Welcome Pontiac Flathead Fans

[PONTIAC1953]

hi thomas, congrats on getting the 54 starchief custom catalina hardtop, i can help you with lots of factory information from my 53-54 pontiac library. i have own my 53 chieftain custom catalina for 42 years, and i've been the 53 pontiac tech advisor for 30 years. if you are on facebook, please look up the pontiac chieftain club, i'm on there quite a bit, helping others like you and me. you can also email me directly at charlessdv8@yahoo.com , look forward to hearing from you and helping you.

charles l. coker

1953 pontiac tech advisor

tech advisor coordinator

poci

[Guest mokelsen]

Hi Charles,

it is very exciting to get involved with these nice old cars from the 50s for the very first time!!

Hope I will not regret it...:cool:

Thanks for offering your advice!

This is a picture from its former owner.

New ones will be posted in another thread (and -as I understood- automatically in my gallery...)

Thanks again

Thomas

Edited March 4, 2015 by mokelsen (see edit history)

[GARY F]

beautiful car

[DABJR]

Picked this 51 up a few months back,I guess I will have to get a pro mech.to get it running right. It's a 6cyl., 3 on the tree.It has about  111  to 115 lbs of compression in the cylinders,all plugs out . I really cant find out  what normal compression is in the 239...has a light  to medium noise  in the middle of the eng. carb side.Starts  idles, doesn't rev good , most plugs turn black . I might be off when I brought the no.1 cyl. to top dead center..guessing which plug it pointed to and then went counter clock wise with the wiring.

 

Edited September 20, 2017 by DABJR (see edit history)

[Bloo]

Compression is ok if it is like that on all cylinders. Most, maybe all flathead Pontiac sixes have a piece of pipe inside the intake manifold that can rust through and let exhaust from the heat riser into the intake. It is directly under the carburetor if you have it. I would look for holes in there. Welcome!

[DABJR]

Thanks for your quick response.Sorry if I posted too many pics., but I thought some one else could compare and reference with them .My heat ex changer was rusted shut.....Thank you.... I changed a lot of gaskets along with some broken exhaust bolts.I used every thing to break the shaft loose  and I think the torch and wax  was best.With a pipe wrench,slowly,don't get to discouraged.Stopped the noise but it was fatigued point spring that was cracked and would cut out when reved up, and smoked..Feels good to overcome different problems,even thought I'm not a good mec. It's ready to drive.100,000 mi. and very little smoke now. Ins. will be super cheap...$175 a year,full coverage for $5000 RIG.

[Randiego]

Gents,

Since this is a little used site, I was wondering if there was another site for the "Flatheads"  (other than the POCI Early Times Division) that one can go to for help in parts and service for the 1930s Pontiacs?   You show a lot of 40-50s cars and with little use of this site, it would be helpful if one could find another source for help.

 

Randy

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Randiego said:

Since this is a little used site, I was wondering if there was another site for the "Flatheads"  (other than the POCI Early Times Division) that one can go to for help in parts and service for the 1930s Pontiacs?   You show a lot of 40-50s cars and with little use of this site, it would be helpful if one could find another source for help.

I only look under the "welcome thread" every year or two.  You would get lots of responses if you started your own thread (click on "start new topic") either here under "Pontiac Flathead Owners" or under "Oakland Pontiac".

[Bloo]

I wish there were more activity in here, and I refer to the whole Pontiac section here (2 forums). I suspect there are just not enough of us.

[Guest]

My wish would have been for my Grandfather to have been able to afford a Buick rather than his Pontiac.  Then I would be driving a car that seems to have the busiest (most active) forum on this site.

[Melsfine39]

Hi New to the group. Here are. photos of my 1931 Pontiac 401 four door sedan. I got the car 4yrs. ago from a former Pontiac dealership ,now a GMC Buick dealership. The car sat in the showroom for a lot of years, was restored some time in late 70's or early 80's then at some point moved to storage in the back of the building where it sat. When I got the car the engine was stuck,the car was very dirty , but very nice and complete except missing the door handles and the radiator ornament. The door handles were removed to keep people in the showroom from opening the doors,then they were lost.The Indian head radiator cap was stolen at some point. I soaked the motor for 3 weeks ,got it to turn over with the crank, and then got it to run and drive. The photo with people in it is at the dealership getting a award for 50 years. The Pontiac is in the picture , taken in1987. Found some door handles at a swap meet, used a model A radiator cap. 

