Bill Wilkerson

140 # will work in the steering.

I am new to the forum; I see this is an old post and there's a good chance you have found your answer. I know that there are a lot of factory service manuals available from various sources including E-bay and Amazon. These manuals have excellent wiring diagrams. '41 - '48 are all very similar.

The 'later' ('52-up) pistons can be used in '41 and later engines; the rods are the same. The later pistons are desirable and much stronger. They are aluminum with 'full-floating'' pins vs. the earlier which are more prone to cracking / collapsing.

Does anyone have an exploded view of the lock assembly for the steering lock on these cars? .....or ''other'' info?

I ''was'' unclear about '53 to '56 rear track be ing identical to '49 - '52. My point was that these are narrower than '41-'48.

Perhaps the driver's ( and passenger's ) arm has been resting on the window frame over the years which has caused the top layer of paint to wear; not unusual.

Yes, In '49 -'52 the axles housing is narrower (shorter-left to right). (I don't know how '53-'54 or'55 compare to the 'others').

What I 'think' Pete is describing is the Main (horizontal) shifter shaft - which does have to be removed BEFORE the 'vertical' selector shaft can be removed. >> There is a cork seal on the inside of the case just under the lever part of the vertical shaft. (It will stay on the vertical shaft when the shaft is withdrawn from the case). << Since the cork seal is no longer available, a suitable substitute must be used (such as an O-ring or.....).

SeeOVE rep

The access hole for the transmission dipstick is at the top-right of the hump in the floorboard. I believe DexMercon fluid meets & exceeds the fluid requirements; you can compare the Hydro original fluid specifications to those on the bottle of Dexron.

My best guess is that ''this'' is '49.

Without more info, I would offer the following possibilities: Sediment in the system such as in the gas tank, fuel pump and / or carb. Sometimes, fuel can be drawn from a tank with fairly heavy sediment without causing noticeable problems UNTIL - during driving - fuel is added during the drive. This ''stirs up'' the sediment in the bottom of the tank which is then drawn into the pump & beyond. You may also have a vacuum leak somewhere. Other possible causes may be related to the ignition coil, condenser ( in the distributor ). the list goes on.

I would ''guess'' between 650 - 675 lbs. with the clutch & bell housing; perhaps closer to 700 lbs.

This reply may be too late( I recently became a member). The only thing that comes to my mind is that perhaps you have installled a part ( or parts) from the opposite side of the car -- such as the left shock on the right, etc.

The hubcap is 1947 & -- I believe was also used in 1948.

1) All 3 speed transmissions from 1939 thru 1955 can be installed in your 1940 Pontiac. In 1949 the mainshaft / tail housing was lengthened so, you obviously need to use a '39 - '48 mainshaft. In 1947 a felt seal was used on the input / main drive gear shaft which replaced the ''reverse screw'' oil slinger machined onto the earlier main drive gears. >> NOTE: The Bell Housing was also changed in 1947 WHICH MEANS that an 'earlier' shaft (with the screw) may be used in a later application because a felt seal can be slipped over the reverse screw HOWEVER, to PROPERLY install a ''later'' (felt-style) shaft in an earlier vehicle a 1947 - 1954 bell-housing must be used. 2) For the differential: 1939 thru 1955 3rd members can be interchanged from vehicle to vehicle. '39 thru '46 units are designed with a different pinion bearing arrangement than are the '47-'55 units. This means that the ring & pinion sets cannot be interchanged between the 2 designs but does not prevent the use of the complete 3rd member ass'y from one car to another. 3) FYI: The smaller series Buicks and 'earlier' Oldsmobile transmissions are also the same design and can be used with the appropriate use of main drive gears and mainshafts (Buick used a 'torque tube'). Also, the rear-end 3rd member from Olds in the '40's can be used in a Pontiac. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hope this is helpful. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Steve & I have determined that his car is indeed the one I owned back in the '70's. I had bo't it from the second owner in California back in Dec. '72 & drove it 600 miles to Oregon where I lived. I was browsing images online one day for 'sidemounts' and saw one of Steve's pictures which ultimately led me to AACA. I wanted to respond so... I joined as a Jr. member; Steve & I have been communicating all week now. Pretty COOL !

I MUST comment on this car; I see you reside in Washington state. THIS car ''could'' be one that I owned in Portland during the 1970's. My car was this color & even had the same heater switch. I bo't it from the second owner in Lafayette, CA. Let's talk !