1965 Belvedere 318

[65BLVDR2]

Hey guys, just picked up my first muscle car, a 65 belvedere. Can't afford to restore it, so I'll just be making improvements here and there with mostly used parts. Any advice is appreciated.

The 318 feels pretty tired. I picked up the car in LA and drove it back to San Diego without issue. But it didn't have much grunt either. I was able to cruise 70 on the freeway, but if I stepped on it from there it didn't do much. From what I've read I'd have to find later model heads to run a 4 barrel so I think I'm just gonna cruise the stock 2 barrel until I can find a different motor to drop in. I'd love to put a wedge motor in it, but I'm sure it'll be easier to find a used 440.

The other thing I'd like to address is the stance, it sits real low in the rear. I'd like to get the rear kicked up a bit so it looks more aggressive. Any suspension suggestions?

And there's a few rust spots, one good sized one on the hood. The rest appears to just be some surface rust here and there.

Well here's a few pics. Hope to hear back and I'll continue posting as I make upgrades.

 

[hemi#1]

hi keep the heads and find an intake manifold for it you can take that 318 to a 396 stroker motor pushing 450 hp I found a 3 deuce Edelbrock p 600 at a swap meet and it's sweet. the old polys are a good motor bullet prof

 

[Car Nut]

aboard!

 

[kiwigtx]

Not a bad looking machine at all. Welcome aboard FBBO. :headbang:

 

[moparker]

You don't know what rust is. Looks good!

 

[gtx1of1]

my advise. drive it just the way it is.

 

[66coronet500]

Does it have a 318 poly or has it been replaced with a 318 LA?

 

[eric383]

Welcome to FBBO. Sweet 65, now drive the wheels off of it.

 

[Blackheart]

If you have to change heads to run a 4bbl carb you do not have a 318 but a 273, which would require a head change unless you found a 65 or 66 273 4bbl intake, not so with a Poly 318. If the valve covers are not shaped like mine at the bottom you have a weak *** 180hp 273, no wonder it has no juice!

 

[super-bee_ski]

Gorgeous car!
KEEP IT AS IT IS!

Welcome aboard and thank you for joining the forum!

A economical and "cheap" way to lift the rear for now is with Air Shocks

 

[moparsteve636]

Nice find! Put a dual exhaust on it along with a four barrel and maybe change the rear gears to a lower 3:23 or even 3:55 sure grip for a little more get up and go! It might have a 3:23 open in it already! A pair of HD rear springs will give you a better stance! A cheap wheel change would be the 15"x7" cop wheels, you have the caps already. With a little digging you could probably do it all for around a $1000.00! GLW your new toy! Welcome to the group

 

[Budnicks]

nice 65
Welcome to FBBO from NorCal

 

[65BLVDR2]

Original 318 poly

- - - Updated - - -

If you have to change heads to run a 4bbl carb you do not have a 318 but a 273, which would require a head change unless you found a 65 or 66 273 4bbl intake, not so with a Poly 318. If the valve covers are not shaped like mine at the bottom you have a weak *** 180hp 273, no wonder it has no juice!

View attachment 245760

It's the original 318 poly, all the aftermarket manufacturers make parts for the newer 318.

- - - Updated - - -

And thanks for all the kind words, I found a cool website the other day that is loaded with all super stock vintage photos. I'll be getting some inspiration from there. The melrose missile seems to be one of the few guys running a hardtop.

I'm not sure if linking to other sites is prohibited, but since it is not another forum just a page with pictures I think I should be OK. Feel free to remove the link if I'm breaking rules.

http://georgeklass.net/super-stock.html

 

[66coronet500]

join the yahoo poly group for lots of info.
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/318poly/info
since your on a budget the cast iron 4 would be the best manifold as no cam change is required. Possibly the new chrysler power manifold also but not sure if it has been tested on a stock motor yet.
http://chryslerpower.com/webstore/Exhaust/Manifolds/Poly-SS-X-Manifold

 

[snakeyes]

hi and welcome to the site :headbang:

 

[mr. b]

welcome to FBBO nice looking 65

 

[69roadr]

nice looking car. maybe raise the rear with shackles, and replace worn shocks with kyb's or similar. give it a good tune up for now. maybe later down the road pitch the points for pertronix or something like it. then just slowly accumulate performance goodies.

 

[aldal]

Welcome from Minnesota....nice ride. :headbang: