Thread: 1950 Pontiac Straight Eight

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I have ran across a 1950 Pontiac Chieftain with a straight eight for $3000, in great running condition. Is there any way to beef up this motor??? If there is where do I find these hop up parts. I really dont want to replace this old inline flatty due to its the original motor. If anyone can help this would be great.

About the only way to beef up one of those is to add this to your crankcase:

BBB will that work on an 307 Olds ?
if so will you send me a trial size, free ?

I don't think there are any after market parts if that is what your asking. But almost any engine of that vintage could be helped a "little" with a more modern ignition/carb/exhaust, but everything would have to be custom hand built ie, carb adapter,custom headers, hand fitting points condencer to that dist, good coil and wires. But in the end there is no way to know what you would really end up with. Perhaps installing a glasspac muffler so at least it sounds that part might be best.

paul

Assuming the crank and rods are stout enough, Wiseco can make you some custom pistons for around $600. Then, you can take your cam to a grinder like Comp, have them weld up the lobes, and regrind it. Making an intake for an inline engine isn't too difficult. So, I don't see why it would be impossible. If the rods are weak, you might want to look around for similar sized rods in other engines and get the crank/rods machined to fit.

Just in case there's any confusion about the Pontiac engine here are some specs:

8 cylinder
2 Barrel carb
Valves In Block (that means it's a flathead)
3 3/8 bore x 3 3/4 stroke
268.2 cubic inches
6.5/1 compression ratio
108 @ 3600 rated hp
220 @ 2200 rated torque

Built, at best, for it's torque characteristics. If you spent a long ton of money you "maybe-could" double the gross horse power and increase the torque some. Wahoo!!

Tree, you'll get your sample right after I do.

Old hot rod tricks for inline flatheads you say!!!! split the intake manifold, add a 2 barrel for each half (front 4 and back 4 cylinders)
Modify the cast intake manifold by brazing it---split the exhaust manifold to run a set of duel exhaust---sounds really neat-----mill the head .030 to raise the compression ratio. Those are real tricks for net horsepower gains---I have done them all in my misspent youth. When you are all finished, you will still have an old engine, and if it ever breaks you will have a boat anchor, because you will never get replacement parts.

My phone line was out for a few days so I am just replying to see if my setup works now. Recalling the days of straight-8 engines with disdain, the specs given by Bob Parmenter should explain why the 389 GTO was a sensation! (But dare I mention the 14 mpg back when gas was 29.9 cents a gallon?)

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

Originally posted by treekiller
BBB will that work on an 307 Olds ?
if so will you send me a trial size, free ?

Hey Treekiller, if your looking for SBO tips, drop me a PM. I have a lot of tips and tricks that will help

MY Dad had a 51- 4dr Chieftan Stright 8--straight drive , My older sister had a 50- black 2 h.t. If I could buy that car back today I would leave that boat anchor under the hood less than 24 hours. I'd rather have a good used 389,400, or 455 than anything You could possibly do to that straight 8.My prefference would still be a chev motor because everything is so much cheaper.I've been in the car business or car related business all my life. We have a saying, There is an ass for every seat. If your ass would rather set behind a straight -8, GO FOR IT! AND ENJOY. It sounds like a fun car either way.MERRY CHRISTMAS.