Todd had to deal with your...
Todd had to deal with your typical convertible rust that necessitated replacement of every floor and trunk pan. Year One got the call for that order.
Now the good stuff: Three different engines have resided under the hood. Although a 326ci 2-barrel V-8 was originally nestled between the fenders, a potent 455 and solid motor mounts had to go into this project. A new lesson learned the hard way is friends don't let friends let Chevy people build Pontiac engines. Two rebuilds for a swallowed valve and flattened cam later and Todd got serious or as he puts it, "I finally got smart and purchased a Jim Butler stroker 455." Jim Butler built up a wild 4-bolt main 467 engine based on a "gently used" '72 service replacement 455.
A 4.25-inch stroke crankshaft spins in JBP #031 main bearings. Ross forged flat-top .030-over pistons (with Total-Seal rings), and Eagle forged steel H-beam connecting rods assist ported 87cc chamber Edelbrock heads (that flow over 320 cfm at 28 inches of water) to create a 9.73:1 compression ratio. JBP 1.60:1 aluminum roller rocker arms do the monster mash on Ultradyne springs, titanium retainers and Ferrea valves (2.11 intake /1.77 exhaust). A Competition Cams (custom grind, # PON3371/3373HR108) hydraulic roller conducts the orchestra of power. Advertised duration is 309/317 degrees with 254/262-degree duration at .050. Lift is .571/.571 with 1.50:1 rockers and .609/.609 lift with 1.60:1 rockers. Lobe separation is 108 degrees.
To light the fire is a complete potent ignition system consisting of an MSD Blaster 3 coil, crankshaft trigger and distributor, Mallory 8mm wires, and NGK R5671A-8 plugs. Total timing is 34 degrees all in at 1,200 rpm.
Bottoms up-For all other novices...
Bottoms up-For all other novices he offers a very valuable piece of bodywork resto advice-don't rush to remove the body from the frame! "I installed all of the new sheetmetal using the frame as a template to ensure the holes matched up," Todd remarks. "After the new sheetmetal was installed, I fabricated my own rotisserie and off came the body. With the body swinging, I was able to [permanently] weld all the new sheet metal from both sides leaving very little evidence."
In the belly of the beast, a (ahem) slick Melling SD/RAIV-spec oil pump and Pre-Luber (www.enginelube.com) electric pre-lubrication system reside in a Canton 7-quart oil pan. Up on top, a Demon 825 drag race carb, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, and Holley electric Comp 140 lb-hr fuel pump feed the hungry monster. Tending to the mighty motor's leftovers are Indian Adventures' 1-7/8-inch headers and a 3-inch H-pipe dual exhaust system rumbling through Flowmaster II mufflers ensure that this Tempest talks the talk.
Originally equipped with a 2-speed Powerglide, now backing up all that is a Centerforce 11-inch clutch and plate combo, a Hays 30-pound steel flywheel, B&M Ripper shifter, Lakewood bellhousing, and Tremec "TKO" 5- speed transmission (1st -3.27, 2nd -1.98, 3rd -1.34, 4th -1.00, 5th-.68). Todd had a bit of custom work to perform to bolt it up, but a fabricated Speed Direct rod bearing clutch linkage was cussed into place to give him that smooth clutch action. The driveshaft also needed to be shortened and rebalanced. The driveshaft safety loop was a good idea to put in too. A 3.55 Richmond geared, Auburn BOP posi unit, and Jim Butler NHRA-spec custom alloy axles were crammed into a 10-bolt housing from a '72 GTO, forever banishing that factory open rear. Aiding in the battle to get all that torque to the ground are H-O Hop Stop bars.
Well there you have it fans. The true-to-life Return of the Living Dead. The real sci-fi hybrid Pontiac that has it all; drop-dead looks, monster power, creature comforts, and space-age components. In 1992, only Todd could see the inner beauty in that skull and bones monstrosity; however no one is now offended by its looks. . .but they might want to look deep beyond the skin before racing against this Tempest, I mean. . .GTO.
About the Restification
Wrapping up 4 years of creative work in one neat little sidebar. No one said that a buildup of this magnitude would be easy. Most don't even get finished. However, as you can see this was a project from Hades that was worth every ounce of time, money and energy.
You know someone is serious...
You know someone is serious when you see a Pontiac brought down this far. I bet this '64 never thought it would see the day it was reborn.
The real skeleton of the Tempest...
The real skeleton of the Tempest with freshly baked powder coating will ensure no corrosion well into the next century!
Talk about a car jacking!...
Talk about a car jacking! After the body was media blasted Todd recalls, "I then enlisted just about every available buddy I had at the time to carefully mate the body back to the frame once again."