.
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Highsider · 06-12-2013, 08:00 AM

You did good with the photos.

spitfire_er · 06-12-2013, 09:51 PM

Got ambitious today and spent way to much time cleaning this thing up then I just had to throw paint on it. Not going to be a show stopper, but I'll mask off the black and cast colors and make it look decent. Should do the job for now.

Just have to swap a few parts over, paint them and throw this thing in!

OrrieG · 06-13-2013, 12:25 AM

POR makes a great high temp cast iron finish in cast and black. It brushes on and drys smooth and hard, not dusty like the spray bomb ones. Here is a before and after.

Daze57 · 06-13-2013, 12:56 AM

Good lookin motorcycle

Daze57 · 06-13-2013, 12:56 AM

I meant motor

spitfire_er · 06-13-2013, 07:52 AM

have yet to try any POR products, but I'll keep it in mind for next time. a brush on product would be handy at times.
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NEWFISHER · 06-13-2013, 10:20 PM

Lmao Daze...my phone types for me and I get the same mistakes at times. I only saw your first post and then had to re read the thread looking for a bike only to discover your second.

Yes, motor non cycle is looking good. I would have painted all of the components their OG colors and had a conversation piece.
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Daze57 · 06-13-2013, 11:15 PM

Stupid phone LOL

spitfire_er · 06-14-2013, 01:44 PM

was just thinking. the new engine has an exhaust outlet in the middle instead of near the front like my old 287. from what i have read the 59 Ports are larger so don't want to put the old one on, but will i run into problems with the steering box?

going to try and get it in this weekend, but guess i might have to remove that manifold.
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06-10-2013, 07:54 PM	#1
spitfire_er Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 68	Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! After about 6 months of looking for a replacement engine for my 55.5 GMC 100 I finally located a 55 gmc bus conversion with what I thought was a 347 Pontiac in it. I got some photos of it and figured it looked like a Pontiac so what do I have to lose. 6 hours on the road, an engine, and a Model A chasse later, I got this thing home. Started decoding the numbers and found a few surprises. I can get numbers for anyone interested, but it turns out to be a 370 ci, Dec. 23rd 1957 Block, Dark green color, 1959 389 heads and exhaust manifolds, light blue in color, a misc year intake, I think 57, orange, and a misc year water pump housing/front case cover, also orange. I'm thinking the original V8 was tossed and a bunch of Pontiac car engines were cannibalized to make up this one "GMC" engine minus the intake and front crank/water pump cover. So I have this tie dye color engine, but it runs and has had the heads rebuilt recently. owners of the bus said engine was rebuilt a few years back, then the Hydra-matic crapped out on them and it never got fixed, so I feel I scored big. Only thing I'll need to change is it has "Tea Pot" intake spacer between the carb and intake which will need to go away. Anybody know what a 370 block and 389 heads give me assuming it hasn't been bored? Also would it make sense that if they rebuilt the engine, maybe it got bored out to close to if not a 389? I'm not sure if it could be done, but it would be good for me! I'll try and get some photos up later. Last edited by spitfire_er; 06-10-2013 at 08:02 PM.

06-10-2013, 08:07 PM	#2
NEWFISHER Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,303	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! About the same as a a henway just kidding, I couldnt resist Sounds like a cool motor, if it was in fact original parts combo it would be a toss up not to loose the tie dye. With the proper documentation it would be cool to restore it in those colors.

06-10-2013, 09:11 PM	#3
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,200	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! The heads won't change the displacement. They will probably affect compression ratio. Do some research before assuming this combination is good to go.

06-10-2013, 09:34 PM	#4
spitfire_er Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 68	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! OK, so the orange is pretty faded, but it's there. Attached Images

06-10-2013, 10:16 PM	#5
Old Money Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Milton wi. 53563 Posts: 128	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! a henway!!!!!!!!!! that is excellent, my wife couldn t figure out why i was laughing so hard. old money

06-11-2013, 12:11 AM	#6
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! Thats a lot of engine for that tiny single barrel. It is screaming for a tri-power setup.... __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

06-11-2013, 11:12 AM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! Back when those were rally common it was pretty normal to run to the wrecking yard and grab a Pontiac engine and stick it in and go again with rigs like that engine came out of. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

06-11-2013, 06:46 PM	#9
G&R's57GMC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Shasta Lake, CA. Posts: 1,624	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! Here's my 347 in my '57. I also have a '59 Bonneville 389 in my '56 GMC with a Carter AVS 4v. (no pic) Attached Images __________________ Glen & Jane's Rides ‘57 GMC NAPCO Long Bed V8 4 speed Bought 2008 7 other cars & trucks , 5 trailers '56 Chevy Long Bed I6, 4 speed Bought 1990 Sold 8.22.2020 ’56 GMC Suburban Pickup V8, 4 speed Hydramatic Bought 1996 Sold 10.11.2020 My Other Tinkerings http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post8967275

06-11-2013, 08:16 PM	#10
spitfire_er Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 68	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! would love to put a 4 barrel or a triple deuce on here, but for now, it's just getting thrown in to get my truck on the road. I can always upgrade later.

06-11-2013, 09:16 PM	#11
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! I'd clean it up and paint it the proper color and call it good for now. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

06-12-2013, 08:00 AM	#13
Highsider Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Southern Iowa Posts: 944	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! You did good with the photos.

06-12-2013, 09:51 PM	#14
spitfire_er Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 68	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! Got ambitious today and spent way to much time cleaning this thing up then I just had to throw paint on it. Not going to be a show stopper, but I'll mask off the black and cast colors and make it look decent. Should do the job for now. Just have to swap a few parts over, paint them and throw this thing in! Attached Images

06-13-2013, 12:25 AM	#15
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! POR makes a great high temp cast iron finish in cast and black. It brushes on and drys smooth and hard, not dusty like the spray bomb ones. Here is a before and after. Attached Images __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

06-13-2013, 12:56 AM	#16
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! Good lookin motorcycle

06-13-2013, 07:52 AM	#18
spitfire_er Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 68	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! have yet to try any POR products, but I'll keep it in mind for next time. a brush on product would be handy at times. Posted via Mobile Device



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06-13-2013, 10:20 PM	#19
NEWFISHER Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,303	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! Lmao Daze...my phone types for me and I get the same mistakes at times. I only saw your first post and then had to re read the thread looking for a bike only to discover your second. Yes, motor non cycle is looking good. I would have painted all of the components their OG colors and had a conversation piece. Posted via Mobile Device

06-13-2013, 11:15 PM	#20
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! Stupid phone LOL

06-14-2013, 01:44 PM	#21
spitfire_er Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 68	Re: Finally found an engine... but I think it's a frankestien! was just thinking. the new engine has an exhaust outlet in the middle instead of near the front like my old 287. from what i have read the 59 Ports are larger so don't want to put the old one on, but will i run into problems with the steering box? going to try and get it in this weekend, but guess i might have to remove that manifold. Posted via Mobile Device

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