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What engines will drop in a 1968 Ventura?

 
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36rascal



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PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:42 pm    Post subject: What engines will drop in a 1968 Ventura? Reply with quote

Hi, I'm new here. Years ago I was given this car when the engine blew and I now need to get rid of it. I just want to get it to the the point that it will run and drive well enough to sell it.
Checking through old repair manuals it looks like blocks from the early 60's to late 70's might work but I'm not sure if the mounts are the same.
Original engine was a 400 but I'd put in any size engine from a 326 on up that would work.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Ray Mac.

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Larry
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 3:16 pm    Post subject: ENGINE SWAP Reply with quote

The Pontiac V8 engines were very similar through the years, especially from 1967 and up with the 400.

I pulled the 350 from my Lemans wagon and dropped in a 400 from a full-sized wagon with no trouble. A little research shows that the V8s through 1977 should interchange well. Remember, however, if you get an engine from a different bodied car, you will probably need motor mounts for your car (not what the engine came out of).

My interchange manuals only go through 1969 so I can't check the later engines, but will bet any 400 will bolt right in. Why a a 400? Because they are a dime-a-dozen availabilty-wise. Don't even entertain a 326 or a 350. You will have no problem finding a 400.

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PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 7:03 pm    Post subject: Engine swap. Reply with quote

OK, thanks for your great reply.
Ray Mac.
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36rascal



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PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 2:39 pm    Post subject: More info on swap Reply with quote

I found an old magazine with a Pit Stop article reply to a guy who wanted to put a 455 from a 1975 Grand Prix into his '66 LeMans with a 326.
The reply said the 455 would work, however there could be a problem dropping in a 350 or 400.--"Be aware of the differences in flywheel flexplate crank-flange register diameters. The early spec through '75 is 2-3/4 inches. Starting in '76, the 350 and 400 Pontiac cranks have a smaller 2-5/8 inch diameter mounting flange register..."
The 455 was a carryover engine with the earlier 2-3/4 register so a straight swap for the 326 was not a problem.
Ray Mac.

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Larry
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:21 pm    Post subject: ENGINE INSTALL Reply with quote

Looks like '75 might be the cutoff for your older car if you are using the old transmission. The flexplates can be change though.

There should really be no problem finding a mid-to-late-60s 400, and now probably through '75.

The '73 and on 400 should be lower compression that will handle today's gas better.

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36rascal



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PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Larry, not only lower compression but I'd guess that from about '72 and newer they'd also have hardened valve seats for unleaded gas.
Ray Mac.

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:27 am    Post subject: ENGINE SWAP Reply with quote

Actually from '72 the HP started to drop due to lower compression.

Check this article on block codes to see the HP ratings: http://www.pontiacregistry.com/members/online_magazine.php?view=1&article=243 and this one on cylinder heads:http://www.pontiacregistry.com/members/online_magazine.php?view=1&article=305

As for valve inserts, a number of years ago everyone panicked when the lead was removed from the gasoline. People were tearing down perfectly good engines and spending lots of money having hardened seats installed.

This was found to largely be folly. Unless you're going to be experiencing extreme loads like in racing, or pulling a 28' long house trailer all day long through the mountains, it is not necessary.

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36rascal



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PostPosted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, Larry. I'll probably look for a '68-'75 400 but it will depend on what is available. I haven't seen many 400s at Pick N' Pull, which is where I usually go for parts.

Hey, looking under the hood there are some things I'm unclear about. There is an electronic box held to the fenderwell with sheetmetal screws that does not look stock. It has several wires coming from it and one of them terminates in what looks like an ignition coil connector so maybe it's an ignition upgrade. Two yellow wires from it go to what looks like some kind of smog device with vacuum outlets. I wonder if that part is stock. Somebody ran a vacuum line between the two vacuum outlets as if it's bypassed. Can anybody ID these units? Also an odd connector which is stock. Please see pix, hope I did the uploads right, thanks,

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PostPosted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:46 pm    Post subject: Mystery Box Reply with quote

I have never seen this before. I had a '67 Ventura 400 and had nothing like this.

Was this a California car? The wire plug end doesn't look coil-like, but more like a plug boot over some sensor thing. Was it perhaps an early smog device. If vacuum and electrical, perhaps it changed the timing based on engine temp...?

I sure would tell it bye-bye. But save it, maybe it's a rare piece. I'll do some more checking around.

Check on Craig's List for an engine. They seem to be all over there.

Where are you located? Are you near Indiana Pontiac parts, or perhaps Frank's in southern CA? We can probably help you find a good used engine.

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PostPosted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 11:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Larry - I didn't take a pic of the wire that looks like it goes to an ignition coil. Yes, it's a California car, if there were such distinctions in '68. Somebody just whispered in my ear that this might have been a spark retard retrofit from '66 thru '70? Ring a bell? I'm in N.Cal, Sacramento area. Re: that funny blue connector, it definitely disappears in the original wiring harness so I'm pretty sure that's stock, thanks,

36rascal

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PostPosted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 9:06 am    Post subject: Emissions Box? Reply with quote

I'm thinking it is a product of California's strict emissions laws. It could be dictated (and added) by factory to meet their requirements, or added later to try to pass inspections. I stick with my original guess that it advanced and retarded and spark (vacuum "switch" and lines). The wire that seems to go to a coil hookup could be like a tack that senses RPMs.

It might be a ways south for you, but Frank's Pontiac parts will surely have a good engine for you. See their ad to the left.

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