BARN FIND: '67 Pontiac GTO Build Up

This is an ongoing project that we're documenting with videos. A 1967 numbers-matching Pontiac GTO coupe with a 400 big block.

Part 1

0:06 Build Up Project Overview

5:35 Straightening The Frame

6:00 Mounting the Body to the Frame

8:20 Recap, Coming Up

Nice! That's one of my favorite years for the GTO. One thing...as a long time Pontiac owner and enthusiast,I have to say there's no such thing as a 'big block' Pontiac engine, they're all physically the same size (except for the 301 that was sold at the end of the line, which has a shorter deck height.)

stuart in mn wrote: Nice! That's one of my favorite years for the GTO. One thing...as a long time Pontiac owner and enthusiast,I have to say there's no such thing as a 'big block' Pontiac engine, they're all physically the same size (except for the 301 that was sold at the end of the line, which has a shorter deck height.)

Thanks! I think because the banks lay lower and leave very little room beside them, it aesthetically looks like a BB from the outside. It's been argued so many times I lost track. I almost had a fight at a car show between two guys. I thought it was funny. In the end, the big block enthusiast argued harder so I figured he deserved me to repeat that it was a big block. Otherwise that vein in is forehead popped for nothing

We had a Buick Regal with a 265 and it was identical size to the 400 that was in my mom's Trans Am. What an awful engine!

Part 2

We submerged the GTO fenders and doors in a molasses compound before stripping all the paint off.

0:06 After-market vs. original fender gaps comparison

2:09 Pressure Washing

2:40 Stripping The Paint

3:45 What's Next

Interesting to see how the aftermarket fenders fit (or not fit, as the case may be.) Patching the originals makes more sense.

In reply to filthyrich:

Dudes vein popped for nothing...no such thing as a big block pontiac. We had a 400 for a dozen years or so. Was in a 68 gto, damn I miss that thing. Can't wait to see what you do with your! I still have burnout videos of mine the day before she left our possession, sad day.

Putting a Cummins in this one too?

Part 3

We show you how to replace a floor in an A-Body style muscle car.

0:06 Build-up Overview

1:20 Floor Install Prep

2:11 A-Frame Body Style Floors

5:12 Installing the Floor

6:51 Keep Old Parts For Measurements

8:16 Lining Up The Gaps

Part 4

While Rich is busy doing the body work, John steps in to show you how he's been taking care of the detailing on this old Goat. We love Amesperf.com for GTO parts. And Ames Performance, if you're watching this, give us a discount!

0:06 Chrome Polishing

2:06 Sandblasting, Painting the Trim

3:19 Interior Detailing

4:21 Quarter Panel Unboxing

Part 5

Back on the '67 Pontiac GTO project, lining up the gaps and installing the trunk panel!

00:19 Fixing The Floor Gaps

03:39 Rocker Panels

04:25 Kick Panels

05:21 Floor Is In

09:52 Frame Brace Welding

11:00 Taking Out Spot Welds

13:08 Cutting Out The Trunk Panel

13:45 Prep For New Trunk Panel

14:10 Trunk Panel Install

14:27 Dry Fit Wheel Wells

15:20 Getting The Gaps Right

16:08 Next Steps

Part 6

We find out more info about the 400 V8 engine that came with our GTO before putting it together for the dyno!

00:06 Our Pontiac 400

02:24 What Do We Actually Have?

05:47 What Are We Missing?

07:21 Add Oil With Zinc Additive

07:44 Installing Push Rods

07:54 Installing Rockers

08:28 HEI Distributor

10:43 Finding TDC (Top Dead Centre)

12:52 Avoid Hydraulic Lock

13:14 Installing The Distributor

15:03 Setting Spark Plug Gap

16:00 Installing Wires

17:11 Spark Plug Wire Crimping

20:41 Looks Like An Engine

Looking good. If the engine's date code is in fact from 1969, the block code does correlate to a 350hp engine - I think but am not 100% sure out of a Grand Prix. There should be a head casting number as well, it's typically on top of the center two exhaust ports on each head. You can go to the Wallace Racing website and plug in the block and head casting numbers to confirm things. They also show how to decode the date code. http://www.wallaceracing.com/enginesearch4.htm

Edited to add: If the heads do have a 1971 date code, starting that year Pontiac lowered the compression ratio on all their cylinder heads. Depending on the casting number, they could be anywhere from 8:1 to 8.4:1. However, starting in 1971 they also had hardened valve seats so that's a good thing, plus with the lower compression you should be able to run it on regular octane gas.

Part 7

We place bets on the '69 Pontiac 400 engine dyno with their tried and tested Holley 650 vs our Edelbrock 750!

Special thanks to DSE Performace

00:06 DSE Performance Inc.

00:44 Finding Leaks

01:21 First Run

01:51 Holley 650 Carburetor

02:45 Holley 650 - 1st Pull

04:16 Holley 650 - 2nd Pull

05:13 Holley 650 - 3rd Pull

06:02 Edelbrock 750 - 1st Pull

07:00 Edelbrock 750 - 2nd Pull

08:30 Dyno Results

09:23 Who Won The Bet?

Not bad, it should make for a good street engine.

Part 8

Primed the hood and doors to take the Pontiac Goat to the body shop before getting her sandblasted, then we paint the frame!

00:06 Discount Hinge Bolts

01:25 Epoxy Primer

02:06 Welding Rotten Sections

02:59 Hidden Imperfections

03:41 Off To The Body Shop

04:00 A Week Later

04:19 Replacing A Door Skin

04:39 Check The Gaps

05:53 Sandblasting

06:54 Finishing The Frame

07:19 Paint & Frame Assembly

08:23 Check The Front Calipers

10:20 Frame Assembled

11:37 What's Next

Looks like a car again! Good work.