[MOJO Catalina]

I was searching for back seats for '61-65 GM cars and met a guy that had a few for sale..
Got what I needed in that department and noticed quite a few cars in the back yard.. I ended up making a deal on this one...
Seats are missing but it's otherwise pretty complete.. Been in the tall grass only about a year so floors are very solid..
Needs some trunk lip.. Has add-on AC by ThermoKing that still has pressure in the system..
Engine is stuck but I'll be soaking it today.. 4barrel with Automatic Code B1 with matching VIN.
That code doesn't show up for '61..
Anybody know if there's just a misprint in the book or is this a special engine for this car?
In the '60 shop manual the B1 is the 4 barrel Bonneville engine..

[Hammertime Mike]

I like those 61 Venturas. Looks like a lot of car. Keep us posted on this project !

[Stuart]

The Wallace Racing site shows engine code B1 as the base model, single two barrel carb, 283hp engine for 1961:

Year Engine HP Engine code Trans CR Cam Head Code BBL Carb No. Misc
1961 389 283 HP B1 A 10.25 472 538177 1-2 7019070 Block casting # 538181

However, that looks like a four barrel carb air cleaner in your photo. I'll look at Pete McCarthy's book later and see what it says. Someone may have swapped in the four barrel carb and manifold at some point.

The car looks pretty good - there's plenty of rust to fix but it's better than average for a '61. Is that Bristol Blue? It's the second best color for a '61, after red. The seller appears to have a couple other 61s there in the weeds, I hope they get saved before they're too far gone.

[MOJO Catalina]

Yes, Bristol Blue... Definitely a 4 barrel and it looks like it's always been there but who knows? Maybe they added it when they put the AC in.. Has a shroud and clutch fan too... I may be buying the Bonneville that's right next to it as a parts car.. It's rough but there are a lot of decent parts on it..

[pfilean]

Looks like a lot of work but could be a nice car. My 61 is engine A1 which was domestic 2bbl with Slim Jim A/T. If I was home I would check the 61 manual and see what I find for a B1. And I will look next week. Sometimes the usage for those engine codes changed from year to year so in 61 B1 could easily be a 4 bbl with Slim Jim.

[Stuart]

This is curious...while the Wallace Racing site has a B1 code for a base two barrel carb 1961 engine, there isn't a B1 code in either Pete McCarthy's book or the engine production sheet from my PHS documents. They both have an A1 code for the base two barrel carb engine.

According to the engine production sheet from the PHS documents, a 287hp four barrel carb engine in a Ventura would have had a BF code - is it possible that's the stamp on your engine and the 'F' is partially obscured so it looks like a '1'?

A couple other discrepancies between the various sources: The Wallace Racing site lists a 7019070 two barrel carburetor for their B1 code engine, but Pete's book says that was used on A5 and S5 engines which corresponds to a Star Chief base engine or a Ventura engine with factory a/c. Also, the Wallace Racing site lists a 472 cam for their B1 code engine, but Pete's book says that was also used in A5 and S5 engines.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are errors in the records 50 years later, and it probably doesn't make a lot of difference either way.

[MOJO Catalina]

I did check again today and it is B1 for sure... Didn't have the camera but I'll shoot it later.

Another strange thing is that I have a 1960 engine from a wagon I scrapped and it is S1 (2 barrel w/AT and AC) but that code doesn't appear on the 1960 chart, it only shows up as a 1961 code...

[MOJO Catalina]

Pulled the plugs and shot PB blaster in each cylinder.. Not budging yet but it's only been a few hours.. Time to take off the valve covers and tap all the valves.. I sure don't want to pull the heads off.. I'd like to make this a driver for a while..

[Stuart]

I've wondered about this...was there some guy at the end of the assembly line with a set of stamps and a hammer, putting the numbers on the blocks? If so, it stands to reason he wasn't 100% accurate.

[MOJO Catalina]

Here's the block code..

[MOJO Catalina]

Seats are from '64 Grand Prix for now..

[pfilean]

Does either the 1656 or the 1789 match with the last digets in the serial? I think one of those two numbers is supposed to match for the original factory engine.

[MOJO Catalina]

561W1789 is the VIN on the door jamb.. matches the block

[67GTO4SPEED]

I absolutely love the '61 Pontiacs. They are BY FAR my favorite pre-musclecar era Pontiacs. Nice score!

[Safari Larry]

Originally Posted by MOJO Catalina

Another strange thing is that I have a 1960 engine from a wagon I scrapped and it is S1 (2 barrel w/AT and AC) but that code doesn't appear on the 1960 chart, it only shows up as a 1961 code...

My '60 engine also has S1 code and came out of a '60 with 2 barrel, AT, and AC. I've also wondered about the code since it isn't listed -- not that it really matters since it is now in a '56. Luv the '61 Ventura!

[MOJO Catalina]

Gotta get one of these now..

[gtogoat]

Originally Posted by 67GTO4SPEED

I absolutely love the '61 Pontiacs. They are BY FAR my favorite pre-musclecar era Pontiacs. Nice score!

Ditto!

[MOJO Catalina]

This car may not get totally restored while I own it, but I want to fix up the body and make a fun driver out of it. I've never seen a '61 Ventura driver. The only ones I have ever seen are total wrecks or show cars..

This car needs some sheet metal work in front of the rear wheels and in the rockers.. I guess I'll have to make that stuff since body panels are nearly impossible to get..

Needs the typical trunk pan treatment and a few short runs of trunk lip but pretty dang respectable otherwise..

[MOJO Catalina]

Originally Posted by MOJO Catalina

Here's the block code..

I like that this car has a "mystery" engine code.

I was checking the NADA guide and there is a premium on the Ventura with "Bonneville 389/303HP engine" so I believe that's what must be in this car..

http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Ca...Hardtop/Values

I'll have to get the PHS documents on this one..

[barrierblue66]

Prittaaaay, prittaaay, prittaaaay cool Mr Ax man Love the styling on the early 60's Ponchos