MORIDE

I have a 64 convertible, it was actually used in a movie named Stingray (not huge at the box office).

The poster

The VHS

The Car

I have had it for years and it is in great cosmetic shape but it needs a lot of mechanical work. I am ready to start on it after years of sitting, It currently has a tired 350 (1970 if I recall) with a 3 speed auto (not sure which one yet). Assume it is a 350 or a 200R?
My plan is to pull the engine/tranny and replace with crate engine and have the existing tranny rebuilt so no mods needed just put it back in with new motor/tranny rebuilt.
I am also going to replace all the suspension component with new and some other improvements, maybe leather seat covers?
So the question for you is what crate engine will work for me, I am not HP hungry anywhere around 350 would be fine, looking for a driver,
I have been looking at Blueprint, ATK and some others, full turn key, just basis small block Chevy 350/383's.
But I do not want to mod my hood and I know there are clearance concerns there so I do not want to pay for then have to replace a high rise intake manifold, Also will my existing exhaust manifolds work?
I would appreciate any input as I am slightly confused and do not want to make a $5K motor mistake!

DiabolicalDave

If you "only" want to get 350 hp from your engine, I think buying a crate engine is probably the wrong path. Getting 350hp out of a 350cid small block Chevy engine is fall out of bed easy. Ask around and find a good local engine builder who is trusted.

Buying a crate engine can introduce other variables and headaches. You know your engine fits and works with all the accessories, exhaust, intake, etc etc.

With that said, one simple way to go would be to buy a stroker kit to make it a 383. Go ~10:1 with a decent hydraulic cam and you should be right where you want to be.

My 2 cents

RatDog

Pretty car!

The VHS box shows the car burning rubber on the front tires. What RPO was that option?

Steve

Patrick03

Great looking car! Love the movie connection, that makes for a fun story. Agree with diabolical, if there is a local engine shop, take it there and get it rebuilt. If you want to go the crate engine route and you are happy with your intake and carb, buy a long block and put your intake and carb on. Exhaust will bolt up fine to any Gen 1 small block.

corvetteed

To me, that looked like a wet road and water being splashed up, rather than burning rubber on the front tires.

kellsdad

A long while back, I put a GM small block crate engine in my 63. I didn't realize it used more modern heads that raised the intake and changed the shape of the exhaust ports. It also changed the location of the accessory mounts. Those changes snowballed into many other necessary changes to make everything fit. .. So I tend to agree with those who prefer rebuilding your existing engine with a few internal upgrades to make it more fun. If I were looking to do it today, I'd be looking for contacts in the local racing community (e.g., drag racing, dirt tract, etc.) to suggest their favorite engine builders.

Chief Dan

Beautiful car! Of course I may be a bit prejudiced. I don't think you could go wrong with either Blueprint or ATK with a full dressed crate motor. Might be less hassle than having yours rebuilt unless you have a local trusted machine shop. I have heard good things about Blueprint and I put an ATK 460 HP 383 stroker in my 1964 Nova Gasser. No trouble with accessories bolting up and it runs 12 second 1/4 miles on pump gas and a 76 year old guy shifting the 4 speed. ATK has 2 in the 350 HP range for around 4K but with supply issues being what they are I don't know what delivery is like right now. Have fun with your project.

Railroadman

Welcome to the forum! I have taken the liberty of adding your car to my completely unofficial list of '64's owned by forum members, and you have brought our total to 100 cars.

There's plenty of help on here for whatever you decide to do. The car looks great and it seems you're still rolling up the miles with it, which is the best way to enjoy them IMHO.

Easy Rhino

Here's the car in action - the movie trailer: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078323/?ref_=vp_vi_tt_p

(hope the link works)

And here's the IMDB link to the movie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078323/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5

I think it's neat.

66BBCoupe

Is the roll bar still in it? Pictures?

RatDog

Starring Christopher Mitchum, son of Robert Mitchum, following in his father’s footsteps in car movies.

Steve

woodsdesign

Very cool that your car was in a movie. After viewing the trailer I'm wondering if you car needs suspension work.

64L76

Is the back side of the rear view mirror still painted flat black?

Patrick03

That trailer was hilarious! Thanks for finding it and sharing. May have to see who's streaming that movie.

JMills

Bluestripe67

Welcome to the CF! There are some good thoughts above. If you put your general location in your profile, we could possibly recommend services that would help you. What carb and intake is on it? Here is a thought on the engine. Rebuild the current one, have it bored .030 over, new guts, balanced and blueprinted, L-82 cam, port match the intake to the heads, match the heads and exhaust manifolds, optimize/upgrade the ignition. Go to any local shoe or Cars& Coffee, ask people about who has done their engine work and their impression. Ask about trans shops also. Before you pick a machine shop, visit two or three so you can see if they are clean and organized.
I suspect the suspension will need new bushings. The stance on the car looks good, so I don't think springs need replacing. A good set of gas charged shocks would help the ride and If the tires, as I suspect are over 6 years old, replace them. I hope this helps. Dennis

SEVNT6

I saw Stingray in a theatre in '78, the year of the Corvette in movies.

Corvette Summer also came out that year...

Easy Rhino

There is an interesting trivia bit on the IMDB site where it discusses a lawsuit brought by the producers of Corvette Summer suing over the use of the name "Stingray" for the movie - which they lost.

MORIDE

Thanks all!
My brother was the producer Bill Bruce, I have had the car since the movie.
I added my location in my profile, Dardenne Priarie MO.
It does still have the roll bar that was installed for safety when doing the stunts, it keeps the seats pretty forward so I may be removing it.
There were 2 cars one auto one manual after the movie Frumar Fiberglass? in south county MO redid them and each of the producers keep one.
At the grand opening which was at the old Des Peres cine, I got to meet the stars, Chris Mitchem was really nice guy.
Sandra Theadore was Hugh Hefners girlfriend at the time and a playmate of course.
I have contacted AMT Racing and asked about taking my engine to them and they go over it and build nice 350HP street engine and they said 6 to 8K, so that does not seem like a good option.
I think I am leaning toward a gen 1 350 long block, I will add a low clearance (under 4'' ???) Intake I have a new Edelbrock spreadbore, so I assume everything else would work.
I am not very patient when I have a project so I am researching as much as possible at the moment.
The mirror is no longer black.
I do believe that is water or gravel kicking up not tire smoke.

MORIDE

Yes, they were asses, they wanted to name their movie Stingray, so they called and demanded we rename.
We did not and their movie is Corvette Summer!
Stingray is actually a better movie imho.