[AMSOILGUY]

Jacob here, new Pontiac owner so I'm hoping this is the place to be? How's everybody?

[johnta1]

Welcome, Jacob!
What kind of Pontiac do you own?
We need pictures of course.

[tempest1964]

Welcome Jacob. You are in the right place. As John said, what kind of Pontiac do you have? Any backstory on it?

[AMSOILGUY]

This was last Tuesday. Hopefully the image works. This is a rescue.

[AMSOILGUY]

I'm not sure this is actually going to be the name of the car but it could be. I'm thinking that a few members have found themselves where I am. I bet it's more then a few but I don't want to cause flashbacks to your questionable decisions. The choice I have made feels almost as ambitious as raising my right hand at a time of war. I have found a new battle and find myself once again needing to rely on the person to my right and left. Hopefully no tourniquets or pressure dressings necessary this time!

This is not a glamor story of a successful race history or ownership by anybody famous. I don't have fine tuned skills to display. No previous builds of experience and likely the only thing that will keep this rolling is the inability to know when to quit.

First let's move right past the fact I shouldn't probably be undertaking this magnitude of a project, I know this but we are here. I am willing to learn and eager to give life to a car that has been soleless for decades. Hopefully I can pull it off. If you have any knowledge in ANYTHING that you see H.E.L.P. needs please share.

My goals for H.E.L.P. 1st phase:
1. Driver quality build.
2. Fix cancer
3. LS powered with a power adder. HELP decide which way to go.
4. Pro-touring style
5. Modern suspension with air adjustability. Is Ridetech the only performance engineered option?
6. Original 4 speed car so either a 5-6 speed option is desired because I would like to make some longer drives when completed. Which transmission route to go?
7. Keep an old school feel to the interior but incorporate in some modern comforts to seats and electronics.
8. Not get caught in bodywork prison.
9. Focus on function and reliability before 2nd phase
10. Useable before my 12 and 14 year old's are done with high school
11. Learn some things, have fun!


So where does a guy start? Where should I focus my energy to try and maximize results?

What are the must do's and the don't do's?

Must have tools to acquire?

Suppliers to use? Suppliers not to use?

Thanks for the help

[Half-Inch Stud]

Welcome aboard.

[67drake]

Welcome!!

[johnta1]

Jacob, make a post in the 64-65 GTO Tech sub forum for a better audience of your questions. Lots of help here, just that for the specific model questions in the appropriate section one will get the most action.

[jwcfbd]

Welcome to the board. Someone has to say it. Keep it Pontiac powered.

[AMSOILGUY]

Originally Posted by jwcfbd

Welcome to the board. Someone has to say it. Keep it Pontiac powered.

Benefit of doing this?

[Skidmark]

Originally Posted by AMSOILGUY

Benefit of doing this?

The benefit is that the car stays a pontiac drivetrain and all. If thats your thing.

Others couldn't care less about it. They might opt to drop an LS in it. Those conversions are a dime a dozen these days. When done properly/professionally they're fine.

Do what makes YOU happy.

[jwcfbd]

Originally Posted by AMSOILGUY

Benefit of doing this?

It'll keep the Pontiac guys off your back. LOL It's all what you want to do. For me I want to keep mine all Pontiac but I've been told many times I should put an LS in it. My Firebird is far from original but it's how I want it and that makes me happy. That's all that truly matters, build it for you not someone else.
I'm running a moser 12 bolt with 3.73s and a Tremec TKO 5 speed. I run through 1st gear pretty quickly but 5th gear I'm around 2600 rpm at 70mph. The TKO has been replaced by the TKX. I got mine from Keisler 21 years ago and have had zero problems with it. Keisler is now Silver Sport Transmissions. https://www.shiftsst.com/gm/c231

[242177P]

Originally Posted by AMSOILGUY

LS powered with a power adder

You don't need an LS for a power adder, just look at
Rich Guido's 65. If it's a real GTO, stick with Pontiac
power. Think of it as having pedigree. Is it still a GTO
when it's got a motor from some Cadillac Escalade?

[AMSOILGUY]

Originally Posted by 242177P

You don't need an LS for a power adder, just look at
Rich Guido's 65. If it's a real GTO, stick with Pontiac
power. Think of it as having pedigree. Is it still a GTO
when it's got a motor from some Cadillac Escalade?

I was originally just looking at Lamens and Tempest but this was available.

[Cerberus]

Unless it's some very rare color or option combo and the drivetrain is salvageable - drop in the LS - to each his own - it's your car - do what you want!

[kingbuzzo]

There is a constant war about the ls vs traditional pontipig but it is a matter of opinion.

I vote for pontiac all day long.

Good luck with your project!

[AMSOILGUY]

No drivetrain to restore.

[Verdoro 68]

It's hard to beat the reliability and power you can easily get from an LS, but the torque and rumble of a Pontiac is a totally different experience. They're definitely more expensive and labor intensive than picking up a ready to go LS drivetrain you can drop in, but there are a few vendors that can do turn key Pontiac engines.

With our Ventura and Javelin we took the approach of getting them back on the road quickly and relatively economically keeping them as running projects rather that getting mired in a complete resto. I will say it's been way more fun to have something that runs. I totally get the rationale for dropping in an LS if you're starting with nothing.

Good luck with the project!

[AMSOILGUY]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

It's hard to beat the reliability and power you can easily get from an LS, but the torque and rumble of a Pontiac is a totally different experience. They're definitely more expensive and labor intensive than picking up a ready to go LS drivetrain you can drop in, but there are a few vendors that can do turn key Pontiac engines.

With our Ventura and Javelin we took the approach of getting them back on the road quickly and relatively economically keeping them as running projects rather that getting mired in a complete resto. I will say it's been way more fun to have something that runs. I totally get the rationale for dropping in an LS if you're starting with nothing.

Good luck with the project!

This will be new to me. Last car was BB502 69 camaro. Loved the thud. I have heard some LS setups that sound mean as he'll. Not sure what they were. 427's. 6.0? I dont know.

[F Body Freak]

Tough crowd, lol.

Good luck with YOUR project in whatever way YOU see fit to build it!! I'm a GM guy. I come here cause I had a 70 Firebird Formula 400 follow me home a couple yrs ago. It has a numbers matching drivetrain & it has been fun figuring out & preserving the history of that car. I knew it was numbers matching when I bought it, but its even more original than I thought. Im 56yrs old & never kept cars stock in my younger days. Did anyone? As I've gotten older I certainly appreciate the stock cars( as long as they're the cool desirable ones) & I'm certainly not gonna be the guy that changes one that has made it 55 or 60 yrs still being original I also prefer keeping the Pontiacs Pontiacs, & the Oldsmobiles Oldsmobiles...
All that being said tho, I got a 67 Buick Sportwagon that someone put a 69 Buick 350 in, & I couldn't get that thing to quit smoking & running right, & I had a good running 350 Chevy that didnt have a home, so I didnt hesitate at all to turn that girl into a Chuick. 😁
Granted it wasnt a 65 Goat, but if the original motor is long gone, do what makes the most sense for you. I'd rather see the car back on the road. Just don't put a ford in it!! 🤣