[Jeffs64Cat]

More powder coated parts

Valve covers

More updates to come.

[Jeffs64Cat]

As I wrote in another post about my wiring harness. I have found melted together wires. Pulled the fuse panel off the wall and more in behind it. If the engine had not failed I would of had a melt down or fire in this car. Researched and found a different wiring harness for Ezwire. I installed a 21 blade type fuse panel into the car.
Built a cover to go over the original location and seal sealed it. Installed new one in same location. Routing the wires was a little difficult as original ones comes out top of panel but with a little patience it can be done.

I replace all my headlight plugs and tail light plugs. As for the rest of the car I cut the needed terminal as close to the end and soldered and shrink wrapped.

The Ezwire is a universal harness so I had to make it fit my Catalina. It’s a basic harness so you have to run extra wires to certain accessories. I found it quite Easy.

With this harness I have the capability to run electric fan,electric fuel pump,electric windows,doors power radio antenna etc. later if the need arises.

[Jeffs64Cat]

I started removing all the trim and bumpers and glass to start going on the bodywork. First time experiences that will last a lifetime. Through out this project I’m doing everything myself except for rearend and engine rebuilds.

If you don’t know how to do something search it here or ask here so much knowledge and friendly people!!

My bumpers are in need of serious help. Front of car was hit at one time and bumper is twisted and same with rear. So searched for months and finish found a great price just had to save up funds.

Also cleaned up engine compartment and sprayed it black. As well as the whole frame and underside.

[AZ64GP]

Hey Jeffs64Cat,

Lookin' good! Thanks for posting photos! Your '64 Cat is coming along!

I don't mean to hi-jack your thread, but I have a couple questions for you. We've talked about the wiring harness you installed, but what did you use for your replacement tail light harness/sockets? I have the same EZWire harness you do and I've had a heck of a time finding replacement tail light sockets that fit my tail lights. Most of the bulb sockets I've found in auto parts stores or online either don't fit in my tail lights on '64 Grand Prix or fit but are so loose they fall out. Did you buy a replacement tail light harness from somewhere or did you find replacement tail light bulb sockets?

Also I'm trying to get the rear window and windshield trim off my GP so I can take the glass out like you did. I'll have to replace all of the weatherstripping in the car since it's been baked by the AZ sun. I tried several different tools to release the trim/molding around the front and rear windows and I've had no luck. The trim doesn't seem to be held on with spring clips like most cars of the era have. I posted a thread on this forum and I only received one reply. Can you describe your technique for removing the window trim? I'm scared of bending or busting the trim off the car trying to remove it.

[Jeffs64Cat]

Originally Posted by AZ64GP

Hey Jeffs64Cat,

Lookin' good! Thanks for posting photos! Your '64 Cat is coming along!

I don't mean to hi-jack your thread, but I have a couple questions for you. We've talked about the wiring harness you installed, but what did you use for your replacement tail light harness/sockets? I have the same EZWire harness you do and I've had a heck of a time finding replacement tail light sockets that fit my tail lights. Most of the bulb sockets I've found in auto parts stores or online either don't fit in my tail lights on '64 Grand Prix or fit but are so loose they fall out. Did you buy a replacement tail light harness from somewhere or did you find replacement tail light bulb sockets?

Also I'm trying to get the rear window and windshield trim off my GP so I can take the glass out like you did. I'll have to replace all of the weatherstripping in the car since it's been baked by the AZ sun. I tried several different tools to release the trim/molding around the front and rear windows and I've had no luck. The trim doesn't seem to be held on with spring clips like most cars of the era have. I posted a thread on this forum and I only received one reply. Can you describe your technique for removing the window trim? I'm scared of bending or busting the trim off the car trying to remove it.

Hello Az64gp,

I brought everything from Ames for headlights and tail lights. The harness gives you the tail lights harness unlike the factory there’s no connector in the trunk. Everything comes straight off the fuse panel.

Also thank you for turning me on to Ezwire. I picked up their ignition switch also but had to make a mounting washer to fit in our dash.

The trim was a bitch to get off. Every tool I brought didn’t get behind the clip so it used a pick set with the one that is 90 degrees get behind it and pull straight out. Then pull up on the trim.

[Marv]

Great to see progress, Jeff. That '64 will be mint once you're done

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the wiring harness and how it fits.

[Jeffs64Cat]

Originally Posted by Marv

Great to see progress, Jeff. That '64 will be mint once you're done

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the wiring harness and how it fits.

Hello Marv,

The universal harness is a great choice for 185.00.. but it’s a universal so you have to make it fit your car. What I did was brought a colored diagram for Ames which is a basic for all cars that year. Used it to find my original colors of wires and incorporated the new harness to that. Like I said the best way to do the dash is lay out the harness on the floor or a big table with your old one next to it. Make the lengths close to it but remember our harness wires come from the top of the fuse panel where this e it’s the bottom so consideration should be given on lengths of each. Headlight switch wires and steering column wires and ignition switch are preterminated. I just used my old plugs for them. There’s nothing plug and play with it. But it’s not that hard to do. Plenty of wire lengths for front end and rearend of car.

