1964 Catalina Restoration

[redvettemike]

Repair of rust on the bottom front of the hood. that must be a common place as we saw this in a '63 Firechief that we worked on. Engine has been machined: .030 over, cranked turned, heads redone, etc. Engine rebuild kits for these somewhat rare engines cost a lot ($700+).

 

[melsg5]

sounds like you are making progress

 

[redvettemike]

We stripped the entire car. Epoxy primed. Got the engine back and we are putting it back together. Got trans (Slim Jim Roto 10) rebuilt (not many folks left that can do that.) Color is Code N, Sunfire Red. Is rare and really pretty..

 

[melsg5]

are you intending to reuse the 2bbl carburetor and intake?

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[redvettemike]

are you intending to reuse the 2bbl carburetor and intake?

Yes, we do plan to reuse it.
Mike

 

[chiefheap]

I cant recommend anyone specifically for steering wheel restoration but just searching online I came across a few companies. In addition depending on how deteriorated the wheel is there are some DIY videos.

Check out "Steering Wheel Bob". I believe he took over from a restorer who did some very fine work.

 

[chiefheap]

My Pontiac expert in Tx says that Plasti Kote 208 is the correct paint for the '64 engine. Amazon has that. Very little rust in this '64. A bit on bottom of radiator support beneath battery and a spot in back pass floor where there evidently was a leak in the back windshield. The truck floor is the worse part. May have to replace that.

Another engine paint option is KBS MOTOR COATER #60320 available from Jeggs High Performance. I used it for touchup on much older paint and the match was acceptable.

 

[redvettemike]

My mechanical guy Marvin (age 70, 1 year older than me!) got down in his foot. Had to sit down 2 weeks (Marvin worked 20 years for the Illinois Central RR; it's a good thing they have good benefits because they wear folks out). Engine is back together and we need to get it back in the car. Maybe this week if Marvin is better.

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[melsg5]

Sure looks pretty in blue. Is there a reason the water pump isnt painted?

 

[redvettemike]

Yes; the water pump was bought after the fact and is just loosely on the engine. We will paint it here shortly. We are about to paint the car. In the next 2-3 weeks or so. Keeping it inside most of it's life has made the rust issue not an issue. It has numerous parking lot dings but needs no major metal work except for some spots in the trunk floor. It needs a front windshield and I see those are available. We are going to put a Vintage Air system on the car. The original radiator is no good and we must get a good radiator. Not sure exactly where to find that. Tks.

 

[melsg5]

Concerning the radiator, the tanks are shot also so a recore wont work?
If you are willing to go custom there is a well known company in the Corvette restoration field https://www.dewitts.com/ that might be able to make one.

 

[Kraig1957]

Yes; the water pump was bought after the fact and is just loosely on the engine. We will paint it here shortly. We are about to paint the car. In the next 2-3 weeks or so. Keeping it inside most of it's life has made the rust issue not an issue. It has numerous parking lot dings but needs no major metal work except for some spots in the trunk floor. It needs a front windshield and I see those are available. We are going to put a Vintage Air system on the car. The original radiator is no good and we must get a good radiator. Not sure exactly where to find that. Tks.

OPGI has them.

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[redvettemike]

We hopefully can start on the paint in the next two weeks.

 

[redvettemike]

I have been negligent on posting progress on this '64. We stripped it and now have it painted. Sunfire Red. Engine rebuilt; trans rebuilt. Putting weather stripping on. Vintage Air; Had the original radio rebuilt with modern internals.

 

[melsg5]

coming along nicely, great color and thanks for the update.

 

[redvettemike]

We are making some progress. Most of the trim back on. Bumpers on. Windshields back in. Weatherstrip on.

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[redvettemike]

A few more photos. The owners have owned this Cat since it was new. The wife's father bought it in New Orleans in 1963.

 

[melsg5]

Always great to know the history of the car and even better a basically one owner car.

 

[redvettemike]

Tires for this '64. Would a 235R70 x 14 be (about) correct? Do you folks know the size (width) of the whitewall on these original cars? 1"? Thanks for any guidance.
Mike

 

[redvettemike]

Folks: Tires for this '64. A friend says 235R70 x 14 would be pretty correct. Any thoughts on that? Also, what size whitewall would have come on this car?
1'?
Tks for any advice.
Mike