More 63 Specific Questions

[Marco H.]

-RH Ign. shielding: how can I tell the difference from an original to a replacement? The one currently installed appears to be configured identical to the drawing in the Noland Adams Book p.170, however it was called a replacement during judging at Joplin.

-360HP water neck: painted silver; after installation? (should studs and nuts be painted along with it?)

-Alum. valve cover attaching screws to bolt change-over: all the info I can find calls for a x-over around March '63. The car (July built) was nicked for having hex bolts.

-Rear muffler hangers: Late cars (U69) call for a braided copper ground strap attached to the rear muffler hanger. Should those applications still have the wide brass band in place also?
I would like to get this car to the next level.
Any help or input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Marco

[Tracy C.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

My opinions in bold below...

-RH Ign. shielding: how can I tell the difference from an original to a replacement? The one currently installed appears to be configured identical to the drawing in the Noland Adams Book p.170, however it was called a replacement during judging at Joplin.

Your judge should have specified how your part differed from an original on the judging sheet. Deducting for a "replacement" is not a good reason to take away points.

-360HP water neck: painted silver; after installation? (should studs and nuts be painted along with it?)

Painted before assembly..studs and nuts not painted.

-Alum. valve cover attaching screws to bolt change-over: all the info I can find calls for a x-over around March '63. The car (July built) was nicked for having hex bolts.

Your judge was wrong deducting for hex bolts on your car.

-Rear muffler hangers: Late cars (U69) call for a braided copper ground strap attached to the rear muffler hanger. Should those applications still have the wide brass band in place also?

Yes, the brass band should be there on the hangers.

I would like to get this car to the next level.
Any help or input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Marco

[John D.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

Marco, RH shielding. If you are referring to the long one piece spark plug cover-aka shielding a judge can pick out a typical repro in a second. All he/she has to do is put a finger in the center of it (cutout around the exhaust manifold area) and feel for a reinforcement.
I got dinged for that the first time my 63 was shown in Marlborough in 2006. A certain MD from MD said to poor old JD. Gotcha. hahaha. I said now what Dr. Mike. He said you gots a repro shield. Well the old boy was right as I plain forgot about that doint 2nd restoration.
Later on at home I remembered the original one was up in the attic and fairly rusty. But I couldn't find it so one of my pals found me an original at Corvette Carlisle.
Marco, the trick is getting an original one chrome plated to look like factory and not show chrome. IF the plater show chromes it he ruined the part.
Although 360 water outlet studs are supposed to be bare I personally don't like it because they rust so easily. The nuts are zincad plated.

I just have one 63 FI car now but years ago I had two. One was a July 63 and the one I have now if Feb/March. THe July car had the original unrestored 340 HP engine with a fake fuel unit on it. Valve covers had the hex bolts. Course Good luck, John

[Michael H.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

-RH Ign. shielding: how can I tell the difference from an original to a replacement? The one currently installed appears to be configured identical to the drawing in the Noland Adams Book p.170, however it was called a replacement during judging at Joplin.

-360HP water neck: painted silver; after installation? (should studs and nuts be painted along with it?)

-Alum. valve cover attaching screws to bolt change-over: all the info I can find calls for a x-over around March '63. The car (July built) was nicked for having hex bolts.

-Rear muffler hangers: Late cars (U69) call for a braided copper ground strap attached to the rear muffler hanger. Should those applications still have the wide brass band in place also?
I would like to get this car to the next level.
Any help or input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Marco

Marco,

DeGregory is right on the shield inner reinforcement.

On the water outlet/thermostat housing, the studs and nuts WERE coated with dull aluminum paint, along with the housing. So was the area around the housing. The housing was bolted in place at the Flint engine plant before any paint operations were performed.

Definitely hex head screws for the valve covers by the time your car was assembled.

I seriously doubt there was ever any such thing as a separate ground strap on the muffler hangers. I know the new design was shown in the AIM and scheduled for production but no one that I know has ever seen an original unrestored car with this style hanger. In the early 70's, I owned #21,031, a Calif car, and it had the original design hangers. In fact, it still had original exhaust front to back.
I've never seen any style on a 63 other than the one with the brass sheet. In fact, I know of two unrestored "no radio" cars that have the brass sheet style hanger, even though a no radio car wasn't supposed to have the brass sheet.

