Driving My UNTESTED 1967 Pontiac 300+ Miles To Mammoth - Roadtrip Gone Wrong

We had the time of our lives… for 330 miles. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to roadtrip my brand new Pontiac build through the Sierra Mountains, but I really fell in love with the car in the process.
Yes the car is down for a little while longer but this trip gave me serious motivation to improve the build and get it back on the road! Maybe even do a redemption roadtrip?
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Tags:
1967 Pontiac Tempest
Pontiac
LS Swap
6.0L
4L80E
Roadtrip
California
Mammoth
June Lake
Desert
Driving
Daily driver
Patina
Survivor car
Car revival
Car girl
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Wilwood
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#oreillypowered

[@Fiftyx60]

The funny part is that you two youngsters look as lively at 3:00 AM as I do at 9:00 AM after a full night's sleep! Kudos to both of you for sticking to it. I thoroughly enjoy these videos, so please keep them coming!

[@stephenvelden295]

Reminds me about that cartoon where some guy is standing at the gates to Heaven. Someone is looking at his record and commenting " it says here you put a Chevy motor into a Pontiac!"

[@CJColvin]

Yep just like the 04-06 GTOs have (aka the rebadged Holden Monaro from Australia 🇦🇺).

[@titogonzalez9449]

this video was enough for a like and subscribe from me !!! you guys have the guts and determination to pull something like this off , if I were in your guys shoes I would have taken the risk too! This Pontiac tempest is probably a headache right now but you have to appreciate the beauty it does allow you to have . You two are great

[@ivycycles]

Like many here before me - torque converter bolts, or it could be eating the bellhousing. Don't immediately doom the engine. You were beaming Liv, was so nice to see. Look for simple issues first.

[@docholliday1970]

I'm currently restoring my '68 LeMans . Enjoying these videos of the Tempest 💙

[@GnarlySpeedShop]

Glad you like them!

[@SteveLowe65]

I feel your frustration, but cheers for pushing through and enjoying your time away anyway! Y'all will lick this, can't wait to see the teardown and see what y'all find.

[@jamesthetford2516]

I will second that motion about the torque converter bolts

[@johnjwedrall4290]

Thanks for taking me with you on your tripp.😊

[@cliffordkinnear9705]

It sounds like a rocker arm roller bearing seized up, and or has a flat spot. It could also be a defective lifter. The video you filmed of the mountains was just like a postcard or a painting. Soon, you'll go back -- you'll figure out what went wrong and press on. The Tempest/GTO body style is timeless, plus the useful trunk comes in handy on road trips!! Your Tempest is one of the best in the country in my opinion.

[@CJColvin]

The 66-67 Tempest, Lemans, and GTOs are definitely my favorite body style of the Pontiac GTOs and they look a million times better than the 04-06 GTOs (aka the rebadged Holden Monaro from Australia 🇦🇺).

[@TheFutura1964]

Awesome videos, amazing scenery we have 3 1964 Ford Falcons and we go on road trips all the time with them. We too have had a few roadside repairs to make too, but it's a rush driving a +60 year old car through the mountains and across America, so many beautiful things to see and enjoy, and the people you meet are priceless stories.

[@lloyddowns9481]

Love ,Pontiac seeing the old girl on the road again is special, congratulations

[@somerandomguy3868]

I can understand your reluctance to run it, before tearing into it I would drop the oil and filter and take a good long look at it, some very fine metal particles are normal and to be expected, I'm suspecting a stuck lifter, it happens sometimes and an oil change is way better than tearing down a fresh build, good luck and I'm looking forward to seeing it back on the road

[@CarsandCats]

Isn't Bishop beautiful? I used to live near there when I was a kid so we went there for shopping often. Seeing the snow on the mountains in the summertime is crazy, huh? It can be hot in the valley but you just go up the mountains a little and need a coat! An easy escape from the desert heat.

[@sporty196071]

I've had so many Pontiacs from a 60 Ventura tri-power 4spd, 64 GTO convertible, and others but the best was the 65 GTO I had during high school and many years after. It's had so many motors ,Pontiac 389, 400, 428, 455, Olds, 350, 400, 455, Chevy 327s, big block, 396, 402, 427, Buick 455, and it's been hell, fun, and taught me alot. Lately I've been doing LS conversions lately but the one thing I don't like about the LS is lifters and how much trouble it's to change them. Oh yeah y'all are doing great the cars, the filming, the crew you have keep it up.

