'36 Pontiac

[nickparkerllc@gmail.com]

Here's my '36 Pontiac with a 6 cylinder 208 engine and it has a story. I need main bearings 3 and 4 at 0.020 + to complete the engine.  I now have new pistons, rings, valves, rod and cam bearings etc.  Here's the story.  The car was purchased in 1970 by a 16-year-old.  He put it in a barn, removed the doors and replaced the wood in the doors.  He removed the fenders and also ordered a one piece wind shield.  Problem was this car requires a two piece wind shield.  I'm guessing he was disappointed and moved on to other things such as high school, college, marriage and a family.  He's been gone for over a decade but his wife says he used to go down and start the engine just to hear it run.  Over time the barn collapsed and the wind blown sand of West Texas settled 6 inches deep in the car.  Sand buried the wheels 3/4 of their height and buried the fenders sitting in the collapsed barn.  I and four friends used shovels and a John Deere 8400 tractor to dig out the car.  It's now ready for rebuild.  I know others will say just buy a better '36.  I have no special attraction for a '36.  It's not the destination that drives me but the journey.  It's broken and the journey is to fix it.  If you can help me find the two rear mains that are oversized by at least 0.020 inches that would get me on the way.  Alternately, I have a set of standard size bearings and could have the crank built back up to standard size.  I'll need a few other items such as door handles, trunk hinges, garnish molding, etc.  Any help or leads to parts would be appreciated.  Thank you for any feed back.

 

 

 

Thanks for any help..  And this is what it should look like ....maybe! 

Edited August 14, 2021 by nickparkerllc@gmail.com
I failed to include engine size. (see edit history)

[pont35cpe]

For the bearings check with Terrill Machine   DeLeon, Tx  254 893 2610   8am-5pm weekdays  Interesting start.

[nickparkerllc@gmail.com]

Thanks.  That's who had everything I have but no main bearings.

[pont35cpe]

13 minutes ago, nickparkerllc@gmail.com said:

Thanks.  That's who had everything I have but no main bearings.

Lester J. Harris Minden, Nv 775 267 2559 Specializes in obsolete engine & chassis parts.

[Bloo]

Looks like a 1936 Master Six touring sedan. From the body plate it looks like it was black with black wheels, silver pinstripes on the body and silver pattern on the wheels. The "D" means someone paid extra for lacquered fenders. It had a tan cloth interior. The car's serial number is on an aluminum tag on top of the frame close to the steering box. More here: http://www.badgoat.net/Early Times/36 Restoration Guidebook Feb_06.htm

 

I assume you have looked on Ebay... bearings for the 208 do show up from time to time. If you have not already done so. check with @Kornkurt here on the forum, and also at California Pontiac http://pontiacparts.net . I imagine you have tried all that.

 

If the former owner did a good job replacing the wood in your doors, one of your biggest potential problems may already be solved. Is the wood in the main body good?

 

Early Times Chapter https://www.earlytimeschapter.org and Oakland Pontiac Worldwide https://www.oaklandpontiacworldwide.com/ are the appropriate clubs. Both have publications with want ads in them. 1936 parts do show up.

 

Here's mine, nearly a twin:

 

 

 

 

Edited August 15, 2021 by Bloo (see edit history)

[nickparkerllc@gmail.com]

Thanks for the leads.  I’ll follow up but really enjoyed the Restoration Guide and its history. Great info. 

[nickparkerllc@gmail.com]

Thanks for the leads.  I’ll follow up but really enjoyed the Restoration Guide and its history. Great info. 
 

The wood below the rear window and that holding the top of the back seat was bad. I’ve used the old pieces as patterns and am replacing it with oak. The floor and other wood parts seem to be solid. 

[Dave Henderson]

If bearings can't be found how about trying to refit the old mains if there is still babbit on  them.  In the olden days when we as high schoolers did low budget engine overhauls shims were used under the inserts to take up excess clearances.  If brass stock wasn't around, we used cigarette rolling paper.  Had to remember to make holes for the oil passages.  It actually worked pretty darn good.  I did that on the fix-up of my $15 '35 Pontiac 6 in '47.  .

[nickparkerllc@gmail.com]

Great save on your part.  Back in the day when I was in high school I put brass shims below the mains. My father was a machinist and had the brass shim stock.  Prefer not to do that today.  Have now found and ordered the full set of .020 main bearings.  Thanks to leads posted to this site.  Thanks all.

[Robert G. Smits]

Great project, I have a couple of 34's.  The flathead Pontiac community is a fun group.  If you are going to Hershey they have a swap meet site and all go out to dinner one evening.  Please keep this restoration thread alive.