[blown 68]

ok folks, here is the deal. i am looking into rebuilding the engine in my father and i's '63 catalina. it's a two door post, eight luggers, four speed, 3.90's out back, very original. i want to go the sudo 'super duty' route with it, i already have a 859 manifold, and two freshly restored afb's for the intake setup. my heads are just the high compression for 63's, they end in 7, not 6. i want to get the most bang out of this as possible, i would like to keep the block, .030 over, (and bellhousing, starter, etc, keep it 63 looking...) and go from there. can i work these heads a bit, bigger valves, porting, enough to support some more ponies??(those pesky and abundant 980's keep alluding me.... ) i would probably run some longbranch exhaust manifolds,(do they make sd exhaust manifolds?? and would they fit these heads??) i am a later generation pontiac guy,(65 and up) so this older stuff is not as common knowledge with me, thanks for bearing with me on this. i thought maybe a stroker kit?? kinda spendy, but all new parts, more cubes, just have to figure the cr out with those heads maybe? i want it to look stock under the hood, all factory. let me know what you guys think would be the best route for power, (cam too), and maybe we can all pitch in on this for ideas, it's going to be a fun project, would love to hear some fresh ideas for it from you guys and gals.
thanks for the time folks.......
davey
ps, Storm says hi!!

[BVR421]

rough way to try to make power with the common 63 heads, fully worked they flow about the same as a stock 67up Dport. I think you should go with modern heads and disguise them. The 63 SD heads used a different long branch, like a cast tri wye. Iron, aluminum and stamped were available back then. It has a different bolt pattern on the center ex ports. The SD center ports were spaced apart a little like the RA4 heads. The starter used a special nosecone to rotate the starter for clearance but for about the same price as a repro nosecone you can get a mini starter that is made for bell mount. I think you can move pretty good air thru the 127 and 980 heads but $$$$! The better running SD re-creations use the bathtub intake $$$$!
I believe the biggest cam they left the factory with was a solid lifter with the same event timing as a later 041. When the Dodges started giving them trouble at the finish line the racers swapped out that cam for a bigger over the counter ISKY and swapped the 3.90 gears for 4.56s and turned up the volume. Amazing how well they ran with heads that are laughably small by todays standards. Certainly state of the art in 62-63
stroker kit for a 389 no problem, use common Eagle kit made for a 400. Bore .060 and with the 4.25 stroke you have about 462ci? If you prefer a 421ci motor, use a cast 421/428 crank turned down to fit the 389 block. Pontiac Dude can set you up with that deal and the pistons and rods to match.
You may have to turn down the crank rear hub for the 63 flywheel but you really better get a SFI flywheel and bellhousing anyway so that shouldnt matter. There may or may not be a minor issue regarding the pilot bearing. You might as well start planning for the rear end. If it came with a stick its probably already got a 3.42? Make sure the posi unit and axles are in top shape before you drop the hammer. 3.64 gears are available again from FabCraft. They make a lot of SD/early parts.
One of the actual SD guys will respond I hope, Im just going from memory (dim)

[tom s]

to use the 859 you will need a set of 61-64 heads.If you dont want the big money heads get a set of 716s and have Dave at SD do them.You can use a set of 62 SD repop exhast manifolds,have them coated inside and out.You will need a upside down starter housing or a aftermarket mini that can be clocked 360 degrees.I would use a cam much like the 041.I like 230-240 with a lift in the 550 range and 113LC with a 3 degree adv.You will like it.

[Jurassicgto]

Blown 68
I have a set of NOS Mickey Thompson std. forged 421 pistons, flat top, press fit with pins. These were the ones used in SD cars back then. You would only have to bore the 389 block .030 over. Enginecraft in Michigan can supply a 4 inch stroke crank that drops in the 389 block for around $350. I'll let the pistons go for $325 and I'll pay for shipping.

[blown 68]

Originally Posted by tom s

to use the 859 you will need a set of 61-64 heads.If you dont want the big money heads get a set of 716s and have Dave at SD do them.You can use a set of 62 SD repop exhast manifolds,have them coated inside and out.You will need a upside down starter housing or a aftermarket mini that can be clocked 360 degrees.I would use a cam much like the 041.I like 230-240 with a lift in the 550 range and 113LC with a 3 degree adv.You will like it.

this is EXACTLY where i wanted to go. would you use the stock crank? or would you go for more stroke?? is there an easy way to get a 4" stroke crank?? another question, my starter was recently rebuilt to the hilt by the former owner, can i just use a different housing with the same guts? where would i find that? thanks tom, you rule........
davey

[tom s]

I would just run the 389,you can just put your starter motor on the upside down housing but it will be a lot cheaper to get a mini starter that can be clocked 360.Tom