New to G body hobby and i need help

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johnb

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jul 13, 2021
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Hello,

I just recently sold my 1967 Nova. I want to replace it with a G body. I could use some help with the Pontiac variants. Did they come with v8 pontiac engines or v6 only?
 

ck80

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Feb 18, 2014
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Hello,

I just recently sold my 1967 Nova. I want to replace it with a G body. I could use some help with the Pontiac variants. Did they come with v8 pontiac engines or v6 only?
Depends on the year, and where you are/the car comes from.

Early ones could come with the Pontiac 301, which was sort of a poncho v8, such as it was. Canadian cars, and later year cars, came with a Chevy 305 for the v8. If you got a v6 you had the buick 231.
 
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ELCAM

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Jun 19, 2021
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In 1980 or 81 there was also a 265 CI Pontiac V8 It didn't last long like the other make the EPA happy small V8s the other GM divisions did.
 
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ck80

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In 1980 or 81 there was also a 265 CI Pontiac V8 It didn't last long like the other make the EPA happy small V8s the other GM divisions did.
You're right, I tend to forget about that fire-breathing 120 hp 1980-81 special.... it was kinda the same niche as the 3.8 and well... I guess what you can say is they would run.
 
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pontiac guy

G-Body Guru
Oct 28, 2016
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I have a 78 GP and I love my 301. It won't run down my 02 Firehawk but it is as fun to drive and gets more attention. 78 is an odd year for G bodies. They still have the 7/16 wheel studs, so rotors are different as are wheel bearings. The ignition cylinder requires a key to remove it. No lock screw under the lock plate. Other than that, they are really the same as the 79 and up. Grill and tail light treatment aside. If you get one with a 265/301 you can swap any V8 Pontiac in its place if you choose. If you get a Chevy powered one it's a little more work. The 78-80 body's do not have a lot of parts available and many people prefer the 81 and up Euro styling of the GP. The LeMans is even tougher to find parts for and didn't survive into the Euro era. There were some factory 4 spd cars and some t top cars too. Shop long enough and you will find them. Manual swaps are easier with a Chevy drivetrain because the G has a specific bellhousing and there were more Chevys built with sticks than Pontiacs. Again, shop have hard enough and you will score the parts. Lots of people have done the swap. The early cars won't take an OD trans without putting an extension on the frame rail to bolt the cross member to. Later cars have the extension as the could have been ordered with the OD. Rear ends are 7.5s so if you abuse them enough they come apart. That's about everything I can think of regarding a G body that I think you would want to know going in.
 
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johnb

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jul 13, 2021
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Wow,
Thank you everyone. More info than I thought I would get. I am most definitely more than interested in finding a 1981 Le Mans. I hope one pops up here as easily as the info about them did, LOL
 

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JAMCAR223

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Jun 6, 2014
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In 1980 or 81 there was also a 265 CI Pontiac V8 It didn't last long like the other make the EPA happy small V8s the other GM divisions did.
I had a 1980 Buick Century with a 4.3 L 260 ci Pontiac v8
 
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Oct 14, 2008
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JAMCAR223

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Jun 6, 2014
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I wonder who checked off that oddball combination?
Corporate engine availability at it best/worst?? Many didn't believe it had a Pontiac motor until they saw it. I parted the car, and sold the engine quickly.
 
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tkruger

Master Mechanic
May 6, 2015
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Did not see where you where looking for a G-Body. Make sure to check the rear frame rails. I am in the rust belt and the frames go behind the rear axle on all the variants.
 
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