Bonne61

Hello again, This one is a little tricky for me, so I'm asking for some advice from any experts out there? Trying to accurately identify the engine in my '61 Bonneville, I've followed the Hagerty "how to identify" article, and referenced both the PontiacPower.net and Wallace Racing lists. If I have the information correct, it is a 1959 block (code #: 532000) fitted with 1960 heads (casting #: 536109). It is mated to a Hydra-matic - tag reads P-60-200684, & a Carter 4BBL - tag reads 4242S, with L6 PD underneath (Carter's list says it's from a '67 400?). PCV is at rear, it has 2x welch plugs each side of the block, starter is fitted to bell housing. If this is the case, there won't really be any (easy) away to ascertain the actual output of the engine I presume? For practical purposes I guess I would tune it as a '60? Tune up specs that I've found don't seem to vary at all (points .019", dwell 30, timing 6º BTDC). Any info or guidance you may be able to provide will be helpful, thanxx.

Hey everyone, especially @Frosty @JUSTA6 & @64 kiwi boni , My Bonneville is finally on the road, thanks so much for all of your advice. The spindles & steering arms arrived at my door from Frank's in record time. The wheel cylinders arrived too, but in the end weren't correct however my brake guru (shout out to Adam from Quik Speed Brake & Mechanical) who rebuilt my old ones using the insides of the new ones overnight. Which means, we have spent the last 2 days cruising' around, & are driving the car to it's first show tomorrow. Absolutely stoked to finally be driving it 😃 Will upload some more photos soon, I promise. Thanks so much again you guys 🙏

Hi again, My original clock isn't working on my '61 Bonneville, & it appears as if my speedo has shit itself (thought it was the cable - pulled it out & greased it, ran for 100kms perfectly, then made a heap of noise & the needle no longer moves. However the odometer is still rolling, so I suspect the speedo drive unit itself?) Any suggestions where in Australia (preferable SE Queensland) I should look for assistance with these? Or...Are they usually not repairable? Your suggestions will be appreciated. Thankxx 🙏

Hey there, The lights on my '61 Bonneville aren't the brightest, & I have been thinking about upgrading them. My questions are...is it worth upgrading them whilst still running a generator (rather than an alternator)? If so, does anyone have any recommendations or experience with sourcing some (I'm in Australia FYI)? Thanks in advance 🙏

Thanks @Frosty, that'll do great for now 😀

Hey @Frosty, If you happen to have some advice for me, that would be great 🙏🏼 Thanks, Paul

Hey again, I am trying to track down some history on my new car - can anyone give me some direction as to where/how to start looking>? It's a '61 Bonneville hardtop, US made (Pontiac, Michigan). Thank you

Thanks @Frosty, @JUSTA6 & @64 kiwi boni. Frank's has come back to confirm that all '61-'64 backing plates should fit, providing they're US & not Aus or Canadian as I've mentioned earlier. And @64 kiwi boni, the stubs are definitely different which is why I've had tp replace stubs when I've bought the '63/'64 hubs. All a learning curve I guess? Thanks again for all of your advice.

Hello again, In my excitement to find & order the front hubs for my Bonneville from Franks, I have overlooked a significant detail. The parts arrived, however they did not include the spindles, etc I was expecting (my @#$% up, totally). So can anyone answer the following questions for me... 1. will '63/'64 spindles fit onto '61 steering arms? 2. will '61 backing plates fit onto '63/'64 spindles? When (if?) I have a definite answer for the above, I will then beg any Australians on this site for the parts I need, which will hopefully save me another 3-4 week wait for parts from California. Yes, it hurts to be so stupid!!!

Thank you @Last Indian and @64 kiwi boni 🙌🏼 I'll have to wait until the parts arrive from Frank's, to see which style they are (as I had one of each when I got it 😬) The parts I've ordered are off a '63/'64, but apparently will fit as I'm changing spindles & all. I presume these will be tapered, which is what I'm used to. Will pick up my new tyres when I get home - I managed to find some Maxxis 215/70 x 14 at a great price ($265 ea, everything else I found was $440 - $600 ea). I've never paid that much for high performance tyres on bike or car, can't see the sense in spending that on low tech tyres just because they're painted white on one side 🤷🏼‍♂️ And, my rear brakes should be bonded & radius ground by then too. Finally I'll be off to a good (re) start! Many thanks again.

To be clear, when I set bearing preload on a hub I usually tighten the castellated nut until it is firm (ie: hub doesn’t freely spin), then alternatively loosen & tighten the nut progressively until the hub spins freely but with some resistance. Then the nut gets tightened until it aligns with the next split pin hole. My question- is this method correct for both styles of bearing (I am referring to the front hubs on my ‘61 Bonneville)?

Hey there, Is anyone able to tell me…are ball bearing style front hubs usually preloaded on installation in the same way needle roller bearing style are? Regards, Paul

Hehe, it’s even before my time which is something I don’t get to say much these days. 🤣 Hopefully I won’t need too many major parts in future, but I say that with 🤞🏼So I don’t jinx myself 😬

That makes sense, it certainly doesn't fit with how everything else seems to have been made. Thanks you. Hey, I've just noticed you're from Pontiac, Michigan. According to the numbers on our Bonne, it was manufactured in the Pontiac factory there.

Oh, and here are the pics I've been promising of my car 😃 Again, sorry I've been so damn slow.

Hey @64KiwiBoni, Please see photos of devastation below. My apologies for being so slow... You can see that both hubs are different, too.

Hey everyone, Thank you for all of your help and advice. Dave from Ponti-World has also been very helpful with this problem of mine. I've managed to source a complete set of left and right hand spindles, hubs, brakes etc from Frank's Pontiac Parts in Cali. Paid for, now just awaiting delivery. FYI, these are '63-'64 items, but apparently can be fitted providing everything (from spindles out) are changed at same time. A costly exercise, but at least they should bolt straight on and be serviceable and safe. And remove an awful lot of guesswork for someone so new at this...

Dave from Ponti World tells me that only US made Ponti & Buick parts will suit. Apparently Chev won’t, & neither will Aus or Canadian-made Ponti parts🤷🏼‍♂️

Hey @64 kiwi boni, from what I can tell we should be compatible, as we're both 3rd gen cars?

Hey there, I can do that once I get back home - currently on site working atm. Thanks again, will get that to you asap.

Hey there, Is anyone able to tell me for sure what model Chev parts may fit my model? These may be easier to source? Also, compatibility with @64 kiwi boni parts? Still searching'... Found a guy who was selling a '61 wreck over here but he wants to sell it whole, and I have nowhere to put another Bonneville that doesn't go (plus I'm pretty sure I can get the parts I want cheaper than $7500!),

Hey there’64 Kiwi Boni, I have approached Dave at Ponti World, & he’s said he can’t help me. the hubs on the car differ somewhat-from what I can understand one is a Chev part (has tapered roller) the other is Ponti (ball bearing)? Problem is, the collapsed one is destroyed-no getting numbers off that…it’s in pieces 🤷🏼‍♂️ Have got some info from other sites (unsure of accuracy) that tells me some compatibility-if I can believe it ‘59-‘81 Bonneville may all suit? Still on the search-must admit I’d rather be driving it than this 😬

No, just have standard 14x6” Steelies with original wheel covers atm.

Thanks @Justa6, much appreciated. I'll trawl through & see what I can find. To clarify, I don't really want to do a disc conversion - priced up over here it's @$3000 plus a new set of wheels & tyres!