[Young Pontiac Guy]

Morning everyone.
I used to own a 1980 Pontiac that was a sort of resto mod 70 formula look alike. I have since come over to the big car side... I am 38 years old so sort of young and sometimes a little old... Not a Pontiac rookie tough.

Picked up this 62 last weekend. Was a 389 auto originally. 4speed/400 swap, originally a blue car painted white. Pretty much rust free.

Going to be a fun toy. It has been a dream for years to own a big car that is a 4 speed. I am stoked. Plans are simply to get it running as the swap was never fully completed and running to my knowledge.

First question: headers- will GTO headers fit with a few whacks of the hammer?

[tom s]

No they wont,your better off IMO to put the long branch exhaust manifolds on it.Like the gen 1 bird exhaust but use a thicker filter adapter.I have them on my 62 GP 4 speed car.Tom

[Marv]

Welcome - looks like a really nice '62. There are a few of us in our 30s here (I'm 34) so you're not alone in being a "young guy" into Ponchos.

Get some Ram Air Restoration long-branch headers. I put a set on my '64 Bonneville (with oil filter adapter) and they fit so well.

[mgarblik]

First, I am always happy when I read of 30 something guys excited about early 60's full size Pontiacs. Your car looks really nice in the few pics. I was even younger, in my early 20's when I fell in love with the 62 Super Duty Catalinas. I had a chance to buy a real aluminum nose Catalina owned by Mickey Thompson in that time frame. It was for sale for peanuts by today's standards, but at the time it might as well been a million dollars. I didn't have it, period. 35 years later, I finally bought a 62 Catalina 4-speed. Not a Super Duty, but it has the looks and I love the car. I agree with the other guys, unless you are planning to build an engine with excess of 500 HP, the iron long branch manifolds are the way to go. They sound great, don't leak, rust out, or have ground clearance problems. Enjoy your car. There are allot of old "geezers" with knowledge to share on here. I just noticed your in Deleware, OH. I am located in Dayton. PM me if you need some help in the future.

[61-63]

Nice car!

[Young Pontiac Guy]

Thanks for the very warm welcome back to the community. I also have a 65 Lemans Vert in the stable, here are the two love birds together (the 65 is the wifes car).

Gotcha on the long branchs. Will proceed there.

Car is going to have some wiring challenges. Somebody sort of did their own thing on it so I have my work cut out for me. All part of the fun. I had a new Challenger and an 05 GTO that werent really much to work on, this has an elemet of a challenge for a gearhead like myself. Of course, its a Poncho.

[GruntedCatalina]

EYYY!!! happy to see more young guns! im a the brisk age of 30 myself and got a 1963 Catalina that Im putting a worked 455 in it. full valve train upgrade, 10:1 compression and as of right now a Th400. this is my first pontiac ever and i just sit there and look at it....too often to really admit telling. Honestly, with the motor near completion and some minor adjustments. i will be daily driving this thing as much as i possibly can. I hope you make a journal and post up some more shots too!

P.S.

Tom S is one of the kindnest most informative people on here. This guy has given me leads and info that i didnt think id get! +1 on the longbranch. its what I have.

[carcrazy]

Congratulations on your purchase. Great score. As noted, long branch manifolds are the way to go. "Mad Dog" does make some headers for these ( I have a pair of round ports) but they can only be used if you have manual steering.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by Young Pontiac Guy

Thanks for the very warm welcome back to the community. I also have a 65 Lemans Vert in the stable, here are the two love birds together (the 65 is the wifes car).

I'm late to the welcome party, but same goes from me: Wilkommen!

Originally Posted by Young Pontiac Guy

Car is going to have some wiring challenges. Somebody sort of did their own thing on it so I have my work cut out for me. All part of the fun.

THAT is one of the best parts of owning a DarkSider* - you make it YOURS.

Suggestions:
- Procure a copy of the '62 Chassis Service Manual, as well as the Body and HVAC manuals.
- go to and search the '61-'66 subforum if you have a question. Chances are pretty good that it's been axed - and answered.
- Post more pics of your car, inside and out. Knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing types like us rely on pics.

Pic of my driveway a few years ago is attached.


* Search for DarkSide and or DarkSider in the 61-66 subforum for more on this. It will be worth it.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Nice Cat. Welcome to the Dark Side...

[Txbobcat]

Nice looking car so rare to have a 4 speed in them even if not original.

[Young Pontiac Guy]

Al these posts really encourage the excitement. Very cool. Tom is very helpful. Cool pics engine ear. I will post some more pics of interior

[tom s]

Guys,where he will need help and I have not done one is to run a late bellhousing with the early clutch linkage.Has anyone done it and if so did you use the 61-62 or the 63-64 Zbar system.I used the 63-64 in my 62 car because it is WAY better IMO.I dont know how you would support either Z bar system with the later bell.I think I remember a bracket was made to support it.Any help will be welcome.Tom

[carcrazy]

Originally Posted by tom s

Guys,where he will need help and I have not done one is to run a late bellhousing with the early clutch linkage.Has anyone done it and if so did you use the 61-62 or the 63-64 Zbar system.I used the 63-64 in my 62 car because it is WAY better IMO.I dont know how you would support either Z bar system with the later bell.I think I remember a bracket was made to support it.Any help will be welcome.Tom

Many years ago (more than 20), I have some vague memory of giving it a shot with a late bellhousing and 62 linkage. While it may be possible with some fabrication, I didn't have any luck making it work.

[tom s]

To me the 63-64 linkage will need somekind of bracket to support the Zbar.I would not even think about the 61-62 linkage with it.If mine I would use a 63 bell,early flywheel and the bell mounted starter and 63-64 linkage.BUT the later bell is on the engine.Another way out although not EZ is hyd clutch.Tom

[cat1962]

Try BOP Engineering. They have bracket that bolts to later bells.

[65CatCoupe]

That looks a lot like my GP when I bought it this summer. Now it is in pieces in my garage and I can only hope my old brain can remember how to put it back together. Lots of unique challenges with these cars (like the one Tom noted) but stick in there and your car will the envy of Delaware.

[Engine-Ear]

Y.P.G., I am looking for the horn button assembly as shown in your pic...keep me in mind if you come across another. Thanks!

[AZ64GP]

Welcome, Dark Sider! I'm sort of young too at 37. I bought my '64 Grand Prix at the age of 31. There are guys (and I'm sure gals) of all ages in this forum. The amount of experience and knowledge in this forum is amazing. Everyone is super helpful and you'll learn a lot hanging around here.

If you are going to pursue getting long branch headers, I have a set of Ram Air Restoration ones that I am not going to use. I bought them and then decided to stick with my factory manifolds. It will probably cost a bunch to ship them from AZ to OH, but I'll let them go for less than you'll pay Ram Air Restoration. PM me if you're interested.

[Coupe62]

That is the car that came from Lexington KY, I almost went to see it.
That was a great buy. I just don't have the room and some heath issues or I would own it. That will make you a great car. I have a 1962 4-speed Catalina , and a 1962 4 speed Grand Prix, they are my favorite cars. They are also both Tripower cars ! You will get a lot of help with all the knowledgeable people on hear, Good Luck on you new Adventure !