FI was available I gather in 1957, then 1958 and 1959 but were any '59s actually so equipped given the paucity of '59 US Chevies with FI and the limited run?
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Automotive Historian, Author and Journalist Deputy Editor, VINTAGE ROADSCENE Southampton, England
You can see that all have 'W' prefixes for 261 engines, the engine number series run on from the 1956 261 series, and are different from the 235, although '9' for 'Powerglide' stil applied to all 235, 248 and 348 engines built in Canada.
However, this does in no way totally prove/disprove the availability or fitment of 235 engines in that Model Year.
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Automotive Historian, Author and Journalist Deputy Editor, VINTAGE ROADSCENE Southampton, England
davelacourse - I have sent you the PDF file you requested. Hope you can enlighten us. Thanks to all for your efforts.
I'm stll wondering how many 1957 CPs had fuel injection. I know of some in Chevrolets in our area over the years. One friend of mine inherited his brothers original a few years ago. What a beauty!
OK it's done (separate post). Verrrrrrrrry interesting!! Wonder if there were ever any 283/283's in the 57 Canadian Pontiacs???!!! I know the 4-speed was a mid-year option for 57 Corvettes (and regular Chevys), so maybe same for the CPs?
Unfortunately the spec sheet does not say anything more about transmission options than what is shown in the section I have pictured. No mention of a 4-speed. I do know that there was a "close ratio" 3-speed offered by Chevy in 56 & 57, I assume that is what is listed in the spec sheet. Interestingly, the "close ratio" 3-speed was very similar to the first 4-speed: 2.2:1 in 1st, 1.31:1 in 2nd, and 1:1 in 3rd, whereas the 4-speed added a another gear between, 1.66 as the new 2nd gear.
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
I am sure there is a misprint in the 1957 Canadian Pontiac Brochure. All Canadian Pontiacs built beteen 1955-1962 had the 261 six as the standard engine. The W before the serial number is a definate indication of a 261 engine. I have been checking out these cars since 1970 and have never seen a 235 as original equipment in a Canadian Pontiac from this era. I have never seen a 235 rated at 148 hp in the tri 5 era. In my opinion the brochure is incorrect.
The way I have been informed thru brochures, etc. all six cylinder Canadian Pontiacs from 1955-1962 should have the GMC 261 truck engines from the factory! However I do recall one of those years, (it could have been the 1957) did have the 235 engine if it was stick shift! Does anyone else out there have a 1957 Canadian Sales Brochure, as perhaps it will give more details, if it is an updated issue!
GMC truck engines were 228, 248, 270 and 302 all stovebolt sixes. The 261 was a Chevy truck engine used in one tons and school buses, however the 261 was used in Canadian GMC trucks. I have a 261 in my 1953 Chevy half ton, transplanted.
my scanner isn't set up yet but my canadian truck books, chev/gmc maintenance manual for 55 states 235 w/ optional 265 for up to 1500/9500 series (14000 lbs gvw) and 1600/9600 series (16,000 lbs gvw)and above 261 and 265 optional. my 56 supplement same. except 1700/9700 265 std and for 1900/9900 series (22,00) 322 std. 57 parts book for chev/gmc engines are 235,261,283, and for the big boy a 322. next book i have is for 60 and the engines are 235,261,283,and 348. the number i see for the above post are for american gmc.
-- Edited by Stephenzone on Sunday 6th of December 2009 10:16:35 PM
I find myself in the unenviable position of not agreeing on a point with Taylor55! From what I have seen he knows these years of Canadian Poncho as well as anyone I've ever met.
With that said, the parts book for 46-57 Pontiac lists the bore of the 56 Pontiac 6 cyl at 3 3/4 and 57 Pontiac at 3 9/16 for 6 cyl. This seems to say that 235 is correct in 57. Is it possible that both the brochure and the GM parts book are wrong? It certainly is, but it seems unusual.
Anyone?
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
And I should note, this version of the 1946-1957 parts book is printed in 1960. They are poor proof readers if they didn't catch and correct a major mistake like that after 3 years!
********DISCLAIMER*********
I know very little about Pontiacs of this era. I am just regurgitating info I have read!
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
What is the possible explanation for having one year from 1955 to 1962 with the 235 engine when the 261 was the hallmark of the Canadian Pontiac line ? It makes absolutely no logical sense.
I find myself agreeing with Al, the engine code will tell the story. We know of countless instances when sales brochures have been incorrect as well as other factory publications. I know I am not alone in saying that Al is one of our foremost experts on this era of Canadian Pontiacs so I defer to him in this instance.
Halfbreed, any way of posting the page with the engine data from your brochure. We have one on file but can not read the printed details. Does this mean that some folks with 57's think they have a 261 when they have a 235 ? I see some cars in the 57 regestry that are listed as 261's.
57Poncho is going to email me full-size version of his brochure so I will work to make it available for all to see with legible print.
Dave
Woops I for got to do this I better get on it sorry .
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1957 Pathfinder deluxe 4 door wagon 1961 Pontiac Parisienne bubble top Traded for a Harley sorry guys.
I just took a look at the brochure and it says 148HP 235. I must be a typo my car has a 261 and any other 6s I know of in 57 are 261. All so my GM documentation says 261. But no where in the brochure does it say 261.
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1957 Pathfinder deluxe 4 door wagon 1961 Pontiac Parisienne bubble top Traded for a Harley sorry guys.
I decided to keep looking in the parts book. I thought of looking up a piston since that would be the one thing that would certainly be different between the two.
Here is the line in the parts book for piston-
3707460 1955-1957 with 6 cyl (std)
Meaning standard bore, not standard trans of course.
This is in the same book that lists the bore being different in 56 than 57. Not possible, one of these statements is wrong.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
More and more it is starting to look like General Motors was really General Fubar in 1957, eh?
Dave
Geez Dave, I wouldn't just limit it to 1957, look what happened in the past year!! FUBAR is the perfect description of killing Pontiac. massive layoffs, closures, bailouts and Chinese loving Buicks!
What was the engine colour for the Strato-Six 261? Was it green as I suspect? The 235 was presumably blue in Canadian (Chevy) cars, and green in trucks?
-- Edited by Oracle on Tuesday 2nd of February 2010 05:28:58 PM
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Automotive Historian, Author and Journalist Deputy Editor, VINTAGE ROADSCENE Southampton, England
What was the engine colour for the Strato-Six 261? Was it green as I suspect?
There is a topic or two about engine color hereabouts, but the short answer is: it was green (color on the lower part of my 261 [which shows the Captains Bars] has kind of gone away, eh?):
Dave
-- Edited by davelacourse on Tuesday 2nd of February 2010 06:51:38 PM
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod