torquesmackee
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I have up for sale a 389 V8 out of a 1961 Catalina, casting number 538181. I purchased the car recently with the intent to rebuild/restore it, but don’t have the time/money to invest in either rebuilding the Roto-Hydramatic transmission the car has, or buying the Bendtsen’s adapter kit for the engine. Engine does run, started it up several times while it was still sitting in the car, and it ran well once it warmed up a bit, though without a working transmission the best I could test it was revving her up (does sound like a mean machine, though 
).
Engine is all original (2bbl Rochester carb, water pump, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, crankcase breather, etc) except for an after-market oil breather and edelbrock air cleaner (which is not being included because it looks like junk), and engine comes with the original delco-remy generator shipped with the motor, as well as the original power steering pump for the car, and all brackets needed for these accessories. There is no ac condenser though; that was chopped out of the car before I bought it. The engine will also come with the points-style distributor the engine had when I bought it, as well as the ignition coil for the distributor.
I will also throw in the delco-remy starter for the motor (working) and, if anyone is interested, they are welcome to take the Roto-Hydramatic transmission with them as well. It’ll just be sitting in the shop collecting dust otherwise, and if there’s a collector out there who would like to rebuild it to restore his car to original, I figure that’s a better use for it than storage fodder. I know the damper plate between the flywheel and oil pump is bad, but I haven't torn open the transmission to find out if anything else is wrong. From what I've heard, these trannys are nightmares to repair, so I would just as soon leave curiosity to the avid rebuilder. Had I the money, I would personally buy the Bendtsen adapter and back the engine with a TH350, or some other newer chevy transmission, but I have a 454 that’s being rebuilt right now, and with its bolt pattern being easier to find transmissions for, I can’t really justify holding on to the 389.
Now I will say, just to clear the air, that I believe the engine should be overhauled. It wasn’t blowing blue smoke, nor was it knocking when I had her running, but as this engine is considerably old and probably hasn’t ever been gone through, it might be a good idea to crack her open and clean her up proper.
I am asking $750 for the whole thing (engine, accessories, starter, and if you’re so inclined, the transmission), but will consider any reasonable offers, so don't be afraid to inquire. I would like to have it sold by April 21st, as I’m trying to scrounge the money together to get the 454/TH350 combo prepped, primed, and dropped in the Catalina in time for a car show later this month.
The engine is located in Syracuse, Kansas, zip code 67878. If you’re familiar with Kansas, it’s a small town about fifty miles west of Garden City on highway 50. Please feel free to e-mail me regarding questions (I've got a smart phone, so I can promptly respond to inquiries) at christopher.brecheisen@hotmail.com. I'd tell you my name but, well, the email says it all. I have plenty more pictures, so feel free to ask if you're interested.
).Engine is all original (2bbl Rochester carb, water pump, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, crankcase breather, etc) except for an after-market oil breather and edelbrock air cleaner (which is not being included because it looks like junk), and engine comes with the original delco-remy generator shipped with the motor, as well as the original power steering pump for the car, and all brackets needed for these accessories. There is no ac condenser though; that was chopped out of the car before I bought it. The engine will also come with the points-style distributor the engine had when I bought it, as well as the ignition coil for the distributor.
I will also throw in the delco-remy starter for the motor (working) and, if anyone is interested, they are welcome to take the Roto-Hydramatic transmission with them as well. It’ll just be sitting in the shop collecting dust otherwise, and if there’s a collector out there who would like to rebuild it to restore his car to original, I figure that’s a better use for it than storage fodder. I know the damper plate between the flywheel and oil pump is bad, but I haven't torn open the transmission to find out if anything else is wrong. From what I've heard, these trannys are nightmares to repair, so I would just as soon leave curiosity to the avid rebuilder. Had I the money, I would personally buy the Bendtsen adapter and back the engine with a TH350, or some other newer chevy transmission, but I have a 454 that’s being rebuilt right now, and with its bolt pattern being easier to find transmissions for, I can’t really justify holding on to the 389.
Now I will say, just to clear the air, that I believe the engine should be overhauled. It wasn’t blowing blue smoke, nor was it knocking when I had her running, but as this engine is considerably old and probably hasn’t ever been gone through, it might be a good idea to crack her open and clean her up proper.
I am asking $750 for the whole thing (engine, accessories, starter, and if you’re so inclined, the transmission), but will consider any reasonable offers, so don't be afraid to inquire
. I would like to have it sold by April 21st, as I’m trying to scrounge the money together to get the 454/TH350 combo prepped, primed, and dropped in the Catalina in time for a car show later this month.The engine is located in Syracuse, Kansas, zip code 67878. If you’re familiar with Kansas, it’s a small town about fifty miles west of Garden City on highway 50. Please feel free to e-mail me regarding questions (I've got a smart phone, so I can promptly respond to inquiries) at christopher.brecheisen@hotmail.com. I'd tell you my name but, well, the email says it all
. I have plenty more pictures, so feel free to ask if you're interested.