[GaryK]

Originally Posted by blueghoast

I've been to two car shows with my wagon so far.
Theres a crowd around that thing all day and I'm
answering questions all day too. Cracks me up. LOL
Oh yea It's my daily driver now to.

GT.

That's great!! Get used to the attention!! 4 cyl's draw crowds all the time.

Gary

[63Banshee]

Originally Posted by blueghoast

I've been to two car shows with my wagon so far.
Theres a crowd around that thing all day and I'm
answering questions all day too. Cracks me up. LOL
Oh yea It's my daily driver now to.

GT.

Without a back window?

[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.

[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

[ahnuld]

I know what you mean going to shows, my scoop is the vfn large.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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]

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...

[blueghoast]

Sweeyt looking Todd, But all that time I spent
On getting the right amount of flattening agent
mixed in the paint to match the old and dull original
finish. I could of saved myself a lot of time!!!!!!!
Just saying.
Car looks sweet though, I WANT IT BACK.

GT.

[c5farmer]

I am getting closer to a complete car. The interior is in except for the vintage Hurst shifter. The seats/door panels were stitched by a local shop near Otterville, Iowa. The carpet and headliner came from Ames Perf. Thinking about paint, but like the "rod" look with the Cragars.

[GaryK]

interior looks great Jerry!! I like the door panels, he did a nice job going with the stock pattern look.
Gary

[twooldgoats]

I really like the interior colors and the way it was sewn. Looks great!

Jim