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Projects 1962 Pontiac Tempest

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by CGkidd, May 4, 2021.

  1. CGkidd
    Joined: Mar 2, 2002
    Posts: 2,909

    CGkidd
    Member

    Well thought I would post a build I am working on while the 46 Chev is at the paint shop. It's a 1962 Pontiac Tempest LeMans. Original trophy 4 cylinder, 4 barrel, 4 speed with 3.55 gears. For those of you who don't know these cars Pontiac took a 389 and cut it in half length wise to make the four cylinder. It actually uses the 389 head and pistons. I bought it was driving home and promptly ran out of gas. LOL while waiting for the GF got a call from the old man I bought it from telling me if the gas gauge says 1/4 tank it's actually empty. Finally got it home and started a tune up I knew it had a gnarly vacuum leak. Finally got that straightened out but just couldn't get it to run right. It ran quiet no Knocking just couldn't make any power. Pulled valve cover to replace gasket and checked the rocker arms 3I and 4I rocker were super loose, not good. So I pulled the intake and valley pan. No lobes left on 3 and 4 intake. So out came the engine and full rebuild is done. That's where I am now. 28332.jpeg 28336.jpeg 28339.jpeg

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  2. CGkidd
    Joined: Mar 2, 2002
    Posts: 2,909

    CGkidd
    Member

  3. Jokester
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 688

    Jokester
    Member

    Some long, unused brain cell reminded me that these engines used to be hard on timing chains and gears. But I'd still like to have it.

    .bjb
     
  4. jeepster
    Joined: Nov 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,068

    jeepster
    Member
    from wisconsin

    That is one neat lil' set of wheels, enjoy!
     
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  5. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,942

    squirrel
    Member

    "rode hard and put away wet"....dang...

    Nice little car, good to see you're keeping it on the road.
     
  6. CGkidd
    Joined: Mar 2, 2002
    Posts: 2,909

    CGkidd
    Member

    Rebuild of the original engine. sleeved back to standard bore. Ross pistons, h beam rods, prted and polished head, long branch exhaust manifold and original Cal custom valve cover. KIMG0493.jpeg KIMG0684.jpeg KIMG0789.jpeg KIMG0665.jpeg KIMG0671.jpeg KIMG0824.jpeg KIMG0825.jpeg KIMG0827.jpeg KIMG0828.jpeg

    Sent from my E6910 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2021
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  7. vtx1800
    Joined: Oct 4, 2009
    Posts: 1,709

    vtx1800
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    That is a pretty rare car and in nice shape (well other than the engine) and the interior looks Soooo nice:) I think I remember one of those cars in the area I grew up in, looks like it will be a fun car to drive:)
     
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  8. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,190

    bchctybob
    Member

    Very cool!!! Glad to see it getting back on the road. Nice job with the engine.
     
  9. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,401

    catdad49
    Member

    Nice little Poncho! The only thing I might add are 4 more cylinders (except then you might have to upgrade the rear end).
     
  10. jaracer
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 2,419

    jaracer
    Member

    A buddy had a 61, 62 and 63 Tempest LeMans. He was a Fuller Brush man and put lots and lots of miles on his cars. He traded every year. He won a lot of trophy's at the drag strip with his 61. He told me the only thing that could beat him off the line, in his class, was a Corvair Monza. The Monza's lead didn't last long.

    He was trying to get me to work for him selling Fuller Brush so I got to drive the 62 quite a bit. Nice little car. Like someone else mentioned, the timing chain got very noisy at around 90K miles. That's about the time he traded for a new car.
     
  11. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,390

    Squablow
    Member

    Love the car, love the hot 4 cylinder build.
     
  12. Nicely done, and love the touch of the Cal Custom cover!!!
     
  13. Doublepumper
    Joined: Jun 26, 2016
    Posts: 1,535

    Doublepumper
    Member
    from WA-OR, USA

    I had one years ago for my daily and drove it everywhere. I liked how it drove, had plenty of power even with the push button auto trans.
    A buddy just had to have it, so I sold it to him. He gave it to his wife and she drove it everywhere, until one day she went to the grocery store and came out to find it in flames.
    Apparently there was an electrical issue somewhere that caused the fire. Burnt it to the ground.
     
