[New kid in town]

hello ..im thinking about purchasing a 1965 catalina..Its an automatic on the column convertible. I believe it has a 389 motor in it and thats about all i know. IM a chevy buff so im new to the pontiac scene. My question is what kind of transmission comes in them..and also where can i find aftermarket items for it ..ie headers stuff like that..looks like there is only one place that makes the..mad dogg..i really dont want the stock upgraded ones i have seen..any help with info on the car would be appreciated..

[New kid in town]

thanks for the reply..I have been doing a lot of reading and havent really found anything on the catalina. I see alot on th gto and firebirds but not a lot on the bigger cars..Does this car have the potential to be a nice street cruiser with power or will it involve a whole lot. All and all im just really curious about the car, like i said i have always been into chevys...but pontiac looks pretty inviting..

[meanolgoat]

Welcome to the Darkside. I just purchased a 65 Cat Convertible last year. I love the car, I rebuilt the steering and suspension, and it handles like a dream. A 60's full-size pontiac is one of the best looking cars on the road, and will get more looks and attention then you can believe.

For more info, I would also recommend the following websites:
www.fullsizepontiacs.com
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/pontiacdarkside
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/pontiacbigguns

I too would recommend the Long Branch Manifolds, you can check them out at www.ramairrestoration.com

Just one more thing, Don't believe that it will be easier to drop a chevy motor in and make more power. The Pontiac motor is a monster with the right parts, and a full size pontiac will want alot of torque.

[New kid in town]

how do you guys feel about demon carbs...i have a edelbrock set up on my el camino and its great..but i would like to try something different.

[Deadhead]

Another nice feature is that when they are immobile due to massive upgrade/restoration projects you can enjoy hours of just gazing upon their beauty. Seen anything like that at the dealerships lately?

[New kid in town]

hello ..im thinking about purchasing a 1965 catalina..Its an automatic on the column convertible. I believe it has a 389 motor in it and thats about all i know. IM a chevy buff so im new to the pontiac scene. My question is what kind of transmission comes in them..and also where can i find aftermarket items for it ..ie headers stuff like that..looks like there is only one place that makes the..mad dogg..i really dont want the stock upgraded ones i have seen..any help with info on the car would be appreciated..

[New kid in town]

damn man what kinda wrecking yard do you go to...only thing i have ever come close to in performance is rusted out old headers lol

[New kid in town]

I think that a demon would work just fine on a edelbrock intake..i dont think it would be too much for the engine. i DONT KNOW IF A BIG A 389 IS CONSIDERED A SMALL ENGINE FOR PONTIAC BUT IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED BIG FOR CHEVY. a 750 ROAD DEMON I THINK WOULD BE A NICE ADDITION. ALSO..WOULD I HAVE TO CHANGE DIFFERENTIAL CASES IF I DECIDED TO PUT A BIGGER GEAR IN, WHATS THE HIGHEST I CAN GO WITHOUT CHANGING CASES..AND HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST TO GET THE CONVERTABLE TOP MATERIAL PUT BACK ON.

[bonneville Joe]

Edelbrock intakes with fit all Pontiac 326-455 from '65 to '81 except 301. Got a Performer intake out of the junkyard today for $50. They are out there, check ebay too.

[bonneville Joe]

What is the difference?

[Deadhead]

I don't have the 3rd seat option, so there is room for a REALLY BIG magazine of CDs. Not sure what it would sound like over the 10 ohm speakers though.

