65 GTO

.... I was just going on what my wife told me....

And Todd, I know there's logic behind intentionally not touching those rockers, I just can't figure out what it is...

[Deaf Bob]

I am able to put together Holleys, thus I like them better..
I have had a couple good Q-jets and liked them.. But most I run across need work anymore..

[Scott Liggett]

One thing I really like about QJets is the sound they make at WOT. BUWAAAAAA!!

[Thumpin455]

Q Jets work good when not in the hands of a hack. So do Holleys. I have found that people who take a disliking to a carb type usually are the ones who jacked it up. Then they go get another brand and bolt it on straight out of the box, and not surprising it runs much better than the ones they screwed up.

Personally, I prefer the Holleys. I feel they have better mid throttle response than the QJet. But that is just personal preference.

I like them both, but then I build and modify both types of carb for a wide variety of different uses. Once you understand how they work, and how to tune them correctly, either of them will work great.

[Scott Liggett]

Q Jets work good when not in the hands of a hack. So do Holleys. I have found that people who take a disliking to a carb type usually are the ones who jacked it up. Then they go get another brand and bolt it on straight out of the box, and not surprising it runs much better than the ones they screwed up.

Personally, I prefer the Holleys. I feel they have better mid throttle response than the QJet. But that is just personal preference.

[Thumpin455]

I like yellow, but this one is just too pale for my taste, but it isnt for me. Seeing it in the sunlight really makes a difference, its growing on me, but still not something I actually like. If it had more pearl and flake in the paint then it would be better for me, but its bland to my eye. Dave wanted his old car back so it isnt up to me what color it is, but I can choose almost everything else.

Going back through the build pics messes with my head a bit. Even though I did the work I cant believe its the same car. Knowing it will be running very soon, for the first time in a long time, both scares and motivates me. Im afraid of screwing something up, breaking things, and having something bad happen after all the time I have invested in this thing. It makes me wonder how much sooner it would have been done if I hadnt had two bad years during the build.

Have you ever loved something with all your heart and hated it with every fiber of your being at the same time? That is how I feel about the work I have put into this.

[mike343sharpstick]

Not a fan of the yellow? Love it, it's what I like to think of as an 'era' color. It works perfect on THAT car.
I really like colors on muscle cars that were common in it's time, but out of fashion today. This car, light green 70 skylarks, and tan first-gen Camaros look great to me.
A buddy has a tan '64 dodge which has a similar era look, I need to get a pic of that car for you all.

[Thumpin455]

Wait till you see the LeMans all painted. Gonna have to get Walt up here to lay out the pinstripe again, I kinda like the way it doesnt match on the fender. Im still not a fan of this yellow, but I agree its better than red. I have enough red cars in the yard, dont need another one. Funny thing is, the original color of this one was Mayan red. The wheels look pretty damn nice to me from that angle.

[milner351]

One more thing Todd - thanks for NOT painting it Red - red would be too typical for an old hot rod color - and NOTHING about this car or this build is typical. I also think you nailed it with the pin stripe.

[Thumpin455]

Thanks again man. I think the trans is in good shape, will know more tomorrow.

It gets a piece of stainless, I just hapent put them on yet. Will need to massage the fenders to get them to fit right. Thing big freakin hammer massaging... The pair that were on the LeMans were in good shape, one on the Tempest was tweaked a bit. The front end will come down once the engine is all together and has fluids. Might play with a spring spacer in back and cut a 1/4 coil from the front, need to drive it around and get it to settle first before I make drastic changes to stance.

Talking about where it was and is now, there is a three year gap between these two pics, I stuck em together in photoshop.

[milner351]

Well done Todd - I still can't believe where you started and where you are now!

Is there a stainless piece that runs along the rocker panel or am I thinking of a different year?

I was thinking a stripe or some trim would look good down there, and maybe either raise the rear a little or lower the front a little, just enough to give it that slightly nose down stance.

I agree - the rears could be a bit wider wheel / tire but you'll have plenty of time to make small adjustments like that as you go.

That trans looks fresh already

[Thumpin455]

Qjets are awesome carbs, especially when I build them. Lots of power, great mileage, and impressive drivability even if the engine has a bigger cam, ported heads and headers. They dont work so well on worn out 350 chevys that have more blowby than compression though.

Pushed it is outside do do some shop cleaning and parts moving, so here it is with some sunlight, the new wheels, and more parts on it. Checked the runout on the wheels and they arent bent, so I dont know whats up with that shop. Some people just cant run a balancer I guess. Might need to invest in one sometime.





This is the project for tomorrow. Tore into it today, and it looks like one I rebuilt years ago but didnt run. Still want to pull it apart and check everything just to be sure.

Its just a little Holley to keep the dust out, its getting a rebuilt Qjet I did a while back.

You're joking, right? You know those Q-jets cant hold any fuel. P.S. nice rims.

[Thumpin455]

Its just a little Holley to keep the dust out, its getting a rebuilt Qjet I did a while back.

You're looking under-carbed. Them there Pontiacs need more fuel to breath properly.