I have been fallowing this forum for a little while and really have learned a lot. So here goes.
Last April I picked up a 66 clone convertible with all of the GTO dressing (to be referred to as the GTO from here on). It has not been on the road for 15+ years but it runs ok and the body is very straight and clean. It has a 389 with a 3 speed auto and 3.55 pose. I plan to pull the engine and go through it soon. Because it is a clone it does not need to stay original. What kind of mods do you guys recommend (cam, heads, carb, exhaust)? I have some spare parts available, is it worth the trouble to track down 455 heads? A Qjet carb and intake? It has the carter on it now. With the engine and Transmission out I plan to run disk brakes on the front, is it worth the trouble to go with disks in the back?
And on the restoration, what order do I go in, the outside is clean but the inside needs help? Do we paint before we start with the trim, door panels and soft top?
In high school I ran a 65 hard top that would pull low 13s and kicked my older brother’s but in his 69 chevelle SS, of course I had it bored .040 and ran 12:1 pistons with a cam to match. But a sold it when I got married. That was 32 years ago and I’m still married so worked out OK.
I do not want to spend all of the kid’s inheritance but I don’t mind stepping on it a little. I am looking for a car to take the grand kids out to get ice cream. Not looking for strip fast but street respectable. And it needs to sound like a Pontiac should. My neighbor has a 65 chevelle, and the GTO will dress up the neighborhood and keep him in his place.
Gene T. :willy:
Last April I picked up a 66 clone convertible with all of the GTO dressing (to be referred to as the GTO from here on). It has not been on the road for 15+ years but it runs ok and the body is very straight and clean. It has a 389 with a 3 speed auto and 3.55 pose. I plan to pull the engine and go through it soon. Because it is a clone it does not need to stay original. What kind of mods do you guys recommend (cam, heads, carb, exhaust)? I have some spare parts available, is it worth the trouble to track down 455 heads? A Qjet carb and intake? It has the carter on it now. With the engine and Transmission out I plan to run disk brakes on the front, is it worth the trouble to go with disks in the back?
And on the restoration, what order do I go in, the outside is clean but the inside needs help? Do we paint before we start with the trim, door panels and soft top?
In high school I ran a 65 hard top that would pull low 13s and kicked my older brother’s but in his 69 chevelle SS, of course I had it bored .040 and ran 12:1 pistons with a cam to match. But a sold it when I got married. That was 32 years ago and I’m still married so worked out OK.
I do not want to spend all of the kid’s inheritance but I don’t mind stepping on it a little. I am looking for a car to take the grand kids out to get ice cream. Not looking for strip fast but street respectable. And it needs to sound like a Pontiac should. My neighbor has a 65 chevelle, and the GTO will dress up the neighborhood and keep him in his place.
Gene T. :willy: