I know it's not a camaro but... Does anyone have any performance build info on a 326ci motor? I am rebuilding my 67 Firebird and I know very little about this particular engine. I alread dissambled it and it is ready to go to the machine shop. Is there anyone that sells forged parts for this motor? Is there a way to stroke a 326? I'm sure a 400 would be the better way to go but it is the matching numbers engine so I don't want to change it. I want to build it as strong as possible and maybe put on a power adder later on.


Thanks

 

The funny thing about the 326 is it is already "stroked" about as far as it will go. It has the same crank as a pontiac 389 (3.75"), but is de-bored from 4.06" to 3.72". So if you were to get a 389 block you could use your current crank in it. You may even be able to bore that block out to 4" and get a new set of pistons.

I'd imagine there are plenty of performance parts out there in the way of forged cranks, probably even rods and pistons. You have to ask yourself though, is it worth it?

If you have a numbers matching motor with not too common parts then why spend the money to bore it and add a blower and what not when a Chevy small block will drop right it. Parts are cheap, heck whole motors are pretty cheap, and you can tuck that numbers matching motor away for when you decide to sell the car or restore it back to what it was in '67.

Just my $.02 though,

Jeremy

 

You are probably right. From what I heard I can throw a 400 or 455 in there with ease.

 

I would pull the numbers matching engine and trans(save), and drop in a built engine/trans, or at least pull the engine and drop in a 400/455(bolt in swap)

 

Well the 400 and 455 are based off of the same block as the 326, just with a bit more deck, maybe a little longer too.

There is no replacement for displacement

 

400 and 455 parts will interchange. i would recommend getting everything from another car as most pontiac purists will balk at manifolds that are not original. if you want any pointers i would recommend going to an all pontiac meet or drag race somewhere. i had a pontiac freak working for me and they are serious hardcore. he spent way to much money to get original choke tube parts that we could make for $2.00.

store that engine and trans no matter what. i believe butler performance is where he got some parts.

 

I 100% agree. The chevy motors are great but you have a classic Pontiac, keep a Pontiac motor. Externally Pontiac 326, 350, 389, 400, 421, 428, and 455 are the same. They will all bolt into a '67 bird. The money required to build up a 326 just isn't worth it. FYI cranks do not interchange. They are 2 flavors, small journal and large journal. The small which include 326 thru 400 and the large which are 421, 428 and 455's. Heads will interchange but there are also 2 versions. Rectangle exhaust and round exhaust. You need to match the exhaust to the heads. Intakes are pretty much interchangable, as water pumps, oil pans, and distributors.

 

I agree even a crate 400 or 383 from GMPP or another vendor. Get a set of bearings and rings and just freshen up that 326ci piece. Probably use a ball hone and put some cross hatch back into the cylinder bores as well.