Projects 1960 Pontiac • North of the border

I don't know if the six and the V8 use the same transmission in these cars. If they do, then sure, use what you have.

My experience with early Fords is that the sixes came with a horribly weak, weird bolt pattern transmission that won't fit the V8s.

 

Same transmission, but the bellhousing is different.

 

It’s always kinda neat to find these hidden, hand-written assembly-line numbers. These were under the driver’s side fender

 

The GM 318 is a good trans. I have one in my 60 Chev behind a 327. The 6 cyl cars used a wider gear ratio set. The 4 bbl V8's used a medium ratio. The first to second is closer and feels nicer to me. The medium ratio gears can be ID'd by a necked down input shaft. You can just see it in the throwout bearing sleeve. The wide ratio gears had straight input gear shafts. Maybe you can score a complete trans.

 

There hasn’t been alot of progress, but beginning to do some paint removal

 

Good choice on a builder. Jim did the engine in my 47 and a few years later the engine that is in my 64 Malibu. Solid runners both.

 

It has been a skid plate, common sight on Prairie cars, the result of going too fast over "level" railroad crossings.

 

i find them on my 1957 ford fairlane aswell, under my dash, on my cowl, etc.
strange how they survived 96,000 miles and 65 years

 

The last of the full-width Pontiac grilles. It was all dueling half-grilles after this.

 

…slow progress, but progress nonetheless

 

What are you stripping the paint with?

 

Mainly, an orbital sander

 

patience of a saint!

 

I love the project. Last time I saw one of those was many years ago, it was painted candy red, either a red or white interior, and slammed with wide whites. Owner put a 389 in it. Just sayin.

 

i really appreciate that! Thanks, m’man!

 

It beats watching t.v. …i’m still waiting on all the floor braces to arrive

 

Presto-changeo on the passenger side! It’s tacked into place, but the welding will continue tomorrow. i have a tremendous amount to learn, but i’m enjoying it!

 

Actually there were no "Wide track" Pontiacs until 1962. I was a huge Pontiac fan back in those days especially of the 61 Catalina Ventura. I liked the 60, 61 and 62 Pontiacs though and spent many a sunday morning on dad and kid weekends in those years looking through the windows of Puget Sound Pontiac dealerships (they were closed on Sundays then) at new ones as a 13,14 or 15 year old.

A bit of Wide track info here.
MotorCities - Remembering the 1962 Wide-track Pontiac Models | 2017 | Story of the Week

 

Good to see that you are still at it Motovi8. Thanks for the update.