[Ben M.]

And yes, I believe the tariff and import\export laws on engines started changing in that timeframe. I don't think the 6 being available was part of that, it's the Chevy 6 they used on everything once the Sprint\OHC6 was gone. I suspect it was more to do with the Canadian car buying public's wants and desires. While folks up there definitely did want (and get) performance cars, bigger engines and fancier packages just weren't part of the general public's buying habits back then. They definitely sold quite a few of these, as I say I've seen 2 and one of them was a daily driver for a guy. Both of them had no options to speak of.

I will say I have a hard time imagining how much "fun" it would be driving one of these cars with a 6 cylinder. They're perfectly fine with a 350-2bbl but a 6 cylinder is a real step down in the torque and HP curve from that. In the flatlands they're probably fine but in the hills or mountains...?

[camerjeff]

Interesting Car Ben, thanks for Sharing pictures of it. and a 2-door! The dash is interesting look like my 71 but has a radio block off plate, My car just has the open radio holes, no sign that anything was ever installed there.

I do remember driving a straight 6 powered 77 Impala rental car back in the day, automatic trans, very slow. I would think the manual trans would help, but the 71-72 cars would also be about 500 lbs heavier. Either way I don't think I would enjoy the experience. But I don't know how much slower they would be than the Buick 4.2 L V6 cars made in the early 1980's.

[camerjeff]

I see it does not have a "Certified" Speedometer strange as that was the only way they could "Clock" a speeder back in the day.

[camerjeff]

Small bit of Progress this week, the shop is going to pull the engine and clean it and the engine compartment up, and repaint both. The engine only has 36k miles on it, and the only oil leak I could fins was a small leak on the drivers side valve cover. So no plans on rebuilding the engine at this time. They are also going to replace all the fuel hard lines and flex lines. I will have to see if I still have some 1971 to early 73 Pontiac Light Blue engine paint in the stash.

[camerjeff]

The shop pulled the engine and trans, they will reseal the external seals on the transmission, and clean and repaint the engine. Good news it looks like it still has the original transmision in it. The TH400 code PH decodes to 71 455 4-bbl Police HD as far as I can tell for the 1970-74 model years.
The 5-blade Flex fan just looks odd to me.

[camerjeff]

Some shots of the engine out on the stand, some progress

[camerjeff]

The engine looks better now after what we used to refer to as "a Flint Rebuild" after an infamous Northern Flint based used car dealer in the 70's-80's. Cleaned and rattle canned.

[SD455DJ]

Looking good Jeff!

Dennis

[camerjeff]

Thanks Dennis,

Bonus we removed the back seat and found found a copy of the Build sheet in pretty good shape! Any help in decoding it would be greatly depreciated.

I will also ask in the Lobby were it might get more views.

[johnta1]

455 4 bbl, 3.23 rear gear, Honeycomb wheels (I think hard to read that part)
Dealer VT Angle & Sons in Chambersburg PA

[johnta1]

Found an order sheet for the Catalina, it is the Deluxe wheel covers.

[johnta1]

More decodes:

60 - 7
Speedo calibrated - 1
Roof wire harness & plate - 2
Seats, HD - 4

62 - 6 ?
Springs & Shocks, Extra Heavy Duty - 4
(must be another special equipment sheet? newer)
a 1970 sheet shows 62-5 as Springs & Shocks, HWY Patrol High Rate
so,71 probably had a special code (6) for the Enforcer?

64 - 6
Police Group, Freeway Enforcer - 6

Tires: SW
H78 x 15 Black - Fiberglass


Cool car!

[camerjeff]

Thanks John! All that lines up with what I know about the car, I wish there was a way to confirm what Exhaust manifolds and Front sway bar were originally installed. When I bought it the Widow said something about her Husband putting a smaller front Sway bar on the car. And it had Ram Air III type exhaust manifolds (both cracked) on it. But I suspect it was not delivered with those manifolds on the car. And it did come with a VT Angle & sons Key Chain & dealer badge.

Thanks Again John!

[camerjeff]

Small update, the Fuel line has been replaced and the shop plans to reseal the transmission this week and reinstall the Engine/Trans and fuel tank.
And while it ads nothing to the restoration, I received a Picture of the Dealership it was sold at from the Historical Society last week. V.T. Angle and sons was a Pontiac Cadillac Dealership from the Mid 1950's thru 1977. Judging from the cars in the Photo the picture was probably taken in 1975 or 76. Just a little bit more of the cars History

[SD455DJ]

Originally Posted by camerjeff

Small update, the Fuel line has been replaced and the shop plans to reseal the transmission this week and reinstall the Engine/Trans and fuel tank.
And while it ads nothing to the restoration, I received a Picture of the Dealership it was sold at from the Historical Society last week. V.T. Angle and sons was a Pontiac Cadillac Dealership from the Mid 1950's thru 1977. Judging from the cars in the Photo the picture was probably taken in 1975 or 76. Just a little bit more of the cars History

Very cool Jeff!

Dennis

[camerjeff]

The Resto shop Pulled the front seat this week to remove the tattered and moldy carpet and found this under the carpet near the seat track hole.
They cleaned it up, no Keys unfortunatly. Looks like it may have been dropped during the dealer Prep?

[camerjeff]

Well 3 steps forward and 1 big step back, the engine and transmission went back in the car, the transmission had all the external seals replaced, along with the filter, Brake fluid changed, all 4 brakes disassembled, cleaned and inspected, all new fuel lines installed, gas tank installed, exhaust finished, car ran off the fuel in the tank for the 1st time in about 8 years. Then it started spitting coolant out the overflow hose as soon as it warmed up. We figured out it was a head gasket. Pulled the heads and found the right gasket blown and that head slightly warped. Now to have the heads milled and valves lapped and new seals installed.
Never had a head gasket just put gases into the coolant before, have heard of it happening, but on the few that have went on me they always put coolant into the cylinder and mixed the oil & coolant. It should be back together this weekend and it still might make the Lights and siren parade before Woodward on 8-15. Fingers crossed that was the last mechanical curve ball it throws me. Ah the joys of resurrecting a 50 year old car from a long hibernation!

[SD455DJ]

Jeff,

Good to hear of all the good work you are putting into the Catalina! It's making me feel guilty about not giving my '71 Bonneville any attention in the last 12 years, or so. I'd love to see your Cat when you're finished.

Dennis

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by camerjeff

Never had a head gasket just put gases into the coolant before, have heard of it happening, but on the few that have went on me they always put coolant into the cylinder and mixed the oil & coolant.

When a head gasket went in my 1981 Bonneville with the 350 diesel, the only telltale was some black soot floating in the coolant overflow tank.

[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Found an order sheet for the Catalina, it is the Deluxe wheel covers.

Shows 15 in WHEEL DISC. Also shows no radio ordered.