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Pontiac Catalina
The Pontiac Catalina is a full-size car manufactured by General Motors from 1950 to 1981. Its seventh generation model is available in 2-door coupe, 4-door station wagon and 4-door sedan with 3-speed THM200 automatic or 4-speed THM200-4R automatic transmissions.
134 Questions
What are the points set at on a 389 66 Pontiac catalina?
Point-equipped V-8s are generally accepted to have a dwell angle between 28-32 degrees. This is best set with a dwell meter. You can use a matchbook cover in a pinch until a dwell meter is used. Turn the points adjustment screw until you feel some drag when pulling the matchbook cover out of the gap. An old-timer told me this trick and the dwell turned out at 30 degrees. It's best to set the dwell at the lowest value because timing advances as engine speed increases. Setting the dwell too high will advance the timing too far at high speed and cause power loss.
Remember to re-time the engine and set the idle speed after setting the dwell. Turning the distributor doesn't affect the dwell, the dwell affects the timing.
My research indicates that the dwell should be checked every 3000 miles, sometimes more. I've seen claims as high as 10,000 miles. You'll have to monitor it yourself and choose the interval that's best.
Good luck.
Where is the number 1 cylinder for a 1965 Pontiac catalina 389?
hi, if you stand at the front of your car and face it....... number 1 cylinder is the 1st on on your (right), Richie a very rusty 65 catalina owner
What is the timing degrees on a 1977 Pontiac catalina?
Go to your VIN number and find the 5th digit. This is the engine code. Remember to remove and plug the EGR and distributor vacuum lines Chevy 305 (VIN U)8 deg @ 500 rpms Chevy 350--Venturas were the only ones that had these Pontiac 301 (VIN Y) 12 deg @ 550 rpm Pontiac 350 (VIN P) 16 deg @ 575 rpm Pontiac 400 (VIN Z) 16 deg @ 575 rpm Oldsmobile 350 (Vin R) 20 deg @ 1100 rpm Oldsmobile 403 (Vin K) 22 deg @ 1100 rpm (low alt or (20 deg @1100 rpm (high alt) Buick 231 (VIN C) 12 deg @ 550 rpms All data from the '77 Pontiac Service Manual. I have 2 '77 Catalinas--one with a 301 Pontiac and the other with a 350 Olds. Both cars are good cars.
How do you open the hood on a 1970 Pontiac catalina?
There is a lever at front of car's grill on the bottom , just right of center , pull the lever and lift the hood.
How do you increase horsepower on a 1965 Pontiac 389?
There are many ways to increase HP on older engines. The improvement depends on your wallet and what you're willing to do yourself.
- Make sure the air filter is clean. Dirty filters don't flow as much air and choke the engine which also wastes gas.
- Run a cold air intake hose to a point alongside the radiator or below it. This draws cooler, denser air into the engine.
- Ensure that the engine is tuned as perfectly as possible. A 1965 will have ignition points. Set the dwell angle between 28-32 degrees. Outside the range will cause the spark to be too weak or burn the points which also weakens the spark.
- Buy quality spark plugs and wires. They don't need to be racing grade, but cheaper wires leak voltage through the sheath which may cause them to ground on exposed metal nearby. Ensure the plug gap is correct.
- Install a 4-barrel carb on the engine. This may require installation of a larger fuel pump and fuel line. Do your homework first.
- Swap in a more aggressive camshaft and intake manifold. If you're swapping the carb you've done half the work for removing the intake too.
- Install headers and dual exhaust. While pricey, this provides the largest increase in HP.
- The Nuclear Solution is to overhaul the engine entirely: cam, lifters, intake, carb, pistons, etc., complete with blueprinting and balancing. If you go this route be prepared to spend over $5000. An engine of this type was listed on Ebay for $8000.
How do you open the trunk of a 1974 Pontiac catalina when the key is broken off in the lock?
I found this solution courtesy of Popular Mechanics. I haven't used the method, but that doesn't mean it can't work.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair-questions/1271916?click=main_sr
How do you replace the headlights on a 1966 Pontiac catalina convertible?
- Remove the front bezel (the chrome piece that covers the headlights.) I believe 4 screws hold it in place.
- Invest in a set of steel hooks from Sears (approx $10). It made my life far easier than I can describe compared to the pliers.
- Invest in a set of steel hooks from Sears (approx $10). It made my life far easier than I can describe compared to the pliers.
- At about the 8 o'clock position (for driver's side lights) and 4 o'clock (pass side) you'll find a steel spring that hooks onto the lens cover. Long needle-nosed pliers will remove it, but it's very difficult. It takes some muscle.
- Feel around the edge of the lens frame and you'll find a few slotted screws. Use a MAGNETIC screwdriver to remove them. The screws are small and will get lost in the body very easily.
- The headlight may fall forward when the screws are removed. Be prepared to catch it.
- Remove the wiring harness from the back. Be sure to pull on the harness boot and not the wires.
- Reverse the process to install.
Invest in a CD-ROM shop manual. I found one on Ebay for about $20 and it's a digital version of the repair manual used by GM mechanics in 1966. You can disassemble the entire car down to the last nut and bolt with the guide. Best $20 I ever spent.
Where is the transmission modulator valve located on 1964 Pontiac catalina hydramatic 3 speed?
On the passenger side, toward the rear of the transmission, up on the side, with a vacuum tube running to it. Unplug the hose, remove the bolt holding the retaining fork,slide the modulator out. Modulators are color coded, so you will need your modulator to match up to the new one. Need more help contact me through my board and I will try to help.
Why would my Pontiac catalina fuel gauge is pegged?
