Power & 'Opportunity'

Ended up trading a short-block that I had for a rebuilt 1963 389 .30-over engine a friend purchased in Illinois.  The rebuilding of the 421 that came with the GP will have to wait for resources.  The replacement has 10/10.5:1 compression, HO rods, Mellng oil pump, mild cam, Edelbrock Performer intake, 1965 "76" heads, and timing chain cover and water pump are 1969-ish.  Told it's about 410-420 HP, and about 450-475 lbs. torque. Will require a higher octane gasoline. Was built by a reputable builder who I'm trying to get into contact with to learn a little more.  Should be plenty of power through the 3.64 posi rear-end.

With all the junk on it:



Test fit the long-branch manifolds, alternator, power steering pump, oil filter adaptor (to clear the manifolds), engine mounts, carburator, and AC bracket.  Of course, there are 'opportunities' associated with the non-stock setup.  The passenger side engine mount interferes a hair with the manifold.  Because  the 11 bolt water pump extends further forward, there is a pulley alignment issue which will need to be resolved.  It's unclear whether the NOS 421 +/- 500 CFM AFB Carb that I have will be "enough" for this powerplant.

 

Smothers Brothers & Pontiac, 1964

Picture above showing the boys in front of a '64 Bonneville and Tempest. Listen to their ad at this link: Smothers Brothers 1964

Neatness

Replaced all of the vacuum hose (picture below shows just a portion of what was removed). Organized, verified, and straightened up the wiring and vacuum lines. Cut,fit, and glued new upper firewall insulation--the previous stuff had disintegrated long ago--with the foil backed type used in racing vehicles. Coolest part was setting the dash pad in place. For the first time since I've owned the car, it looked like a real car (so long as I just stared at the dash). No luck finding a nice enough OEM steering wheel, thinking about a slotted spoke wooden wheel Grant job.

Tale of Two Consoles

Why is it that when you think swapping a clean '64 console for a pitted '63 console, that at first blush look seemingly alike, will be easy, it isn't? Notice the bases to the shifters and shift locations in the console are different, which impacts location of the shift mechanisms and a bunch of other things:

It's always something. 

Anyway, the dash and front of firewall reassembly is moving slowly but surely (the pieces of blue tape everywhere are reminders):