1964 bonneville rebuild

[JUSTA6]

5 hours ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

interesting thing Fitzy was the bearing co i asked said, that 61-67 full sizes chev was the same, so i cross checked with rock autos listing and sure enough, same parts numbers !

was kindA hoping a wide tracker here had already found that out for me ! haha 

Sorry Bro, was going to call my parts shop N check for ya, but they were closed when I read your post.  Forgot about it after that. Outta sight, Outta mind. 

[64 kiwi boni]

6 hours ago, JUSTA6 said:

Sorry Bro, was going to call my parts shop N check for ya, but they were closed when I read your post.  Forgot about it after that. Outta sight, Outta mind. 

All good mate,

i justA gona have to pull a hub and get the numbers to be sure of what to order..... but when i do i will check what cars have the same and post em for any future reader with a wide tracker that may need bearings 

[64 kiwi boni]

SO ! emailed ram air restorations 3 times in the past 4 weeks and still no response at all! Paul if you are reading this. how about communication ! as he was the guy who for the early part was very good and explained that they where out of stock of the right hand LB1 cast headers and would be back in stock late feb and expect another week or 2 for machining...ok. completely normal.

Now after 3 emails ( from end of feb) and NO response, i am going to call them international and see if i can get a result... why you ask ! when ames have them... i have heard that these guys castings are the best... say no more.

my 64 from what i have learnt will not work with headers un- like fitzy 65 that the steering box is in a different placement.

 And i want to have good ground clearance, as the 64 is going to be,  low,  wide,  long,  and mean as !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but stock looking too... its a theme i am working with !! haha 😜

ok... fat girl comes to mind ! dont laugh ! .. fredy mercury made lots of money out of his fat bottom girl song !!!

enjoy a classic!!!!!!

[Fitzy]

You know, Ames sometimes act as the manufacturer's agent so I can only assume that those headers you are chasing will be made by RAR but distributed by Ames. I got my Doug's headers through Ames because it was actually cheaper than any other method of purchase. I know I sound like a recurring advertisement for them, but I research all prices before committing and I've yet to find a cheaper alternative, plus they will ensure that what you order will actually fit. How's this: I needed tail light bulb holders. There are companies that specialise in nothing else but Ames were still better priced and the parts were exact. I have since installed them and now have tail lights, those cool looking US style flashing brake light indicators and brake lights. Yippee!

[64 kiwi boni]

5 minutes ago, Fitzy said:

You know, Ames sometimes act as the manufacturer's agent so I can only assume that those headers you are chasing will be made by RAR but distributed by Ames. I got my Doug's headers through Ames because it was actually cheaper than any other method of purchase. I know I sound like a recurring advertisement for them, but I research all prices before committing and I've yet to find a cheaper alternative, plus they will ensure that what you order will actually fit. How's this: I needed tail light bulb holders. There are companies that specialise in nothing else but Ames were still better priced and the parts were exact. I have since installed them and now have tail lights, those cool looking US style flashing brake light indicators and brake lights. Yippee!

not sure they are made by the same co mate, see this comment...

https://www.ramairrestoration.com/catalog/product/gallery/id/173/image/353/

[64 kiwi boni]

ok... so now i am getting a justA tad pist off. i have emailed, called (got an answer phone) and again tonight email ram air restorations ... 

 all i want is a set of their cast iron headers and they are not communicating.. i will try and call again again tomorrow morning and if i get the answer Phone again. i am going to buy the ames headers.😡 

[Fitzy]

Hmm...good luck. See attached from Ames catalogue. I also checked the Doug's site but no mention of your car or mine! I went to your posted comment and that's fair enough - they make a good point, but I suppose you could always whip out the air grinder and talcum powder and port match them yourself. Come on, what else are you going to do with your life???

I must add that I got the same ignored treatment from every salvage yard that specialise in old cars - every single one across the US. Whatever, I'll go somewhere else.

[64 kiwi boni]

1 minute ago, Fitzy said:

Hmm...good luck. See attached from Ames catalogue. I also checked the Doug's site but no mention of your car or mine! I went to your posted comment and that's fair enough - they make a good point, but I suppose you could always whip out the air grinder and talcum powder and port match them yourself. Come on, what else are you going to do with your life???

I must add that I got the same ignored treatment from every salvage yard that specialise in old cars - every single one across the US. Whatever, I'll go somewhere else.

yes mate and i got the same reaction looking for a chassis at the beginning of last year, not one got back to me, as if it was too hard. ! 

what i have is 2 very crappy log manifolds that i certainly cant use, one has 2 broken bolts and the other one broken bolt.

i will give it one last crack tomorrow and then i will be ringing ames... 

what concerns me is they dont list a header for 64 , and i bet its because of the steering box clearance issues.

hell i might justA go back to my plan from early last year and build my own headers, take a manifold off, template the flange, get my mate to lazer cut some 10mm steel, and sit down with a box of bends and my tig and take a deep breath !! haha

[Fitzy]

I don't want to hijack your thread, but this will interest you. I just called the mechanic to see how he was progressing with the car. When he realised who I was, there was an exasperated sigh and he then exclaimed that "they were the worst headers I've ever fitted!" Oil filter clearance problems, trans cooling line fouling and just general drama. Anyway, they're on. If I had your skills, I'd be making my own. You'll certainly have bragging rights when showing off your engine to wide eyed gawkers peering in there looking at that light blue engine wondering why it isn't painted Chevy orange.

