[GruntedCatalina]

supposedly bought brand new front springs for my Pontiac from Summit performance. these things were NOT new. now im waiting until they open to see what they can do about it. who ships these out thinking they're ok?

also, I can't find rear coil springs. anyone able to help me find a set? what other model GM wise would work my poncho?

[TransAm400]

I bought coils and shocks for my 64 from Jamco Suspension. They should have from 0”-3” lowering springs. I was happy with everything from them.

[gary bennett]

Why do you say they are not new. I can't tell from the picture.

[misterp266]

Originally Posted by gary bennett

Why do you say they are not new. I can't tell from the picture.

Agree. . . .

Try these guys: http://www.coilsprings.com/classic.aspx

[GruntedCatalina]

They have mounting wear and pitting. There was clay and dirt on them as well. Not your typical dust and beat around from being on a shelf.

Also thank you for the sites. I gotta take a look

[GruntedCatalina]

found a person that will do my seats front and rear for under 600 in fabric. going to spend a month working from home and working on the car for the month of may. going to overhaul some more.

[GruntedCatalina]

parts update:

New gas tank and sending unit, shipped
front disc brakes, rear disc brakes shipped
still on the fence if I should go for a street Demon carb or EFI. never did an EFI set up and may be easier to start the new motor with a carb at first.
also, trying to locate a more modern steering box that fits. has anyone had any luck putting in a newer montecarlo steering box or 90's caprice steering box in one of these vehicles?

[GruntedCatalina]

so looking at buying an entire suspension bushing kit while im at it. discussed if I should do polygraphite or regular rubber. I will be driving normally and will be using it as a luxury road tour car more than a race curve bending car. plus I think the extra coin can go to a new or reman steering box. any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Mwieczorek]

Originally Posted by GruntedCatalina

so looking at buying an entire suspension bushing kit while im at it. discussed if I should do polygraphite or regular rubber. I will be driving normally and will be using it as a luxury road tour car more than a race curve bending car. plus I think the extra coin can go to a new or reman steering box. any input would be greatly appreciated.

Well, I'm not a B body expert, but I am a suspension engineer and bushing expert by trade.

For a cruiser, you want rubber.

I say rubber simply because the ride with urethane is going to be far more harsh. Rubber deflects and gives you some measure of wheel recession when you hit a bump or pothole. Urethane is not going to deflect much at all, which means that you are going to feel the pothole a lot more, and the loads into the chassis will be much higher. It's just not good for long term durability. It's not as big an issue with older cars with taller aspect ratio tires, but it is still a consideration.

Also, the durability of urethane is never going to be as good as rubber when tested under the same conditions. Urethane is cheaper than rubber. If it worked as well, the whole auto industry would have made the switch years ago!

[GruntedCatalina]

Originally Posted by Mwieczorek

Well, I'm not a B body expert, but I am a suspension engineer and bushing expert by trade.

For a cruiser, you want rubber.

I say rubber simply because the ride with urethane is going to be far more harsh. Rubber deflects and gives you some measure of wheel recession when you hit a bump or pothole. Urethane is not going to deflect much at all, which means that you are going to feel the pothole a lot more, and the loads into the chassis will be much higher. It's just not good for long term durability. It's not as big an issue with older cars with taller aspect ratio tires, but it is still a consideration.

Also, the durability of urethane is never going to be as good as rubber when tested under the same conditions. Urethane is cheaper than rubber. If it worked as well, the whole auto industry would have made the switch years ago!

I am happy with your response. I was truly on the fence and you sealed it for me. it will almost always be a cruiser with rarity of me smashing the gas till 70 on the highway. I will do all rubber and focus on other items to tighten it up a bit.

[GruntedCatalina]

You know you’re a husband when you put your hobbies on the back burner.

I’m trying to locate body to chassis insulation grommets and new bolts. Now that i have a big garage i can separate the body and chassis, paint and install some new hardware.

Or does anyone know what might be another model that may be interchangeable

[GruntedCatalina]

so found me a trunk pan and floor pans. just not sure if my pans are bad enough to replace. im stripping it down now that I have a house with a massive garage. soon ill be dropping the old gas tank and pulling the rear diff/suspension/items to see the underbody. I want to sand it down, seal with Rust converter then paint with rustoleum. Still curious how bad a pan can be before really needing to be replaced. Or, if I should just do it for the 800 bucks

[MarkS57]

Originally Posted by GruntedCatalina

You know you’re a husband when you put your hobbies on the back burner.

Yup!

[GruntedCatalina]

It feels so good to have this car down here in Atlanta with me. Feels good to have a big enough garage for it too. Ames has a general kit for big bodys for body chassis mounts. I plan on grinding/sanding/rustoleum the underbody and replace all the mounts

[GruntedCatalina]

So I finally got my car back down after having so many hassles with towing and family issues.

My brother said he had it covered but didn't. thats ok though. I ordered the new chassis body bolts and grommets and will start work soon. I have a new tank and sending unit going in and want to drop all the old stuff tomorrow hopefully.

Still gotta find someone that could lend me a hoist. step by step.

[GruntedCatalina]

I still want to put a better steering box in. should do that when I pull the old motor.

[GruntedCatalina]

So Ive been using corroseal on the body, interior and trunk. its doing a good job. doing the underbody soon. Things done since last post

-Corroseal
-Full interior vinyl on order. Wish I could've found a fabric kit.
-Gas tank pulled
-wheels and rear end all pulled as an assembly
-washed the car one more time.

next is to wire wheel everything down and get new bushings for the upper and lower control arms. Going to pick up a cheap bottle shop press from eBay to get the job done. I also picked up new chassis/body bolts and have issues with the trunk mounting points. I have to cut then weld in new steel as both trunk points are rusted out and spin freely. Shouldn't be too big of a job.

Once I wire wheel the underbody or at least the rear half, I will be assembling the rear and putting on the rear disc brake kit, rear shocks and springs, new wheels and tires, gas tank and straps.

[misterp266]

Ames. PK650 for the trunk mounts. Support our sponsor!

Quick link to the full-size catalog: https://secure.amesperf.com/catalogs/P21.pdf

[GruntedCatalina]

Originally Posted by misterp266

Ames. PK650 for the trunk mounts. Support our sponsor!

Quick link to the full-size catalog: https://secure.amesperf.com/catalogs/P21.pdf

Ive actually purchased a few things from them but NEVER did I think they would have something like this. Thats awesome. just cut the old ones out and weld in the fresh ones.

Amazing how much attention there is to these older cars. Wish I was around back in these days. pushing my 30s and grew with Japanese imports. Nowhere near the support that these cars have.

Also Mister P. do you know if Grand Prix body bolts and hardware fit a 63 Catalina? some of the prices are actually cheaper in the catalog for different years and was hoping to see if someone knew if 69-70 year GP has the same set up as the 63

[PONTIAC LARRY]

63 64 Catalina/Grand Prix body and chassis hardware would be identical. I know I was impressed when I first got my 63 Catalina it had galvanized fine thread bumper bracket bolts that didnt rust !