Projects 1964 PONTIAC 421 HO Engine Build

Lots of Pontiacs for me too, GPs, GTOs, Fbirds.. But my best friend in high school had a sweet stock '65 GTO with Powerglide on the floor, big L60 meats and those traction bars that bolted to the upper control arms. That thing did the best neutral drop burnouts you ever saw. He spent a good 6 months doing it too before the Powerglide had enough and he put in a a Muncie.

 

I have been looking for years for the print out which was a typed piece of paper back then showing what the hp & torque readings were from 2500 rpm up. Frank passed back in 2011 at 86 and I contacted his son Joey to see if any of the old records were still around but unfortunately they were not. Certain numbers stuck in my mind like 340 h.p. @5400 rpm at an inlet temp of 98. I do not remember what the max torque reading was. Frank`s engine dyno was a Stanguellini 0-100 KG.
For what it`s worth being a car enthusiast you may want to check out what a unique life Frank Dominianni had back then beating the factory backed racing teams running his 62 Vet. being the owner, driver & mechanic with no other help!
He can be found on line by typing Frank Dominianni and click on the www.carguychronicles.com/2011/12/frank-dominianni-final lap. I corrected the web site for any who may wish to check out.

 

Wow! What a thread!!!!!
I wonder how the build turned out????

 

Very cool thread. As you know, you've built a strong Pontiac. Beautiful job and a tip of the hat to the builder. I can't believe some of the shitty comments posted on this thread. It's laughable but I guess it takes all kinds.

 

Great thread...I'm currently restoring my 64 421, not an HO but a 4 speed car.

 

The 421 has a home in this 1964 Le Mans convertible, it was originally ordered with some nice luxury options like power windows, air conditioning and power steering. It has a TH350 replacing the original 2-speed ST-300 and has a 2.56 rear end so I can keep up with traffic on the freeway if I need to.

It’s still a work in progress but I’m glad to be driving it now, a new interior will be in the works soon as well as a new top.

 

Any updates on the Tempest?

 

No, not here at least it’s not a traditional build in any way shape or form.

 

LOL true. Anything on the other forum?

 

@draggin'GTO Looking real nice!
What brand of radiator are you running and would you recommend it?
I had my original 2 row recored 30 years ago, but I'm wanting to go with a new radiator this time.

 

I’m using a Cold Case Severe Duty aluminum radiator which was recommended by the owner for my air conditioned application.

This Le Mans has the heavy duty/air conditioning cooling system which comes with the deeper core support that accepts the 17-1/2” radiator core as opposed to the standard 15-1/2” radiator.

In order to use this particular radiator I had to switch from the 1964 thermostat housing which goes to the passenger side of the top tank inlet normally like all ‘64 and ‘65 cars to the 1966 thermostat housing to use the ‘66 - ‘67 drivers side inlet. I modified the original steel fan shroud and moved the upper hose notch to the driver’s side.

The Severe Duty radiator only comes in the later configuration and has two 1-1/4” tubes as opposed to the standard two 1” tubes. These early A-body GM cars with the less efficient down flow radiators that have limited frontal core area need all the help they can get especially with larger engines like the 421.

I have a 160 degree thermostat and the car usually stays between 170 and about 188, once I install the condenser and the air conditioning becomes functional we’ll see how it fares. I will install all the sheet metal and masticated rubber A/C baffles at the same time to insure as much air flows through the radiator as possible.

Also using a 19-1/2” factory clutch fan and a Hayden Severe Duty fan clutch which made a big difference in overall temperature control. My radiator has a trans cooler like all that are for automatic transmission applications. I have a pretty efficient 13” Continental converter that couples well under normal driving so it’s not necessary to add an additional transmission cooler. That converter does help by letting the engine get up in the RPMs a bit when I’m opening all 3 carbs.