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Other Buicks and Years => Big Buicks => Topic started by: wildcat65 on December 14, 2017, 02:09:02 PM

Title: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: wildcat65 on December 14, 2017, 02:09:02 PM
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. 

Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: cwmcobra on December 14, 2017, 02:16:30 PM
Nice find Ted.  Going in a project car?

Chuck
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: wildcat65 on December 14, 2017, 03:28:55 PM
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!
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: gssizzler on December 15, 2017, 05:31:51 PM
Driving a 4speed dual qaud Wildcat has to be a blast! So Ted for inquiring minds please tell us what it's like!? :headbang:
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: cwmcobra on December 15, 2017, 05:33:24 PM
Driving a 4speed dual qaud Wildcat has to be a blast! So Ted for inquiring minds please tell us what it's like!? :headbang:

 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: GS66 on December 15, 2017, 07:33:21 PM
Yes, that must be amazing! There?s an appeal to full size 4 speed muscle.
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: schlepcar on December 16, 2017, 04:42:24 PM
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.
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: Loren At 65GS on December 16, 2017, 05:49:56 PM
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.   :BangHead:

  Loren
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: schlepcar on December 16, 2017, 07:57:55 PM
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.
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: Mister T on December 16, 2017, 09:18:03 PM
Driving a 4speed dual qaud Wildcat has to be a blast! So Ted for inquiring minds please tell us what it's like!? :headbang:

It's much better to ride in one.   :icon_biggrin:  :thumbsup:  :occasion14:
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: Loren At 65GS on December 16, 2017, 09:25:12 PM
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
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: Dr Frankenbuick on December 17, 2017, 10:44:37 AM
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.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: GS66 on December 17, 2017, 11:49:08 AM
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.
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: wildcat65 on December 20, 2017, 10:50:07 AM
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!
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: Loren At 65GS on December 20, 2017, 02:17:34 PM
" 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.  :dontknow:

  Thanks for the offer Ted,

  Loren
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: wildcat65 on December 20, 2017, 09:18:14 PM
I sold most of my extra linkage bits to a local 65 guy.  I still have pedals though...
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: Loren At 65GS on December 20, 2017, 10:16:52 PM
Ted, PM sent.

  Loren
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed #2
Post by: wildcat65 on February 20, 2020, 09:46:29 AM
Still crazy.  Another LX code engine with 4-speed transmission from a 65 Wildcat has found me.  Proper 4-speed codes on the carbs, clutch, bellhousing, linkage, pedals, radiator.
Looks like I have duplicates of many parts.  Now I need time to build an engine and put it in a car!

Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: GS66 on February 20, 2020, 11:29:34 AM
That would be great to see that setup in a car Ted!
Title: Re: 65 Wildcat Project 4-speed
Post by: marxjunk on March 30, 2020, 06:51:37 PM
If i where to build a 3 speed car, and originality doesnt matter..a 70 muncie 3 speed from a GTO is about as bullet proof as anything ive ever ran..and i beat the crap out of a couple..and they are almost free any more..a very over looked manual trans