1963 Judging question

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Judging question

John,

During your frame off you might consider installing a correct cast/dated 870 block in the car. That is where the most judging points can be gained even if the pad vin is not correct.

Your late 64 block may be valuable to someone restoring a early 65 car, and you will have a rebuilt motor. How about heads etc. are they 63 parts??

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 Judging question

Okay, I am really learning good stuff now. And answering a lot of questions I have had for a long time. So service replacement engines, tin cars as well as Vettes, were all built at Flint - not Tonawanda? And also interesting is the fact an engine was cast at Saginaw, allowed to cool, sent to Flint, machined and assembled in one day!!! They must have really been under the gun back then. I would think that it would take several hours just to cool the block down. And if you cooled it too fast, I would think it could crack. Apparently they did it. -Dan-

It could have been cast early in the AM.....I think they ran 24/7.

It could have been assembled late the next day, so, doing the math, there could be CLOSE to 48 hours in there.

Chuck

[John K.]

Re: 1963 Judging question

Timothy,

The heads are at the machine shop. They are double hump with correct casting numbers. I failed to check the date codes before they went. I have planned to have the block there as well for honing, cam bearings etc. The engine is a 340 hp with correct balancer, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, trap door oil pan, distributor. The pistons and rods are still in the engine and are high compression although I am not sure what they are.

The deck does not look like it has been machined, but I am no expert. My guess is that in the cars early life the factory motor had a problem and the short block was replaced. If I could find a correct date 870 block I would replace it. Since I am new at this does anyone have any suggestions on how to start the search.

john

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Judging question

John....

http://www.tracyvette.com/blockssb.html

I also sent you an email.

[Dan D.]

Re: 1963 Judging question

I think your probably right Chuck. I'm sure they ran 24-7. Interesting what you can learn. I appreciate all of the reponses on this. Thanks. -Dan-

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Judging question

John,

Post some stamp pad pics of this block, you will get some good feedback. If the heads are correct and if you are interested in a correct block, now is the time to consider looking and it's fortunate you asked before spending $$ and still have later dated engine block.

Check the driveline and don't rush, find a nice core.

Welcome to the D/B, learn to use the archives because many of your question will be answered there. Lots of good 63 info here because there were many changes in that model during production.

[Joel T.]

Re: 1963 Judging question

Hi John;

My 1963 is in the 102xx Vin range and was built on March 12, 1963. It is also a 340HP solid lifter car.

When I bought the car in 2005 it had a "period correct" block in there which had a Vin stamp which was roughly 900 cars past mine... I do not recall the casting date specifically but it was past my build date.... I elected to hunt down a more appropriately dated block, actually found one from late January 1963 which I had decked and stamped to match my car. Such blocks and stamping will cost you a few bucks but you can recoup a good portion of it by selling your existing 870 block.. if it is in good shape, you will not have much trouble. Depending upon how into "correctness" you are, you might consider this as an alternative. Also, on the heads, if you are installing a new solid lifter cam and lifters, make sure your machinist installs positive valve seals... My guy did not initially and it took me months to figure out why this new motor smoked like a bandit.... Also, on the heads, so long as they are double hump, the dates are not significant for judging... they are never checked!

The '63 SWC is a great car... check out this month's Hemmings!

Good luck,

Joel

[John D.]

Re: 1963 Judging question

Double hump heads. Just because they are 461's doesn't mean they are correct. Tonawanda heads did not have the pads or double hump area machined.
Flint heads had these pads machined.
Now this is a rule of thumb that I have known for a long time. But maybe some of you know differently. JD

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Judging question

To add to what John say's, the 63 heads are 461X castings and have larger intake runners. Also important is to use stock valve springs for a stock camshaft. Good 63 stuff!!