Project Cat (2017)
 

After nearly ten years of this car bouncing between myself and two local friends after rescuing it out of Waxahachie with Gus (shoebox1.1), it will get running finally and on the track in 2017. This will be taking place of my Olds wagon has a home for my 455. The wagon is going back to 350 Olds power for street duty , cruising and traveling. This will just be bare bones rattle can Walmart white gutted out interior car. Already got some Fabcraft 3.64 gears for her from my buddy Matt (ENG-N_EAR). Will just need to do all the brakes and buy the 1-3/4 Maddogg headers. Already got some 1/2" aluminum line .. battery in back and fuel cell out back is the plan. Black steel wheels with 28x9-15 MT slicks I suppose. Depending on final race weight I am hoping its is a few hundred below the current wagon setup and should bust off high 11's without changing anything on the engines maybe better. I have crappy 1-5/8 headers and a 3/8 supply body line on the wagon currently. I better proper roller cam later but goal is whittle down to a consistent 11.5 car eventually for brackets. Paul (PJPONTIAC) has the car now and ready to collaborate on it. Should begin brake work in Dec or January. I had stripped all that locked up stuff off when we got it as the drums were stuck rusted etc and change to RH studs all the way around.

Ought to be a lot of fun; keep us posted on the progress.

Will do. Going up finally to a 1 3/4 primary has got to be a solid gain over the dented 1 5/8 that is on it now. Make it light as I can. Probably d0 the scarebird front disc conversion too

I think the 455 will appreciate the new home, and the headers should make some difference. What exhaust do you plan to run from the headers back?

It will be a 3" X pipe set up to the axle I suppose but I may just put 3" extensions and leave it be

Scored good local deal on the series 2 Safe T Track donor rear (2.69) I need to fit the thick ring 3.64 gears to plus some extra loaded backing plates so I can do rear brakes off the car in advance after I build the chunk

Does this rear compare in strength to a Ford 9" ?

Stronger actually. 9.3" ring , starts at 31 spline axles (aftermarket 35 spline) , giant thick strong pinion 1.8" dia versus 1.4" ford. Used in the early fuel dragsters even with OEM 4 pinion posi units holding up. 57-64 Olds Pontiac

Probably go for the no lower head light and SD scoop look with black steelies but the Chevy Car Rallys in a 5x5 15x8 look good. Plan on trying some Hedman 1-3/4 headers for a 68 Firebird $244

Sweet! Nice move Larry! Guess I won't see you on the Olds board as much anymore!

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LOL, Thanks Yes no more Hybrids for me

Oh I am still around CO and will be getting some good old American road time in the to be detuned 70 red wagon with 355 SBO soon and the frame off clean up of my F85 4 speed Rallye :)

Might even do a under hood small cell to feed my RobMc mechanical pump on the Catalina

Car finally came home on July 29. Immediately went to work with engine right away. All new brakes ready to bleed as of yesterday. Hedman 1.75 67 firebird headers on after a frame clearance on driver side. New aluminum radiator. Converted to manual steering in process.manual brake conversion done. gear setup new 3.64 set on a HD 4 pinion unit installed and done. New alum fuel cell and battery box mounting soon. Car has been of road 25-30 years at the least

Also scored some 255/60-15 MT drag radials for the rear , they are mounted on 15x7 steelies
I got new 215/75-15 on some 15x6 steelies for the front. 455 got the badly needed new brass freeze plugs while it was out. 72 VW beetle light bucket seat although may turn into regular drag buckets anyway.

Yesterday was a great day in that the car has now a solid working brake system for the first time in 20 plus years and a mock up of the rear tires for clearance check. The 255/60 MT DR easily fit could do 275 later

I had some delays working on the ole Cat with my Dad needing more care with his Alzheimer's but today got the Manual gearbox swap done and a vintage 60's Champ 500 wheel and also fabricating a cross member for the short tail BOP TH 350

Getting close
 

Almost there making good progress and the fun of using old junk you saved or friends offer to help.

Hey Larry, I have some OBX stainless headers for a 68-72 A-body, they don't fit my car, brand new, will let them go for $100 and that includes shipping. The passenger side collector point in some towards the center of the car, won't work with my 4L80E. PM me if you're interested. For that kind of money, you can put a couple cuts in them and tig them back straight even.

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I'll take those OBX headers if Larry passes.

Thanks for the offer but I already got the new Hedman's 1.75" ones on the car and they are great. I did a notch on the frame on the driver side only mod required to use 68 Firebird headers.

I did weld a front to rear plate in the cut out to brace it

radiator in yesterday. paint stuff later

front view of headers mod to frame