[bonneville Joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 2BadCat:
Being a 65/66 Big Car PontiManiac I have to chime in again. These cars make excellent, eye-catching cruisers with power to spare. You are right in that you will not find as much written about the Big Cars as you will the GTOs and Firebirds. For me, part of the appeal of the big cars is just that, there aren't that many around. If you go to a Pontiac show you are likely to see at least a dozen GTOs for each Big Car. As far as performance goes it is easy to do anything from mild to wild with a Pontiac motor. As a side note, one of the nice things about Pontiacs is that you can put virtually any Pontiac motor in any Pontiac model [there are some caveats though]. For example, i have a 1973 455 in my 65 Catalina, a 69 GTO 400 in my 66 Bonneville and a 74 400 from a Firebird] in my 65 Grand Prix. Another side note: Bonneville Joe makes an excellent point about the factory Long Branch headers. I have them on two of my cars and love them. If you go with tube headers you would have to install a floor shift as the column linkage will not clear the tube headers. Can you tell us any more about the car ? Is it running now? The Darkside is calling you, resistance is foolish. Have fun, Jim <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Jim, is that you that has the '67 Bonneville 'vert for sale in the Auto Trader?

[66bonne]

Being a 65/66 Big Car PontiManiac I have to chime in again. These cars make excellent, eye-catching cruisers with power to spare. You are right in that you will not find as much written about the Big Cars as you will the GTOs and Firebirds. For me, part of the appeal of the big cars is just that, there aren't that many around. If you go to a Pontiac show you are likely to see at least a dozen GTOs for each Big Car. As far as performance goes it is easy to do anything from mild to wild with a Pontiac motor. As a side note, one of the nice things about Pontiacs is that you can put virtually any Pontiac motor in any Pontiac model [there are some caveats though]. For example, i have a 1973 455 in my 65 Catalina, a 69 GTO 400 in my 66 Bonneville and a 74 400 from a Firebird] in my 65 Grand Prix. Another side note: Bonneville Joe makes an excellent point about the factory Long Branch headers. I have them on two of my cars and love them. If you go with tube headers you would have to install a floor shift as the column linkage will not clear the tube headers. Can you tell us any more about the car ? Is it running now? The Darkside is calling you, resistance is foolish. Have fun, Jim

[Deadhead]

Yes, check the frame behind the front wheels a problem area for F/S '65-'66. Reach up in there on top & all around, & jab it with a screwdriver or whatever you can fit up in there. Don't forget to check the trunk floor and floor pans. Pinholes you can live with & fix but no more.

[bonneville Joe]

Honestly, if you are looking for headers I would just install a set of reproduction Long Branch manifolds instead. They were a factory option on them originally, they flow almost as good as a header, they don't leak and they fit with no modification besides an oil filter adapter. That is a somewhat big car but it could be a Bonneville. Im assuming that it has a 2bbl carb on it. The first thing to do to make power with it is go to a 4bbl intake and it wouldn't hurt to step up the cam a little. Intake, Cam duration, Exhaust, and rear end gear are the weak points that slow the car down. Once you fix those it will be a stout car. That is one awesome car if you ask me. Welcome to the world of Pontiac.

[66bonne]

Bonneville Joe - You have mail. 2badcat

[bonneville Joe]

They are great but expensive and probably too much for that motor. Stick with a Carter or Edelbrock and make it easy on yourself.

[66bonne]

Welcome to the Darkside and to the forum. Our host, Performance Years and Ames are the two leading souces I've used for Big Car parts. I believe Year One also has some stuff. Would suggest that you consider joining the Pontiac-Oakland Club International [you can find them on the web]. Dues are only $25 per year and they put out an excellent club magazine [monthly] that is worth the dues alone. About half of the magazine is devoted to classifieds selling parts and cars. It is also an excellent source for vendors. Aftermarket parts for Big Car Pontiacs are not as commonly available as for Chevies but they are out there if you know where to look. You mention headers specifically, Doug's Headers now make tube headers for the 65/66 big cars. I just put a set on my 65 Catalina 2 door sedan [455 motor] and am very pleased with the fit, finish and ease of installation. Have fun, Jim

[Deadhead]

Hah!

I thought I was bad sitting in there at night listening to the '63 am/fm sepraphonic.

What a great idea. I'm putting a cheap cordless in the barrage (barn/garage)

[61-63]

If you want to save yourself lots of time and money forget the Poncho and buy a Chebby. You can buy parts at Walmart. Of course you'll be driving a 2nd class car. IMHO.