[remy30006]

I ran across an article in an old high performance Pontiac magazine (june 91) that's states all the blocks were the same in 64 except the big car blocks has extra oil passages for the stud oiled heads. Does anybody know if this is true?
if it is you wouldn't be able to run the big car heads on a GTO block?

[b-man]

Not true.

The GTO blocks have the oiling passages cast and drilled for stud-oiled heads, not used and blocked off by the head and head gasket.

[remy30006]

Cool, Thank you as I might be running big car heads for a while.
That makes more sense.

[b-man]

Here is a picture of the rocker stud oiling passage in an early block that feeds oil to the hollow rocker studs on most of the '64 and earlier engines, taking oil from the camshaft bearing oil gallery. The '64 GTO 389 block pictured below doesn't actually use this passage since the rockers are oiled through the pushrods, the head gasket and the head itself serve to block it off to prevent any oil pressure loss. This oiling passage in the block was eliminated in 1965 since all Pontiac V8 rocker arms were oiled through the pushrods after 1964.

[remy30006]

thank you that really clears it up!

[Dick Boneske]

Bart is absolutely right! The '64 Tempest Chassis Manual came with a multi-page addendum for the GTO, explaining that the rockers oiled through the pushrods on the GTO version of the 389.

I think the 421 HO engines in '64 were this way, also. They did use the "716" heads. I have a pair of those from a '64 421 Catalina on my GTO.

Back in the early '70's, when I had a '67 400 engine in my GTO, Ernie Von Shledorn Pontiac in Menomenie Fall, WI had a Tripower '64 Catalina on their used car lot--not a very nice one, probably to be junked or auctioned. I told a salesman that I knew fairly well that I could use the "716" heads. He said--go ahead and take the car home overnight---just bring it back running. I put a pair of small-valve heads and 2 bbl manifold on it overnight and returned the car the following day, running just fine. Those are the heads I now have on my GTO.

I know for sure I wouldn't have that much energy today!

[remy30006]

Thats awesome, wish I could find a deal like that. Off topic but do any of you guys know what the starter part number for the 64 GTO would be?

[JAKE 64]

For 1964

1107294, with the date typically a few weeks ahead of the car's build date.

[remy30006]

That's what I have so that's good but the date is about 20 days after the build date of the car. Its a nice feb 20th if anybody wanted to trade I need early Jan or late Dec of 63.
Thank you!