the start of my 62 GP restoration

[stucky2947]

Opps, fingers couldn't keep up with brain, it's a 406.

[stucky2947]

Actually, I was going to add 1 gallon of toulene to 15 - 20 gallons of 93 octane to get the needed octane with my CR. Do you recurve distributors and how much for the cam? Thanks.

[Stu Norman]

I use toulene in my 1963 421 HO, Stucky. 1 gallon to a tankfull of 91-93 octane works well. I've been doing this for 7 years now, with no adverse reaction to any rubber hoses or other fuel system parts.

You'll find it's getting hard to find, so Xylene also works well. It boosts the octane the same as Toulene and can be used as a substitute in any Toulene recipie you find. Xylene is a lot easier to find these days.

One hardware store clerk told me Toulene was used in making some homemade drug so it is starting to get restricted.

[stucky2947]

Thanks for the confidence booster. When I finally get it running, I will use your recipe. Damn kids got to screw things up for everyone!

[Larry]

Below is some information from an interesting article at: http://www.offroaders.com/tech/octane.htm entitled "What's Octane".

The final group of octane-boosting compounds, aromatics show the most promise. Due to their stable benzene-ring structures, the compounds are non-polar and chemically stable (non-reactive). In fact, they are less volatile and less reactive than most other hydrocarbons in gasoline. This stability is what gives aromatics their octane-boosting powers. Normal gasoline typically contain around 25-30% aromatics, primarily toulene and xylene. Adding more will simply increase the octane rating and bring their concentrations up to what you find in higher-octane European gas (40-45% aromatics): Gasoline composition.

So by using aromatic toluene and xylene as octane-boosters, you get none of the bad side-effects of using organo-metallics (cancer and engine-deposits) or ethers & alcohols (low gas-mileage and rotting fuel-lines). By using just two gallons of xylene in a 15-gal tank of 91-octane pump gas, you've brought the octane-rating up to 94.5 and have roughly the same aromatic content as German or French gasoline. You may also notice in the Octane Booster Comparison article above, that the best octane-boosting solution was to use unleaded race-gas; the primary octane-boosting components used are toluene and xylene.

[stucky2947]

EXCELLENT article, I suggest everyone give it a read!

[Stu Norman]

What I really like about it is that you can use find the Toulene or Xylene in just about any hardware store from Chicago IL to Hogwash NJ.

[stucky2947]

Well, it's been awhile since I updated my progress. As you can see from the pics, not much happened, to look at anyway. I did get the exhaust manifolds installed. You need the oil filter adapter for the needed clearance with the manifolds. I have been working on the AC motor and getting the pulleys to line up. I am trying to put '62 pulley set up on my '69 motor. I thought it was going to be a LOT easier than it has turned out to be. A spacer here, a shim there, but so far the power steering and alternator are lined up. The AC compressor and all other needed components are on the way, so when they arrive, I will tackle that. Thgen the wiring. It has benn sitting in the "car room" for about 2 months. Now that the weather is getting nicer, I'll be able to get out there and get more done. As you can see from the pic under the car, the tranny crossmember will need to be modified to allow the exhaust to get to the back. I am going to cut the crossmember and fab in 4" DOM tubing for the exhaust to pass thru. I keep you posted.

[Larry]

If you think your progress is slow, you should see mine! Probably can't for the cob webs.

Your pulleys-brackets-spacers-etc. on your engine is pretty typical for Pontiacs. I would like to meet the engineer (?) who designed the fronts of those engines. I think management gave him every left over part from the rest of the assembly process and said when he used them all up he could go home.

Once he finished "designing" the front of the engine, I think they then gave him the job of locating the oil filter. I worked at a lot of gas stations, and we hated to work on the Pontiacs. They were famous for dumping the oil on the exhaust pipe when you removed the filter.

The fab on the trans crossover sounds like it will look neat. Just be sure to get enough clearance around the pipes as I bet that engine will have some pretty good twisting torque. If you ever tear a motor mount, it would be a shame to loose one of those new manifolds in the process. 4" pipe should be safe, I'd imagine.

Thanks for sharing your progress!

[super]

How is the project coming along?

[Guest]

As you can see, I have a lot more complete now. The engine is in and running strong. I am having a h#ll of a time with the sheet metal. It is a B#tch to get everything aligned. Patience, they tell me, well patience is not a virtue of mine, but I guess I better figure out something.......SOON. I attached a pic of the tranny crossmember. It turned out SWEET.

[super]

Thanks for the update.

[Larry]

Patience? I'm having trouble with ambition!

You're making terffic progress, and it looks great too!

How about a "Then and Now" photo (see below) to get the enthusiasm going?

Keep us posted on your progress.

[super]

Any more progress on your beautiful '62?