77 firebird

[polypusher]

I am in the process of getting my 77 firebird back on the road. I desperately need some advice from you experts out there. It is a 77 firebird w/ pontiac 301 and automatic transmission. I believe but am not certain that it is the th350 transmission "any correction as to whether this is the tranny in my car would be appreciated as it is difficult to find info."

Should I:

A. keep both engine and tranny, do a rebuild on the 301 and have the th350 "if that is what it is" professionally rebuilt "am not willing to start messing with a transmission myself."

B. Scrap the 301 and find a pontiac 350 either rebuilt or needing a rebuild to drop into this car. Either keep the th350 and have rebuilt or upgrade to a th400 or muncie 4 speed.

I realize that the 301 is a weak engine "turbo 301 declared worst v8 ever built by detroit in Hot Rod Magazine" However, Should I keep this engine and tranny because it is original? Will switching to a different engine and tranny reduce the restored value of this car? I have been told that this car is valuable due to it's rarity.

Please advise me on which option would result in the cars greatest value following restoration.

Thanks again in advance.

[JimRochester]

Depending on just what level of performance you're looking for I'd say you're better off going with the bigger ci. The 301's were pretty lame even with the turbo. There are tons of 350's and 400's out there. Since you're going to do a rebuild anyway, the parts for the bigger engine won't be much more if any than the 301.

I've always preferred standards in a performance car but if it's an everyday driver you may want to stick with the automatic. I think the 301's came with a 3.08 rear, giving it a 3.42 or a 3.55 will give it a nice kick.

[polypusher]

Thanks for your quick reply, much appreciated. I realize that pretty much any v8 will be a better choice as far as performance is concerned, and would love to throw in a beefier engine....Ugh However, I am primarily curious as to whether I should change parts considering that the engine and tranny are original. I suppose the simple question is:

Will keeping the original engine and transmission as opposed to swapping them with something that has better performance make the car worth more once it is fully restored?

Thanks again.

[skibum1111]

Parts for a 350 or a 400 will be cheaper than the parts for the 301 simply due to the fact that the 350 and 400 are more popular. I'd keep the 301 with the original trans, put it aside somewhere so you can put it back in if you decide you want to sell the car as an original, and build a 350 for it instead. I'd also go with the manual transmission, doesn't seem like a performance car with an automatic.

[polypusher]

yeah, I was thinking along those lines as well. Does anyone know if the muncie 4 speed or the t-10 4 speed can bolt right into a second gen fbody? Anyone know of any guides available for doing that?

Also, are there any big problems with a chevy 350 being installed in a pontiac. I realize that the transmission needs to be matched with the engine make. Will the chevy 350 need adjustments to mount it in a pontiac?

[skibum1111]

Motor mounts are different, but its a simple thing to overcome. Use the chevy mounts and attach them to the crossmember. As for the transmission, I think all you need is a transmission crossmember from a camaro and it should go right in. Late 2nd gens were the same unibody, so it shouldn't be a problem.

[polypusher]

and a hearty thanks for the advice

[Morley]

The 301 is the ONLY small block Pontiac ever produced. All other pontiac blocks had the same external dimensions as a BB Chevy.
That said, you'll need different engine mounts (probably). If you have a 3 speed auto trans, then you do indeed have a TH350, a very nice trans.
For me, I would get a Pontiac 400 (R/A IV engine if possible), keep the TH350 but have it built for more power, install subframe connectors and then build the snot out of the 400. You could easily hit 400 RWHP on a R/A IV engine and still be very streetable.