 

[Bob Ford]

I am desperate to get a starter motor for my 1940 Pontiac 6 cyl Deluxe. I s there anyone that can help me?  Bob  540 840-5666

[Bloo]

Welcome!

 

If you have a starter that just doesn't work, look into getting it rebuilt.

 

If you don't have one at all, I would start by either a PM to Kurt Kelsey (KornKurt on this forum, he's located in Iowa), or a call to California Pontiac Restoration.

 

Good luck!

 

[Ruben alvarez]

Is this site operational? New in the Pontiac  family, 1939 2 door Pontiac.

[Ruben alvarez]

I’ve cleaned/restored gas tank, began painting frame. I also replaced front/back shocks, and leaf springs. For my 1939 Pontiac,  which I have driven short distances (20 miles). I was thinking about checking the engine, opening up. Should I do a diagnostic check before?

[Bloo]

Hi, Welcome to the forum!

 

We are here, there just aren't that many of us. Why are you thinking of opening the engine? Is it doing something wrong?

 

Early Times Chapter is a good club for these cars. Unfortunately most of their website is not working right now, usually there is a lot of useful information there. http://www.earlytimeschapter.org/About_ETC.html

 

There's a get together planned in Bardstown, Kentucky, USA this September.

 

Here is my 1936 Master Six that gets driven regularly:

 

[SharkyPoncho38]

Good Morning and Happy Sunday just stopping by to introduce my self proud owner of a 1938 Pontiac 6DA Deluxe 6 got it about a lil over 1 year ago and been pushing forward getting it repainted as we speak...

[GARY F]

Looks real nice.   Need more pictures.

[Bloo]

Nice looking Pontiac! Welcome to the forum.

[aristech]

My 1936 Pontiac 8 four-door Touring Sedan project. With thanks to pont35cpe. I have a complete car now. I am now able to focus on the restoration.

 

 

[Bloo]

It looks like your radiator is out of the car, as well as the grille center removed. Did you accomplish that without taking the nose off of the car? If so, do you have any comments on how it was done?

[aristech]

1 hour ago, Bloo said:

It looks like your radiator is out of the car, as well as the grille center removed. Did you accomplish that without taking the nose off of the car? If so, do you have any comments on how it was done?

I pulled the water pump out along with the generator. That freed up space to access radiator. When I pulled the hood off it really made it much easier .I didnt have to be to careful as there was no paint to scratch. There were four bolts I removed and I was able to wiggle out the radiator . The two bolts on the bottom that I was able to get to from underneath the car and 2 on either side of the radiator . I should have made a video on what I did but I didnt think it was too difficult.

Edited December 28, 2021 by aristech
add more content (see edit history)

[Bloo]

Thanks! I didn't know whether it was difficult or not, just that it wasn't obvious, and you cant reach half the stuff I see removed from your car with the radiator in. I'd like to get my radiator out and put a water tube in the engine. The manual would have you removing the whole nose for almost anything, and that does look fairly easy, but having just repaired the headlight wiring I wasn't thrilled with the idea of pulling the headlight wiring out.

 

Edited December 28, 2021 by Bloo (see edit history)

[aristech]

41 minutes ago, Bloo said:

Thanks! I didn't know whether it was difficult or not, just that it wasn't obvious, and you cant reach half the stuff I see removed from your car with the radiator in. I'd like to get my radiator out and put a water tube in the engine. The manual would have you removing the whole nose for almost anything, and that does look fairly easy, but having just repaired the headlight wiring I wasn't thrilled with the idea of pulling the headlight wiring out.

 

You are right it is not obvious. I was going bolt by bolt and just looking at everything as I was pulling apart. luckly it was quick but I know the reassembly will be a bit of a task.

[Whatever]

Hey everyone i hope everyone is well, new to the forum, i am a proud owner of a 1941 pontiac streamliner torpedo sedan coupe. I am from the Southern California area, and always interested in parts for it .. right now i am currently in search for the rear bumper center fold down guard. 

Edited February 21, 2022 by Whatever (see edit history)

[GARY F]

Very nice looking car.  Good luck with it.

