Removing original 6 cyl Power plant for a modern 8 cyl motor advise???
Shawn said
Sep 1, 2014
I have a 53 Pontiac pathfinder with the original 6 cylinder motor that runs fine.
i'm thinking about removing the motor and installing a 350 with a tranny.
a couple questions for the guys,, is the old motor and tranny worth anything?
do you think that decreases resale value ..
I hate to cut this car up but I need more power
Cheers
dualquadpete said
Sep 1, 2014
Shawn, it's your car,so do what you want, just make sure your replacement engine is "Pre" emissions laws if your in Ont. [didn't check your location] My 52, has a V8 & 5 spd. Tremec & I love it, "hoot" to drive & close to 400 HP But your going to have to change the complete rear end to "open" drive shaft, as the torque tube set up won't work!!! Mines sitting on a 84 Olds. Cutlass [ Monte Carlo etc.] chassis that I shortened then had to move frt. whl. openings a head to make it look right!!! Old engine & trans. is worth whatever you can get for it if you "find" a buyer!! Pete
Indian said
Sep 1, 2014
The 6cyl is worth keeping, not only does it add desirability if you go to sell, a trend in 6cyl is starting in the u.s. for the original appearance, not alot of 6s around anymore, so ya I'd hang onto the 6. Just my opinion.
Canadian Poncho said
Sep 1, 2014
I'd keep the 6. Find a split manifold and put on a dual exhaust with some glasspacks if you want to hop things up a bit.
Indian said
Sep 1, 2014
Check out Clifford Intakes out of California for a split manifold, you'll be amazed at the stuff they have, I believe they can custom make'm too. They've been around forever.
Shawn said
Sep 1, 2014
Woot woot I love where this is headed... Ty
dcneric said
Sep 1, 2014
If you're really interested in hopping up the 6. The following link on the H.A.M.B. might be of interest.
Isn't the Poncho 6 a "flatty"??? not much for that I think???? They were a "DOG" from the get go!!!!
Taylor55 said
Sep 1, 2014
Your torque tube diff has 4:10 gears in it if it has a standard transmission. There is not much for the flat head six but you can change the head to increase compression. Get a head from a 1954 automatic transmission car which will increase compression by 3/4 to 1 point. There is also a two barrel intske manifold available that was used in latter years. These two things with a homemade split exhaust manifold will increase hp by about 25hp. If you want to use the car on the highway you can also change the diff and get 3:70 gears from an automatic transmission car. I detailed and tuned a 1951 flathead six this summer and took it on a 75 mile ride at 60 mph and it cruised very good.The only non stock item I installed was a petronix electronic ignition. The easiest way to do a small block V8 conversion is to get a complete v8 powertrain from a 55-57 chev. There is a front engine adapter that was sold that would enable you to just about bolt the V8 powertrain in your car using the adapter and the factory rear side motor mounts. The diff will practially bolt in and the 55-57 driveshaft will be the correct length. As original cars seem to be more desirable these days I would just tune the engine and change the geras in the diff to a highway gear.
Al
Fitz said
Sep 1, 2014
If your Pathfinder is running fine with the original engine and you want to remove it, why not sell it to someone who like this kind of car with those engine, and find a car for you that's in need of an engine. You will get the modification you want without parting out a great car like yours. My tought.
Fitz.
hwscowboy said
Sep 1, 2014
I can understand wanting to change it to a more modern motor just from the standpoint of making thr car easier/more reliable to drive.I have the original six in mine as well and I get a bit nervous every time I take it more than an hour away from home.Not sure why as it has never left me stranded or given me reason to worry.Heck its been running since 1954 so it should be good for a few more miles.I have also seen the other extreme where a fellow in Kelowna has a clone to my car but under the hood is an 1100 hp twin turbe charged 383 stroker.At most shows people love that I am still running the original six,but when people are roaring past you at 140 on the highway sometimes you wish for a little more under the hood.I guess its all about personanal preference.There are lots of kits out there to convert to a 350 chevy and modern rear end.How about something more exotic maybe a nice Pontiac 400 or 455.
Shawn said
Sep 1, 2014
I have had the car for sale all summer dropped my price from $13500 to $10000
Just getting tire kickers and test pilots ,,I don't want to cut the car up but I'm not going to give it away either ,,
So my thoughts are give it some more pep and keep it if I can't get close to asking price
dualquadpete said
Sep 2, 2014
Sounds like the market is "dead" out your way too. I had my Catalina for sale for a "long" time with the same results as you, ended up trading it in at classic car dealer on the Avanti, otherwise it would still be "Fur Sail" Have to take some pics. of the 52 & change my avatar, have new computer & no new pictures on this one. pete
hwscowboy said
Sep 2, 2014
I understand,i have mine up for 2500.00 less than yours and other than a couple people looking no bites on mine either.Seems the 50's cars are a tough sell right now.The young kids all want ricers,the baby boomers want muscle cars.Unfortunetly not many want to preserve and learn to work on the older cars.They just want to get in and drive 140kmh non stop until they get where they are going these days.The older cars are a whole different driving style/experience.You have a beautiful car I wouldn't modify it just to get a sale.I personally love the looks on all the middle age guys driving their loser cruiser minivans as I drive past them.
pathfinder58 said
Oct 10, 2014
Hey Shawn,Im having the same problem trying to decide what to do on my 54 pontiac 2dr sedan.The motor is the original flathead but its stuck solid from sitting 30 plus years.I remember the sound and feel of the flathead when I drove it in highschool and would like to experience that again but I also remember being passed by just about everything on the road,or maybe that was just me.I also remember no first gear syncro on the trans and losing my vaccume wipers while going up hill lol.So replacing the drive train with modern v8 and other improvements is tempting but it will change everything accept the looks.but maybe thats a good thing?
I have a 53 Pontiac pathfinder with the original 6 cylinder motor that runs fine.
i'm thinking about removing the motor and installing a 350 with a tranny.
a couple questions for the guys,, is the old motor and tranny worth anything?
do you think that decreases resale value ..
I hate to cut this car up but I need more power
Cheers
If you're really interested in hopping up the 6. The following link on the H.A.M.B. might be of interest.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-ultimate-235-hop-up-thread.552360/
Here's a similar car with hopped up six, sounds great with duals and the dual carbs add some power.
Your torque tube diff has 4:10 gears in it if it has a standard transmission. There is not much for the flat head six but you can change the head to increase compression. Get a head from a 1954 automatic transmission car which will increase compression by 3/4 to 1 point. There is also a two barrel intske manifold available that was used in latter years. These two things with a homemade split exhaust manifold will increase hp by about 25hp. If you want to use the car on the highway you can also change the diff and get 3:70 gears from an automatic transmission car. I detailed and tuned a 1951 flathead six this summer and took it on a 75 mile ride at 60 mph and it cruised very good.The only non stock item I installed was a petronix electronic ignition. The easiest way to do a small block V8 conversion is to get a complete v8 powertrain from a 55-57 chev. There is a front engine adapter that was sold that would enable you to just about bolt the V8 powertrain in your car using the adapter and the factory rear side motor mounts. The diff will practially bolt in and the 55-57 driveshaft will be the correct length. As original cars seem to be more desirable these days I would just tune the engine and change the geras in the diff to a highway gear.
Al
If your Pathfinder is running fine with the original engine and you want to remove it, why not sell it to someone who like this kind of car with those engine, and find a car for you that's in need of an engine. You will get the modification you want without parting out a great car like yours. My tought.
Fitz.
Just getting tire kickers and test pilots ,,I don't want to cut the car up but I'm not going to give it away either ,,
So my thoughts are give it some more pep and keep it if I can't get close to asking price