[Johnny99]

I registered a looong time ago but never became part of the community, I'd like to change that.

I'm a long time Pontiac owner that's been without one for quite awhile. The kids are older so I'm just starting to get back into it a bit.

I was always a Goat guy and have had a few in the past, 68 auto, 65 3 speed, 69 ragtop auto, 68 ragtop HO 4spd, 70 Judge 4 spd, 66 ragtop auto, 69 auto. Though I've had some birds as well, 76 Formula 35, 76 Espirit, 79 TA, 67 ragtop, 82 TA , 84 TA, 89 Formula. Last was a 66 Tempest 326 ragtop, that was about 20 years ago.

I started looking for a 65 GTO a few months ago but a ragtop was out of my budget so I started looking at Tempests and LeMans'. Found this LeMans GTO clone/tribute/fake in Kentucky and took a long distance gamble. Didn't lose my shirt but didn't win the jackpot either. A little misrepresented but she's got good bones .

Anyway, hi.

[eaglesan13]

Good looking car. Congrats, and welcome to the boards.

[Johnny99]

They're round port. Which is unfortunate as I really want to lose the headers. The plan is to run Ram Air Restoration manifolds but with the 64-65 everything indicates I need to move the engine back by a 1/2" by drilling holes in the frame. Not thrilled about that but there doesn't seem to be an option.

My ultimate goal is a cruiser I can use regularly during the summer. I have no plans of racing so the headers, msd , torque convertor , cam and carb will eventually go.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by Johnny99

They're round port. Which is unfortunate as I really want to lose the headers. The plan is to run Ram Air Restoration manifolds but with the 64-65 everything indicates I need to move the engine back by a 1/2" by drilling holes in the frame. Not thrilled about that but there doesn't seem to be an option.

My ultimate goal is a cruiser I can use regularly during the summer. I have no plans of racing so the headers, msd , torque convertor , cam and carb will eventually go.

I'm just thinking out loud here...I wonder if you received any receipts or documentation concerning the engine build, or parts used.
The round port "E" heads have huge ports, not possibly the ideal "driver" heads, although on a 455 they are not nearly as bad as on a 400 or 389.

I like the idea of the 455 in your car, although it sounds a little radical as it sits now...
Sounds like you'll get it all under control in due time, this is not your first Pontiac rodeo.
Will be hopeful you share your future workings, here!!!

Many Pontiac enthusiast's would not recognize those wheels as Chevy wheels, they do not look bad, my opinion...LoL, Chevy folks won't recognize them either!!!

[Johnny99]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

I'm just thinking out loud here...I wonder if you received any receipts or documentation concerning the engine build, or parts used.
The round port "E" heads have huge ports, not possibly the ideal "driver" heads, although on a 455 they are not nearly as bad as on a 400 or 389.

I like the idea of the 455 in your car, although it sounds a little radical as it sits now...
Sounds like you'll get it all under control in due time, this is not your first Pontiac rodeo.
Will be hopeful you share your future workings, here!!!

Many Pontiac enthusiast's would not recognize those wheels as Chevy wheels, they do not look bad, my opinion...LoL, Chevy folks won't recognize them either!!!

It is a little to radical, and not something I'm really used to. No receipts. The fellow I bought it from had no knowledge of the car at all. I might end up pulling the engine and taking it apart just to see what it is. Not something I really planned on doing, at least right away. Take the bad with the good I guess

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by Johnny99

It is a little to radical, and not something I'm really used to. No receipts. The fellow I bought it from had no knowledge of the car at all. I might end up pulling the engine and taking it apart just to see what it is. Not something I really planned on doing, at least right away. Take the bad with the good I guess

Maybe you can drive it some on some short trips to possibly see what it's condition is, oil consumption wise, look at the engine crank case filter, see if it's got anything coming out of it,,,spark plug color...being a 455 it could possibly stand less gear and converter, depending on the cam installed...

65's are so cool, to me, a friend had one, rebuilt from several piles of junk. Had a 455 in it, Muncie M20, with tri-power. I was at the engine builders shop one fall afternoon. Engine builder had just put the final tune on the engine. He ttok out on the asphalt road in front of his house/shop, he went up road approx. 1/4 mile and got on it coming back. I remember seeing the front end raise up in 1st and 2nd gear, very noticeably, and the sound was awesome. He never abused customers cars on test drives. I will never forget that test drive...
Carry on!!!

[george kujanski]

nice and welcome.

George

[dataway]

Love it, all the fun without having to treat it too "special" like a GTO

[4dblnkldude]

I Love it. Welcome!!!

[Johnny99]

Wow. Montauk was beyond the boonies in the mid 60's. That's very cool

[Forrest]

We always go back to our youth eventually!...anyway looks like a great car!...More pictures please?? have fun here.. alot of knowledgeable people! Welcome!

[JSPONT]

Cool another Long Islander!! Congrats!

[yumpy]

Nice car. Kind of what i want to buy after the first of the year. Post more pics please.

[60sstuff]

It’s a convertible!

Can’t go wrong with that. Drop the top and go.

Looks like Chevy wheels?

The forum is good, fun and informative, welcome.

Chris.

[Lemans1]

Welcome! Nice car. Makes me miss my 65

[fyrffytr1]

Nothing wrong with that car at all. Welcome to the forums.

[Johnny99]

Yep those are Chevy wheels. I was focused on so many other things that I didn't notice till I had the car for a week.

Found paperwork in the glovebox. Whoever built the drivetrain used it to run 1/8th miles. a 72 455 with Edelbrock Ram Air heads, solid lifter cam that is on the radical side 9 inch convertor and a Currie 9" with 4:11's in the back.

He had it from the latest 1998 up until 2004 looks like. He put money into it but other work is ridiculously bad. All the hard lines look like they were bent by hand, by a 5 year old. The brake lines are made up of short sections with junctions All harnesses except the dash had butt connectors at almost every connector and at each and every socket. Some wires were twisted and taped, some not even taped. For now I just soldered and sealed all connections and replaced all sockets . Once I come up with a final drivetrain plan I'll order a new engine harness.

The next owner had it from 2004 and the last registration I found was 2008. The fellow I bought it from traded a Harley for it early this year and said he drove it 2 hours to get it home. I don't see how, I wasn't comfortable driving it around the block. It needs alot of love. I really don't think it's been used since 2008.

I've spent some time cleaning up the wiring and getting it to run better. now it's drivable and I can see what is what

I haven't even taken photos I started taking things apart the day after it was delivered. My wife just took that first shot to send to the kids. These were from the seller and the appraise I had look at the car when it was in Kentucky.

[Johnny99]

I've never been to Mahwah. Did get escorted off of the driveway of the Rumson house by security though

[Formulabruce]

Great looking ride!! Grats!! Turn that key and get that value!!

[Half-Inch Stud]

Welcome abord! Hey, even see a 69 T/A in Verdoro Green on Long Island?