What engine does this 63 have?

[Chuck McGettrick (37465)]

Hi,


A friend of my dad is looking at a 63 split window to drive. The car is in great shape but the only problem is that it has a BS engine in it now. I know that you can tell what engine the car should have had with the protecto plate, unfortunatly the current owner does not have it. My question is how can we find out what this car had originally. I did not see the tach red line so I cant narrow it down to two engines. Thanks for any and all help.


Chuck # 30460

[Chuck Gongloff (5629)]

Re: What engine does this 63 have?

Hi Chuck. No protecto plates in 63. I think they began in 67. Checking the tach is one good way. Also, if the car has PS, it was likely a hydraulic lifter car, as that wasn't available with the solid lifter engines. Hope this helps somewhat. Chuck

[Lou Lapham]

Re: What engine does this 63 have?

Chuck-To add to what Chuck Gongloff said there are rear axle codes,transmission types and a lot of other clues that your going to have to look for.I would suggest getting in touch with a local NCRS member versed in these clues or get a NCRS pocket guide and start by crawling underneath this car and look up some of the info that may be still on the car if it has not been modified.It pays to have somebody thats used to looking at these cars put the eyeball on it.Lou

[Snooz]

Re: What engine does this 63 have?

Chuck, You have to deduce what the car came with..I am not an expert on 63's, but there should be evidence of each option motor. In high output 340hp, and fuel injection, for fuelies, there should be evidence of emblems below the crossed flag, a hole on the driver side radiator support, evidence of a finned balancer, large cyc heads, aluminum valve covers,large dimpled oil pan, lack of power steering (interference) large diameter pulley on original alternators, 6500 redlines on tach, 2.5" exhaust manifolds/systems. But you need reference manuals to identify an original part by the way it looks and is worn, and it must be the right date for the car and only then can you put that part in the evidence jar, if you are lucky, only the cyclinder case was thrown away and all other components were salvaged, unlikely! Get your hands on Noland Adams book, and you can quickly deduce what that car originally came with with a high degree of confidence. If the vin on the transmission is there, and you can drive it, you can get an idea of the ratio which will also help you in identifying the original driveline. Regarding base and lower HP motors, the aformentioned applies, its just the opposite, like instead of 2.5" should have 2" etc. The best advice hear is to study, research, and examine before you buy