What is a 389 engine?
What is a 389 engine?
The Tempest 389 engines were also known as “420-A” motors and came with higher compression as well as better performance options. These engines were available up through 1962 and produced up to 348 horsepower which was the highest power output a factory 389 engine would ever see with the Tri-Power carb setup.
What is Pontiac Tri-Power?
Tri-Power was the name for an arrangement of three two-barrel carburetors installed on large performance V8s offered by the Pontiac Division of General Motors in the late 1950s and 1960s. Tri-Power often included a hood bulge to accommodate the carburetor set-up and identifying badging on the vehicle’s exterior.
What was the horsepower of the Pontiac GTO in 1965?
An optional Tri-Power version of the same engine with 348 hp was offered. Pontiac’s intention was to use the GTO to maintain its high-performance image after the racing ban. A good job was done of this. By 1965, the Tri-Power GTO was up to 360 hp.
When did the first Pontiac tripower come out?
Pontiac came out with tripower in 1957 and produced them until 1966. In 1957 and 1958, the 3 Rochester carbs were all the small based version. Starting in 1959, the end carbs used were the larger based units, while the center carb remained small.
What kind of engine does a Pontiac 389 have?
The #068 cam gives a nice lumpy idle and all the torque you’d ever need for the street. By using Pontiac Ram-Air 3 heads on the 389, standard Tri-power engine output of 360 horsepower is significantly higher. Chirping tires in four gears is great therapy for whatever ails you!
When did the 389 Pontiac GTO come out?
California-bound GTO’s in 1966 had different cylinder heads with an internal air galley. In 1967, the 389 Pontiac engine was enlarged to 400 cubic-inches. Redesigned cylinder heads featured a different valve angle, longer pushrods and longer rocker arms.
When did the Pontiac tripower 389 come out?
In ’65, the tripower 389 was rated at 360 HP. Pontiac discontinued the tripower in 1967 for 2 reasons that I am aware of. Primarily, GM came out with an edict that from ’67 on, the only multiple carb car would be the Corvette.
Which is the most popular 1964 Pontiac tripower?
The 1964-66 units are, by far, the most popular. MYTH Tripowers are always problematic and hard to keep in tune. FACT I don’t know where this started, but you hear it often repeated at car shows and swap meets. Think about it–a tripower is made up of 3 very simple 2-barrel carbs.
An optional Tri-Power version of the same engine with 348 hp was offered. Pontiac’s intention was to use the GTO to maintain its high-performance image after the racing ban. A good job was done of this. By 1965, the Tri-Power GTO was up to 360 hp.
When did I restore my 1966 Pontiac tripower?
In 1986 I restored a 1966 GTO and, of course, put a tripower on it. I began buying, selling, and restoring these set-ups in 1987. on a limited basis. Over the years I have become very familiar with the Pontiac tripowers from 1957 to 1966.