My car had major electrical problems which burned out most of my switches so as I wired and tested I found them and replaced.

Hope this helps you

[Jeffs64Cat]

My dash was faded and peeling. So I pulled it out and disassembled it and got the carbon fiber sheet from Ames. Sat in my hobby room for four days. Cutting and placing the small strips in to the painted black parts of the dash. Made my own block off piece to cover where I removed the gear selector from then covered it with carbon.
Here’s how it turned out. Hope everyone likes it. I know I love it.

[AZ64GP]

Thanks for answering my questions! I'll need to order the headlight and taillight harnesses eventually when I use the EZWire harness for my car, so that knowledge will help me. So you didn't have any problems at all having the taillight bulb housings fit? I guess the harness from Ames has better taillight bulb housings than the ones I found at the parts store. Good to know. I've had a heck of a time with the trim for my front and rear windows, so your experience confirms my troubles. I know an old timer who owns an automotive glass business. He has helped other friends of mine with hot rods/old cars with their glass issues. Hopefully, he can help remove the trim and windows for me. I really don't want to damage the trim removing it.

[AZ64GP]

Originally Posted by Jeffs64Cat

My dash was faded and peeling. So I pulled it out and disassembled it and got the carbon fiber sheet from Ames. Sat in my hobby room for four days. Cutting and placing the small strips in to the painted black parts of the dash. Made my own block off piece to cover where I removed the gear selector from then covered it with carbon.
Here’s how it turned out. Hope everyone likes it. I know I love it.

That carbon fiber look is definitely different, but it looks cool! You love it...that's all that matters.

[Jeffs64Cat]

Got the rearend back from the builder. Trophy track posi. 3.64 gears, new bearing and seals.

Painted it black and installed it with new rear coils springs and new upper and lower trailing arms from Pmt. Along with a Pmt rear sway bar.

Then installed the front arms with all brand new bushing and ball joints. Installed a 1 1/4” Pmt Sway bar in front with red bushings. With new front coil springs

New brake shoes and hardware.

New wheel bearings and seals

Steering system was rebuilt before I brought the car so thats all good.

[Jeffs64Cat]

Rear end

[Jeffs64Cat]

Started stripping paint to bare metal. Tried Eastwood down to metal with no success. They even gave me another gallon in case the first one was bad. Then refunded my money after the second one was a no go.

Then went with the poly ones from Harbor freight. Total of 15 to strip it.. whoever repaired the body in the past loved bondo. From the looks of things it was is a accident on the passenger side. This would explain the twisted bumpers. Front fender was rebuilt using all bondo no metal work. So I had to source another one. These are hard to find and expensive!

The used one I found had it problems too that you can’t see in pictures but with patience and time I’ve got it fixed.

Looks like it was side swiped. At one time. Looks like 4-5 paint jobs in places.

Had my work cut of for me as I was tackling it myself and self teaching bodywork.

[Jeffs64Cat]

Used a 4” grinder with the poly paint stripper from HF.

Wiped the car down with Eastwood After blast metal prep. Worked on body for a while a was afraid of surface rust. So cleaned it up and prepared it for epoxy primer from the coating store.

Sprayed with a Hf purple gun 1.8 nozzle.

Turned out great!!

First time spraying anything.

[Jeffs64Cat]

Visited the machine shop in March 2018 after 9 months there and this is all he had done. 2200.00 paid to that point. Said it’ll be done by the end of the year of 2017. (That didn’t happen).

Here my choice of tires and wheels from Wheel for less.com

17x8 Ridler wheels
Toyo Hp 225/50R17

These are updates to the build I’m much further along on the car than the updates.

[Jeffs64Cat]

Bodywork is coming along. Painted epoxy on dash and interior trim pieces.

Painted high build primer to begin blocking.

[OZZIEVILLE 67 2 door]

Great story and pics
Thanks for posting


Sent from my SM-T585 using Tapatalk

[Jeffs64Cat]

Originally Posted by OZZIEVILLE 67 2 door

Great story and pics
Thanks for posting


Sent from my SM-T585 using Tapatalk

Your welcome and thank you

[Jeffs64Cat]

Started the finishing of the dash and part under where front fender was removed. Prepped the dash with P400 sandpaper and laid 3 coat of red sealer, then 3 coats of red and finally 3 coats of clear. Let dry 24 hours then wet sanded with 1200,1500,2000. The buff and polished. Assembled the upper to the lower. Here’s the finally assembly in last pic.

[Jeffs64Cat]

Started the steering wheel. I used 3m Platinum body filler to repair the gaps and broken area in wheel sanded to shape. Primed. Sanded with P400. Sealed and Bc and cc.

Wet sanded and buffed. Installed with new steering coupler. Install new tack.

Finished up wiring connections.