Hello everybody, I've had a few classics before but new to pontiacs, but just became an owner of a '67 firebird with the non-sprint six, auto trans. This car has probably sat for 20-30 years but is in pretty solid shape. I'd like to keep the six for originality and numbers matching off to the side, but I'd also like to drive around with a V8. What is the best motor swap that can be done without messing or changing with the other original parts of the car?

Where has been the best resource for parts and sheet metal? NPD?

Hey Mike!

You'll find a great resource in so many people here. They really are an encyclopedia of knowledge. You'll find there is no "easy" V8 swap, there are a ton of parts that will need replacing. There was actually a thread about this very thing right here. .

There is also a section for vendors, where a lot of people have chimed in. There are a lot of great vendors for specific parts, NPD is pretty good, but a lot can be purchased from Summit and other vendors that ship quickly and don't charge for orders over $100.

Don't forget to check other vendors like BOP Engineering amongst others.

Have fun with it!
Drew

Hello Mike. Welcome to the site. congrats on the bird!

I'm right here to the north of you (lower bucks co.) I am building a network for parts and info, some are local but, I mostly focus on 69, should be the same though. Percy up in Boyertown has lots of motors and mechanical type parts, bunch of guys up in the Hatfield area too. In fact , we're going up to the Pypes/PY show in 2 weeks, should be lots of contacts to make there.

PM me if you want to chat, I'll send you my #

Good Luck, Bill V

I might suggest that you look into a sprint 6. Fewer parts to change out, and I think you would be happy - unless you were going for a 400 or more...
I did know a guy some years back that had a complete sprint 6 and tranny. Do not know if he still has it or not.
Cal

Welcome. A bit of caution entering the Firebird world, especially when shopping for parts. There are many vendors who through sheer ignorance (or worse) peddle a lot of Camaro parts as fitting the Firebird. Especially those companies that have a parts line for both.

Thus the reason why my first choice for parts is Ames Performance Engineering. Pontiac parts only. The others I use for "backup" are Classic Industires and Eckler's.

Thanks for all the advice because yes I'd like to keep things strictly Pontiac.

Welcome to the site- post pics when you can!

I second Ames. Camaro parts sometimes don't fit, it's not just about keeping it Pontiac. Classic industries is notorious for pawning off camaro parts for our birds.

Hi Mike,
Welcome...

If the goal is to keep the drivetrain original. you may want to source a standard 326 or 350 V8 with a 2 barrel carb and factory cam. Of course if a higher output engine is used, then other drivetrain components will require an upgrade.

I often look for Pontiac engines in my area and find it funny when they're listed as a "big-block" Pontiac. There is no such thing, Pontiac blocks are all the same size.

Good luck...

Great thanks. I appreciate the Pontiac 101! Any other weak points of these cars? Like cowls are to mustangs, etc etc

I believe these cars rust in the usual places like floor and trunk pans, rear lower front fenders, rear fender wells and like Camaro's, lower cowls. An issue unique to the F-bodys is pin holes under the moldings for the rear windows due to debris and water. Bad situations there can leak into the trunk.

Unlike other "pony" cars from the other manufacturers, F-Bodies have subframes that bolt on. Good? No welding, Bad? Worn out rubber bushings.

Yep mine had all those issues, except good cowl & lower fenders. As you stated window leaks causes a lot od problems.

Yes I know I already have to replace the trunk floor and do some work with the quarters, but other than some dents and faded paint, its pretty solid. It sat in a garage for 20+ years

Will a 326 bolt right up to the trans and bellhousing already in the car? I believe the trans is just the two speed power glide.

Yes the bolt pattern is the same for all Pontiac engines of that era. On a side note the 3:23 rear gears are what was commonly used in sixes & will work nice with the 326.

So my neighbor has a 350 in a chevy s10 he is looking to get rid of, will that fit the motor mounts, bell housing and bolt up to what is already in the car? Basically I'd like to do a motor swap without messing the original components as much as possible. There's only a few 326s that are close to me

In addition to previous comment, would a chevy trans fit the driveshaft and mounts as well? Anyone have experience with the conversion plates?

None of the Chevy parts will bolt right up to Pontiac. All different bolt patterns and mounts.

Okay so I picked up a 70s pontiac 350 and pulled the original 6 out today. I already noticed there is a few things on the opposite side, alternator bracket, fuel pump. but should not be a big deal. As far as the clutch, flywheel/flex plate are concerned should I use the originals from the 2 speed powerglide?

Do the motor mounts need to be changed as well? Anybody ever done this kind of swap into a '67?

The frame brackets that the motor mounts sit on are different from the six to eights. Go back to where you go the motor and try and get the frame brackets too.

Didn't have them or else I would have taken it with me. Since the 350 came out in 68, can I just buy mounts and brackets for a '68?

Flywheel and torque converter need to be changed as well right? Any specifics or suggestions?