65 Wildcat Project 4-speed

[wildcat65]

They say I went crazy one day...
And bought  a 4-speed parts pile for 65 Wildcat.  I've been cleaning, sorting and
playing with these parts for the last couple weeks.  Man they are pitted, but all there.
Took the Hurst Comp Plus shifter apart and need a few parts but looks like it will go back
together OK. 

[cwmcobra]

Nice find Ted.  Going in a project car?

Chuck

[wildcat65]

Yep, long term project!  Seems like this is the part I like though- fixing mechanical stuff- painting and bead blasting.
Car is a 65 coupe silver/ black vinyl top, black interior.  It may have to be a rat rod!

[gssizzler]

Driving a 4speed dual qaud Wildcat has to be a blast! So Ted for inquiring minds please tell us what it's like!?

[cwmcobra]

Driving a 4speed dual qaud Wildcat has to be a blast! So Ted for inquiring minds please tell us what it's like!?

 

[GS66]

Yes, that must be amazing! There?s an appeal to full size 4 speed muscle.

[schlepcar]

I figured someone would put the grab on those parts. I was thinking long and hard,but my reality kicked in when I realized my last project was still a project. I have an extra KR trans that I am likely going to sell if you do a late 65 or early 66 car. That was a very interesting purchase if a guy just happened to have the right car for the pieces.

[Loren At 65GS]

I have an extra KR trans that I am likely going to sell if you do a late 65 or early 66 car. That was a very interesting purchase if a guy just happened to have the right car for the pieces.

 Darn, if it were the 3 speed I'd have a place for it.   

  Loren

[schlepcar]

Is the 3-speed Buick specific? I was thinking that was a fomoco trans,but I don't believe I have even seen one in a picture.

[Mister T]

Driving a 4speed dual qaud Wildcat has to be a blast! So Ted for inquiring minds please tell us what it's like!?

It's much better to ride in one.      

[Loren At 65GS]

Is the 3-speed Buick specific? I was thinking that was a fomoco trans,but I don't believe I have even seen one in a picture.

  Dan,
   I understand it was a Dearborn top loader ?  So you are correct as it to being a fomoco transmission.

   Loren

[Dr Frankenbuick]

Legend has it that there was a fire at the GM plant.  They used the toploader from 65-67 for the three speed.  The reality may have been that they couldn't build a tougher three speed trans. 

[GS66]

They might not have been that tough either, I wrecked a couple of them but more rear ends than transmissions. Too bad the transmissions were thrown out, they are no longer by my old car. They were FoMoCo.

[wildcat65]

I figured someone would put the grab on those parts. I was thinking long and hard,but my reality kicked in when I realized my last project was still a project. I have an extra KR trans that I am likely going to sell if you do a late 65 or early 66 car. That was a very interesting purchase if a guy just happened to have the right car for the pieces.

Interesting, the transmission sold with this lot is suspect - no rings on input shaft, rear tail part may be non original.  It has been rebuilt - even though the 3 ring input shaft may be available it would extra money on the rebuild cost.  So far I have had 3 of these transmissions rebuilt.  @2 had  wrecked input shafts and I opted for High Nickel gears but with the wide ratio vs 2.2 first gear (madness).  the third had good gears so the 3 ring was reused in rebuild.

I have an extra Dearborn 3-speed from a Pontiac (Firebird).  If you are interested Loren, we could work something out. 

The 65 Wildcat's 3-speed (column shift) offering was a Warner T-89 - no synchro in 1st gear!

[Loren At 65GS]

" I have an extra Dearborn 3-speed from a Pontiac (Firebird).  If you are interested Loren, we could work something out.   "

 Tempting, then I still need to come up with the bell housing, clutch and linkage, etc, etc. 

  I may be better off just parting that car. 

  Thanks for the offer Ted,

  Loren