#1  
Old 12-09-2019, 09:17 PM
56GMC's Avatar
56GMC 56GMC is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Downingtown, Pa
Posts: 49
Default '62 Catalina Tri-Power Install

I am looking to do a few upgrades to the stock 389, 15H with a 2bbl. Car is a solid ‘62 2dr Catalina with a slim-jim & 2.69 gears. Planning to replace the trans with a TH400, add tripower, new cam & lifters, new valve springs & anything else that needs replacement. Since the car will be a cruiser and not a race car I am looking at the “744” cam from Melling. Have a guy in Ohio putting together a tri-power setup & he is asking for jet sizes. Thought I would start with 60’s in the center & 66’s on the end carbs. What do you guys think about the cam selection & jet sizes?

Be aware that I would love to build up a 455 coupled to a 700R4 & 3:42 gears but I have not won the lottery yet.

  #2  
Old 12-09-2019, 10:27 PM
b-man's Avatar
b-man b-man is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Sunny So Cal
Posts: 16,410
Default

For a cruiser go for the milder 068 cam, the 744 needs stiffer springs and will be harder on the press-in rocker studs. The power band of the 068 is a better match for the weight of your car and the rear end gearing, not to mention the automatic transmission.

Moving this to Tri-Power tech forum for jetting advice.

__________________
1964 Tempest Coupe LS3/4L70E/3.42
1964 Le Mans Convertible 421 HO/TH350/2.56
2002 WS6 Convertible LS1/4L60E/3.23
  #3  
Old 12-17-2019, 09:30 AM
56GMC's Avatar
56GMC 56GMC is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Downingtown, Pa
Posts: 49
Default

John at Tripower suggested 63's for the center & 68's for the front/rear with the 068 cam. Stock jetting based on other websites appears to be 62's in the center & 66's on either end. Sound right?

  #4  
Old 12-17-2019, 12:50 PM
Dick Boneske's Avatar
Dick Boneske Dick Boneske is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Winneconne, Wisconsin
Posts: 5,387
Default

I would put /063 jets in the center and /070 jets in the end carbs. If you're going as far as you stated, it would be wise to have screw-in studs put in the heads. I didn't on our two '64 GTO's and have regretted it.

Ditto with b-man on the cam. with a 2.69 gear, you're going to be lacking on off the line zip--really lacking unless the torque converter is really loose. .

__________________
BONESTOCK GOATS

'64 GTO Tripower Hardtop (Wife's Car)
'64 GTO Tripower Post Coupe (My Car)
'99 Bonneville SE Sedan
  #5  
Old 12-17-2019, 02:18 PM
Tom Vaught's Avatar
Tom Vaught Tom Vaught is offline
Boost Engineer
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: The United States of America
Posts: 31,294
Default

I had screw in studs (no hex nut) installed in my 64 GTO heads many many years ago along with a MacKellar #10 camshaft (I had 3.90 Factory gears in the car at the time).

Never regretted that mod. Do it now vs later and regret the delay.

Tom V.

__________________
"Engineers do stuff for reasons" Tom Vaught

Despite small distractions, there are those who will go Forward, Learning, Sharing Knowledge, Doing what they can to help others move forward.
  #6  
Old 12-17-2019, 03:18 PM
Stuart's Avatar
Stuart Stuart is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 7,938
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 56GMC View Post
I am looking to do a few upgrades to the stock 389, 15H with a 2bbl. Car is a solid ‘62 2dr Catalina with a slim-jim & 2.69 gears. Planning to replace the trans with a TH400,
The other guys know much more about the jetting issues than I do, but wanted to mention that you'll need an adapter plate to mate a TH400 with your 1962 engine block. Bendtsen's Speed Gems and Wilcap are the two sources I'm aware of for that.

  #7  
Old 12-17-2019, 03:40 PM
Keith Seymore's Avatar
Keith Seymore Keith Seymore is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Motor City
Posts: 8,179
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart View Post
but wanted to mention that you'll need an adapter plate to mate a TH400 with your 1962 engine block. Bendtsen's Speed Gems and Wilcap are the two sources I'm aware of for that.
A slight adjustment to Stuart's comment:

If you use a Chevy pattern TH400 you'll need an adapter plate, with starter mount.

If you use a BOP pattern TH400 you'll need a starter mount plate (no adapter). Bendsten is where I got mine, but there is a drawing in Pete's book if you prefer to make your own.

K

__________________
'63 LeMans Convertible
'63 Grand Prix
'65 GTO - original, unrestored, Dad was original owner, 5000 original mile Royal Pontiac factory racer
'74 Chevelle - original owner, 9.85 @ 136 mph besthttp://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/
My Pontiac Story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524
"Intro from an old Assembly Plant Guy":http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926
  #8  
Old 12-17-2019, 04:47 PM
Stuart's Avatar
Stuart Stuart is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 7,938
Default

Keith is correct - a BOP pattern transmission will bolt up to the engine, but there won't be anywhere to mount the starter (the 1962 engine block doesn't have provisions for the starter since back then it was fastened to the slim jim transmission, and the TH400 transmission doesn't have provisions for the starter since in later years the starter bolted to the block.)

  #9  
Old 12-17-2019, 06:01 PM
Tom Vaught's Avatar
Tom Vaught Tom Vaught is offline
Boost Engineer
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: The United States of America
Posts: 31,294
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith Seymore View Post
A slight adjustment to Stuart's comment:

If you use a Chevy pattern TH400 you'll need an adapter plate, with starter mount.

If you use a BOP pattern TH400 you'll need a starter mount plate (no adapter). Bendsten is where I got mine, but there is a drawing in Pete's book if you prefer to make your own.

K
I would vote for a purchased plate vs going by the drawing in Pete's book
as Mark (from Luhn Performance) and I have identified several dimensional errors with the drawing. That drawing has messed up several people over the years.

Tom V.

__________________
"Engineers do stuff for reasons" Tom Vaught

Despite small distractions, there are those who will go Forward, Learning, Sharing Knowledge, Doing what they can to help others move forward.
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:30 AM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017