Anyone know if there are more than one blocks for the '59 389? Are there better ones than others? Other than the Super Duties, that I know of. Looking at a '59 but know nothing about the motor yet. See it at craigslist 1379707775. Waiting to see if he sold it on e-bay. Probably just jinxed myself out a dis one too, heh. Thanks guys. (Robert, taking your advise). Mark L

Man you guys are good. I started reading other posts and you guys came up with a list of blocks and hp ratings for the early cars. If they are correct there is only one block. 532000 I think was the number. Thanks to you all. MArk L

I think you are right. I know of only one block - other that the 4 bolt mains which is proberbly next to impossible to find.

Here is some further engine specs that i finally found the time to scan - from original P59 shopmanual.







The other scan elswhere on this forum shows the different engine pakages, and the parts used.

where did you find the P59 shop manual!??!?!??!

Good info vista. Thank you. Mark L

I bought a set of original manuals from E-bay. They are showing up every once in a while.

The set consists of a shop manual, a body manual and a hydramatic manual. I got them while the car was still on it's way to me, and it has been very useful so far. There is a heating and airconditioning manual too, but that was not available at the time.

I hope to find the time to do a complete scan some day, but if you need somthing specific i can always scan a few pages and post them..

FYI the manual is available on CD at several sites. Here's one;

http://www.gearheadcafe.com/servlet/the-882/1959-Pontiac-Shop-Manuals/Detail

I would call that a 'must have' for any 59 owner !

The 4 bolt mains were different blocks but other than that all the 59 blocks were the same except the 336 blocks. All the heads are the same also with the exception of the high compression (10.75:1 I think) heads. They were slightly milled for more compression.

What are you working on Mark? You know they say the 59/60 blocks are the strongest. You might want to go with a 389 instead of the 370