[Poncho_Villa]

Just got my car back from the upholstery shop. Only had the two buckets done and the headliner. Rear seat and door panels are still in great shape.

[Transporter]

Originally Posted by Poncho_Villa

Just got my car back from the upholstery shop. Only had the two buckets done and the headliner. Rear seat and door panels are still in great shape.

Nice job, looks good.

[GaryK]

Originally Posted by Poncho_Villa

Just got my car back from the upholstery shop. Only had the two buckets done and the headliner. Rear seat and door panels are still in great shape.

Looks great! Did you get the covers and headliner from AMES?

[Poncho_Villa]

No I got my material from SMS auto fabrics in Oregon. The upholstery shop used the existing seat covers and headliner to create templates.

[JohnFromVentura]

Looks great. Where did you find the retractable seat belts?

Originally Posted by Poncho_Villa

Just got my car back from the upholstery shop. Only had the two buckets done and the headliner. Rear seat and door panels are still in great shape.

[Poncho_Villa]

Originally Posted by JohnFromVentura

Looks great. Where did you find the retractable seat belts?

They were in the car when I bought it. I'm pretty sure they were installed at the dealership when purchased new.

[heater63]

Been working on this one on and off for the past year. In paint and going back together. there was more damage then I originally thought to both quarters but was able to straighten the passenger side and had a usable quarter to cut a patch out of from her old black car. Will post more pick once it is together and outside.

here is the original post of this car.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...t=bargain+year

[c5farmer]

Working on the Lemans convertible, today. The dual exhaust kit is in place via jack stands until hangers and clamps are figured out. The kit from Classic Exhaust is 2 1/4" from the exhaust manifolds to the mufflers and 2" out of the mufflers to the tail pipes. The kit uses the stock hanger locations. The mufflers are right and left sided and can't be switched. Adjustable jack stands make the install fairly easy to mock up.

[Radman]

Originally Posted by c5farmer

Working on the Lemans convertible, today. The dual exhaust kit is in place via jack stands until hangers and clamps are figured out. The kit from Classic Exhaust is 2 1/4" from the exhaust manifolds to the mufflers and 2" out of the mufflers to the tail pipes. The kit uses the stock hanger locations. The mufflers are right and left sided and can't be switched. Adjustable jack stands make the install fairly easy to mock up.

Try getting a curved pipe that will go over the swing axle in the rear. If not you will probably drag the exhaust at speed bumps and some driveways.

[c5farmer]

Thanks Radman. I will try to tuck the tail pipes up as close as possible. Anyone else with the under-axle tail pipes? What is your experience?

[Poncho_Villa]

I would also be interested in hearing about the details of others dual exhaust system. I am overdue for a new system and was planning to have it done this past summer. I now have both pipes running parallel under the passenger side floor into a pair of glasspacks and dumping straight down in front of the axle (previous owner installed). I would like to have the tailpipes exiting at each side out the back like in the pictures c5farmer posted. I have the clutch linkage and shifter rod to deal with on the drivers side so the layout like in the pictures works for me but I have to agree with Radman about the pipe curving over the swing axles. Anybody got a map of the layout of how the dual exhausts left the factory?

[c5farmer]

Here is the '63 dual exhaust system per the factory parts book. It looks like the tail pipes are under the axle.

[heater63]

Jerry, I have 2 1/2" exhaust on my car. It was made custom so there isn't a part number I can give you. I have had zero problems with bottoming out for 3 years now.

[c5farmer]

Well, it is finally done after 3 years of work. Yesterday the exhaust system was installed and the stock valve covers replaced with MT covers. Susan drove the car around the block and everything worked! Now, all the new car bugs can get sorted out as it gets more some road miles. As many original parts as possible were used after cleaning and /or rebuilding. It is not a competitive show car, be we think it turned out pretty well for a "home made" restoration and look forward to cruising next summer.
The next project is an engine replacement for the 63 Tempest hot rod. It runs fine, just needs more power! Nothing a blown 455 can't fix!

[c5farmer]

More pictures. What a feeling of accomplishment.

[Transporter]

Originally Posted by c5farmer

Well, it is finally done after 3 years of work. Yesterday the exhaust system was installed and the stock valve covers replaced with MT covers. Susan drove the car around the block and everything worked! Now, all the new car bugs can get sorted out as it gets more some road miles. As many original parts as possible were used after cleaning and /or rebuilding. It is not a competitive show car, be we think it turned out pretty well for a "home made" restoration and look forward to cruising next summer.
The next project is an engine replacement for the 63 Tempest hot rod. It runs fine, just needs more power! Nothing a blown 455 can't fix!

Hey Jerry, it turned out great best of luck to you and Susan with it!

Stan

[Sanduners]

Originally Posted by c5farmer

What a feeling of accomplishment.

WOW, Susan's car IS a show car. You did a wonderful job and should feel super proud, these cars are not that easy to restore. I'm in southern CA and that would get you some trophies, very nice job Jerry.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by c5farmer

More pictures. What a feeling of accomplishment.

I have a couple questions about your setup.

What brand is the radiator?

The positive battery cable appears to run to a relay/junction box mounted close to the battery and then on to the starter. The 1963 chassis shop manual electrical circuit diagram (page 11-2) doesn't show the cable running to a relay/junction box. I note that the diagram is for a 4-cyl and has a small margin note of "FOR ENGINE WIRING CIRCUIT SEE 9771874". Accordingly, I don't know if the 326 circuit has the positive cable wired through a relay/junction box.

Did you improvise this relay setup? I will note that my 1962 Catalina chassis shop manual diagram does have the positive cable running through a relay/junction box arrangement.

[c5farmer]

Thanks for all the nice comments about our car. It will be fun, nothing like the sweet sound of a ropeshft spinning away!

Doug, the radiator is a swap meet special designed to fit a big block '68 Nova. It fit pretty well and measured just under 19" x 26". My other car uses a Griffin universal fit 19x26 but required a little triming of the radiator support and lowering the bottom mounts to fit. Both have driver side top inlet hose application and require modifying the shroud.
The junction block is stock to the 63 v8 cars. The junction block wiring schematic is on page 11-4, figure 11-3, of the 63 Tempest Chassis shop manual. Most of the blocks I have found are cracked on one of the mounting ears. If you find a good one, get it.

[GaryK]

Awesome work Jerry!! Its a show car for sure! I am sure you and Susan will enjoy putting alot of miles on it!
Gary