Please help a Pontiac Newby
 

Anyone in Kingman area can HELP: Anyone in the area can help blow the parts book cobwebs out of my brain (think it may still be there) as am going to put a 59 389 in place of the 287 and swap the original auto for the CC Hydro that came with it. Help, Help, Please.

I can't help you but there is a very good group on Facebook that probably can.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1504...vity&ref=notif

The CC HydraMatic was available in the '56 and I think the '55 and '56 frames were very similar, especially near the X.

I'm pretty sure the '59 timing cover has the threaded holes that the 55-58 front engine mount needs, but I don't know if the '59 CC HydraMatic bellhousing has mounts for the 55-58 style rear motor mounts, so you may have to comvert from the 1 front, 2 rear motor mounts of the 55-58 to the 2 front, one rear mounts of the 59.

It's possible a late-'56-'58 bellhousing (with rear engine mount bosses) could be used between his '59 engine and tranny- but I don't know for sure.

If it was me,

I would use the original 55 trans,

The 59 engine will bolt right to it, the 55 flywheel bolts right on.
you won't have to change the shift linkage, crossmember and mounts, driveshaft

It will make a much easier job

Also you will need a 57-58 left exhaust manifold to clear the steering box. (Larger exhaust ports to match 59 engine)

Good Luck

Check this page http://www.pontiacsafari.com/L1Garag...eID/index.html
at "interchangeability" for info about attaching a later (59 in this case) crankshaft to an early (55 or 56) Dual Range HydraMatic's flywheel.

Note about '55 flywheel onto '59 crank- it's not necessary to remove the crank, machine it, and rebalance it. The amount to be removed from the balance weight is quite small (~1/16" deep by ~3/8" wide), so it's easily done by hand with a grinder. Being so small and so close to the centerline of the crank, it won't affect balance enough to worry about.

All GREAT advice here (in my opinion). If you decide to use the 59 CC trans, you not only have the problem with rear engine mounts but you'll also have to figure out transmission linkage and how to do the external cooling for the 59 trans. Too many problems for what some would consider an inferior transmission to the 55 dual range.

Pontiac switched to the CC trans in 56 but GMC continued to use the dual-range up through 59 (and later I think), probably because the dual-range was stronger and more efficient. Rolls-Royce used the dual-range well into the '60's.

Stick with the 55 trans, grind that crank a little and bolt in the 59 engine for a serious performance upgrade. You can even bolt up the 55 exhaust manifolds to the 59 engine, but you'll get some restriction in exhaust flow due to smaller ports in the 55 manifolds.

Go for it!

Really looking forward to more posts on your project.
I have a Left manifold for ya, are you "manifold worthy"?

just did this swap. put a 59 389 in my 55. was pretty easy over all, took a lot of time to locate some of the parts but was a bolt in. first off, its easier to keep the 55 trans, but you will have to grind the weight on the crank. not a big deal but still be cautious as your doing it. really only need to take the edge off the weight. took me a hour or two only because i kept checking the clearance with grease. i used a dial indacator after just to be sure. motor mounts and trans mounts are the same. you can use a 59 right exhaust manifold and it will bot up to the stock exhaust, but you will need to open up the holes on the pipe flange. the 55 manifold flange to pipe is smaller. you will need a 57-58 manifold for the left side to clear the steering box and the crossmember. will also need to open the pipe flange on this side too. the next issue is the radiator. i had a hell of a time . heres why. i used a 59 generator mount and modified it for a alternator. worked out well once i sourced the bracket. this caused a issue with the radiator. it put the belt right smack in the way of the lower hose. i used a aluminum radiator for my car, so i had to have the lower neck cut off and welded on a different angle. i also had to cut a small notch out of the front crossmember to releive the lower hose a but too. not bad but still had to be done. also i used a aluminum offenhauser tri power intake which did not have the embossment for the generator mount on top. so it kinda snowballed but over all wasnt horrible. hope this rant helps a little bit....john

Thank you, but the address is automatically shortened, need group name? May have to come back again as am not a Facebook person! Thanks, Dan

Thank you!

My fear in life is turning on my computers and finding no Safari because the time & money are too much. Not that I turn it on more than 6-10 times a day.

Dan Merritt
Former "writer" of Phoenix POCI website until got rear ended, hurting my hip so could not sit at computer and they changed to Facebook.

Thank you for the info. Only better would be someone who put a CC Trans in. Does the manifold trick work w.power steering?

Dan Merritt

Thank you Bill, Later will post why want the 59 trans.

Dan Merritt

Aha, so you are THE Dan Merritt! I still have a link to your pontiacclubofphoenix.org site on my site ("Links" page). Your last news letter was Dec 2015 (how time flies!). Bummer about that accident!.

I believe we first e-met on the 50's Pontiac Yahoo group, which was eliminated along with all Yahoo groups (big bummer!). Several members from that group (and good e-friends) are now active here. My opinion, this is the BEST place to go for '50s Pontiac Tech info.

So, you are hell-bent on installing the 59 trans along with the 59 engine. That takes us in a little different direction than suggesting you use the 55 trans. More to come on that.... Larry

Larry,
What are these people levels & what do they mean. Thank you

I think it has to do with how many times the person has posted. I started as a Junior Member. It is probably explained somewhere on the web site but I haven't cared enough to look for it. Maybe someone else knows.

This is correct.

Once you reach 1,000 posts you become an Ultimate Warrior.

Most of you will think my reasons are silly for going with an “inferior” Trans, but earlier in life I owned both a 56 and 59 Olds with Srato Flight Hyda-Matic transmissions and found them durable and smooth, As was much younger then (am 77 now) my foot was much heavier and I wished for the stronger and rougher earlier Hydra-Matic but again never had any problems.
In 2014 my wife and I purchased the present 55 Star Chief. We flew to Alabama and picked it up with gracious help from the former owner, Mike Smith & his gracious wife with our 2-3 wheeled scooters going onto the back of the car onto the luggage carrier purchased & shipped to Mike Smith, former owner, and installed for him.
On the 2200 mile trip back the only complaint heard from Fran was the Abrupt shifting hurt her, and have to admit I could feel that 1-2 shift a bit.My wife died in Nov, 2021. And she is part of the reason, mt back and those Olds are part, a 64 Pontiac with Turbo Hydro are another part.
And part is still having a 55 Hyra-Matic if things get too rough. But think I am rougher than that, and a better Micky Mouser, and Steve B of PontiacHeaven needs my money as I need his parts.