I thought it would be worth it to get some opinions here.

I have the chance to buy a rebuilt '67 326. I don't have all the specifics yet, but so far I know it is .30 over with aluminum heads, mallory ignition, new innards, and less than 500 miles on it. I will update this when I find out more about it.

Currently, I have an '86 305 in my '68 coupe. I don't plan on doing any racing, but I'd like to smoke the tires once in a while.

What parts would it take to put the 326 in my bird? I know I need new engine mounts, but what about the bell housing or any other stuff?
Do you think the swap would be worth it for the slightly larger engine?

I know the heads and cam can make a huge difference in the 326, and I will let you know as soon as I find them, but what are your opinions so far?

Any Pontiac engine is better to have than a Chevy.

Check out the motor codes for the 326 to see what you have.

2 letter block code code
block casting code & date
head code & date
intake code

Have a look at Help on how to Find the engine codes

And here to decode it

You're going to need motor mounts and bellhousing, so I'll assume straight drive which means flywheel, clutch and starter, all accessory drive brackets up front, fuel pump, maybe rework the wire harness depending on what was done installing the 305.

I'd so some research on the 326 first, not many built those with Aluminum heads, and most aftermarket heads have large 72 cc chambers and 2.11 intake valves unless special made, or they used domed pistons to increase compression.
Still would be a better engine in the 68 than the 305 IMO but it needs some research to find out exactly what's in it. A 350 or 400 may be a better choice in the long run.

$$$$ ?

You won't be smoking any tires with a 326...

As usual, I am going to go out on a limb and cast aspersions about this prospect. It's HIGHLY doubtful that someone put Aluminum heads on a 326. So what you are potentially buying is just a 326 ... nothing more.

If that's the case, take a pass and find a 455 or a 400 to spend your effort on instead. You'll need to get everything from the drive shaft forward from a Firebird in any case, so regarding the time involved, having a motor on-hand isn't really saving anything.

Now ... if it actually HAS aluminum heads, please take the time to find out exactly what it is, whether 326, 350, 400, 428 or 455. All Pontiac V-8s look the same from the outside. If for some odd reason someone actually E-Headed a 326, buy the motor and take the heads off and use them on a 400 or a 455.

About the only realistic reason to have a 326 would be if it is the original motor for the car.

I beg to differ. I had never driven or owned a 326 until I bought the 67 LeMans. Now, up until recently the car was a two speed (slow & slower). However, now that the 4-speed conv. has been completed, let me tell you, even with a 2.56 OPEN REAR I can in fact smoke the one tire! I just did this on Friday to prove this very point to some friends. Mind you I have a VERY low first gear in a completely rebuilt M21 etc.

This car with the 4-speed is MUCH quicker than I would have ever thought possible and then some! Also, this 326 could be an H.O. engine. To just pass on it if the price is right IMO would be silly considering this guy is looking for a driver. Not too mention, I am getting over 21mpg!!!!

Lastly, I good running 326 Pontiac engine is worth 3 Chevy 305's IMO. People are quick to discount the little 326 Pontiac engine, however, with the proper set up, they can run and they can run well!

With all of that being said, I did build a beastly 461 to replace the 326. However, I must admit, now that the 4-speed is in and the car runs so well, I am seriously considering selling off the 461 and leaving the car as is. Between the car being numbers matching, my eyesight and the fact that we could use the $$ from the 461 this may be the case. Time will tell...

Thanks for all your input. I just left a message with him asking for the codes, so we shall see whats inside.
He is asking for $700. If I did my research right, the heads alone are worth that.

Especially in a FGF!

My friend Mike has a 67 326 H.O. engine that is COMPLETE. He has it listed in Smoke Signals. I think he is asking $950 but would probably take $800. I think he was thinking about taking it to Iola WI in July if anyone is interested...

Running the numbers, it is a 1967 326 2-barrel, stock cam, flat pistons, and 46 heads (not sure how aluminum came into the conversation).

Don't the 46 heads reduce compression from stock, therefore less horsepower?

46 are good heads I beleive...

"I beg to differ I totally agree with you."

Sounds like DemocratSpeak to me.

LOL Dude you crack me up...

68, did you say this engine comes with everything? What I mean is would it have the power steering brackets, alt. brackets, water pump/timing chain cover etc.? If not, his asking price might be a bt high as it would cost you some $$ to round up all this other stuff.

Thanks for looking out for us lowly 326's! I too have no problems smokin' the tires. It also helps to have the M21 with 3.55 gears...

Without a numbers car, any engine is worth the effort to get it back to a Pontiac. If you were starting with just a core, I'd say go for a 400 or 455. A mild built 400 will cost less than a stock built 326. On the up side since everyone yanks out the 326, running blocks can be found for free!

Earlybird, I just sent him a message asking about the brackets, so I will post when I hear back. I'll also have to look into the bell housings and mounts, since I have neither.
My main concern here is now with the heads. 46 heads are all 98cc heads (except one), while stock 326s had 68cc, later ones with 72cc. I'm no expert here, but that is a significant reduction in CR.

If he's asking $700 for a 326 with 46 heads I'd have to pass on it.

Not much help overall when it comes to heads & compression. I am at the mercy of friends when it comes to that whole topic, LOL.

I found this a while ago from Wallace racing, some good info on heads.

http://www.wallaceracing.com/ultimatehead.htm

Here is a better way to spend $700:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/1745277054.html

But those 75' 400's are rated < 200hp right?

HP ratings only meant something when the car was new. The method for rating the motor changed in '71, then again in '72. The year of the block means very little, other than the Nickel content in the casting. A '75 400 can be built to well over 500 HP even though the casting date and block stamping say it's 180 HP.

True but he would need to get different heads and cam and possibly a intake for starters.

My 350 HO is currently in a 70 block.

That's the beauty of it ... that's already been done.

Thanks for all this great input guys. I've decided not to go with the 326, based on the effort and money it would take to change over, and I'll be saving my pennies for something else. (Better to tinker with and ruin the old Chevy instead of a fresh built Pontiac)

You should be able to find a good running 400 if you hit craigslist in your area. We are finding them on a regular basis. We just found a 428 and a 455 at a junk yard. Hard to beleive but they are still in some of these old yards...