'61 Bonneville progress update

[Bonne61]

Hey there @Frosty @JUSTA6@64 kiwi boni@Fitzy@Wrongway
 

Sorry it's been a while since my last post, but I've been kinda busy & the car is grounded anyway.

The final diagnosis on the random tuning issues was...it shit itself, thank fully in my own garage🤨

I think I'd posted I had been chasing issues with apparent hesitation/breaking down under load. I'd done everything I could tuning wise (replaced all the usual offenders, adjusted dwell, timing, etc, set AFB mixtures as best I could. Car would start first time, idle like a dream, but as you opened the throttle it would carry on a treat.

I finally gave up & booked it in with my mechanic to give it a thorough going over, as I suspected either the electric fuel pump or further carby issues. Scratching my head I started it one more time & an awful mechanical rattle began🙄

Since then we've discovered it appears to have had a Mexican rebuild at some time prior to being imported (2013), & whoever built it should really not give up their day job as a @#$%ing butcher!

They had fitted some kind of dodgy helper spring on the inlet valves, behind the valve head on the combustion chamber side. They really weren't even seated firmly, just seem to have been moving around in there doing #$% all, when one finally let go completely, destroying a piston, but thankfully not a lot else (other than a scratch in #6 bore & a bent rod). Also most probably causing the preignition problems that I didn't realise I had🤷‍♂️

After having it completely stripped and checked, it seems the '59 block (produced November '58) isn't in too bad a condition, but has already been bored .030". The crank is quite good & will be machined, but almost all other consumables aren't much good. Cam stuffed too.

So...it is being rebuilt .060" over - most parts (ex-US) accessible, but finding valve train gear for the '60 heads has proven almost impossible. Waiting on an answer from the (very experienced) machinist on whether we will be able to simply sleeve the guides & re-use what we have, as the costs are building & there are limits to my budget😬

If anyone happens to have a set of old stock new valves, retainers & springs (Valve length 5.3175", angle 20 degrees, head casting #536109 (1960), B170, X2 freeze plugs) they are willing to part with that would be awesome, although I'm not holding out too much hope. Chuck at Butler Performance even wished us luck, but was happy to provide all of the part numbers for what we need.

Enough for now, don't want to bore you all.

I guess this could have gone in the Performance Discussion Forum, as anything I do from right now will increase it's performance🤣

Edited February 10, 2023 by Bonne61

[JUSTA6]

So sorry to hear of all the problems.  That's justa shame you didn't even have time to play with it before discovering the butchered mess. 

[Bonne61]

3 hours ago, JUSTA6 said:

So sorry to hear of all the problems.  That's justa shame you didn't even have time to play with it before discovering the butchered mess. 

That's really the worst of it all...I can bear the butchery & even live with the cost, but not being able to just drive it is hell.

Oh well, when we finally get it back it won't get the chance to get cold for a long time, that's for sure😁

[Wrongway]

Damn Paul, I hate to hear about all the problems bro. Keep us posted on how the rebuild goes. Good luck buddy.

[Frosty]

Sorry to hear about your bad luck bud.

You might try calling Kanter Auto Parts. They claim to have valvetrain parts for the 59-60 Pontiac 389. At almost a grand US, this is not cheap for you but if it is what you need.....

https://www.kanter.com/i-30567835-valve-train-kit-1959-1960-pontiac.html#!year%3D1959||make%3DPONTIAC

Not sure if those are the exact parts you are looking for but Kanter and Egge are two companies that I know of that specialize in older / less popular car and engine parts.

[Bonne61]

Hey all,

Just for your interest, below I've added the parts list heading my way from Butler Performance.

As I've said, I'm not doing the work myself so am in the hands of the professionals (probably for the best🤣).

Most of the machining is now done, just awaiting the pistons so the final skim of the bores can be completed.

I also have a new fuel sender in the post, & my speedo & clock are with an instrumentation specialist getting checked, repaired  (as necessary) & recalibrated.

