1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Well, here I go again.

This time a 1958 Pontiac Wagon caught my eye.

My plans are to install a Pontiac 350, a motor that was in my 1973 Firebird when I was a teenager, add a TH350 automatic, some bucket seats with a console, Pontiac Rally 2 wheels, and have a safe, reliable, smooth running wagon.

I have already freshened up the motor, new gaskets, seals, timing chain, ...etc and have it ready for install. I also purchased a TH350 and have had it rebuilt and it is ready to go.

The BIG issue with this car is rust, and lots of it. The floors are gone, the rockers are gone, and the quarters are gone..........other than that, it seems solid. (ha ha)

My plans are to paint this one, and have it looking respectable, not that patina isn't respectable. Possibly a Teal/Blue with the white colored spear down the side? not sure yet, as that is so far away.

Anyways, I will post some pics now and add more as the work gets done,

I mentioned the motor is done, as you can see, I am going for the retro look.

Happy New Year to All

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Nice find, that motor was just waiting for something to go in, this should be a nice one to build. Maybe the 58 Chevy Yeoman can offer up some aftermarket sheet metal parts, if there is any out there.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

3drburb, yes, you are right, this 350 was lying around, so I freshened it up, put the HO heads on it to up the compression, and it should be good to go. (and gave it some paint)

The 1958 Pontiac/Chev floor pans that are available are awful, and only include the footwell section, and the rot on this goes far beyond that. I am going to try to make my own floor pans.


Well, I started on the lower A pillars because they need to be done before I can start on the rockers. So I cut out the rot, and made some replacement pieces, the pics are of drivers side, but I did both sides

I also added a a piece to the toe board to get it ready for a floor pan

Up next will be the Pass. side rockers

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Well, progress continues on the floor

I picked up some sheet metal (19 gauge) and with a cheap bead roller, put a design in the floor that resembled the stock floor.

After cutting, bending, and welding, the front floor on the passenger side is in.

I have started on the area below the seat, and soon I will be working on the rear section.

I am trying to keep the seams above the braces so they wont be seen from below, but along the trans tunnel, I have no choice.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Wow! You are getting after that rust, nice job in making your own floors and braces.

Btw love the Pickup Truck.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Thanks 3drburb, but I did not make the braces. (see pics)

A friend of mine found a 58 Chev and he cut the floor out for me. I then used the braces, sections of, and welded them in

So far I am enjoying this process and just trying to install 1 piece at a time, get it in place, then move on to the next piece

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Looking good. I do loves me some Pontiaction. Time to grab some popcorn, a Porter and watch some magic happen.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Thanks HO455, I just went through the first 9 pages of your Burb build, nice work.

I like Pontiacs too, here are 2 Pontiac projects, but the 64 has been sold

as for the 'magic', I think it is more 'brute force and ignornance', as there are a few REAL Metal Magicians on this website, and I am NOT one of them.


I hope you have a big bag of popcorn, cause this is going to take a while, but thanks for the encouragement.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Judging from those two it will be worth the wait.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Hi Guys

Well the floor work continues, I will update later, but have a question about seam sealer, and how much the factory used?

The pics below are of the seam between the rear floor pan and the 'arch' going over the rear axle. You can see in the first pic how much was caked in there, and then I scraped it off and you can see in the 2nd pic the screw driver showing the thickness.

The 3rd pic is the seam with all the sealer removed

Do you that was original? or do you think someone added that? as it is almost 1/2 inch thick?

Just curious, and Thanks for your thoughts

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

sorry, for some reason pics 2 and 3 flipped?? ooops?

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

lets try this again, sorry

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Gotta be a good friend to do that for ya.

K

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

I like the Rally I's.

I have Rally I wheels on my '63.

K

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

that's a beauty 63,

I don't see many of those, thanks for the pic,

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Thank you; Dad had two.

He gave this one upon his passing to a family friend. I saw it at a show this past summer, first time I had seen it in 17 years.

K

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

More Pontiac stuff, if you like:

https://over-drive-magazine.com/2023...athery-fabric/

https://www.motortrend.com/features/...-still-family/

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=560524

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

I saw this and thought you might enjoy it. I enjoyed it a lot more once I turned the sound off. :lol: The factory buckets are pretty cool.

https://youtu.be/C3mKYO1tdto?si=TAdX6rwk756e_1VH

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

It wouldn't surprise me that the factory used that much sealer. Especially if it was an early production car.