[@CarsandCats]

Liv, I understand your pain! My ex girlfriend had a 66 Catalina and that car was CURSED! All I did is work on it. It always had something wrong with it. My favorite was when it had a fuel line leak that somehow leaked INTO the car and was impossible to find because no fluid on the ground or lines. But we could always smell fuel in the car! When I dropped the lines it was the top of the line in the back of the car which somehow lined up perfectly to a small hole in the trunk floor. It also prevented the fuel pump from staying primed so the car took forever to start. Glad when she sold it so I could get my life back.

[@79tazman]

Man if I had that car for a couple hours I would take my dolly blocks and body hammer and make them dents disappear

[@squidkid2]

I made that trip many times back in the day from LA to Mammoth to go skiing. We did it once in my friends RX 2 Mazda. That car was amazing. I think we set a cannonball run record of 5 hrs. one way. Later we figured out that we averaged about 90 mph. Only problem is there's nothing but miles and miles of miles and miles out there. You better know someone with a trailer just in case! But then that's the whole thing with "road trips". They wouldn't be any fun unless there was a little adventure involved. I salute your adventurous spirit. While everyone else is at home couch potatoing you are out making memories. I'm seventy and a life long gear head and road tripper and this is how memories that last a lifetime are made. My advice is make 'em while you're young. Via Con Dios mi amiga!

[@jackbehl05]

Awesome video, I had the 66 Pontiac GTO - Red on Red, 326 CI 2 BBL., Super Glide 2 Speed Auto, in 1986. had a road trip planned from Los Angeles to Medesto, Had to locate a Radiator, and a trailer hitch for my matching Red Kawi Jet Ski and Trailer All red Rig. LOl made the trip over the Grapevine and all they way to Medesto. and Back to Los Angeles, Once in Medesto my family dontated four Chrome Slotted Rims, I slapped on the Jet SKi trailer. Fun times and Memories in the 1966 GTO..... 313 Miles up and 313 back = 626 Round Trip.... I miss my GTO. Lol Thank you guys Jack

[@jackbehl05]

First addon - Coil Overs for the Rear, Radiator custom built from a 67 Chevy Impala (my radiator guy swapped the inlet -genuis ), custom Dual Exhaust @ Gardena Muffler- Turbo down pipes at the rear Axle, LOL

[@Novaman66]

A cracked flex plate makes a very similar sound, I took two heads valve trains apart and was pulling the engine, and when I got to the the flex plate while rotating it to get to the torque converter bolts, discovered the crack in the flex plate !!! Discovery ,prevented the need for unneeded engine disassembly . Good Luck, love all your videos, also posting your trip was GNARLY!!!!

[@andre-christopherousseau6063]

Thank you so much for this road trip. You made me remember a travel that I made in 2010 from Las Vegas, crossing The Death Valley and Mojave, Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto upto San Francisco. For the French tourist that I am, it was the most marvellous travel I've been lucky to make. I really love California, and I felt during one week in San Franciso as if I was at home in my own town. I discovered your YT channel only two days ago and I liked it at once. Great admiration for your skill and patience when you built your Tempest Engine by yourself ! I wish you the best for all your projects for the next 60 years 😀

[@waynejohnting2954]

So happy to see you finally getting the tempest out on the open road !! Yaaaayyyyy

[@waynep343]

I'm looking at it on my cell phone if that's a brake anchor bolt into the steering knuckle it's probably installed with some sort of Loctite it will take a lot of heat to get that out replacing the spindle is easier

[@roderickmoyer9851]

Such amazing views when you all leave the shop, I really enjoy you guys sharing thank you so much….

[@stevesmith2155]

Excellent podcast, that’s how you test drive your car project , well done both of you.😊😊😊

[@rbarker4426]

Torque converter bolts make a similar sound when they're loose or when some have fallen out you should have checked it before you trailered it home. But either way you made the right choice not to damage it any further.

[@senseimarvin454]

I pulled a 455 from a Trans-Am once because Myself and several other people all thought it had a rod knock. Turned out to be loose torque converter bolts. But I never forgot about it and did save a friend the trouble of pulling a 350 in a pickup a couple years ago with a similar sound (just like a rod knock). Anyhow, hope its something so simple.

