About 3 years ago my father died and I have responsiblity for the estate. One of those things is a 1961 Pontiac Tempest Manual Shift 4-door sedan that had been sitting at my grandmother's house. It has problems. The torque tube is no longer attached to the back of the engine and has been bent. I don't know if the rope drive is still in it yet. Finding those two replacement parts is my major issue just now. There was a place that specialized in Pontiac Tempest parts just up the road in Oklahoma, but it has closed down. I'm thinking this means I need to go the donor car route. The body looks to be in good shape as does the seats, dash, gauges. I've pulled the plugs and been filling it with marvel oil to keep rust at bay. I've removed the red hornets' nests and all doors open/close (although 1 is worse than the rest). I've removed the ignition and had a key made. I'm contemplating how to pop the trunk from inside the trunk so I don't mangle the rear lock. Tires go flat but don't know if thats rubber or rims causing the problem. I've got an shop manual for it.. and have read it. Floor plans will need to be replaced but I understand I can use corvair pans and they will fit well. Paint is chalking off where it hasn't rusted off and headliner is dead. Here are a few pictures. JW
If you take the back seat out you should be able to get into the trunk and turn the lock shaft. Be sure to shine a light in the trunk first as you never know what may be in there.
I happen to have one of those in my hoard. 4 cyl stick 4 door. complete car even has a ***le. I will sell it for $400.
If you remove the rear seat you can unbolt the latch using a 3/8" or 7/16" socket and about 4 feet of extensions. This does not take into consideration of what may be lurking within. (copperheads, opossums, bottles of fuming red fulminate of mercury, etc). There is a cross brace behind the seat which won't allow a normally configured person to crawl though. ...which reminds me...about 30 years ago there was someone around here who took a 4 door like this and painted
It has been nearly 5 years since I logged in here. ... I'm back now. Right after I posted to this forum, my husband's heart took a turn for the worse. So I shelved everything and began a different journey (Left Ventricular ***ist Device). Long Journey. Hard Work. Mentally Hard. Hardest thing I've ever done. He is now on Ho****e and it looks like I'll be restarting this journey later this summer or early fall. I'm back to the stage of 'need a rope drive' or a donor car. ---- The Bronco in the picture is still there and as I clean up the Tempest, I'll also be cleaning up the Bronco. I figure it will give me something to focus on after my Mr. p***es on. ------ I've removed the backseat from the Tempest. I've gotten the trunk open and determined I have quite the problem with rusted through metal around the trunk 'channel'. I've removed the right front beauty 'ring' for the headlight to see how difficult it will be to start cleaning up in the engine compartment. ----- Bronco -- I bought a new battery for it, cleaned out all the rat droppings under the hood and determined I need to replace the master cylinder and all brake lines as well as fix the leaky tailgate window. ------ I have a Tempest manual but need to purchase one for the Bronco. I'll start a separate thread for the Bronco. It is easier to get parts and will be up and running sooner I'll bet. If I can't find a rope drive for the Tempest, I'll have to decide if it gets converted to a different driveline or gets parted out. JW
Not a lot of traffic here, but a forums for 61-63 Tempest/LeMans. There’s a for sale and parts wanted section. https://littleindians.com/forums/ Good source of new parts- https://www.amesperf.com/
I noticed the same thing... that lone wolf has been mia. Looks like I'll be joining littleindians and see what can be had there. JW
Ames sponsors a website forum too, but again, not too much traffic in the ‘61-63 area, though I will see an occasional post. Parts wanted and for sale on that site too. I forgot to post it yesterday. I have a ‘63 BTW. I will see an occasional driveline pop up for sale every once in a while. http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/index.php
Mr Bones , you seem to look in the background for stuff , same as me . I found a 20s sidevalve Harley engine on a rototiller years ago . 25.00
Yes sir! That is kinda how I found my steam engine! Looking at picture of a steel cutting band saw and saw it in the back ground. I have found bargains that way! Bones
Now that’s cool stuff , I was a licensed stationary engineer , by trade . I love to find a stream engine .
Yeah, @Old wolf was quite a character. He got a lot of his posts deleted by the "mods" for being a little too political. Told them to **** off and quit the HAMB.
I have been looking for one at the right price for years! Steam engines fascinate me. I attend a steam show here in Oklahoma occasionally and have attended others in other states from time to time. Like most of my finds, I find them while looking for something else. I got this engine and the boiler for $50! It isn’t an antique, it was sold in the forties and fifties , long past the heyday of the steam engine. It’s another one of my projects that I hope to get running. I will just hook my air compressor to the piping to watch it run. The boiler is homemade and I really don’t trust the welds. But, it’s something to play with. A man has to have his toys! lol Bones
If you are in North East Texas, you are probably in driving distance of Old Wolf. If I remember correctly he is in Arkansas. His town is listed on his avatar. Bones
The Jalopy Journal
