hey guys, new to the forum here, lurker for several months prior. I feel that i am in a bit of a dilemma, What i have is a base model 1969 firebird with the 1bbl OHC engine with a converted from 3 on the column, to floorshift. manual steering, manual brakes. My father-in-law bought this car back in the early 90s, raised hell with it, then lost interest about 10 years ago or so, so it sat outside in the Minnesota winters. Surprisingly it is in fantastic shape. just a bit of rust that i can see. last spring i purchased the car from him as he was pondering about selling it to get a new boat. worked on it all spring and into summer and got the beast up and running and driving. My plan for now is to just drive it and enjoy. a restoration will likely happen within the next 5-10 years or maybe sooner. OK, so now the dilemma, the engine. the OHC is rare and something people talk about. Yes, i have a muscle care with a straight six in it. laugh a bit, i'm ok with that. its mine, and its paid for. would it be nice to be able to give the rice burners a run for their money, heck yes. is it necessary. not one bit. an engine rebuild kit for the OHC is somewhere like $1200, and if i'm going to go that route, i would like to find the Sprint intake, exhaust, head, and whatever else i can to squeeze a bit more power out. everybody has 350s, 400s, LS' having a a firebird is already different, i don't want a belly button firebird on top of that, but i also heard that rebuilding the OHC will cost about 3 times as much as a V8. well i'm not rich and i don't want this car to sit in a million pieces for 10+ years either. that is my dilemma, i need direction. Thanks

Well...I would probly find a decent running V8 so I could enjoy driving it while looking for sprint parts and during the rebuild process.
But I didn't follow my own advise when I bought a 68 driver to enjoy while restoring my 67.
Found lots of issues since the 1st day I got it. Did manage to enjoy it for 3 yrs before starting body work.
Now both are completely apart. And lost a good job since. Not make'n enough for either right now, so....

You need to have some in-depth discussions with OHCMarc. Unfortuately, he has been laid up due to a serious car accident (message in Rablings and Chatter).

In the meantime, you can check out his website.

OHC Six site

more than 3x as much

you also will run the risk of doing it more than once if you dont find a shop thats built an ohc before

snet you a pm

3x as much or more? why?

i use hp per $ as my yardstick

And everyone should remember that even us V8 owners have to pay a "Pontiac" premuim for engine builds vs say a Chebby motor.

Mitch,

im in the same boat, keep the original OHC. up here in canada, you can find the Intakes and Carbs for not too much (Saw a complete OHC6 at a swap meet out of a Tempest, guy wanted 200$ for the whole thing, the guy didn't know what he had) before you ask, i was broke and couldn't buy it. but you will have a more unique car than a 355 or 400 Powerblock car ever will be, i can almost guarantee you that you will almost always be the ONLY guy at the car shows with that engine in the car. and you will get decent mileage cruising around town.


Keep up the Dream!

Important to remember that an engine in ok condition will probably do for several years in one of these cars. If you can pickup a runner with good compression and no oil leaks why rebuild it? I also agree that fuel economy is a bigger consideration than ever and my cammer burns way less than my 400.

hey guys, thanks for all of the responses. i think the truly right thing to do with this car is to keep the OHC in it. Power and racing have never been the focus of my goal, but rather function and drive-ability. the OHC is just too cool to get rid of after thinking hard about it.

in our group with many 400s, a few 350s....theres one OHC, when we go to shows, guess which car they are "oh ,and Ah" about...the OHC6 ,as its very rare..most people have never seen one.... dont replace it w a V8...keep it ,or sell the car is is and buy a V8!

ya........i'm gonna keep it. so the next question is.....i see that Kanter has a full engine rebuild kit for over $1200. is it easier/cheaper to source out individual parts and pieces versus bucking up and dropping the $1200? or is it going to equal out anyhow? i've just started my research on engine parts, so i havn't rounded all the bases yet. i would like to start purchasing the parts now, as i go over the next few years instead of having the shock of coming up with $$$$$s of dollars at one time. My first baby girl is due to arrive in two short weeks, so no garage time, buy maybe some computer research time. I know there are a few gurus out there and if there is any literature at all either i would greatly appreciate a step in the right direction. I just purchased a Sprint intake for the ol' gal as when i am rebuilding, i may as well try to up the ponies a bit as well. anybody got a hit on an exhaust header sprint version as well??

I dont know if PMI is still in businness , but Quenton and Brant used to build nice headers for the OHC6...pepped it up a bit....
Primatech Motor Sports

Try this link http://sohcsix.yuku.com/topic/2553/What-has-happened-to-the-headers

OK, yes , I saw one of the first sets made...sold to a friend here in Houston....very good looking and sonud awesome! Glad he`s still making them.

Q, got so busy with his company that he just didn't have the time for a hobby company (PMI) as well and let Brent follow up with what they had in stock and had built to that point. But Q is not involved in it anymore at all. Brent was really getting into Racing and building motors and was also getting way to busy for the small niche market. They had Awesome concepts and great products, but just not enough calling... Brent may have had a few items left but over all I think they both kind of hung up their aprons on the venture.

But there is still stuff out there for the OHC's, you just have to search high & low to find it now.

Brett!