[blueghoast]

It's got a plexy-glass window in it.
I didn't even realise it for about 6 months LOL
Sure is fun to drive, I've put about 2000 miles
on it in less then a month.

GT.

[63Banshee]

btw, have you sourced a rear window gasket?

[blueghoast]

No not yet, I think mine is good but will have to check to be sure.
Why you have them to?

GT.

[63Banshee]

No, but expect to need a source in the near future.

[wojo1963]

I am looking at replacing top on 63 LeMans color white.
Does anybody have experience with who to buy from or installation.
I am pretty handy buy also have help from others with better skills.
Thanks jerry

[Radman]

The upholstery is done, and the car is now at my home. Just a few more things needed to get it on the road.

[boodlefoof]

Been working on some of the more mundane stuff and it is slowly coming together. With the engine/trans in their final resting place, it became apparent that I would have to recess the throttle pedal linkage because the back of the cylinder head had it pinned to the firewall and unable to move.



So, I cut that section of the firewall and sloped it backward into the passenger compartment so that the bottom of the firewall is about 2'' further back from the engine, which gives enough room for the throttle arm to move.



I then made a series of pie cuts in the moved pieces to make an eased transition from one to another.




Fill the gaps with some 18ga. When it is all done, most people will never notice the difference.

Now, I'll also have to modify the throttle linkage arm in the car so that I can move the gas pedal over about 2'' to the left. Putting in the 4L80e required me to move it just a little.

[xlrate]

Boodlefoot,

Are you using a V8 crossmember? If so your engine should be far enough forward to use the linkage. My 455 with 6x heads is using the unmodified 4 banger throttle linkage.

Todd



[QUOTE=boodlefoof;4945054]Been working on some of the more mundane stuff and it is slowly coming together. With the engine/trans in their final resting place, it became apparent that I would have to recess the throttle pedal linkage because the back of the cylinder head had it pinned to the firewall and unable to move.

[beemergary]

Stock linkage in a 63 with 421 and 400 trans with V8 cross member. 61 tempest with 421 and 4 speed with no modifications.

[tom s]

Stock linkage with a 4 cyc X member 421 and TKO.tom

[boodlefoof]

Originally Posted by xlrate

Boodlefoot,

Are you using a V8 crossmember? If so your engine should be far enough forward to use the linkage. My 455 with 6x heads is using the unmodified 4 banger throttle linkage.

Todd

Todd,

No. The previous owner installed a Heidt's universal weld-in Mustang II front suspension setup. The crossmember and steering rack have given me lots of headaches with getting the engine in there! The crossmember sits right where the bottom of the pan wants to be. Sitting the pan above it would put the engine through the hood. The steering rack is right where the front of the pan wants to be. At one point I spoke with Heidt's and they told me they specifically recommend against using this system in a Pontiac for these very reasons.

I was finally able to get the engine in place by a combination of notching the crossmember, moving the engine back and relocating the steering rack downward. As a result, the back of the driver's side cylinder head wound up less than an inch from the firewall. It probably would have taken less time and effort to cut the Heidt's system out and put the factory suspension back in...

When I first responded to the for sale ad and went to look at the car, the previous owner had a 350 engine suspended over the engine bay on a hoist. I have to admit that I've kinda wondered a few times if he figured out how much of a pain putting it in would be with the aftermarket suspension and that is why he decided to sell.

Oh well. What fun would it be to have a car that went together easily, right? What bragging rights would I have if I didn't have to fabricate and/or modify so many pieces!

[Radman]

I got the rack and pinion steering back from the warrenty repair and got it in the car today. I could not resist, I took it around the block. I did find two additional things I need to work on. The one exhaust rubbed the inside of the rear tire ( a casualty of the drag getting on and off of the trailer). I moved that and took it around the block again. Something is rubbing on the drive shaft. When the pipes are cool tommorrow I will put it up on stands with the suspension loaded. I hope that is not a major issue.

[c5farmer]

My project is just about ready for the road, but I need the front end aligned. Installed a complete Kanter front rebuild kit so the alignment will be starting from scratch. I am sure none of the shops around here have ever seen a '63 Tempest front end or aligned one.....so what specs do you conversion guys use? The car has a 400 pontiac engine and turbo-hydro 400 transmission nestled in a stock V8 crossmember. The front springs are big block Camaro.

Thanks, Jerry

[rod cole]

I got like 2 degrees of caster out of mine and zero camber. I believe the oe specs are negative caster settings but with enough shim and adjusting the lower rear links foreward [the biscuts at the rear of the lower stay rod] I achieved a more modern alignment

[xlrate]

Worked on the 63 all week after work & all day today.

Now that all running hot/over heating issues are resolved. I moved on to making it look more presentable ... cut and leveled the tired (furry) old paint ... even has a little shine now with a coat of wax!

Moved on to post break in tasks , changed plugs, oil/filter ... and now it is time for the dual quad setup!

Checkout the look "super dutyish"


Next up complete rebuild of front suspension (all parts are ready to go) the some better chrome from 63Banshee (Dave) and I should have my rebuilt & upgraded fuel sending unit back from TriStarr ... over $170 but now will have 3/8 line to match.

The list keeps going ... should be in good shape for Norwalk!

Todd

[xlrate]

Who said you can't polish a turd? My wife thought I was crazy trying to make my velor paint shine....she likes to call my 63 the turd with its prior abundance of dull brown.

BTW ... car finished in top 20 at a local 300+ car carshow today ... when they called me up for the trophy I expected it was for my 66 GTO...last thought was for the 63. (The 66 also place later).

Car always had a crowd with lots of trans axle & SD type questions ... surprised how much people knew and appreciated these cars! My ram air tri-power Goat lacked the attention ... but its always nice to see a 3x2 parked next to 2x4 powered Poncho!

Todd

[xlrate]

more pics

[Poncho-V]

Wish my turds looked that good.......

[beemergary]

Originally Posted by xlrate

more pics

NOW THATS WHAT I"AM TALKING ABOUT! KWEL

[boodlefoof]

After getting the firewall put back together, I switched gears and turned my attention to the fuel system.

I found a gas tank that would fit the under-trunk space (the tank from a 71-72 Ventura) and figured out that a pair of tank floor supports that I had sitting around from an early Camaro fit the tank well with the Ventura straps. I cut off most of the Ventura filler neck and was able to join the '63 Tempest filler neck to the stump with a short piece of 2'' fuel filler hose from NAPA. It is flexible enough to stretch over the slightly larger Tempest neck. Then I sumped the tank and put her in.

Yes, the lower tail pan is on my list of things to fix...