My GTO had a pancake sized blob of sealer in the middle of the passenger side floor that appeared to have spilled and never wiped up.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Probably factory.

At the end of the application the guys would wipe the excess off the wand somewhere obscure on the vehicle rather than cleaning the tip on a rag or on their apron.

K

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Thanks HO455, that video gives me inspiration, or depression, depends how I look at it (ha ha) as my wagon does not look much like that one

Keith, thanks for the links, very neat stories about you and your Dad.


Thank you both for the seam sealer confirmation,

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

I have been welding in patches on the Passenger side floor.

Put in a piece on the wheel well, then a piece under the seat with the seat plate, and now positioning the rear footwell and time for some trimming.

still making progress

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Hi Guys,

Pushed the wagon outside onto the street today to turn it around as I am ready to start on the driver's side (rockers and floor)

here are some finished pics of the Passenger side, just needs some seam sealer and paint, and it should be OK.

onward and upward

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Wow! Along with the very good friend who offered up those braces you must have a shop full of helpers.

Very nice and fast work!

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Wow no kidding! I've seen pro shops do half as much, in twice the time. Impressive work.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Thanks Guys, and no, just me puttering away at it when I can (weekends and some evenings)

I brought the car home in late October, took the driveline out and started the metalwork in November. So 3 months to do the inner and outer rockers and 1/2 the floor. Is that fast?

It's dirty work, but so far I have been enjoying the challenge.

Lots more metalwork to go, but's that why I purchased the car, I wanted a project.

Stay tuned for the Driver's side (it's in worse shape)

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

That is fast, especially when you are making your own panels, but don't tell yourself that and keep knocking it out and hopefully drive it in the summer or later this year. Lol.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

I appreciate the encouragement, but this will not be driving this year. Also, when I put deadlines on myself, it no longer becomes enjoyable.

I was poking around last night with it and this side will need some more work, as the main support is rotted out, next to a body mount, (see pic) but here are some 'Before' pics.

After looking at them again this morning, I must be crazy.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

I scrolled back through and didn't find it: can you describe your weld set up?

Model, settings, wire, etc.

Thanks,

K

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

and a few more

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Sometime I vary the set up depending what and where I am welding, but I am using a 120V Lincoln (20 years old?) with gas, typically on B with the 19 gauge steel( A B C D ) at a wire speed set between 4 and 5. I think the gas pressure is 20? (not sure as I haven't changed it for years) also, I use 023 wire

When I welded in the seat plate (secure rear seat bolts) I upped it to C level heat, as the plate is 16 gauge.

I am NOT a good welder, so please do not take my settings as correct.

What I have found with sheet metal is that I do not run a bead. I just use a series of tacks to create a weld that looks like a bead.

Hope this helps

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Thank you -

K

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

been working on the outer rocker to get it ready for install.

needed to add piece to front of rocker, and add some patches to B and C pillars

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

It's looking good, nice metal work and approach as always.
Those doors appear to be in very good shape and also lined up and evenly gapped for a 50s car.

Btw, it never crazy to save a long roof classic with the correct number of doors, it great to see them getting so much attention and love these days.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Thanks 3drburb,

Just trying to focus on the task at hand, and not look at the entire project.

Hopefully the next update will show the outer rockers will be in.

........and yes, it is good to see the wagons getting some love.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Wow didn't notice that it was a 3 door wagon! That's so cool.
Oh and once again great job! Your work is inspiring. Just diving in and getting it done.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

I still own a 65 Olds F85 4 dr wagon. Drove it for many years and just tucked it away as it was a little tight inside leg room with the kids and me being on the taller side, had it long before the Burb.

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Hey HO455 it's a 4 door wagon

3drburb - F85 wagon very cool

and thanks for the encouragement

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

Hey Guys, time for an update.

the inner and outer rockers are now in on the drivers side

Re: 1958 Pontiac Wagon Build
 

then onto the floor braces.

I went to the 58 Chev floor that I had and cut off what I needed, and welded a bracket inside the brace to weld to the piece still on the car.

Also, welded a small patch in the lower corner of the toe board.

Next is to install the brace, and then onto the floor.

You can see the floor I made just lying there, lots of trimming still to do, but not until AFTER the brace is welded in. (next post)