1964 Bonneville convertable restore

[Bonneville convertable64]

Finally putting in my newly rebuild 389. It was always the plan so I could then rebuild the original. I just wanted to put it off while I learned more about timing, transmission, and carburetor issues. Well i think it was developing a bad main bearing. It was sputtering after it would warm up.

  So far so good

[64 kiwi boni]

nice work del 👍

[Bonneville convertable64]

Excited to add the Bluetooth ignition timing system from Progressive ignition!

Here she comes!

[JUSTA6]

Great pic's!!! Thankz for sharing your project. Keep em coming.

[Wrongway]

Great pics! Bluetooth ignition timing system? Ohhh I need to read up on those lol.

[Bonneville convertable64]

Dang! Gotta hate those speed bumps in the road. Turns out my newly purchased 1962 rebuilt 389 has a little smaller crankshaft hole. This will not mate up to my transmission. Options are to get crankshaft machined or find a new converter plate with smaller pilot hole. Talked to engine seller who was surprised to learn about different size crank holes. He has a 64 389 in stock he will rebuild and swap with the 62 engine. With my original engine out I inspected the timing chain which is really loose. I think this was why I couldn’t get timing correct. So…. For the moment I will replace chain and drop original 389 back into car. Hoping I can get back on the road during the rebuild wait.

[JUSTA6]

Wait what???  Your starter is on the bellhousing with the 62?

[64 kiwi boni]

wow! thats very interesting !!. justA nother little bump in the road Del !🙄

[Bonneville convertable64]

Apparently they made a change in the crankshaft hole diameter with 62 vs 64. The 64 hole is bigger. Apparently they made converter plates to match up but… first is how to find one and second is transmission needs to be pulled to install different plate on. Also you would need a new ring seal. Bellhousing is the same for both.

Edited August 23, 2021 by Bonneville convertable64

[JUSTA6]

1 hour ago, Bonneville convertable64 said:

Apparently they made a change in the crankshaft hole diameter with 62 vs 64. The 64 hole is bigger. Apparently they made converter plates to match up but… first is how to find one and second is transition needs to be pulled to install different plate on. Also you would need a new ring seal. Bellhousing is the same for both.

I have a 64 -421. 64 was the 1st year they attached the starter to the block instead of the trans/bellhousing.  I'm running an auto trans but anything 63 back is stuck with the 2spd glide, or the stick.  Sure looks like an automatic trans in your picture.  Is that trans a 64 or is the trans a 62 to match the motor your installing.  

[Bonneville convertable64]

Mine is 64. It has the Super hydromatic/jettaway 4 speed auto transmission. Starter mounts to bellhousing.

[JUSTA6]

4 hours ago, Bonneville convertable64 said:

Mine is 64. It has the Super hydromatic/jettaway 4 speed auto transmission. Starter mounts to bellhousing.

Check the 64 motor he is offering.  Bolt to the block starter gives you more/better options for your trans choice. I'm running a 200R4 overdrive.  Upgraded from the 350 turbo I 1st installed.  

[Bonneville convertable64]

Is hard to be without Bonnie. Since I have to wait for 3-4wks for  new 64 rebuild I started to problem solve my original engine. I could not get timing set(see ugly pic getting towed home). Almost impossible to start any longer. I inspected the chain to find a complete mess. Chain was stretched out an inch it seems. Put new chain in along with new Bluetooth electronic distributor. Also cleaned up leaking oil pan. Fires up first try and runs great! It only took 50hrs of work. Victory! I am ready to load the family and dog to cruise the great beyond again. Thank God!

 

Edited August 28, 2021 by Bonneville convertable64

[64 kiwi boni]

Nice work Del 👍👍👍👍

tell us how the distributor blue tooth works ? 

[Bonneville convertable64]

1 hour ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

Nice work Del 👍👍👍👍

tell us how the distributor blue tooth works ? 

You need the msd2 coil since stock isn’t strong enough. Then add a new ignition power wire that doesn’t have a resistor in it. Drop in distributor with motor set at 10tdc. My balancer didn’t have a 10 degree mark so I  measured and added one. Use their app on phone to connect with Bluetooth. You simply select details with drop menu like number of cylinders, max rpm, and 10 other things. It has suggestions already set so I do didn’t change much for starters. It fired up first turn. You can make selections/changes and save it to a list. Add any of your presets to your distributor, only one at a time. I need to tinker with it but for now the car runs better than ever. Happy Bonnie cruising for now!

 

[JUSTA6]

2 minutes ago, Bonneville convertable64 said:

You need the msd2 coil since stock isn’t strong enough. Then add a new ignition power wire that doesn’t have a resistor in it. Drop in distributor with motor set at 10tdc. My balancer didn’t have a 10 degree mark so I  measured and added one. Use their app on phone to connect with Bluetooth. You simply select details with drop menu like number of cylinders, max rpm, and 10 other things. It has suggestions already set so I do didn’t change much for starters. It fired up first turn. You can make selections/changes and save it to a list. Add any of your presets to your distributor, only one at a time. I need to tinker with it but for now the car runs better than ever. Happy Bonnie cruising for now!

 

Thats awesome, happy for ya.

[Bonneville convertable64]

Put 75 miles on her today. Had to get the lighthouse picture. Shepherd especially liked it.

[JUSTA6]

Great shots.  Lighthouse is wallhanger.

[Bonneville convertable64]

Great to hang out at the beach today. Bonnie was made to set sail! This is a 2 door yacht. Nice to meet so many classic car fans

Edited August 29, 2021 by Bonneville convertable64

[64 kiwi boni]

Great pictures Del 👍

[JUSTA6]

Nice pic's.  Up here in the mitten we are trying to get in our last couple of shows before the rides are put away for the winter.  You get to play year round.

[Bonneville convertable64]

I know what you mean JUSTA6 being from Ohio. Just moved down here for good a few yers ago. I also work on pinball restoration and I absolutely love being able to solder, paint, sand, bondo, glue, and everything you can imagine all year long.

Edited August 29, 2021 by Bonneville convertable64

[JUSTA6]

Very cool.  My son and family is in FLA.   Make plans to attend the Turkey trot in Daytona in November.  Will blow your mind.  Biggest carshow/swap meet I've been to.  In the infield of the track.  

[Bonneville convertable64]

Magazine brochure Bonneville pic

Edited September 7, 2021 by Bonneville convertable64

[Bonneville convertable64]

It is amazing to have so many people approach me with 1964 Bonneville stories. This woman’s dad had one while she was in high school. This guy had a 64 convertable back in the day. I hear this kinda thing all the time which makes it so fun to cruise in. I usually have people jump in the driver’s seat for a picture. They act like I gave them a $100.00 bill. One guy said back in the sixties someone did a u-turn in front of them. The crash caused  their surfboards to go through the Bonnie windshield and totally through the other car windows then onto the street. If this keeps up, I will need to create a book and call it 1964 Bonneville stories.

Edited August 30, 2021 by Bonneville convertable64