[@gregpiecuch3802]

Good call. I was going to say the same thing. I had a knock in my 69 Camaro and as I was pulling the motor I noticed the converter bolts were loose.

[@Vibrolas]

Had the same issue on a couple different hot rods. I guess I'm not the guy to install torque converter bolts, lol!

[@jamesnewell120]

Love the tempest ! Just keep after it y’all will get bugs worked out! Only one more upgrade possible IRS!! 😊😊😊😊

[@tonykemper8896]

As much as I love old cars and working on them that always seems to be the common theme, build them drive them fix them then after that fix them again! lol

[@deathcar]

Bummer about the car troubles...that drive to the Eastern Sierra is the quintessential escape from SoCal, made that run so many times in my life...even saw a ghost on the side of the road one night somewhere past Johannesburg...never forget that one.

[@SeaTravelr123]

OMG. wow. Such fun. I’m so gutted you got into trouble. It’s my biggest worry when I get my cars back in the road. Anywhere I go is long distance and I want to make sure they can get there and back. Good luck guys.

[@toddclark332]

So happy for you all have fun and be safe out there looking good 👍❤🇱🇷💪😁🙏

[@TravisCockerell]

- Thank you for straightening the steering wheel!!! 😎

[@elwoodsummersjr596]

great video , keep ypur head up and keep pushing on ❤❤❤

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

It's an adventure 🤷‍♂️ As long as everyone survives it....

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

And it's good to see you, love; why weren't you driving?

[@maxmillion4216]

I'm really sorry to hear your Tempest is giving you so much trouble. I hope it isn't a serious problem.

[@GnarlySpeedShop]

Fingers crossed!

[@brucethompson1879]

Danny looks exhausted!

[@crsp76691]

AWESOME VID. I look forward to rolling my 68 LS swapped Firebird down that way. Love that desert driving.

[@broadcastimagehd]

There are so many great fishing spots in the Eastern Sierra. You should try the Owens River just outside Bishop and Sabrina Lake is also very nice. I spent my childhood fishing up there. Gods country! The journey is more important than the destination.

[@garybarry4446]

So very sad that a shop would do that to you glad you are documenting everything . Thank you for the great content

[@davidjulseth8667]

Adventurous couple, must say!

[@170cuda]

That was an awesome video! The mountain and desert scenery was really great. Loved the video and photos of the lake. Sorry to hear about the issue with the motor and am interested to find out what was causing the noise. Thank you for posting this video! :)

[@raydoyonful]

Beautiful scenery!

[@bradinch1563]

glad you stayed there for the week, before you go next time check all the you tube videos of what to do and see along 395, i love that hwy,i spend allot of time out there from la to lone pine i hope you car is a easy and cheap fix. good luck

[@MustangMach1696.0]

Sweet 😋 ride my friends.

[@rocklamarre9717]

It will be fine! ❤

[@tonyrovito9753]

I love the car! I'm a fan of 60's and 70 models.

[@dustinhoel9174]

Those felpro gaskets do that every time. I started using genuine gm from rock auto and it never happened again

[@allanfranklin9615]

I've never had a problem with Fel-pro gaskets, have used them over 50 years of mechanic work. They work for me, but you should use what works for you.

[@jasonfalk7696]

It sucks that it had to get towed home, but you definitely made the right decision on not changing it. The car looks great, and it'll be back on the road in no time.

[@woody6750]

me and my wife had a situation where we where heading to Wisconsin and going through LaCross which is hilly and my wife had it in second gear instead of drive which over reved the engine and bent a couple of pushrods so at a way side we had to pull the valve cover and rocker arm shaft to replace two push rods which I had with me since the pick up likes bending pushrods. In an hour or so back on the road..I i understand the feeling of having something going south on you

[@garywilson12]

so sorry your trip didnt turn out like you planed , but it looks like you still had fun fishing etc. dont let it get you guys down, youll figure the problem with the engine out ok iam sure. iam sure everyone loved the video anyway. i know i did. , you made the rite decision on trailering the tempest home.

[@332ARA]

did you measure your pushrod preload? If you changed the cam the length needs to be specified for the lift.

[@martinfreeman8391]

Always always always locally road test a fresh rebuild BEFORE a big road trip.

