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Projects 1960 Pontiac Catalina Stick Car!

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by 31hotrodguy, Mar 3, 2020.

  1. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    Great score. Congrats.
     
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  2. The Catalina has a 55 thru 59 engine. because its reverse cooled. So its a given it not the original 1960 engine.
     
  3. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

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  4. My buddy, Sonny and I once bought a 60 star chief 2 door sedan[!]. I wanted the 389 for my 56 pontiac and he wanted the mint bumpers off it for this car. Rest went to scrap. sonnysponcho.jpg
     
  5. I cant help with engine numbers. However if the engine will rotate you can stick something in a spark plug hole and measure the stroke.
     
  6. Unique Rustorations
    Joined: Nov 15, 2018
    Posts: 623

    Unique Rustorations
    Member

    Happy to help with the numbers...as others on here will do I’m sure. Randy


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  7. Poncho60
    Joined: Jan 23, 2011
    Posts: 278

    Poncho60
    Member
    from N Illinois

    If that car has the correct 1958-60 bellhousing, you can use any late model muncie, t10 or whatever trans behind it.
     
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  8. 32Dan
    Joined: Nov 22, 2017
    Posts: 137

    32Dan
    Member
    from Chino, CA

    [​IMG][​IMG]
     
  9. Cool 33
    Joined: Jan 13, 2008
    Posts: 108

    Cool 33
    Member

    My dad bought a 60 4 dr. new. It was a 3speed on the column, 389, radio delete plate car. I had never seen another 3 speed column shift until I saw this thread.Must have had a rear gear actually suited for an automatic because it was anemic in low but would run almost 100 in second. I still have the body(very rusted out because vandals broke all the glass out years ago). If anyone needs the bumpers/brackets, steering column and wheel,grille or dash they are very available but no shipping, must be picked up.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2020
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  10. southcross2631
    Joined: Jan 20, 2013
    Posts: 4,413

    southcross2631
    Member

    Be sure and check the motor mounts. They are bad to break and rock the engine and pull the throttle all way open . happen to my sister-in-laws car fortunately my brother was driving and he was able to shut the key off.
    another friend had a 59 Pontiac and his did it and he was in a parking lot and he got it stopped after he hit the 3rd car.
     
  11. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    Old Wolf, we still might need to talk about some of the smaller stuff and maybe work something out.


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  12. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    And the engine is stuck! Not a big surprise. We have it soaking and it got it to move a little bit. We shall see!


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  13. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    I gave bored kids that wanted to help rubbing compound and a buffer (not shown) and said have at it! Surprisingly the paint is shiny in some places. IMG_8105.JPG IMG_8107.JPG


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  14. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    I recall another member had a similar YOM Chevy long roof and wiped it over with CLR before clear coating it. All original and looked great when done. Here's an example how CLR can rejuvenate old original paint.
    [​IMG]
     
  15. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    Oh wow! I will buy some tomorrow morning!!!!!!


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  16. Chief 64
    Joined: Dec 10, 2010
    Posts: 249

    Chief 64
    Member

    Great your kids are involved! Keep doing that!
    Also.....That bronze color is really growing on me.
     
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  17. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    Yeah me too but apparently my patina is not a cool as others because my car looks the same after cleaning the rust. Lol


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  18. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    The driver side head casting number gives me some hope that the engine is a 389. IMG_8136.JPG


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  19. 370waterneckL.jpg Your heads are 1959 Pontiac 389. Valve sizes are 1.78" intake and 1.50 exhaust. Look at the front of the block just below the passenger side head for a letter code. Will prolly be a single letter. Tell us that letter and we can give you more info on your [hopefully] 1959 Pontiac engine. The 59 engine is just as good as a 1960 engine and some guys will say the '59 engine is better because of the reverse cooling. I run reverse cooling into my 1974 GTO heads on my 370 Pontiac engine in my 34 ford......never a problem with cooling.
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2020
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  20. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    Hey Rocky,
    Did you mean 1.88 or 1.78? Wallace Racing listed them as 1.88.
    I’m working today he weekend but I’ll go scrap crude off the front of the engine tomorrow.


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  21. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member

    Great find not many stock stick cars out there. IF you plan on any paint work in the future I would hold off on applying CLR or anything else that MAY cause you headaches when trying to paint over it.
     
  22.  
  23. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    Here is a picture of the letter and numbers on the passenger side block just below the head. Does this tell me what year block? [​IMG]


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  24. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,213

    sunbeam
    Member

    It's got the peanut Muncie so Chevy transmissions should work and a 59-60 Buick Olds or Chevy sedan windshield should interchange. A 60 2dr sedan is my pick in Pontiacs.
     
  25. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    Or a real stock car as in a NASCAR replica :) Cool car and glad another is saved .
     
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  26. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    Looks like by the young ‘be smile you are raising them right. Future hot riddlers.
     
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  27. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    Thank you! Yeah, we have a good time! We don’t accomplish much but we have fun! Lol


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  28. Bullit68
    Joined: Sep 16, 2009
    Posts: 171

    Bullit68
    Member
    from Verona, PA

    I had a 60 Catalina 2dr sedan, 389 auto, converted to (correct) tri-power and 4spd with original parts. Used a brand new Richmond T-10 trans in it. Mine didn’t have reverse lights either, like this car
     

    Attached Files:

  29. Bullit68
    Joined: Sep 16, 2009
    Posts: 171

    Bullit68
    Member
    from Verona, PA

    Another pic. The engine had the entire vin number stamped on the front passenger side of block. Added the long ram manifolds and oil filter relocation
     

    Attached Files:

  30. D = 59, 389, 2bbl, 245 HP, manual trans...considered a 425E series engine
     
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