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  14. Nice car, seems that except for the worn out engine it is in real good shape. It's neat that you are keeping the 4 cyl and doing a mild performance rebuild on it. I am sure the increased power will make it even better driver. Was there a problem with just std boring of the block that required the sleeves? Rebuilt engine looks great with the valve cover and long branch exhaust.

    Just a dumb question, how is the rest of the drivetrain condition?
     
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  15. 4ty
    Joined: Jan 1, 2009
    Posts: 272

    4ty

    I worked at the local Pontiac/Cadillac dealership when they came out. Lots of timing chain problems. I had a 32 5W at the time with a 55 Olds in it. Picked up a 4 cyl Tempest engine and installed it, HD Taxi clutch and a 4 bbl intake with a Cad carb on it. No hood sides on the 32, Valve cover on one side and 4 bbl on the other, ran almost as good ad the V8.
    Paul in CT
     
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  16. Neat little Tempest. I bought a 62 Lemans convertible for my wife several years back, but we never did much with it. I like the cars though.
     
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  17. CGkidd
    Joined: Mar 2, 2002
    Posts: 2,909

    CGkidd
    Member

    Rest of the drive train is good. Engine was already .040 over. Probably could have just installed new rings but it would have been a little loose. Went with a very slight dish to drop compression from 10.25 to 9.5 to help with drivability.
    Sent from my E6910 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  18. Yes they were.... I owned one of these briefly in the early '70s. The four-banger didn't use the standard V8 timing set either; it used a 'special' set, considerably tougher than the V8 one that was used as an 'upgrade' on the V8s. The real fly in the ointment was it also used a special tensioner on the chain, that tensioner cost about double of what the chain/sprockets cost and was in short supply. Apparently timing chain harmonics were brutal. At the time these parts were all dealer-only items and not cheap (over $100 IIRC) and on a $300 car a death sentence....
     
  19. oldiron 440
    Joined: Dec 12, 2018
    Posts: 3,301

    oldiron 440
    Member

    The leaning tower of not so much power.
    Cool car.
     
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  20. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    Sweet car! Some period American TTs would look nice..
     
  21. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,856

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    Friend of mine's 15 yr. old little sister would sneak out the window at night, push the family '63 Tempest wagon with that engine down the block, fire it, then off to 1st street for the "evening program." It must have had a pretty deep transaxle, as the only things that would stay with it in a block were 301 Chevvies & 4.56 geared 409s. She was pretty good at making that rubber shift linkage work.
     
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  22. Photogs189
    Joined: Jul 24, 2011
    Posts: 342

    Photogs189
    Member

    My first car was a used 1962 Tempest Convertible
    Had the 4 cyl. with the auto lever on the dash like the Corvair.
    It was a great little car. Yours looks great. Best of luck with it.
     
  23. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    I looked at your first photo and said, that's Washington State; just something about the "lighting". Beautiful little car. Would an actual V-8 Pontiac fit? Just curious. Surprised a camshaft is still available. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
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  24. Wrench97
    Joined: Jan 29, 2020
    Posts: 679

    Wrench97

    Back in the early 70's we dropped a 326 v8 in one fit ok but we promptly tore the transaxle out of it.
     
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  25. Dennis D
    Joined: May 2, 2009
    Posts: 851

    Dennis D
    Member

    What a neat car! Can't remember the last time I saw one on the road.
     
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  26. drtrcrV-8
    Joined: Jan 6, 2013
    Posts: 1,707

    drtrcrV-8
    Member

    Look for the thread : "Nunzi's '63 super duty Tempest on You tube" there are 2 separate videos.
     
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  27. Cosmo50
    Joined: Sep 8, 2011
    Posts: 226

    Cosmo50
    Member
    from California

    Thats a nice Tempest there. I had a 62, but it was an automatic. Cool cars.
     
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  28. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    Bought a new 63 when. Loved it. Ate a few timing chains though
     
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  29. triumph 1
    Joined: Feb 9, 2011
    Posts: 591

    triumph 1
    Member

    Very cool car, I always wanted one.
    Nice work on the engine!


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
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  30. AngleDrive
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 1,145

    AngleDrive
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Florida

    Outstanding, I worked in a Pontiac dealership in '62
     
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