I hate to say this, but chucking a BBC in there with an adaption kit would have been a far easier solution.

[64 kiwi boni]

i know they are tight, thats why i have not fitted my fenders yet, i wanted to get the headers on and have lots of space to do so. passenger side is a walk in the park, except for the oil filter! 

driver side on my 64 is as tight as a nuns you know what around the number 3 and 5 ports to the steering box, while gto had there box out the front with no issues. even custom made headers are going to  be super tight !  but i do want to get rid of the logs, they deserve to be in the lake with the eels in new zealand !! haha  

12 minutes ago, Fitzy said:

I hate to say this, but chucking a BBC in there with an adaption kit would have been a far easier solution.

Fitzy i think a big block would have the same issue with the steering box! AND i wouldnt do that to my pretty girl, shes a ponti through and through i like that shes different... aka special.. like me !! haha

Edited March 24, 2021 by 64 kiwi boni

[JUSTA6]

5 hours ago, Fitzy said:

I don't want to hijack your thread, but this will interest you. I just called the mechanic to see how he was progressing with the car. When he realised who I was, there was an exasperated sigh and he then exclaimed that "they were the worst headers I've ever fitted!" Oil filter clearance problems, trans cooling line fouling and just general drama. Anyway, they're on. If I had your skills, I'd be making my own. You'll certainly have bragging rights when showing off your engine to wide eyed gawkers peering in there looking at that light blue engine wondering why it isn't painted Chevy orange.

I hate to say this, but chucking a BBC in there with an adaption kit would have been a far easier solution.

Not so much on the BBC.  Everything is backwards on the Chev to the Pontiac.  Wiring, fuel routing, Starter on the wrong side so you can't use the same trans.  

[JUSTA6]

6 hours ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

yes mate and i got the same reaction looking for a chassis at the beginning of last year, not one got back to me, as if it was too hard. ! 

what i have is 2 very crappy log manifolds that i certainly cant use, one has 2 broken bolts and the other one broken bolt.

i will give it one last crack tomorrow and then i will be ringing ames... 

what concerns me is they dont list a header for 64 , and i bet its because of the steering box clearance issues.

hell i might justA go back to my plan from early last year and build my own headers, take a manifold off, template the flange, get my mate to lazer cut some 10mm steel, and sit down with a box of bends and my tig and take a deep breath !! haha

Not so far off the mark.   Used set of Pontiac headers, cut and replace only the runners needed.  Still a PIA, but alot less work.  Could spend a couple more$$$  (sorry) N have em ceramic coated when your done.  Justa throwin it out there.

[64 kiwi boni]

little up date, no one answering the phone at ram air restorations, no response to emails, long branch headers dead in the water.

 back to plan A .

 and one question, if they dont make headers for 64 bonnevilles whats going to be the closest to buy? 

67-69 fire bird ? or 65 bonneville like Fitzy's ? either way they are going to have to be modified.. 

whats your thoughts JustA ?

 

17 hours ago, JUSTA6 said:

Could spend a couple more$$$  (sorry) N have em ceramic coated when your done.  Justa throwin it out there.

Certainly going to do that mate, i have a good mate who runs a hpc power coating shop

and that coating works super good at keeping the heat down, as seen on my hq thread

[Frosty]

I would try the 67-69 Firebird and/or 68-72 Grand Prix for headers next. The GP is really a stretched A-body (GTO/Tempest/Lemans) chassis.

[JUSTA6]

1 hour ago, Frosty said:

I would try the 67-69 Firebird and/or 68-72 Grand Prix for headers next. The GP is really a stretched A-body (GTO/Tempest/Lemans) chassis.

64 has the quirky steering location probs. And then you can add in the clearance issues for the starter too on that side. 

8 hours ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

little up date, no one answering the phone at ram air restorations, no response to emails, long branch headers dead in the water.

 back to plan A .

 and one question, if they dont make headers for 64 bonnevilles whats going to be the closest to buy? 

67-69 fire bird ? or 65 bonneville like Fitzy's ? either way they are going to have to be modified.. 

whats your thoughts JustA ?

 

Certainly going to do that mate, i have a good mate who runs a hpc power coating shop

and that coating works super good at keeping the heat down, as seen on my hq thread

Wish I could tell you which would be the easiest to modify for your problem.  Kinda looks like you will be doing modifying of some sort.

