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Pontiac 370 V8
V8 · N/A
Pontiac · Traditional Pontiac V8
Pontiac 370 V8
The 1958 bridge between Pontiac's early Strato-Streak engines and the famous 389.
370
Cubic inches
The 370 introduced the 4.0625-inch bore that Pontiac retained when the stroke increased for the 389 in 1959.
Displacement
370 ci
Bore
4.0625"
Stroke
3.5625"
Years
1958
Key Takeaway
The 370 increased bore to 4.0625 inches while keeping the 3.5625-inch stroke. That bore dimension became especially important because Pontiac retained it when stroke increased to create the legendary 389 the following year.
Technical Specifications
- Horsepower
- 255–330 hp depending factory combination
- Torque
- Up to 415 lb-ft in documented high-output combination
- Architecture
- 90-degree OHV V8
- Block
- Cast iron
- Cylinder heads
- Cast iron
- Valvetrain
- Pushrod OHV, 2 valves per cylinder
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Fuel delivery
- Two-barrel, four-barrel, Tri-Power or Rochester mechanical fuel injection depending version
- Main bearings
- 5
The 370 increased bore to 4.0625 inches while keeping the 3.5625-inch stroke. That bore dimension became especially important because Pontiac retained it when stroke increased to create the legendary 389 the following year.
Internal Specifications
Variant-specific values are labeled. Engine families that span multiple years or RPOs can have different heads, cams, induction and rotating parts, so the exact code/year always takes priority.
Notable Applications
Strengths
- Broad range of factory performance induction options
- Bore size directly preceded the 389
- Strong late-1950s competition heritage
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Single-year displacement
- Rare high-output induction and valvetrain pieces
Common Upgrades
- Tri-Power restoration
- Improved ignition
- Modern internal fasteners and bearings
Racing History & Legacy
A special Tempest 395-A 370 Tri-Power combination was rated at 330 hp for 1958, reflecting Pontiac's growing competition focus.
The 370 was the final annual displacement step before Pontiac settled on the legendary 389 for 1959.
References & Image Credit
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
370 cu in / 6.1 L with 4.0625 x 3.5625-inch bore and stroke.
90-degree OHV V8.
Offered with multiple carburetion and mechanical fuel injection depending specification.
High-output factory combinations reached about 330 hp and 415 lb-ft.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind Pontiac 370 V8
The one-year 370 was Pontiac's final rapid-development step before the 389. Its 4.0625-inch bore set the dimension that would define the engine most closely associated with Pontiac's early muscle era.
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