[65nss4spdGTO]

Posting this picture for Tom Keasler of Joliet IL. Tom has owned the car since the late 70's, has been around the chicago area as a race car for most of it's life.

It now has a Rick Johnson built 525ci engine with Hill Performance 340 CFM E-Heads, the car has gone 9.70's and runs NSS.

Calvin Hill
Hill Performance
708-250-7420

[pontiac rodder]

Tom is a great guy and has very cool car I hope someday to give him a good race !

[thomasaburt]

Some really nice looking Tempest/Lemans in this thread!!!

Here are some of mine. Picked it up last year and spent most of the summer/fall, rebuilding the front end suspension and brakes. Tough car to find parts for...

Now onto the body/paint and interior. Car is solid... just looks like an seventh grader painted it....

[TempestFugit]

thomasaburt - That looks like Harry's (and Dot's) car. Glad to see that it went to a good home. Harry really loved that car, but he was on a tight budget with it which explains the paint job. He passed away shortly after selling it. Good luck with it, and there are lots of parts sources and transaxle info here. Welcome!

[thomasaburt]

Thanks!

You are correct, it was Harry's car. Bought it in May of last year and found out through a mutual friend that he passed shortly after. They said they wanted to sell it so Dot could restore her Mustang. Very nice couple and they were very proud of this car. I have been able to replace most of the steering/suspension components that were extremely worn but have run into a wall on locating a replacement power steering valve and adapter (part that controls the power steering ram.) Only found 1 vendor that will rebuild it (Lares Corp) Anyone have any experience with them? Any other suplliers for the 1 year/1 model only part?

[mechanickeith]

IIRC,,,its allmost identicle to the 63-67 Corvette. Check with Vette restorers for a rebuild kit or reman'd valve assy.

[GaryK]

Check your local NAPA for rebuild kits, they told me last year they had them.

[grparen]

Under construction and lurking in the wings.........................

421 dual quad, solid lifter cam, turbo 400, cheater slicks. super duty tribute

[thomasaburt]

Originally Posted by GaryK

Check your local NAPA for rebuild kits, they told me last year they had them.

I did just that, bought all the parts from Napa that they showed for this vehicle.... NONE of them fit..

Bought their part number: NPS 7215, P/S Control Valve Ball Stud Mounting Kit and found that it isn't the correct one. The stud included in the rebuild kit is much smaller than the one used in the Pontiac. They also sell a complete reman control valve assy for the 'vette, but that is a different design than the one used in the Tempest/Lemans. The 'vette valve does not have left tie rod mount. As far as I can tell by reseraching this, The Pontiac control valve/adapter assy, part # 5691111 or the adapter only (part # 5691152) was only used on the Tempest/Lemans, and only in 1963.

[JohnFromVentura]

Check out Paragon or Corvette Central for Midyear Corvette parts! John

Originally Posted by mechanickeith

IIRC,,,its allmost identicle to the 63-67 Corvette. Check with Vette restorers for a rebuild kit or reman'd valve assy.

[63Longtop]

Friend of mine found this picture of my wagon when I bought it 20 years ago!

[blueghoast]

WOW Thats to cool Longtop.

GT

[highoctane460]

'63 LeMans, factory 326 (336) 4V auto with 27,199 miles, lots of head scratching at local cruise inns...lol

[twooldgoats]

Great looking '63!! How long have you had it?

Jim

[highoctane460]

Originally Posted by twooldgoats

Great looking '63!! How long have you had it?

Jim

I've only had the pleasure for about 4 years now.
You sure have yourself a handful of Poncho power there !

Dude, that is quick !

Thanks for the comps...

Mark

[Jeff Hamlin]

Was up in Northern MD at an Open house and this '63 was on hand.
Love the interior the RED on Red looked real good.
She also looked to be sporting original paint.



Question, Is that a factory fender Mirror ?

[mechanickeith]

Most original!!

[U47]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

Was up in Northern MD at an Open house and this '63 was on hand.
Love the interior the RED on Red looked real good.
She also looked to be sporting original paint.



Question, Is that a factory fender Mirror ?

Don't see many 336's with with 3speed sticks! You need a more detailed close up shot of the mirror to see if it's one of the factory authorized ones.

[John in Minnesota]

I got the look I've been wanting since I got the car. The tires dropped the car about 2". I still maintain 15" wheels. I put on Torque Thrush II wheels 15X6 on 4.5. back space is 3.75 I think. The tires are Bridgestone ECOPIA EP422, P185 65R 15. Had to deflate the rear tires to easy them in the wheel well. After they are up in there, there is a good finger width between the tire and fender. The suspension goes up and in so all is cool. I also can make a complete left and right turn with out fender rub. pictures are from a local towns water days. 10,000 lakes you know. There is a porsch 914 to my right, and a first year Ford Lighting to my left. John

[63Banshee]

You or the car?

Originally Posted by mechanickeith

Most original!!