[@johnfields8249]

Love the car beautiful scenery love the west

[@oldradioguy65]

I hope it's an easy fix. Best of luck and keep up the good work!

[@vigt548]

My favorite show on KZbin. I was shocked beyond words by Danny's joking remark about a pet being crushed in an animal trap - I actually had something like that happen. I did not think he was that person.

[@jeepmilitia2361]

Yeah. I'd like to thank MY sponsor for supplying all the great parts and mechanical wizardy that makes my 67 GTO a daily driver, anywhere anytime,....ME.

[@79tazman]

You guys should of put a week of around town driving on the car before taking it on a long haul that way if anything would happen it would be in that week and you would be in town where you could call someone to get a ride and now it's too late for that but the tick don't sound that bad but I do understand it's you don't want to destroy the engine.

[@maxmillion4216]

$7.97 a gallon, thats totally insane. And I thought Washington gas prices were high at $4.97 a gallon.

[@docholliday1970]

$ 3.14 here where I am in Virginia

[@MedicatedOMO]

I thought $2.99 was high in Tennessee today...

[@docholliday1970]

@@MedicatedOMO I would love to see 2.99 gas again

[@CJColvin]

In Missouri it's $3.20 a gallon.

[@georgeorwell6420]

Keep on voting Democrat. Now enjoy it.

[@davidledford1456]

SHE IS THE SCENERY AN SO SWEET AN BEAUTIFUL

[@ryanm3749]

As other have stated, that sounds deep. Very good chance it is torque converter boots

[@lenkowalyshen9571]

Beautiful ,Up there in those Mountains , Don't pull another Doner Party ,though...lols....good luck

[@kevinAuman1]

Okay so two things thus far, 1st is come on dorky-Dan the slugbug thing only works on the bugs or beetles and the 2nd is the whole purpose of them awesome bench seats is so your loved one can snuggle right up close while you're driving hahaha so scootch them bunnz Danny n get right in the middle and show that gal some love 😂

[@date6431]

That is some beautiful country

[@ultra4suzukisamurai679]

Hard earned victories are the best ones.

[@jasonmorales1846]

Almost like watching a Roadkill show!

[@bayonne]

Smart decision to not drive it anymore. I hope it's a relatively easy fix. Looking forward to Road Trip #2

[@MAsonTRIX]

Good and bad times!!!

[@mark_osborne]

My gosh, so sorry this happened ! Hopefully it's simple

[@skipsdarkhollowgarage8695]

Dang it! Was a great trip there for a while, look forward to seeing the fix and the next road trips!

[@waynedavidson2691]

Drive It's a sweet ride

[@nephewsque6751]

Great work on the tempest.. power tour would have been a good road trip

[@bobjannotti3453]

Just the “tempest”being true to its name.

[@shawng7902]

Spent the first several years of my driving with that same view. My 1st car was a 66 tempest. Mine was a Pontiac 400 th400 combo. White with black interior.

[@NetWit20]

Keep at it and you'll get it. Then make the same trip again. Take it from another car nut, perseverance always pays off.

[@terryeustice5399]

Sorry to hear of your problems with the car. Hope this shake down going fishing with Danny. You need to go on and tie the knot. He went in an Antique store. ❤️ curious why it’s Convict Lake.Never seen Chap stick used as sealer on valve cover. Your car was amazing. Get some rest. Then look at it with some rest. Been watching this car from it’s conception. Got to much invested to chance ruining the engine.

[@lawrencebrandt8448]

love the drive to June lake been that way many times. your bug is called a boot jack , the bug is a vinegaroon from the dessert . your noise sounded like a weak lifter .

[@roderickmoyer9851]

Man it so sucks to break down still watching the video but if y’all was in Florida I wish I could help you all you both seem like some fun people to hang out with….

[@JT-dj9hc]

I had a similar issue with a rubber perimeter gasket expanding. About 1 hour in ice water was enough to bring it back to size

[@davidowen888]

Hot Rod Happenings, Stuff Happens ✔️ Been there done that, still learning. Awesome memories made ! ☮️❤😁 42 minute commercial, KZbin be Hard !😮 I tried

[@robertschuler850]

You can only laugh at this! It will be something you will both remember !!

