[Mister Pontiac]

Originally Posted by charles bledsoe

400 4spd. Why do you think it would increase the value?

arbys, would be building for fun, but if I could do it without having to cut the floor pan and it was just a bolt in that could easily be put back to original, it would be a different story. The car has all it's original sheet metal and in good original condition, it just had the motor replaced at sometime. I know that it will not be sold while I am alive and it will most likely be passed down to one of the children. Just looking at not devaluating it anymore than it already is. If the car had new quarters put on it, or had been built from pieces of donor cars I wouldn't even question it.

You guys know more than I do, which is the reason I am asking and value your opinions. All the other cars except the 76 SE T/A and the 78 T/A have the original engines. I might me putting more into this than I should, just don't want to cut the car and then 10 yrs from now find out that I should not have done it.
Thanks.

I agree with 400 4spd. It will increase the value, mainly because most guys want a third pedal, and the original engine is already gone. The ST300 is of little value at this point.

Squid makes a great point too. Simply cut the floor, but save the original metal in the event you (or someone) ever wants to return it to original. But again, without the original engine, the ST300 is of little value I believe.

Another good point was also mentioned that the swap also requires welding on the tab on the frame for the z-bar and installing the clutch rod boot. Also, don't forget you will likely have to drill the hole for the return spring in the body mount bulkhead just above the body mount bolt.

All this to say... a manual swap is not a simple bolt on, unbolt type proposition. Nevertheless, it's largely about what you want in the car, and how you want to enjoy it. With nearly 13,000 convertibles built in '66, I don't believe you will devalue the car at all by installing a "hammer" now that the original engine is gone. Put in the third pedal, save the ST300 and sheet metal, then enjoy the heck out of it!

Hope that helps!