I don't know what year you car is, but one reason may be it is stuck due to overfilling the gas tank. I had a full tank in my Catalina and had it towed on a trailer. Tipping the car back so steeply got the sending unit stuck. After burning 1/4 tank of gas it went back to normal and has worked fine since.
If you've run the tank down and it's still pegged, odds are that the sending unit is jammed and will need to be physically repaired by dropping the tank and removing it. You could try bouncing on the rear bumper to shake it loose, but I doubt it would work.
Adjust points on a 1963 Pontiac catalina?
American V-8 engines are commonly set with a dwell angle of 28-32 degrees. The point set is found under the distributor cap. It looks like a tiny record player arm without the turntable.
Easy way:
- If you have a dwell meter, attach it as shown in the instructions.
- With the engine running and warm, open the little peep door in the distributor cap. Using a long screwdriver, turn the adjustment screw until the dwell angle is 28-32 degrees. I prefer 28 degrees to avoid advancing the timing too much at higher engine speeds.
- Reset the engine timing/idle speed. Remember to remove the vacuum advance and plug the end with a nail, tape, or golf tee. THIS IS A MUST.
- Remove the cap. Keep the wires attached if you can, but remove the coil wire so you don't get zapped.
- Find a friend to help with this. Bump the engine until the distributor lobe is holding the point armature open. It'll take a few tries.
- Insert a paper matchbook cover into the gap and turn the adjustment screw until you feel slight drag on the cover when you pull it out. (An old timer told me this trick and the dwell ended up at 30 degrees which I confirmed with a dwell meter I borrowed later.)
- If it's been a long time, or you don't know its condition, replace the condenser. It looks like a tiny ignition coil and only costs a few bucks to replace. The condenser prevents the points from receiving too much voltage and overheating which causes premature failure.
- Mount the distributor cap and reconnect the coil lead.
- Reset the engine timing/idle speed. Remember to remove the vacuum advance and plug the end with a nail or golf tee. THIS IS A MUST.
How much horsepower does a 1970 Pontiac catalina coupe have?
1970 Pontiac catalina coupe and sedan had a standard 350 255 horsepower the 400 was optional rated at 265 horsepower
How do you replace the heater core in a 1966 Pontiace Executive?
The easiest way is to jack and support the right front. Remove the tire, unbolt the inner fender liner, the lower fender for more room, then rotate the inner fender clockwise. You may not have to remove the linner completely, just move it enough to get access. Then remove heater core cover.
What seats are compatible with a 1970 Catalina Convertible front and rear?
1967-1970 Catalina, Bonneville, Executive, and 1967-1968 Grand Prix. Of course 67- 68 will have cutout in rear seat back for speaker grill. If getting seats from bone yard simply swap speaker set up into your 1970, assuming your not keeping stock appearance. Also, bucket seats from the 67-69 will fit and console can be swapped into 1970 with little trouble. 69 was last year for full size car bucket seats and a rare option. You may have to swap or fab brackets under carpet to attach inner seat mounts.
What is the lug pattern size for a 1975 Pontiac Grandville?
LUG SIZE IS 13/16THS AND IT IS 5.5 BIG BOLT PATTERN
What is the bolt pattern of a 1969 Pontiac Catalina?
If you mean tightening the lug nuts, there is no set pattern. Choose one nut to snug down and continue in a star pattern until all the nuts are seated. Then go around a second time to torque them to spec. I've done this since I got my license decades ago and never lost a wheel.
How much oil does a 1964 Pontiac 389 need?
Capacity Provided it has a stock oil pan the capacity is at least 5 quarts and full level is about 6 quarts. Use A healthy '64 389 could burn a quart every 1000 miles. Many Pontiac V8s suffer from bad rear main seals (poor original design) which allows them to leak a quart every 300 miles or so. To diagnose a bad rear main seal have someone drive behind you at highway speed. If your seal is bad you'll know because the car behind will have curious tiny little oil dots all over it.
How do you open the front of a Pontiac Fiero?
I have an 87 and the lever is close to the drivers side door in front of the fuse box. Also under the hood is the AC, Windshield washer fluid container, the radiator, the radiator fluid container, the brake fluid container, spare tire and car jack.
I had an 84 that had a lever under the dash. You pulled it and it popped. It opens reverse. Grab it by the windshield and pull up. Not much room but carries the spare tire and has a spot for the removeable sunroof if your car has that option.
What is normal pressure for 1972 Pontiac catalina 400 engine?
Oil pressure will be around 30-40 psi when at full operating temp.
That depends on what RPM you are asking about. Most every Pontiac I've ever had...in decent shape anyway, ran around 60 PSI at anything over 1500 RPM and would idle in the 30-40 range. Pontiacs were factory equipped with high pressure oil pumps and should run a higher oil pressure than a "comparable" Chevy.
What causes an engine to cut off when you press the brake?
Usually a vacuum leak, check your power brake booster hose first, then any other vacuum line for cracks, breaks, or disconnection.
How many 1970 Pontiac catalinas were made in 1970?
3,686 convertible models were produced. Hardtop probably about 14,000, give or take....
Many won't roll back, but you can often put a drill on the speedo and roll it forward to the proper mileage.
What is the stock tire size for a 1966 Pontiac Catalina with a 389 V8 and a 5 bolt lug pattern?
my 67 has h78 -14 bias ply tires . yours are probably same . if tou need more go to coker tires.com The correct size was G78/14. The equivalent size today is 225/75R/14. Don't be fooled by tire shops that will try to sell you 205/75R/14. This is a much more common size and tire shops usually will try to sell what they have in stock. If they can't get the 225's, then go somewhere else.