[@richdurbin6146]

I love that the trunk lid spring still works. Better than the gas struts so many manufacturers use today.

[@edwardperryman5515]

Ilove Pontiac I a 65 Pontiac tempest for 23 years I built it I loved it to me it's better than a family member I also have a 1949 silverstreak a nother great car GOOD LUCK GOD SPEED😊

[@CJColvin]

We Trout Fish 🐟 most of the time in the Current River in Salem Missouri.

[@barryfrederick3305]

Olivia, If I was was you, I would've got the engine from the 2018 escalade. That way you don't have to replace the pistons again.

[@redmesa2975]

20:42 we have one of those. It was in my uncles house when he passed away.

[@charlieridgway1085]

U all ever in a jam try shredding some rags just a couple strand tie gasket at bolt holes works in a pinch

[@kevinAuman1]

Lol-ol-ol love how all them fancy Dakota Digital guages are not reading a single thing 😝🤦‍♂️

[@kevinAuman1]

I probably would've dropped the oil just to see if there was any glitter and obviously replace it new fresh oil and it may have gone away, the whole break-in procedure of newly built motors is a strange animal because you're mixing both new and used well worn parts together expecting them to just jive together but using break-in oil and properly heat cycling definately will help to ensure you won't have any issues....

[@thruitallauto2538]

You know that happened to my 5.3, I put in my 86 Chevy truck. I put some marvel mystery oil in it still made the noise, I run it for a little while the next day when I come out and started it up ,it didn’t do it anymore. And hasn’t done it since.

[@71buickdriver]

This is nothing short of just plain awesome!!!!!! you are living my dream! The struggles suck beyond belief but that's why we love this hobby! I can't wait to see an update

[@garybarry4446]

With camshaft c and lifter quality I am not surprised , sorry to see this happen to you .

[@LesMorrisracing]

Hi Olivia and Danny

[@chrisecoff6155]

Prudence!!! It's a beautiful thing. With all the L-O-N-G hours y'all put into this build, it'd be a crying blue shame to watch it all go up in smoke even before the teething pains get sorted out. Think of the Tempest as a newborn colt - the first few steps are going to be awkward at best, and downright painful in the worst-case scenario. You're somewhere in the middle of the two extremes - it's frustrating as hell, but a little bit of patience will go a long way, big picture-wise. Despite this setback, you're still batting .750 with the build, Luv - it starts, stops, runs, drives, and is quite comfortable on a good-sized journey. I have 100% confidence that you and Daniel-san will resolve the issues in due course. And that's when the fun will REALLY begin.😎😎 Courage, Camille - it'll happen soon, trust me. Keep the faith, and keep up the good work. Oh yeah, one last thing. When you get a chance, please check your Facebook Friend requests. I'm in there, somewhere....🥸

[@thomassvec3771]

Hope you brought along the. Tow truck..,..

[@kennnethrohm4448]

I have been up though there several times and it is very breath taking place to go through, 🚶‍♀️ I will be looking for the teardown video, a ticking nose could actually be a simple thing, or a major thing 😀 hope it's simple 😊

[@Slick1G3]

a wooden dowel we used to use put ur thumb on one end and stick it in your ear to locate the noise /or go to harbor freight and buy a auto stethascope their around 3.99

[@billcobb9408]

You should get one of those paintless dent repair guys to knock out the dents to make it look a little better.

[@smavtmb2196]

I hate the dent in the front nose and I can't stand rust patina. Why spend all that money to just let the car rot away.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

😂 like dent repair is gonna make a difference

[@CJColvin]

Agreed 100%

[@notavillageidiot]

She has said on previous posts that she is planning to touch up the exterior. She just wants the car running first.

[@jimfinlaw4537]

Sorry to hear about the engine trouble. Could be a collapsed lifter or a failed camshaft break in if the camshaft is brand new. Worst case scenario would be a bent pushrod. Seen bent pushrods dish out lifters and grind a cam lobe down on the camshaft. You will know this happened when you find metal shavings in the oil pan. I hope this is not what happened, but unfortunately a ticking noise from the engine might be a tell tail indication. Let us know what you find.

[@weels1886]

What year did that LS come out of the factory?

[@strassafrass1]

The blue chapstick is the superior chapstick

[@thomasalexander8420]

U will make ur trip in it soon