41 pontiac questions

68sd · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

RE: 41 pontiac questions

Beaumont4008 · Uber Guru

You say it looks like a 216 chevy ? That is a overhead valve engine. Yet the above literature shows as a L head engine, that is a flat head engine. Is yours a flat head or a overhead valve engine. Then I repeat my question , do Canadian pontiacs back then have flat head or overhead valve engines ? If its flat head and he has a overhead valve engine then its wrong for that car. Any one know for sure ?

Oracle · Addicted!

I was trying to post a reply but my BB went down half-way through!

It is a 1941 Model 2-door Model 2211, and had the 239cu in 30hp L-head Pontiac engine when new...assembled in Windsor Transmission Plant. The 224 Chevy-based unit debuted in 1937 in the Pontiac Arrow series and was used in 1941 in certain GMC and Maple Leaf trucks.

The serial # indicates that it was an Oshawa car, not Regina, as there would have been an 8 after the model number.

Roman · Member

The guy i got the car from told me that the car had vintage plates before he got it, and is original. The engine that is in it now is an overhead six, and he told me that they were used in the canadian pontiacs. The car has the foot starter above the gas pedal which would work with the flathead. The flathead has the starter on the driver side and the ovh has it on the passenger side and the foot switch is in the middle of the hump to the right of the gas pedal. Is it possible that it could have come like that from the factory or did someone swap engines?

JC2+2 · Poncho Master!

Back on October 11, Crazyj started a post about a 1940 Pontiac he found rotting away.
His pictures show it has an overhead valve engine as yours does.

JC

Roman · Member

So, here is the next question. What is the best way to switch from six to five bolt wheels. I heard that you can use 49-52 chevy spindles, is that true?

Oracle · Addicted!

I have just found my 1942 Branham's. These are the listed 1941 Models:

FLEETLEADER SERIES 2200 239.2 CU IN L-HEAD
2-DOOR SEDAN 2211 ORIGINAL PRICE $1134
BUSINESS COUPE 2227B
SEDAN COUPE 2227
4-DOOR SEDAN 2219
SEDAN DELIOVERY 2271

FLEETLEADER SPECIAL SERIES 2000 239.2 ENGINE
2-DOOR SEDAN 2011
BUSINESS COUPE 2027B
SEDAN COUPE 2227
4-DOOR SEDAN 2019

6 JA DELUXE SIX SERIES 2500 239.2 ENGINE
2-DOOR SEDAN 2511
SEDAN COUPE 2527
4-DOOR SEDAN 2519

Roman · Member

great info, just found out that the original flathead died and was replaced by the ovh six from a chevy. Is there a parts supplier for the pontiac like the chevys of the 40s

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Roman first of all welcome aboard. Now i am going to say what a lot of other guys on this site are thinking. For gods sake why would you want to molest such an incredible clean original car WHY? If the engine is wrong, so what. Leave the engine or get an original motor for it and leave the rest of the car unmolested. It is only original once. There are plenty of rods out there for sale of 40's cars. Why destroy another one. You may want to consider selling that car to someone who will actually appreciate it and then with the cash find a car that is already modified. Altering this beautiful Pontiac in my opinion is a crime. Please reconsider keeping her original. Good luck Roman. Cheers. George.

Roman · Member

Don't worry, not planing to molest the car at all. Since the engine has already been swapped and right now as it is has a problem (smokes a lot), might change it to a 235 chevy i have sitting in my garage. I do like my cars original, my last car was a daily driver and was even still a six volt. I think a small attitude adjustment of the suspension will to be that much of a change. Hope that calms you a bit.

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Roman, I'll say "It's your car, build it the way you WANT" I couldn't own it if it weren't modified!!! I drive my cars alot & long distance so a 6cyl. 50mph. car doesn't "cut" it with me!!! Some only like a restored only car or a surviver car, thats OK too, You have to decide how & where your going to drive this & if you can put up with a slow, traffic interfearing car!!! Thats why my 64 catalina & the 52 Torpedo back are "NOT" stock!!!

Roman · Member

Don't get me wrong, thats the way i like my cars. If the technology they used was good back then there is no problem with using it today. As long as the car is maintained it will be reliable, i drove a 49 dodge 1/2 ton and a 52 chevy sedan with stock running gear and brakes daily without any problems. Anyways in Vancouver there is no way you can drive fast, all the traffic we get here takes care it it and the new traffic laws take care of the rest. So i will probably keep the running gear and personalize the rest a bit. As long as it looks good that is.

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Rowman, that's fine, what ever "floats your boat" I do alot of long highway runs[ 2 trips to West Virginia last summer] & the last thing I want, is to be doing 50 Mph. on the interstate, when the flow is 70 to 75mph + I want to get there in 10 to 10 1/2 hrs not the next day!!! I did over 7000 mi last yr on the 64 Catalina & hope to have the 52 on the road this yr. [if things go well] Nothing wrong with a stock or restored car, as long as you "drive" it!!!! Can't stand T Q's [trailer queens]