Nice Poncho. My guess is that when you reinstalled the distributor, you got it off by one or more teeth.
Real cool pontiac. All it needs visually is wide whites, older poncho wheel covers, shaved handles, and a killer stance. Cant wait to see more progress
When I dropped it back in it would go "all the way down" in one of two positions because of the oil pump. The bottom of the dizzy is slotted. Even when I started from scratch with balancer on zero, the #1 piston all the way up and then matched the cap/#1 plug wire to the rotor, it would not run. I don't know. BTW - If the balancer was out of whack from tdc then I wouldn't expect to find the #1 piston at top so I'm not inclined to go with that guess?? My engine experience is mostly with air cooled volkswagens. I admit I'm behind the curve here.
Wow that cleaned up nice. As for your timing, I think your TDC mark is not at the real TDC. Probably slipped some. Time by ear so it runs good, don;t get caught up in the actual value for now. If too advanced you will get pinging and could be hard cranking to start, especially when it is warmed up. On the old gas, just burn it up in the car about 2 gal per tank until it is gone. Easiest way to get rid of it.
You sure have that ol Poncho lookin' good. Is that the same car that sat on a small car lot along West 7th St for quite a while?? I never did stop in to inspect it....passed by it many times.
Thanks for all the tips guys. It's running great for now so I'm just not gonna sweat it anymore. I'm watching for some seat covers and waiting for the floors to come in. 47Plym - I picked it up in Crane, MO. It had been on Craigslist since back in April. Haven't seen the one of west 7th.
Sounds like you installed it 180 degrees out... Just because the piston is up doesn't mean it's on the compression stroke, the piston could be on the exhaust stroke... Might be best to pull the valve cover and make sure the rockers are both up when checking for #1, top dead center, compression stroke.... I'd do a compression test to see if the valves are ok...
IMO, a 1959 Bonneville trunk lid emblem has the most beautiful Pontiac emblem that was ever made. Take a look at one and I think you will agree. There was a 1959 Bonneville in Rector's Auto Salvage in Atoka Oklahoma and it was in such good shape, with a little work, it could have been driven out. Rector's also had a 1963 Mercury Marauder in excellent condition. If you go to Rector's Salvage, watch out for copper heads. Normally copper heads are no longer than 3 feet long. However, I saw one laying across the dirt road in Rector's Salvage that was about 5 feet long. Rector killed it and said he is going to make a belt out of the skin.
if you need any parts I have a nice clean parts car I got for the windshild for my olds sad thing is somone stole the pedels out of it three weeks ago it was a stick car.
How is the dash chrome in it? ALL of the dash stuff in this car is really pitted up. I'm also gonna need a front bumper - but that could be a pain to get shipped.
Sanded the roof down tonight - hoping to throw some paint on it tomorrow. There were NO dents anywhere in the top - not even the slightest. Never been worked. I'm amazed when I see that on a car this old!! I'm tempted to flake it but I've never sprayed flake before. Anybody have tips/suggestions for what to use/do/not do???? Also wondering if anyone has a certain shade of white they have used and liked? Got the front floor pieces in the mail today. Not too sure what I think of them. I do know they are not gonna be big enough to cover the toe board area that is rotted on the drivers side. Stupid leaky master cylinder.
Thanks Bill. Not much to scream about - painting a white roof - but it's progress. Not much time to work today so I did what I could. Pulled the seats and cut out the rot on the passenger side. More as it's done. Picture whoring:
Is that early 389 one that takes the early tri-power manifolds? Years ago I was looking at them and the 65-66 tri-power manifolds were much more expensive than the early ones, and it still seems to be true. Scout around - three carbs on that thing would be cool (and better mileage too if you can keep your foot out of it)
Got the driver side cut out. Good grief what a mess. I really need a plasma cutter for this junk! Passenger side new metal is in place but I ran out of gas before I could finish. Looks like I'm off to the store in the morning.
The aluminum on the dash is Star Chief only (the left piece may be Bonneville also), but the cast pieces and stainless are all '59s. You can take the top panel right off if it needs paint, in fact the whole dash unbolts, but it's a lot of work to take the bottom piece off. And no, it's not just you, these things haul ass even with just the 2bbl on them. I still miss driving my '60.
Where is Ian Burky when you need him? Good thing there's gonna some carpet glued over this ugly stuff.
I was sick a couple of days last week and got a little behind but I'm back on track I think. Got all the floor sections welded in, ground down, and seam sealed. Hit em with a little etch primer and the some rust encapsulator over te other decent areas. Got the molded carpet in today. The molded areas for the rear wells were not wide enough. Made it a mess but I got it sorted out enough for a driver. Sill guards tomorrow and then probably some door panel work. Also looking for soem seat covers if anyone is holding some.
Thanks! Buffed it with wool pad and 3m compound. Once I'm done I'll go over it with 3m machine polish on a foam pad. The dash I just rubbed out by hand with the compound. I'll probably end up painting it.
Man I love this car, It is so cool, it cleaned up great, poor paint, pitted chrome and other imperfections are just badges of courage that the car has beat the time clock. I love the orig pattern on that back seat top. I am impressed with all you have done so quick, I very seldom do this, but if you take the back door handles off I will sucker punch you at next years H.A.M.B. DRAGS, just kidden. I have never understood this removal as if it then isn't a "no waiting" car, that's what my pal calls four door rides. I love the extra doors for a cruzer it makes so much sense haulin friends and family on a cruz. I am so pleased you didn' do the fad flaked roof. The white is so right on. The rear v-fin is one of the hippest style touches to ever be created. Sorry to be so wordy, but I am really knocked out with this ride and the steps you have taken to get er rockin. Best to ya kids. ~sololobo~
Door panels are warped an the material is dried out an torn up. Time for new. Couldn't get an exact match but it blends well enough. Hey - it's just a driver!
All four doors done as well as both b pillar upper and lower pieces, kick panles, and c pillar fill panels. I really wish I knew how to make seat covers. Hey - did I mention I'm looking for a set of seat covers????? The shop is a wreck!
Close to wrapping this thing up. Rear deck board made and covered. Rear seat is feeling a little Mexican until some seat covers come in. Washed it up and parked it out front today to show it off. Need to get a carb kit and then work on some fine tuning. Thanks to all for the encouragement along the way!
The Jalopy Journal