Oh, forgot to mention I secured a great set of plates (in my opinion🤷‍♂️) for the car, that I've been negotiating on for some time.
Our beauty will now be wearing LHD61 as her new ID😃

Supply Engine Parts from Butler Performance USA

Complete Engine Gasket Kit
Clevite Cam bearings
Melling Brass freeze plug kit (block)

Butler Performance freeze plug kit (cylinder heads) Comp standard double roller timing set, gears and chain Rod bearings
Main bearings
Melling high volume oil pump kit
Butler mechanical fuel pump plate kit
ARP main stud kit
ARP rod bolt kit
ARP head bolt kit
DSS Forged 14cc Dish Pistons 4.122" bore
Butler hydraulic lifter set
Melling "068" 285/298 212/225 115 Hyd W/.408 lift Camshaft

I'll post more info as I have it...can't wait to be driving it again!

We're all booked in for Cooly Rocks on in June, so that will be a great week.

 

[Wrongway]

Hell of a list Paul, I can't wait to see your progress bud!

[64 kiwi boni]

Gees mate !!! Looks like a Xmas list 

don’t forget we love pics around here 

when you get your prezzy !

[Bonne61]

2 minutes ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

Gees mate !!! Looks like a Xmas list 

don’t forget we love pics around here 

when you get your prezzy !

There'll be plenty of those, once all the ducks start to line up👍🏼

[64 kiwi boni]

Nice mate 

[64 kiwi boni]

3 hours ago, Bonne61 said:

e're all booked in for Cooly Rocks on in June, so that will

Paul . When you do the run , take some picture and post them here !!! I love to see the rods that are around in oz !! Especially the holdens !!!! 

[Bonne61]

Finally, some good news.

My speedo & clock have been returned from Lionel Otto Instruments - repaired, cleaned & working 👍

And...the pistons are ready to be despatched from Butler Performance 👏

Getting closer 😁

[Bonne61]

After months of waiting, we finally picked up the Miss Pontiac earlier tonight 😀

I have attached a few teaser photos below - more to come tomorrow, & when I work out how to upload videos you can listen to the sweet sounds too 😈

 

Edited May 23, 2023 by Bonne61
Uploaded files incorrectly...

[JUSTA6]

What a find!!!  Can't help but sit here N stare.

[Bonne61]

3 minutes ago, JUSTA6 said:

What a find!!!  Can't help but sit here N stare.

 

3 minutes ago, JUSTA6 said:

What a find!!!  Can't help but sit here N stare.

Hehe, we've actually owned her since September last, but it's been in for an engine rebuild since January.
A long wait, but an awesome outcome. Original 389 (.060" over, now a little over 400ci) with a "mild" cam, shaved heads & block, & Butler forged pistons (to name but a few bits).

Love that sound 😄

[64 kiwi boni]

looks fantastic Paul ... now you soooo have to put her in next months potm !!! 

[Wrongway]

Awesome Paul!!!

[Bonne61]

2 hours ago, Wrongway said:

Awesome Paul!!!

 

[JUSTA6]

Brand new 61. WOW

[Wrongway]

Damn it Paul, now thats clean bro. Super impressive. 

[Bonne61]

3 hours ago, Wrongway said:

Damn it Paul, now thats clean bro. Super impressive. 

Thank you 🙏🏼 

3 hours ago, JUSTA6 said:

Brand new 61. WOW

Thanks mate 😀

[64 kiwi boni]

5 hours ago, Wrongway said:

Damn it Paul, now thats clean bro. Super impressive. 

clean!!! wtf!! i could eat my fish n chips off that motor !!!

[Fitzy]

That's how mine looked after it's rebuild. Don't worry, Paul. After a few thousand clicks, it'll settle down with a little oil mist, some dust and some road grime. Looks damn fine right now.

[Bonne61]

We were originally going to install a Holley as part of the build (my builder has a lot of history with them through building cars for drags & racing), but what with some research & advice opted to remain with the Carter (it's a 4242s from a '67 Firebird, not the original 2820s).

Current economy (after about 400 miles over the last 5 days) is a little under 16l/100kms, which I feel is fantastic. However, it has become apparent that the Carter is too worn to provide the drivability I would like on initial start up & at low sped cruise speeds.

So, an Edelbrock has been proposed & ordered - hopefully it will arrive & be fitted this week, just in time for the big run to Cooly Rocks On.

I'll keep you posted...

[Wrongway]

Nice! Any idea which Edelbrock was ordered, 1406,1906 or???