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pestwagon64 · 11-27-2015, 01:30 AM

Great work Steve, I'm another Steve from California planning a similar trip! Just got a 64 Tempest (not a Tempest Custom like yours) no motor no tranny no wheels . Ready for a LS swap finally. Please tell me its worth it. I want dependability and mileage and a smoothly running motor...
What mileage are you getting? Have you put on a lot of miles yet? Does it ride like other A bodies or is it better now?

pestwagon64 · 11-27-2015, 05:31 PM

Ive heard that those mounts used in your build lift the motor up a bit higher, causing more driveline pinion angle vibrations at highway speeds. Have you seen this?

S Courter · 12-01-2015, 07:14 PM

Steve. I am super happy with the results so far. However that being said I have only a few miles on the car. It is back in my shop getting the A/C finished up and all new interior. I will have it finished by spring and plan on putting many miles on it. I do not see a problem with the pinion angle. I have a friend who has a 64 Tempest with the same set up and he has over 10k miles on it and loves it. Has never mentioned any vibration problems. He drove his car up from Alabama to Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan at different times. Has not had any problems. I expect the same. I think you will be very pleased with the results. I sent you a PM.

S Courter · 02-11-2016, 05:35 PM

Repainted dash and door tops from red to black / pewter. Put down Rattle trap sound deadener and new carpet. Recovered the front and rear seats and finished the interior install of the Vintage air A/C system. Attempted the headliner but decided it best be left to an expert. I am pleased with how the interior has turned out. I have also installed new exhaust from headers back including new tail pipes that dump just behind the rear wheel. I still need to get the front end aligned and the A/C system charged. I will be ready when spring arrives here in Mi.
Oh, and I also picked up a new project over the winter. 65 Lemans post car. Saw it on CL and couldn't resist.

S Courter · 04-05-2016, 09:13 PM

Short update...Put plates on the Tempest and I have two words about driving it. LOVE IT!!!!!

b-man · 04-05-2016, 09:51 PM

That Tempest simply kicks ass, nice job on the swap!

What's in store for the '65 Le Mans?

A guy just can't have too many early A-body Pontiacs.

pestwagon64 · 04-05-2016, 10:06 PM

congradulations Steve! A real nice job on an awesome build!

S Courter · 04-06-2016, 08:27 AM

b-man.. I dropped a 400 in the 65 Lemans that I had from another project. It runs and drives so I can move it around. Will mothball it till fall as I have a 70 El Camino SS 396 that I want to do some updating on over the summer.

Steve, It won't be long and you will be saying the same thing.

rohrt · 04-06-2016, 09:16 AM

That color combo on the dash looks pretty nice.

S Courter · 04-06-2016, 08:42 PM

Rohrt.. It's rattle can Dupli Color Pewter and semi gloss black. I like the look too.

B-man.. how are you doing on your Tempest project??

b-man · 04-06-2016, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S Courter

Rohrt.. It's rattle can Dupli Color Pewter and semi gloss black. I like the look too.

B-man.. how are you doing on your Tempest project??

Nothing going on with it lately, I've pretty much shoved it aside to mess around with my Le Mans convertible right now, got a fresh 421 I need to put in it.

Too many project cars and not enough time.

Transporter · 04-18-2016, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b-man

Nothing going on with it lately, I've pretty much shoved it aside to mess around with my Le Mans convertible right now, got a fresh 421 I need to put in it.

Too many project cars and not enough time.

Well Bart, I know that all too well,

A wise man once told me never start a second project until the first one was done, of course I was already on project 12 when I gleaned all these words of wisdom, lol

S Courter · 06-18-2016, 07:02 PM

Update....I have around 600 miles on the 64 now. I take it everywhere and it has performed flawlessly. It is simply a pleasure to drive. Today it is 92 degrees out and we went to a car show some 40 miles away. Got to use the A/C on the way home and it was great! I love this car and would recommend anyone thinking of an LS swap to do it.

Poppy · 07-15-2016, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pestwagon64

Great work Steve, I'm another Steve from California planning a similar trip! Just got a 64 Tempest (not a Tempest Custom like yours) no motor no tranny no wheels . Ready for a LS swap finally. Please tell me its worth it. I want dependability and mileage and a smoothly running motor...
What mileage are you getting? Have you put on a lot of miles yet? Does it ride like other A bodies or is it better now?

I agree - great work Steve. I'm another Steve from Oklahoma and am close to driving my 64 Lemans.

Steve from California I can tell you it's definitely worth it. This is my second conversion. Have you started yet?

S Courter · 07-16-2016, 07:06 PM

Thanks Steve from Oklahoma. I have not heard from Steve in Ca. for awhile so not sure where he is at on his build. I know he was making good progress.
Got any pictures, you can post, of your Lemans?

Poppy · 08:17 PM

Well, I do have a couple handy....

Note the Pontiac blue on the engine - trying to walk the purists back from the cliff.

I'm have a few other ideas in mind to add to the Pontiac vibe.

BTW, this car is going to be driven, it's on the trailer after getting back from the exhaust shop and getting an alignment.

S Courter · 07-16-2016, 09:15 PM

NICE!!!!!!!!! Love it!!

Poppy · 07-16-2016, 10:32 PM

Thanks Steve

I've owned it for a couple years now. It was an unmolested 6 cylinder two speed auto - until I molested it, lol!

There's a little bit of summer left to enjoy it. I have a few bugs to iron out first.

I've had a few numbers matching cars, but these are just a blast to do the way you want, aren't they?

pestwagon64 · 07-17-2016, 02:42 PM

Hey Steve its Steve in Los Banos. My LS Swap is crawling forward. Bought a 1967 Chevelle 12 bolt 3.73 posi rear end for it (need to freshen it up before installing it). Plumbed the fuel line /tank finally. For a long time I was on the fence as to whether or not to use hard line from the tank to the engine compartment. I went the easy route with the Tanks Inc installation kit...using black push on fuel line fittings and an in line filter.
I finally plumbed the upper radiator hose. I haven't plumbed the lower hose yet (the thermostat housing on a LS motor points out/away from the block...) to the lower radiator hose inlet.
I have the Speartech harness but haven't installed it yet (I need to hold my breath and jump in/my first time)
I got a 1999 F Body Cooling Fans installed.

recently I picked up a 1965 Tempest 4 door parts car that actually is too nice to part out. Original A/C, delux seat belts, tinted windows...

Just moving a bit slowly in my older age. I sand blasted the core support and inner fenders and got 2 horns working. Front bumper rechromed also. Straightened and sanded and polished the headlight rings and left grill...little by little getting there...

S Courter · 07-17-2016, 07:16 PM

California Steve its good to hear you are still making progress. For the lower radiator hook up I bought a thermostat housing that you can swivel. That way I could direct it toward the lower radiator hose nipple and its easier to find a hose that will work. I also drilled and tapped it for a hose barb and attached the steam hose to it. You can see it in the picture.
Keep plugging away. As Oklahoma Steve says its all worth it!!

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