[Young Pontiac Guy]

Yep, thats the one! I believe the project was started and not finished on a 400 and 4 speed swap:
Drive shaft too short
Exhaust not connected
All the lighting not figured out up front
vacuum lines not all connected on the carb
Fuel pump spitting fuel through the carb (yes i changed the oil! )

I have it running now though and the timing set. New radiator, new HEI dist, buddies QJet for now, new wires, new fuel pump. I have the exhaust connected now, all new hoses are hooked up, been busy even though its freezing.

I plan on getting a slightly longer input shaft for the driveshaft as I only need 2-3in max, should make quick work of that. I also have a Muncie to rebuild for it as it came with a Saginaw...

I have another question for everyone: What is the largest tire for the rear I can put on the stock 14" rims? I plan on pulling them and either cleaning and painting them myself or having them powder coated. Just need an idea of some tire options.
Thanks,
Joel

[mgarblik]

I am glad to hear you are making such quick progress with the car. Swapping out the Saginaw for the Muncie transmission will be a nice upgrade too. Although the Saginaw would probably hold up for a little while with a mild 400. They just shift lousy from 2nd to 3rd with that goofy half shift fork. As far as wheels and tires, if the car doesn't have 8 lug wheels, I would consider finding some 15" wheels and using 15" tires. The selection of tall 14" tires is very slim and they are expensive for what you get. Even 15's are getting a little tough. My 62 had 8 lug wheels but the previous owner spent the money to change to 15" 8 lug rims from the aftermarket. The car looks natural with 15" wheels and most people don't even notice they are not 14's. A 215/75/14 is probably the tallest tire you will find in the common market. Specialty tire retailers have taller 14" ones but the prices are high and the quality is marginal. Good luck and keep the project rolling.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

I am glad to hear you are making such quick progress with the car. ... Good luck and keep the project rolling.

X2!!

Tire availability is starting to SUCK for 15" wheels... As such, although I don't like to advocate foreign brands, I can't say anything negative about Kumho tires, and they make a 225-75-15 and a 225-70-15 in their Solus KR21 and Solus TA11 series.

I just went on tirerack.com and found 3 options (General, BFGoodrich and Cooper) for 225-70-14, in case you want to stick with stock wheels.

Otherwise, as for 15" wheels, 15x6 or 15x7 steelies from '80s full-size GM station wagons and 1/2-T GM trucks and vans are an inexpensive option.

Good luck with the project - share more pics of the car when you can.

[TROYBOYONE]

From a fellow Ohioan,Troy Oh., just wanted to say welcome. My brother had a 62 , and I was lucky enough to drive it in 64 when I was a senior . I now have a 65 Gto.
Post more pictures !

[Tim Younker]

From one fellow 62 Cat owner to another, Welcome !
Keep us updated with your progress.

[T.Weber]

Welcome,
I'm also late to the party and biased to the BIG 62's. Mine was a low milage 98,000 mile original 2 BBL, Slim Jim column shift automatic. Couldn't stand it and had to change it to a 4SPD. Added 8 Lugs, 3:42 Posi, and factory A/C from a donor Star Chief. Unfortunately my 62 hasn't seen the light of day in over 12 years. I took it apart again and now it's scattered all over the garage but here's a few before pictures - as in before I took it apart again.
Don't do what I did. You're accomplishing a LOT in a short period of time keep up the good work!

[Young Pontiac Guy]

That is a very beautiful 62!
Did you source all original parts for the 4 speed swap? As well, the floor- did you add the shift hump to it or just leave it flat?
Joel

[T.Weber]

Joel,
When I was building mine about all that was available was original parts but now Brad of Fabcraft has reproduced quite a few original 4 SPD parts

http://fabcraftmetalworks.com/ check out his online catalog

The hardest thing for me to locate was correct original shifter porch. NOT the most expensive item but the hardest to find BUT now there are fiberglass reproductions .

http://www.pontiacparadise.com/parts...fter-porch.php

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-1964-P...dZTv80&vxp=mtr

The correct shifter porch and boot for your Catalina with a bench seat would be the round one. Any bucket seat Catalinas got the square one whether or not they had a console.

Any questions please feel free to ask. I've been through it all
Terry

[Young Pontiac Guy]

Making some progress.
Got the old manifolds off and got the Long Branch on. New imi mini starter, disc brake upgrade in progress. Getting there. Pics when I get a little more completed.

[Young Pontiac Guy]

I know it’s not very pretty, especially compared to other builds I’m done. Have some cleaning up to do but thought I’d post a pic or two for everyone.

Tons of clearance with long branch! Clutch and starter are a non issue as well as the power steering pump.
Adapter for the oil filter really moves the filter way out there.
Going manual front discs so booster is gone. No need to worry about vacuum that way. I am a minimalist.
New aluminum radiator, $190 from Jegs. Same radiator fits the C10 trucks of those years.
That’s my friends qjet but I have one in the basement. Hoping to stay qjet.

[Young Pontiac Guy]

Another pic

[AZ64GP]

Great update! Glad to hear those long branch manifolds fit well! Please keep the photos coming.

[Young Pontiac Guy]

Thanks Chris.

Talked to the folks at ram air restorations. Was told that I could modify the abody crossmember and give the exhaust a direct shot back from the down pipes. They sell pipes specifically for this, which is awesome.

Added about 1.5” to each side with 3/16” stock. It is a straight shot from the exhaust now. Also bent the tabs a little bit to match the original crossmember. Downpipes on tomorrow.

[angelo]

Nice carburetor!

[Young Pontiac Guy]

Be better if the owner would part with it! :-)

[gtospieg]

looking good...some big car rallye II's would be cool

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by Young Pontiac Guy

Thanks Chris.

Talked to the folks at ram air restorations. Was told that I could modify the abody crossmember and give the exhaust a direct shot back from the down pipes. They sell pipes specifically for this, which is awesome.

Added about 1.5” to each side with 3/16” stock. It is a straight shot from the exhaust now. Also bent the tabs a little bit to match the original crossmember. Downpipes on tomorrow.

Good to know this. The R.A.R.E. guys are great and I will support their business by doing this on upcoming projects.

My $0.02, but I would run a bead of weld to bond those end plates to the crossmember.

[Young Pontiac Guy]

Been busy on the Cat!

Aluminum master and prop valve, front disc brake conversion, new rear brake cylinders and shoes.

Ram air manifolds are in. Jegs A body exhaust kit is in. Had to trim the over the axle tubes. As I mentioned, I bought the down pipes from RARE which brought Them out behind the crossmember and made for a direct shot. I ended up getting the walker exhaust clamps because of ease of disassembly later.

Here is a clip!:
https://youtu.be/VviZRe7-IcI

[Marv]

Sounds good - what size cam are you running?

[Young Pontiac Guy]

I didn’t know or think it had a cam. You think it has one? Motor is a 72 400 with the 7j2 heads on it.