Projects 1960 Pontiac Catalina Stick Car!

Picture bump. Work has been slow (I’m a ICU nurse) so no money. In the mean time I’ve pretty much been parts washing and working on stripping the fire wall. Basically doing free stuff. It’s not very picture worthy but needs to be done!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Firewall is coming along
This is the boys current project.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Hey, it all needs to be done and sometimes the low dollar stuff is the most gratifying, like cleaning and painting the engine compartment or underside of the car. I just finished stripping and painting the floor in my car and it made a huge improvement for just the cost of a wire wheel and a few rattle cans!
Sorry your engine turned out to be basically a core but at least when you’re done you’ll have a good engine you can rely on. Love the car and enjoying following along on your progress.


Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I don’t think the engine is a total lose but we will see. I’m planning on pulling the heads and pan this weekend.
My great dilemma is if I run the later engine I run into clutch linkage problems with the later bellhousing. If I was rebuild the 59 block and use the factory cast iron bellhousing then I don’t think my new very expensive long branch headers will clear the starter. I guess I just need to start mocking stuff up.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Use a mini starter with the long branch exhaust on the early block.

 

Do they make one for the 60 block? That would solve a lot of problems.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Boys and I started taking the 63 389 apart.
Looks pretty clean up top.
Heads look clean.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Looks like pistons are 0.030. Are these the generic 4 valve relief pistons that accept both cylinder head angles?



Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Does anybody have an idea what cam this is?
On the side it says 1805? It is a replacement cam for sure but does anyone recognize the part number? I’ve tried looking it up.
Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

And my 20 yr old gates belt just broke on my 50 yr old compressor thus bringing all bead blasting to a sudden halt!
☹️


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Is it still under warranty?

 

I wish! I couldn’t find one local so I ordered online. Hopefully it will be here in a few days. Plenty of parts washing to do in the mean time.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Duck’s Goat suggested this bracket from BOP performance so I ordered one today! Hopefully this will solve my clutch linkage dilemma. It would be nice if it works with the scattered shield but if not I’ll probably switch to the factory bellhousing.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Now that my dinosaur of a compressor is back online progress has started up again! A bead blast cabinet is such a game changer!!!!



Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Keep goin! I'm following your work. As for the double eyebrow pistons.....I dunno. I'm using late [1974] heads on a '57 block and even with my .125" over Jahns pop-up pistons I have plenty of valve/piston clearance.

 

Thanks Rocky! I appreciate the encouragement!

What size valves are in your heads?


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

1.96 intake, 1.66 exhaust. Using big block chevy 7/16ths screw-in, adjustable studs, factory Pontiac pushrod guide plates and hardened seats.

 

Liking this thread, great you’re getting the young fellas on board, they grow up way to quick.

 

Thanks man! It goes by quick for sure!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

And from what I remember you telling my your coupe runs pretty good times with that set up!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

buddy just picked up an early '60s poncho scattershield… PM me if interested... may not sell...?

 

Because of the clutch linkage issue mounting to the bellhousing I had to set aside the scatter shield an I ordered a factory bellhousing from that famous auction site. Now I can start mocking up the engine clutch linkage and exhaust manifolds.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I forgot that the older engines used 7/16 bolts for the bellhousing so I’ll have to drill out the newer BOP bellhousing!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

At only 91 degrees today we got some of the firewall partially stripped!
I’m not going for full resto but I figure since the engine is out is like to detail the engine compartment.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

A 65 bell will not fit a 59 or 60 block, and a 61 thru 64 block uses a bell housing mounted starter the 65 bell uses a block mounted starter. In other words it will not work and that billett part is as worthless as tits on a boar hog.

 

What the Wolf Man says is why my 60 Pontiac has a 65 engine block to accommodate an 87 Buick Grand National 2004R. BOP bolt pattern.

 

A 65 bell will not fit a 59 or 60 block, and a 61 thru 64 block uses a bell housing mounted starter the 65 bell uses a block mounted starter. In other words it will not work and that billett part is as worthless as tits on a boar hog.[/QUOTE]

Old wolf,
I have a 63 block with a later bellhousing and the starter adapter from butler performance which from what I understand should solve my starter problem.
As for the billet adapter I haven’t mocked everything up so I don’t know what part of it won’t work. They claimed it would bolt to the clutch linkage.




Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Sorry Gman0046 but an automatic is not in the Catalina’s future.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I've had my share of standard shift cars. The 2004R is my first 4 spend automatic and thought I'd give it a try. I sure can't complain about the road trip gas milage and low engine cruise RPM's. Haven't been on the road too long but so far so good.

 

From what I understand that are a good trans. I actually have plans for one with a 57 Chevy custom (or my attempt at a custom) if it ever materializes. But as for the Pontiac it gets a 4spd for sure.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app