[spartazoo]

After collecting parts and many hours of research my project is well under way. Here are some photos.

These first ones are fitting the rear end with the custom plain steels and slicks under the back end to make sure that the width and backspacing is correct.

[spartazoo]

These next pictures are of the front V8 crossmember being fitted with the new parts.I am using the Scarebird disc brake setup. It uses smaller rotors so that I can use the stock appearing 15x5 inch plain steel wheels. I was still waiting on springs from Kanter.

[spartazoo]

As all of this was going on, my engine was being built. Here are some photos on the run stand getting broken in and some detail photos.

[spartazoo]

Here are some photos of the rear end being fabricated into place. We had never done anything like this before. We have a lot of tools and many photos from the PY site for reference.

[spartazoo]

Completed rear end from the rear. Shocks are straight they look crooked. It is an optical illusion. The car from side to side sits perfectly level.

[spartazoo]

The front end is now assembled and the engine is in for a photo-op. I have to say it looks good. Now on to the trans hump and the floor boards. They as well as the trunk have some small holes that need attention.

Front rims are 15x5 with Coker BF Goodrich 670x15 tires.

[R 70 Judge]

Nice work!

What brand of ladder bars did you use?

[spartazoo]

Competition Engineerings Adjustable Ladder Links. Everything but the coil overs is competition engineering from Summit.

[68Prix]

very nice. Keep us posted as you make progress please. Pat

[Chief_Adam]

So nice. Looks like a very nice clean build. I'm jealous

[4spdT37]

Look's great Kip, nice job.

I want to stop by and check it out in person in the near future.

[R 70 Judge]

What is your horsepower and performance goal?

[spartazoo]

I am not sure actually. I had a goal in mind when this all started but this project has taken on a life of its own.

The engine is far more than what I anticipated. It is one of those things where "well to do this it is this much for just a few dollars more, we can do this" For example the heads, by the time I bought a good set of cores, had them rebuilt, ported, and assembled, I might as well go with the Kauffmans. Same with the cam etc...

I am not even sure what cam is in it now. I will say this, it sounds bad as hell! Nasty even. I believe it is a Comp Cams 296ah-8 but dont hold me to that.

The engine builder has been dyno testing Poncho engines at Kauffmans this winter and spring. This motor was not dyno tested but he guesses that it should be around 500-520hp. If I were to switch intakes, he felt that I could be in the 550-575 range.

As for a performance goal, I dont really have one. I have never been down a track before. I want to run it at Pontiac events like Norwalk etc.. I am not going to be an every weekend drag strip points guy.

So, I suppose if I were to dip into the high 11's I would be happy.

Thanks for all of the compliments. After many trials and tribulations, this build is finally getting to be fun again. Building 63's are not easy. There are no parts available for these cars. You are constantly improvising.

[spartazoo]

I thought that I would add the pictures of the completed seats to the thread.

[White Warrior]

The car looks great.I went thru the same process as you when I built my car in 1991.It only takes about 550hp to get into the high tens with a Tempest.My car weighed about 3300# with me in it,all steel when I first built it.

[KIRKW810]

Project is really coming along great Kip.I'm just getting ready to start some front end work w/ a kit from Kanter's I see you used them too.Were you happy w/their parts?I have a 63' also and looking for some do's and don'ts on this rebuild(first time)I think I'll be alright though.There's a little indians car club meet in Frankenmuth in the middle of July (dont need to be a member).It's three days in Frankenmuth at a hotel thats reasonably priced,some cruising and everybodies car will be the highlight at a 100 lap short track race.their gonna let us take our poncho's around the track a couple times,I'm not a member yet, thinking about it though.they seem like a good group of people.and I'd love to see your car if you could make it.Well,your project really does look like it's moving right along(light at the end of the tunnel),see ya

[R 70 Judge]

Again, nice work!

Do you have any pictures of where the front ladder bar mount is welded in? I'm curious as to how high up in the body you were able to install it.

Any problems with setting the pinion angle?

[spartazoo]

I had brackets made to mount the front ladder bar crossmember to the body. I am actually going to take the car to the performance shop that built my transmission next week. They are going to install the transmission, center section, and go over all of the welds. They will check the pinion angle as well.

I will post some pictures later of the fitting of the core support and radiator. I am going to make the trans hump template tonight. She is coming along.

[LarryF]

Spartazoo, I am also working on a 63 SD Tempest. When I talked to Scarebird a while back (at least a year ago), he said the stock 15x5 wheels would not fit. Are you using a different 15x5 wheel or is that an original 63 Tempest wheel? Is there a spacer between the wheel and rotor? What size is the rotor? Thanks for your help.

Your car looks like it's coming along really well, btw. The photos inspired to me get back to work on mine now that it's starting to warm up.

[6567GTO]

Lookin' good Sparta! Real cool!