[John D.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

Michael, Neat info on the water outlet studs and nuts. Much appreciated. JD

[Marco H.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

Thanks everyone for their reply. All your input is very helpful and highly appreciated. I will "edit" my JG accordingly.

[Joe R.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

Marco,

DeGregory is right on the shield inner reinforcement.

On the water outlet/thermostat housing, the studs and nuts WERE coated with dull aluminum paint, along with the housing. So was the area around the housing. The housing was bolted in place at the Flint engine plant before any paint operations were performed.

Definitely hex head screws for the valve covers by the time your car was assembled.

I seriously doubt there was ever any such thing as a separate ground strap on the muffler hangers. I know the new design was shown in the AIM and scheduled for production but no one that I know has ever seen an original unrestored car with this style hanger. In the early 70's, I owned #21,031, a Calif car, and it had the original design hangers. In fact, it still had original exhaust front to back.
I've never seen any style on a 63 other than the one with the brass sheet. In fact, I know of two unrestored "no radio" cars that have the brass sheet style hanger, even though a no radio car wasn't supposed to have the brass sheet.

Michael,

I believe your correct that the extra strap exhaust hanger never reached production and maybe never the shelves. Baseing this on a pair of NOS 63 exhaust hangers in the box I obtained from a fellow who ordered them in the 70's from GM. These are complete with bolts, the wide brass strap, and insulators. No braided straps! These exhaust hangers in their boxes may be observed at the NCRS meet in January 2012.

JR

[Edward J.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

Michael,

I believe your correct that the extra strap exhaust hanger never reached production and maybe never the shelves. Baseing this on a pair of NOS 63 exhaust hangers in the box I obtained from a fellow who ordered them in the 70's from GM. These are complete with bolts, the wide brass strap, and insulators. No braided straps! These exhaust hangers in their boxes may be observed at the NCRS meet in January 2012.

JR

Joe, in the 63/64 judging manuel states rear muffler hanger has a copper sheet attached to the hanger.is this a true statement or were they all brass. My 63 has a repro hanger with a copper sheet.

[Loren L.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

Marco:
Inasmuch as the Driveline has announced the coming birth of the 6TH EDITION of the 63-4 JG, you might want to inquire as to when it is due and schedule your changes/updates accordingly.

[Stuart F.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

I hate 63 hangers. I took mine off to cure a constant vibration - and it did. As long as I'm driving my car they won't go back on.

My right side shield is original and stained from battery acid, I guess. You need to bend that sucker in the middle to get it out the top, so that reinforcement prevents that which is probably a good thing.

Stu Fox

[Michael G.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

I can't quite figure out if you guys are saying the R.H. shield should or shouldn't have a reinforcement. I don't have a car here to look at, so please clarify for me.

Thanks,

[Marco H.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

Mike,
my current shielding is missing the reinforcement. Maybe someone could post a picture of an original shielding / reinforcement.
Marco

[Joe R.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

Joe, in the 63/64 judging manuel states rear muffler hanger has a copper sheet attached to the hanger.is this a true statement or were they all brass. My 63 has a repro hanger with a copper sheet.

Edward,

I have never seen an original 63 hanger that has a copper sheet attached. As you know brass is copper alloyed with tin and it's very brittle.
Enclosed is a picture of the NOS 63 hangers that I have in the original boxes. They clearly have the brass sheets attached via a rivet to the hangers.
Also note that the hangers have RBW bolts. Don't think 63-64 assembly line hangers had those later bolts. Probably TR's instead.
There are repo kits to refurbish the original 63 hangers that have the copper sheet included.
Judges that have seen nothing but repos mistake these for originals.
Every 63 that I have owned had original hangers with the brass sheet riveted.

JR

[Bob J.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

I can't quite figure out if you guys are saying the R.H. shield should or shouldn't have a reinforcement. I don't have a car here to look at, so please clarify for me.

Thanks,

Original right hand shields HAD a reinforcement.Bob

[Stuart F.]

Re: More 63 Specific Questions

Michael;

My 63 R.H. shield is original and a July 9 build. It does not have a reinforcement.

Stu Fox