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Old 12-02-2019, 11:52 AM
Birdman98 Birdman98 is offline
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Default Manual transmission conversion in 60 Cat

I have a 1960 Catalina that my sons and I are going to start working on soon. It's an original 389 4bbl automatic car. Supposedly ran recently, but won't know for sure until we get it to the shop.

I HATE automatics though. I have a bunch of ST-10 here in the shop and want to swap one in. Do I need to find a setup from a 59-60 only, or are there other years/models that will fit?

Probably will drive it with the automatic for now depending on how well the 389 runs. Might wait till we build the stroker motor for it before we do the swap though.
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  #2  
Old 12-02-2019, 12:10 PM
tom s tom s is offline
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Yes,you will need everything for a 59-60.61 and later have a diff bell pattern.Tom

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Old 12-02-2019, 12:12 PM
Birdman98 Birdman98 is offline
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Yes,you will need everything for a 59-60.61 and later have a diff bell pattern.Tom
Well, mostly interested in the linkages and pedals. I'd be running a later 400 stroked out if I did the swap. I figured 59/60 were the only years. Only Pontiacs too?

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Old 12-02-2019, 04:41 PM
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Stuart Stuart is offline
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The parts are going to be Pontiac specific. If you use a later 400 engine, remember it will require adaptation as well for installation in a 1960 car.

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Old 12-02-2019, 04:42 PM
Birdman98 Birdman98 is offline
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The parts are going to be Pontiac specific. If you use a later 400 engine, remember it will require adaptation as well for installation in a 1960 car.
Yup, I'm no stranger to doing weird stuff.

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Old 12-02-2019, 04:48 PM
pknopp pknopp is offline
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The 59-60 389's are so cool. You don't find them easily and only noting.......you might consider leaving it. But really, your car. If I was going to swap in a later 400 I would wait for the conversion then. Bell housings are not easy to come by.

Early standard Pontiac stuff isn't real easy to find.

  #7  
Old 12-02-2019, 04:51 PM
Birdman98 Birdman98 is offline
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The 59-60 389's are so cool. You don't find them easily and only noting.......you might consider leaving it. But really, your car. If I was going to swap in a later 400 I would wait for the conversion then. Bell housings are not easy to come by.

Early standard Pontiac stuff isn't real easy to find.
Yeah, I had one here for a while but I am so into the later model stuff I sold it. Ugh.

If I go with the later model engine it'll be a 461ish stroker. I like the early 389s but, more cubic inches and power, I like that more.

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Old 12-02-2019, 08:41 PM
Poncho60 Poncho60 is offline
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I wouldn't even fool w the original drivetrain if you're serious about a later model engine. Probably easier to locate a unicorn than the bellhousing and all the correct linkage for a 1960...JMO

  #9  
Old 12-31-2019, 10:30 PM
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Rocky 389 Rocky 389 is offline
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If I was going to put the late engine/trans in a 59-60 American Pontiac and if I couldn't find the original clutch linkage, I'd adapt pedal and linkage from a chevy. What the hell, the car isn't going to be original anyway and it sounds like you have some fabrication skills.

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Old 01-02-2020, 11:33 AM
Birdman98 Birdman98 is offline
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If I was going to put the late engine/trans in a 59-60 American Pontiac and if I couldn't find the original clutch linkage, I'd adapt pedal and linkage from a chevy. What the hell, the car isn't going to be original anyway and it sounds like you have some fabrication skills.
Well, after striking out, I ended up making a new clutch pedal from an 89 Chevy truck pedal I had in the attic. I am going to set the car up with a hydraulic clutch setup. It is going to be 99% street car so I'm fine with a hydraulic clutch.

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Old 01-02-2020, 03:17 PM
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Well, after striking out, I ended up making a new clutch pedal from an 89 Chevy truck pedal I had in the attic. I am going to set the car up with a hydraulic clutch setup. It is going to be 99% street car so I'm fine with a hydraulic clutch.
Somewhere in this section I think there's an old discussion that includes pictures of the hydraulic clutch setup used in a 1961 Bonneville by board member TheMonkey. I know it's a different car than a 1960, but it may be useful for reference as to how he mounted it. You may be able to find the discussion by searching on his username.

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