Looking to swap back to pontiac 350 engine. Looking for advise and parts that would be needed.

What I have figured out already:

mechanical fuel pump is on driver side of pontiac engine

Exhaust modification

Need BOP bellhousing and flywheel cover (not sure if flywheel and clutch is the same as my sbc stuff I already have?

Need new Hei distributor

Need different engine frame mounts

New fan shroud?

New coolant hoses

Very excited about getting a Poncho engine back in the bird! Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Keith Z

Keith, congratulations on the great choice of the poncho engine! I don't know why so many have changed to Chevy. Maybe because there are so many available and folks like what they are used to. If they knew more about the pontiac engine (like specs in comparison to the SBC ) maybe they'd follow your lead. Yes, you will need the things you mentioned. Plus all the hardware for power steering, alt and AC will not be the same. Do you still have the stock fuel lines on the drivers side of frame? Also HEI will require a full 12 volts , did you SBC have HEI or points? Exhaust manifolds will also be needed. It's all just parts, and well worth the trouble IMHO. As you know the folks on FGF are a great resource and can help with all of it. I also have many of the parts you will need if that helps.
Good luck with the build!
Ron

The 4-piece engine frame mounts are sold as repros, for around $80, or less.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/goodmark,GMK4320335672S,motor+mount+bracket,11841

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Goodmark-GMK4320335672S-Replacement-Engine-Mount-Bracket-/301874275659?fits=Year%3A1968%7CMake%3APontiac%7CModel%3AFirebird&epid=1023648239&hash=item46491be54b:g:WUoAAOSwFNZWwz8s&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-1969-F...52370187356?_trksid=p2349526.m2548.l4275

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/oer-k576

Cheap rubber motor mounts are $11 or less, each.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...GUdoRhO-4BoCV-4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Mount-ANCHOR-2254-fits-67-70-Pontiac-Catalina-6-6L-V8-/382033421139?epid=79263472&hash=item58f2f76353:g:YgcAAOSwsXFZMakv&vxp=mtr

http://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/anchor,2254,motor+mount,5552

https://www.amazon.com/Westar-EM2254-Engine-Mount/dp/B000C995EQ

http://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/westar,EM2254,motor+mount,5552

"...(not sure if flywheel and clutch is the same as my sbc stuff I already have?..."

Will need a Pontiac flywheel. But, your clutch will probably work, especially if you buy one of the aftermarket flywheels that has more than one pressure plate bolt pattern. Will also need the correct size pilot bearing, to go in the end of the crank.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRW-Industries-1645570-Flywheel-/322481785615?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

http://butlerperformance.com/i-24452879-butler-pontiac-pilot-bearing-bop-ppb-126-bca-7109.html

"...Need new Hei distributor..."

Some consider the DUI brand HEI the best. But they are $305 @ Summit. There are cheaper units, on down to $50 Chinese models, which most don't recommend. Some like a Pertronix brand.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dui-51720bl/overview/make/pontiac

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-d1202/overview/make/pontiac

"...Exhaust modification..."

I always used Hedman #35270 headers. They also come in a #35276 coated version.

If you don't like headers, there are long branch exhaust manifolds, for D-port heads.

http://www.ramairrestoration.com/lb-1-long-branch-d-port-factory-headers.html

"...New fan shroud?..."

Repros are sold. Some say that most are not very good quality.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-FAN-SHROUD-1967-1968-1969-8-CYLINDER-CARS-GEN-GM-/263104902613?hash=item3d424635d5:g:y6IAAOSwux5YNuSQ&vxp=mtr

https://www.oerparts.com/product/9788883b.html

http://www.jegs.com/i/OER/691/9788883/10002/-1


Would also recommend a Cold Case radiator, with 2 rows of 1.25" wide tubes. They're about $300 + shipping, but should cool a Pontiac engine.

http://www.firebirdcentral.com/1967_1969_Firebird_Aluminum_Radiator_Automatic_p/rad-404.htm

"...Any help is greatly appreciated!! "

"...mechanical fuel pump is on driver side of pontiac engine..."

There are several brands of Pontiac fuel pumps. The main thing is to buy one that was made recently, so that it will be ethanol resistant. Some of the NOS pumps on Ebay won't hold up with ethanol in the gas.

Carter is one of the big name brand Pontiac pumps. Airtex is another big name in mechanical pumps. Pontiac pumps are available in lots of styles. Some have a vapor return line fitting--some don't. The fittings are at different angles on some models. Some have a small can--some have a long can. There are also performance models that will pump more fuel than a stock replacement. Here are a few Carter replacement pumps.

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/hppp-1105-pontiac-fuel-pumps/

Airtex lists both a 2-line & a 3-line pump, for a '68 Bird, with a 350 engine. They both have the small can. If you want a big can pump, you can look up a '78 Bird, with a 400 engine. It'll show a 41382.

http://www.airtexproducts.com/parts-search-results/

http://www.airtexproducts.com/single-product/?partnumber=41382&id=98756AX

The equivalent Carter big can pump is an M6122. As mentioned, the fuel fittings came out of the pump at different angles, for different model cars. But, if you don't need to have the original factory line routing, you can choose your routing and the pump that will best suit the routing you choose.

https://www.amazon.com/Carter-M6122-Mechanical-Fuel-Pump/dp/B000BZZ71G

The starter is also on the driver side. I'd go with a mini-starter, such as a Summit brand. I've had 2 that both cranked hot 455 engines, with no problem.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...ILElO-tCi-7o6kYHAXnwN76RtvBoC-2AQAvD_BwE

For cooling, most recommend a 7-blade clutch fan, with a good clutch, such as the Severe Duty Hayden 2797 model.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...blade+pontiac+clutch+fan&_sacat=6000

https://www.amazon.com/Hayden-Automotive-2797-Premium-Clutch/dp/B000C3F3D4

If you prefer a mechanical fan, Flex-a-Lite makes an 18" 7-blade flex fan, part #1818.

https://www.amazon.com/Flex-lite-1818-Stainless-7-Blade/dp/B000CNHFOE

"...Need BOP bellhousing..."

Steel bell housings are now pricey. But, you can probably find a decent factory alum for $150 or less. If you can't, I'll ship you one for $150. New alum repros are also available. Probably a good idea to go with a new clutch fork.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr..._nkw=pontiac+bellhousing&_sacat=6000

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_od...duty+pontiac+clutch+fork&_sacat=6000

It's a real good idea to try to find an engine to get all the pulleys & brackets off of, as well as most everything else that bolts to the engine.

Well hey, that's enuff info to get you started. Good luck with your swap !

Thanks for the quick and very detailed response. I love coming to this site for the wealth of knowledge you all provide. I will update this post as the swap comes along. Not sure if I will do it during the winter, depends on my budget. Also will be selling my sbc crate engine with headers and accessories to fund the swap.

Thanks again

Keith

I have the camaro fuel line that runs to the right side of the engine bay currently and I do have HEI wiring in the car. I installed and American Autowire kit from front to back in it when I first got the car. I also should be getting manifolds and long tube headers with the engine. That way I can decide what route to go with the exhaust. Should also have all accessories with the engine.