[Whatever]

14 hours ago, GARY F said:

Very nice looking car.  Good luck with it.

Thanks Gary, it’s been fun so far

[49SLVRSTRK]

I have a 1949 Silver Streak 8 with 30K original miles.  The car has a sticker from the Pontiac Oakland Club.  I'm in Southern California.  I recently converted the front drum brakes to disc brakes.  However, now I have to replace the front two wheels to allow for the caliper clearance.  I would like to preserve use of the original hubcaps.  Can anyone here please provide me with a wheel recommendation (15 inch preferred) that will allow for space for the calipers as well as use of the hubcaps?  Thank you.

[pont35cpe]

On 2/21/2022 at 1:14 PM, Whatever said:

Hey everyone i hope everyone is well, new to the forum, i am a proud owner of a 1941 pontiac streamliner torpedo sedan coupe. I am from the Southern California area, and always interested in parts for it .. right now i am currently in search for the rear bumper center fold down guard. 

This member may still have one..

 

[MIGUEL ANGEL]

That’s right, it’s still available!! Thanks pont35cpe, regards!

[PONTIAC1953]

On 2/21/2022 at 1:14 PM, Whatever said:

Hey everyone i hope everyone is well, new to the forum, i am a proud owner of a 1941 pontiac streamliner torpedo sedan coupe. I am from the Southern California area, and always interested in parts for it .. right now i am currently in search for the rear bumper center fold down guard. 

I would need to know the body style code listed on the firewall trim data plate, but you're mistaken by calling your Pontiac a Streamliner Torpedo, it's either a Streamliner, or a Torpedo.

[PONTIAC1953]

On 2/5/2023 at 3:32 PM, 49SLVRSTRK said:

I have a 1949 Silver Streak 8 with 30K original miles.  The car has a sticker from the Pontiac Oakland Club.  I'm in Southern California.  I recently converted the front drum brakes to disc brakes.  However, now I have to replace the front two wheels to allow for the caliper clearance.  I would like to preserve use of the original hubcaps.  Can anyone here please provide me with a wheel recommendation (15 inch preferred) that will allow for space for the calipers as well as use of the hubcaps?  Thank you.

your 1949 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe Sedan is not called a Silver Streak 8, that emblem is just the name of the car's engine, and the name used for the waterfall trim styling on the hood/trunk lid.

[PONTIAC1953]

Just now, PONTIAC1953 said:

your 1949 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe Sedan is not called a Silver Streak 8, that emblem is just the name of the car's engine, and the name used for the waterfall trim styling on the hood/trunk lid.

as for your front wheel needs, late 1970s-1980s chevy 1/2 ton pickup truck two wheel drive wheels will work.

[Whatever]

On 2/6/2023 at 6:33 PM, MIGUEL ANGEL said:

That’s right, it’s still available!! Thanks pont35cpe, regards!

Sorry for the late response, It is off a 41

[rubenyayu]

thanks to create this forum, Im Ruben from Spain and there is not info about thoes cars here. Im happy now and my 1933 too

[itsonlypain]

Hello, New to the forums and new to classic car ownership. This place seems like a valuable source. Glad to be a part of the Pontiac Group and the trill of enjoying the Classic car Hobby.

Happy to be the new owner of a Beautiful 1951 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe 8cyl Hydramatic 2door in Berkshire Green. 

From Green Bay, WI....the frozen tundra...

Wishing right now i could drive her...too much snow!

[Nico]

Hey everyone, 

 

I'm Nico from Germany and recently got myself a 1948 Streamliner. Before I mostly had US cars from the 70s and 80s. And I gave away my 1962 Bonneville for the 48.

Never had a Flathead engine before and I could use some help. So I'm happy I found this page 😊

 

Although I have a Shop Manual, I don't know if everything lines up, because the manual is for Models from 1941 to 1942.

Is the engine in the 48 the same as in a 41?

Mine is leaking oil between engine and transmission pretty much and I am wondering if there is a rope seal on the rear main bearing or not? 

I would be very grateful, if you could give me some input. 

 

And here she is ❤️

Edited 22 hours ago by Nico (see edit history)

[GARY F]

Cant help with your question but a very nice car.

[Nico]

4 hours ago, GARY F said:

Cant help with your question but a very nice car.

Too bad, but thanks 🙏🏻👍🏻