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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> 58-64 Full Size Body Tech -> '61 StratoChief gas tank and heater core (where to get?)
Post Info TOPIC: '61 StratoChief gas tank and heater core (where to get?)
meowy84


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'61 StratoChief gas tank and heater core (where to get?)
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New on the forum so I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong section. Anyways, I'm finally about to undertake a slight freshening up of my 4dr  StratoChief that I've owned for the last 15 or so years into a family summer camping trip vehicle.

Anyways, my problem obviously is that no one lists any parts for a StratoChief. Specifically I'm looking for a gas tank and heater core. Now the dilemma is this. Since other than the badges and some trim the body on the StratoChief is essentially just like the U.S. Catalina of the same year do I just order a Catalina heater core and gas tank or would it be a Chevy heater core and gas tank (since the running gear is Chevrolet, assuming those parts are different than the Catalina parts)?

I bow down in advance to all Canadian Poncho gurus. :)

 



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427carl


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Most of your running gear is CHEVROLET     



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meowy84


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Yes but since the gas tank and heater core are tucked into the body and the body is essentially a Catalina.....hence my uncertainty.

My other option is to take my old heater core and gas tank out and bring them to the store and try to match them with the pictures/line drawings and stated dimensions in the catalog (if I recall the catalog that Fat Boys had was from a company caller Spectra)

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CdnGMfan


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1961 Strato Chief used a Chevrolet chassis, floor, trunk floor, firewall & drivetrain. Go with parts for a 1961 Chevrolet. Even the cowl structure & wipers were Chevy items. Now as for exterior sheetmetal it is Pontiac, but on many panels they are shortened to fit on a Chevy 119" wheelbase.



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73SC


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While I agree that for the parts requested that the best and easiest way to go is with the Chevrolet parts, 1961 is an odd year with respect to the Catalina and Canadian Pontiacs. The US cars were downsized a bit resulting in the Catalina running on the same 119" wheelbase as the Chevrolet and Canadian Ponchos. This is for 1961 only, in 62 it started to increase again adding one inch to 120".  It would seem that sheet metal for 1961 Catalinas only would work on Canadian cars although we know that fastening points may vary.



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Pontiacanada


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I always quote Impala for my car, but as far as I'm concerned Biscayne and Belair use the same.

Watch when it comes to heater cores ... there is one for AC cars and one for non-AC cars. Also, if you have yours out already, take it to the store and compare it with the new one at the counter. I've seen size differences between replacement cores.



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meowy84


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Thanks for the info everyone. Mucho gracias. :)

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meowy84


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One more thing guys. Can anyone verify this since I have no references/manual: to get to the heater core the easiest I go from the firewall/engine bay side and not from the passenger footwell side right?



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meowy84


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Hey Dave and thanks. I swear reading on here somewhere (I can't seem to find the post now) doing a heater core replacement on 58-64 and going at it from the engine compartment because I recall reading something about taking off or bending the passenger side inner fender to get at all the heater housing bolts rings a particular bell. But it could also be that my memory is wonky.

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Pontiacanada


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meowy84 wrote:

Hey Dave and thanks. I swear reading on here somewhere (I can't seem to find the post now) doing a heater core replacement on 58-64 and going at it from the engine compartment because I recall reading something about taking off or bending the passenger side inner fender to get at all the heater housing bolts rings a particular bell. But it could also be that my memory is wonky.

To take the heater housing nuts off, yes, from the engine compartment firewall. Yes you might have to move the fender to get at one of the nuts ... some people can manage to get that last nut without doing so (small agile handsbiggrin)

To remove the core itself, it comes through the passenger compartment ... put down a lot of rags and newspaper to catch the left-over antifreeze before it hits your carpet.



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Prince Edward Island

'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.

meowy84


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Pontiacanada wrote:

 

To take the heater housing nuts off, yes, from the engine compartment firewall. Yes you might have to move the fender to get at one of the nuts ... some people can manage to get that last nut without doing so (small agile handsbiggrin)

To remove the core itself, it comes through the passenger compartment ... put down a lot of rags and newspaper to catch the left-over antifreeze before it hits your carpet.

 

Thanks for the additional info. So, let me get the procedure straight. First, remove the nuts from the engine compartment side (might need small hands or to farm the job to some kid in China lol). Second, remove the housing from inside the passenger compartment and remove the core. Is that more or less it?

As far as the rags go I'm fortunate to have the base model with rubber floormats. smile But I will set a few mousetraps just in case any critters come running out. smile



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