[Jon Wood]

My '64 Catalina lost compression in one of the cyllenders on my way to work today. The blowby was severe enough to coat everything in the engine compartment with condnsed oil mist and push a good deal of oil out of the dipstick tube. I had to have it towed home. Can't do too much about it until the semester ends, but I will post some autopsy photos when I get the engine apart. I have a feeling that the continued knocking from running 91 octane finally fatigue fractured one or more of the ring lands on one of the pistons. That's what I found in my '64 GP's engine when that one let go.

[Jon Wood]

My '64 Catalina lost compression in one of the cyllenders on my way to work today. The blowby was severe enough to coat everything in the engine compartment with condnsed oil mist and push a good deal of oil out of the dipstick tube. I had to have it towed home. Can't do too much about it until the semester ends, but I will post some autopsy photos when I get the engine apart. I have a feeling that the continued knocking from running 91 octane finally fatigue fractured one or more of the ring lands on one of the pistons. That's what I found in my '64 GP's engine when that one let go.

[Blackcat]

It happens. The Engine served you well.
I've also found some engines with a hole in a piston. I'm interested in the autopsy.

[Jon Wood]

I will get the engine apart within the next few weeks. Fortuantely, I was able to get my '63 tempest going today, so at least I've got a car to drive.

[RAJNWDY]

sorry to hear about the 389 givin' up the ghost. Hopefully you coated a couple beamers and Mustangs with your Crankcase muck!! My 428 was pushing oil up into the breather and when I pulled it apart all the top rings where broke but # 7 had both compression rings broke... I hope it's something Easy....

[Jon Wood]

I will probably just rebuild the Super Hydro this summer and throw in my 455 to keep it warm untill my GP is ready.

[Stag]

Sorry to hear about the motor. I have special place in my heart for '64 Catalinas, my father had one and that is where he taught me all about working on cars. Alas, he traded the Poncho for a big block Buick, but the memories remain.

[Jon Wood]

Well, pulled the motor last night and tore it down today. Nothing too catostrophic had occured. It lost both the compression rings in cyllender No. 5 and the top compression ring in No. 4. Not really worth posting any photos of that. The bearings were all heavily galled, most likely due to the knocking from the 91 octane. The dowel pins on the front main cap were loose, but everything else looks good. The crank should get away with only a polish. The lifters had so much varnish stuck to the bottom edge that I had to pull the cam and then push them into the block to get them out.

[Jon Wood]

She's Alive again!!!
Dumped my 455 in the Catalina last week. Break-in was pleasantly uneventfull. I will bring the oil filter to my machinist next week just to verify, but the oil looked unused after the break-in, so I'm optomistic
It pulls like a S.O.B. at all speeds. Needless to say, I'm very pleased with the engine.
I drove it around a bit with open headers, but I decided to spare the neighbors so I stopped doing that. (there were reports of shaking windows from my family...)
Once I get the exhaust installed I'll be back in buisness.
Still has the roto, we'll see how long it lasts...
I've got a 6AL with rev limiter just in case!
Still trying to track down the kickdown junk for the Supehydramatic I rebuilt, and I also need to find a 2.5ish differential so I don't waste 1st gear in the superhydramatic.

[Jon Wood]

Here is a photo of my 455.

[Jon Wood]

2nd try

[Tim642957]

You're not planning on teaching some unsuspecting Chevy or Mustang a lesson are you?

Sounds like a good setup to me. Santa has paid you an early visit!

[bonneville Joe]

Id just keep the 455 in it. Thats one mean ass car.

[Jon Wood]

Definately keeping the 455 in it, it's the tranny that is getting changed. It will be interesting with the superhydro, which should be in the car early next year. My GP is getting a manual conversion complete with correct 4 speed console, so I'm thinking about rounding up a set of buckets and using the automatic console from the GP in it. Downside would be losing the power front bench seat, unless I can use the mechanism on buckets...

[Lobito's65Cat]

John this is totally unrelated but i tought you might now. Last year there was a blue 65 Catalina Ventura at the pick and pull in...i want to say Newark right next to Freemont, did u ever see the car or know the person that bought it? I was just wondering what ever happened to taht car. My son lives in Freemont by the way, do you ever go to any cruises in your area?

[Jon Wood]

I know the pick& pull, but never was there when the '65 was around. It's a good thing, too since I probably would have had to take it home with me!

Haven't gone to any cruises in fremont lately, mainly due to not having any time for anything due to my job and and San Jose State University.
Let me know if there's anything going on before the new year, since I have a month off fom college.

Thanks
Jon Wood

[Lobito's65Cat]

Jon, i made an offer on that car but it didn't fly, i tought about giving it a couple of weeks and going back but i was never able to. The car needed interior and did not start, non a/c car but it was straight no dents no rust anywhere. I hope they didnt scrap it. By the way i havent gone to any cruises in ages as well but if i hear of anything anytime soon ill let you know.

[Jon Wood]

Update on the Catalina:
Roto is shredded.
5 inch by 3/4 inch hole in torque converter housing, BLACK, Pitted clutches, broken thrust support in case. This with only 2000 miles of driving with the 455 and a total of around 40,000 - 50,000 miles since I rebuilt the tranny. Hopefully the SuperHydro will do better!

[stevep]

The Super will work just fine!

[BVR421]

Jon, were there any issues mating the 455 to the roto? When I tried to use my SuperHydro with my 428 the trans didnt want to pull up to the block as if the fluidcoupling nose wouldnt mate with the crankshaft.
I ended up swapping in a th400