1963 engine hood alignment blocks

[Douglas G.]

Did all '63's have the alignment blocks? What is the distance from the back of the hood ie.windshield end , to the blocks? Thanks for any help Doug

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

NOPE - some had NONE; some had TWO; and others had FOUR - should be spelled out in the latest Judging Guide - can check when I get home from work for the VIN cutoff dates if you need to know which applies to your situation

[Edward S.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

I can only tell you that the early 63's did not have blocks, I had a S/W made in 12/62 and when being judged I was not expected to have the blocks. I sure someone will be able to give you a vin number thats expected to be the cut-off. I am not sure but I think when I had my 63 there was some type of number or date listed in the judging manual, not 100% sure. Good luck.

[Hank D.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

The 1963-64 JG (Fifth Edition) says….”Early 1963 models, to approximately VIN 6500, have no hood wedges and no provision on the hood to mount the wedges. After approximately VIN 6500, and up to approximately VIN 7300, nut plates were installed, with their holes normally plugged, on the undersurface of the hood in four locations, two on each side, one forward and one reward. 1963 models after approximately VIN 7300, and up to approximately VIN 14000, have four wedges and receivers. Between approximately VIN 14000 and VIN 16000 for coupes, and between approximately VIN 14000 and 19000 for convertibles, only two rear wedges, located approximately 11 inches from the rear hood edge were installed. These models may or may not have the forward hood holes plugged. Normally, the fender “gutter” will not be drilled if there is no corresponding upper hood wedge. Generally, coupes after approximately VIN 16000 and convertibles after approximately VIN 19500 had no wedges. However, some late 1963 models may still have hood wedges."

[Loren L.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

The 1963-64 JG (Fifth Edition) says….”Early 1963 models, to approximately VIN 6500, have no hood wedges and no provision on the hood to mount the wedges. After approximately VIN 6500, and up to approximately VIN 7300, nut plates were installed, with their holes normally plugged, on the undersurface of the hood in four locations, two on each side, one forward and one reward. 1963 models after approximately VIN 7300, and up to approximately VIN 14000, have four wedges and receivers. Between approximately VIN 14000 and VIN 16000 for coupes, and between approximately VIN 14000 and 19000 for convertibles, only two rear wedges, located approximately 11 inches from the rear hood edge were installed. These models may or may not have the forward hood holes plugged. Normally, the fender “gutter” will not be drilled if there is no corresponding upper hood wedge. Generally, coupes after approximately VIN 16000 and convertibles after approximately VIN 19500 had no wedges. However, some late 1963 models may still have hood wedges."

The part that makes NO SENSE AT ALL in the manufacturing process, is that you would be installing nut plates in the hood and then filling them because they didn't have the guides. I have NEVER seen a post 6300 that I thought to be original that did not have FOUR GUIDES (until later in the year when they go 4 to 2 & 2 to 0).

[Douglas C.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

My 12/62 convt has no mounting points for the blocks on the hood. You couldn't mount them even if you wanted to.

--Doug (13644)

[Loren L.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

And the VIN is .................? And there are no reinforcements under the fenders, etc?

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

My 19,447 has the two, so I guess the info seems about right.

Stu Fox

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

my 19367 has NONE - does have reinforcing where blocks would go

[John D.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

My 19,447 has the two, so I guess the info seems about right.

Stu Fox

19426 had zero hood blocks.

9910, the LWC has 4 original hood blocks.

What page in the 5th is the info. I can't find it.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

John;

It's in the exterior section Page 49.

Stu Fox

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

1963 models after approximately VIN 7300, and up to approximately VIN 14000, have four wedges and receivers.[/font]

Hmmm..... The '63 coupe I had in the 70s and early 80s, a 75XX car, had NO hood alignment blocks and a no-hit body (meaning the front fenders had not been replaced).

Jim

[Michael F.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

My late March 63 production has four.

[Sydney G.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

My mid May Coupe has 2 wedges as described.

Syd

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1963 engine hood alignment blocks

Hmmm..... The '63 coupe I had in the 70s and early 80s, a 75XX car, had NO hood alignment blocks and a no-hit body (meaning the front fenders had not been replaced).

Jim

FWIW, here's my old # 07055. Pics taken in 1979. Stripped down to the bare glass (unhit), and it doesn't look as though the gutters are drilled. Can't remember about the (original) hood -- too long ago.