[JUSTA6]

Here is some links to things I've found and many places I have used before and recommend.  BOP  Pontiac supplier extraordinaire.  Eastwood...Premiere autobody tools/accessories (the go to  shop period!)   Pontiacdyi  huge amount of info. Summit racing. Ramairrestorations

https://www.bopengineering.com/pontiac_full_size.shtml

https://www.eastwood.com/automotive-parts/exhaust-systems/chevy-gm/chevy-gm-headers-exhaust-manifold.html

https://www.pontiacdiy.com/

https://www.summitracing.com/search/department/exhaust/section/headers/year/1964/make/pontiac/engine-size/6-4l-389?

https://www.ramairrestoration.com/pontiac/factory-headers.html

[Fitzy]

Kiwi, see my latest post in my GP thread. Good luck with headers. My 'guaranteed to fit' Doug's did indeed fit but it was dramatic.

[64 kiwi boni]

So here I am being very patient with ram air restorations ...... not !!!

and f-ck me Paul got back to me this morning !!! After all the calls,emails and now I have placed my order for the manifolds 🙄🙄🙄

i know they are worth the effort for a few reasons 

first being clearances to things like stater motor, and even though these do require a oil filter adaption 

what I do know is I get good ground clearance 👍👍👍👍

as I intended to keep her low but still practical . Now let’s see how long ..... long branch headers take to flight to New Zealand hahaha 😀🍻🍻

 

1 hour ago, Fitzy said:

Kiwi, see my latest post in my GP thread. Good luck with headers. My 'guaranteed to fit' Doug's did indeed fit but it was dramatic.

Hay fitzy 

thanks for the info 

and I am glad they fitted 

nothing worse than buying stuff only to find it won’t work !!! Haha been there 🤪

[64 kiwi boni]

15 hours ago, JUSTA6 said:

Here is some links to things I've found and many places I have used before and recommend.  BOP  Pontiac supplier extraordinaire.  Eastwood...Premiere autobody tools/accessories (the go to  shop period!)   Pontiacdyi  huge amount of info. Summit racing. Ramairrestorations

https://www.bopengineering.com/pontiac_full_size.shtml

https://www.eastwood.com/automotive-parts/exhaust-systems/chevy-gm/chevy-gm-headers-exhaust-manifold.html

https://www.pontiacdiy.com/

https://www.summitracing.com/search/department/exhaust/section/headers/year/1964/make/pontiac/engine-size/6-4l-389?

https://www.ramairrestoration.com/pontiac/factory-headers.html

Good info justA 🍻

its like for some reason,they justA forgot about 1964.... maybe it was the drugs !! Haha 

or ..... they looked at how close the steering box was to the 2 centre exhaust ports and went .... oh f.... arrr out man ! That’s tooo hard 

Edited March 26, 2021 by 64 kiwi boni

[64 kiwi boni]

Finished work Sunday afternoon and had the best part of a whole hour free, so managed to make up the brake line from the master cylinder to the block junction 

To be noted, that i haven't bent the brake tube as per the factory one as 

with brake line rules here in nz there has to be a loop between the master cylinder and the chassis fixing point, which when you think about it is a good idea considering that the body and chassis are bolted together with rubber bushing so that they can move and this brake line will need to flex, which the factory item had no allowance for😀

Edited March 28, 2021 by 64 kiwi boni

[64 kiwi boni]

i did plan to make up the Teflon fuel line from the pump to the carb, and found that i am short of a dash 6 a n  elbow for the top connection at the carb, you can see the braided hose justA under the air cleaner.

[Andy H]

7 hours ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

Finished work Sunday afternoon and had the best part of a whole hour free, so managed to make up the brake line from the master cylinder to the block junction 

To be noted, that i haven't bent the brake tube as per the factory one as 

with brake line rules here in nz there has to be a loop between the master cylinder and the chassis fixing point, which when you think about it is a good idea considering that the body and chassis are bolted together with rubber bushing so that they can move and this brake line will need to flex, which the factory item had no allowance for😀

Nice loop ,did you just bend it by hand around a pipe or something? Don't need to have one here in CA nobody check's anything but like the look 

[64 kiwi boni]

3 hours ago, Andy H said:

Nice loop ,did you just bend it by hand around a pipe or something? Don't need to have one here in CA nobody check's anything but like the look 

you Will laff Andy, i hand bent it around a 24mm socket😜

[Andy H]

6 hours ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

you Will laff Andy, i hand bent it around a 24mm socket😜

Whatever it takes, looks good, think i will do something similar but i need two for my dual master.

[64 kiwi boni]

Yes Andy, yeah do what you have to to make it work... thats the cool part about being a petrolhead ... we can think out side the square and make it work, this brake tube is really nice to work with, which helps no end . 

Pipes are my job, so automotive isnt to hard for me as a gas fitter... the difference is when i install copper tubes into a customers home or a business/ shop, they dont see what i do with my pipe art !... and they dont really care as long as the fire/ heater, works ! hahaha ... gas fitting..... the un- loved trade !!  oh i know!

oh i know !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdh9bjWt2XU

Edited March 29, 2021 by 64 kiwi boni