http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_cool.gif I hope these pictures help many of you who are trying to rid yourself of a slim Jim...

http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_cool.gif I hope these pictures help many of you who are trying to rid yourself of a slim Jim...

http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_cool.gifSorry about the size of the pictures but I'm sure you won't need a magnifier to get the Idea of what I did. Only problem is that I have to still shorten the drive line about 3/4's of an inch but the car drive's wonderful....

set of pictures # 2

http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_cool.gifhere is the last set of pictures, and for all of you guys that are thinking of doing this. Do it and you won't be sorry, just remember that the 63 engines will not have bolt holes for the starter so if you can find a newer 389, or go with something else as I did (455) You will have a blast once you drive it!!


Pictures set #3

http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_cool.gif here is a final shot of the car from inside...

EMD,

Thanks for the info! Did you use a shorttail on the wagon? It is a shorter wheelB than sedans.

Also, you can use a crossmember from a pre- '75 Caprice that is flipped & bolted to the bottom of the frame to allow for duals & speedo cable clearance. It has 2 humps that are perfect for this & allows for regular mount - for those of us w/o a welder.

I've been "lurking" on this page for quite a while, I finally registered. I'm putting together a 64 GP. Any tranny help will be appreciated. I'm not even sure how bad my slim Jim is, as the car sat for 8 years. I know I didn't put the breather back in when I re-assembled the engine/tranny. I found it in the shed.

EMD~

warm thanks for sharing your experience with us!

My '62 Wagon is getting a TH400 and it's helpful to see how someone else did it.

http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_cool.gif Glad to help out any way I can!

I've also seen the flat 65-66 full size crossmembers used, as they have kickups for the exhaust, and are wider.

forget that, how did you hang the starter on a 63 since the block has no mounts?

I think he's got a 455 in there, so he solved the starter problem the easy way.

YEP! if you look at the third set of pictures in the header, I explain that and more!
Thanks for the replies.

so the age old question remains for the purist.

Engineer- Indeed. Still doomed. I am going to have a Superhydramatic rebuilt & am prepping a '66 389 & TH400 at the same time as I can still not decide. In my gut I think the Super is the way to go, but the common nature & dependability of the other combo is hard to pass up.

http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_cool.gif Yes you could be a purest and keep the 389 which is a fantastic engine, but of course with the starter mounting problems, then you have to realize that some changes need to be made. The Roto is obviously not everybody's favorite, the Hydramatic is getting hard to find and then there are far far better up grades that can be made and still keep your car "LOOKING" stock. Of the easily seen items in the picture that follows, you would be hard pressed to guess that it wasn't a stock engine if you didn't know what to look for. 6 things in this picture will tell you that it's modified but is it a 389 or a 400, or one of the big crank jewels? Valve covers, HEI, Headers, Edelbrock manifold, 8 bolt water pump, Yes these could be put on the 389 and with the proper Paint for the year, who would know other then a Pontiac guy that would know that 66 heads came on a 455, and the transfer lug would tell you it is something other then the 389-400 block. Yes you can be a purest, or you can be the hot rodder, that is what is neat about our hobby. Build it the way you want, drive it the way you want, and get more satisfaction then 2 weeks after you sign your wedding license!!

http://forums.performanceyears.com/g.../icon_cool.gif Just bringing this to the first page...There are more questions about this install and this might help....

Nice.
I have used the cross member from late 70s and early 80s B and C body cars as well. You have to look hard to find one out of a Buick, Olds or Caddy diesel that will have the double hump for dual exhaust.

WHAT DID YOU ABOUT THE STARTER

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CARNUT:
WHAT DID YOU ABOUT THE STARTER <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

He said he is putting a 455 in the car.