C2: 63 JG Questions

[Michael H.]

Helping a friend restore a 63 FI car and he has several questions about engine details. Several of my answers don't agree with the 3rd edition of the Judging Guide. The first two questions were on page 87 in the mechanical section, number 4, "valve covers and related items".

The manual states that horsepower decal on all 63-64 engines with aluminum valve covers had the decal placed "near the lower edge" of the cover. My suggestion was that the decal was near the top of the side, about 1/4" below the outer rib.

His second question refered to the valve cover gaskets. The manual states that "aluminum valve covers have unpainted natural cork gaskets". If orange paint is detected on the gasket underside, will points be deducted? My suggestion was that the valve covers and gaskets were in place when the engine was painted at Flint and often times orange paint would be seen on the outer edges of valve covers and almost always on the slightly exposed underside of the gasket.

Have these items been changed in the 4th edition of the manual? I suggested he wait before purchasing the 4th edition as a 5th edition was probably going to be available soon.

He wants his restoration to be as accurate/correct as possible.

[John D.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

Michael, I remember asking about the proper location of the 360 HP decal for my 63. Joe Lucia said to refer to the OEM manual which I believe I did. I don't know what the JM says though. Maybe RJ has an original that he can make a template from. Course you didn't ask that. I don't think the location was an exact science either. Since I have seen more valve covers that most on occasion some original ones come in with the decal still on. Next time that happens and I think it is the real deal-which is highly unlikely since they were the first thing to fall off I will make a template, etc. John

[G B.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

While I don't know squat about judging cars, horses, women, etc., I do know that my white '64 FI convertible had factory valve cover decals on it decades ago when I took a bunch of engine photos. I'll dig some out tomorrow and post one tomorrow night.

[Michael H.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

Just found a pic of a new 63 FI chassis at the St Louis assy plant with the decal in the usual place. I know I have more and will post when I find them.

[Mike M.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

decal placement in mike's factory photo is correct. some orange overspray on the tan cork valve cover gasket flies with me. mike

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

Mike,,,,The question is "does he want it right",,,your way or "to the judging specs". I would rather have it done with a first persons perspective than what a dubious, at best, manual says........Bill S

[Michael H.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

Bill,

I think Gus is going to leave the decal off until he finds out what the new 5th edition JG calls for. If the new manual is still in error, he will place the decal at the bottom until he has the car judged, then replace it in the correct position. Sounded like a logical solution to me.

Gus has several more questions.

[Tracy C.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

Micheal,

I believe Gus is safe installing as your picture shows. I was fortunate enough to JG the Mechanical section at Park City National in 05 and all of the decals I saw were placed as such. No points were deducted nor was this even discussed.

tc.

[Michael H.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

Thanks Tracy. I'll advise Gus to install the decals in the correct upper location.

[Kevin M.]

[Michael H.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

Thanks Kevin. Gus came to the right discussion board because the knowledge and information from all those who post here is the best there is. He wants his car to be as close as possible to "as delivered new", so I suggested he research everything to learn the real story. He's using my 3rd edition of the 63-64 JG and he has a lot of questions. I don't want him to only hear my opinion on these items. I post these questions for him because he isn't on the internet, yet. (I'll fix that)

[John D.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

Mikey, The decal in you photo is a tad "crocked". Looks like the installer had one too many. I recall last summer when I asked this same qt on the exact location and your photo matches it. Still never resolved though was whether or not 63 valve cover decals had Made in U.S.A. or Made in USA or no country name at all. I had some really old decals that came from MF Dobbins around 25-30 years ago and his did not have the USA info on them. Robert Jorjorian and others wrote in to my post but it didn't get much play. Can't tell from your little pic-usually you have much larger photos Micheal. Slipping in your old age.Must be the hi temps in the swamp. Anyhow if in your vast library of photos if you ever run across a larger photo of a 63 valve cover keep that little decal info in mind please.
Meanwhile the new repro decals are a thick mylar I do believe. So if I were judging them I will give a minor deduct. Once in a while a fellow on ebay lists some of the old thin-water soluable ones. Trouble is that they easily crumple up in the water. I know of someone who had a few made for his own use. but this forum is not about selling parts so I can't mention his name. John

[Michael H.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

When I bought a new 1964 365 HP coupe from G&K Chevrolet in the spring of 64, one of the HP decals was crooked, just like the one in the pic that I posted. Within a few months, one decal began to peel off at one end. When I brought the car in to the dealer for some misc warranty repairs, I mentioned the decal to the service manager. He wrote it down on the repair order but when I picked up the car the next day, the decal looked the same. I assumed it was a part that had to be ordered. When I asked him about it, he said that Chevrolet doesn't service that part. Irritated, I went to the parts dept and asked the parts manager, Ron, a friend I'd known for some time. He agreed, no decal was ever listed in any parts books and as far as he knew, there was no way to order one. He spoke to someone at the Broadview zone office who agreed, no service decal was ever available but if "the customer" was unsatisfied, he would try to have a set sent to the dealer. (never arrived) He also told Ron that the original source for this particular decal was "Ideal Printers" in Chicago.

We never followed up on the source but I never forgot the name Ideal Printers.

Unfortunately, I don't remember if the original decals had "Made IN USA" at the bottom. I only remember the 365 and the word "horsepower".

[Chuck G.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

Michael, you mention GK Chevrolet in Downers Grove...

That's where my 69 was sold new. Have never been able to find the original owner, or how the car got from Illinois to PA to MD. Chuck

[Michael H.]

Re: C2: 63 JG Questions

By 1969, the dealer had moved from it's original location on Burlington ave to a new facility at 1601? Ogden ave, Downers Grove. The owner, Harry Belovsky (splg) sold the dealer to Liberty Chev some time in the early 80's, and later became Team Chev. Supposedly, all of the original paperwork from GK stayed in the basement until some years later when Liberty sold out to some foreign car outfit.

I've heard that all of the paperwork wound up going to someone that worked for both GK and later, Liberty/Team. He was originally a mechanic and later, the service manager. I only remember "Big George" but I don't remember his last name. I'll try to find more info on him.

What color/engine/body style is your 69?