1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

[David G.]

I am working on a 63 Coupe that has never has a radio installed. There is no indications of an antennae, ground straps
Or capacitors. However there is a capacitor mounted on pedal support and it is attached to the brake light switch.
Is it possible that all midyears had the capacitors installed in this location regardless of radio option or not?
Can anyone with a non radio mid year check for the presence of this capacitor.
Thanks in advance
Dave Gray 3627

[Larry E.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

I am working on a 63 Coupe that has never has a radio installed. There is no indications of an antennae, ground straps
Or capacitors. However there is a capacitor mounted on pedal support and it is attached to the brake light switch.
Is it possible that all midyears had the capacitors installed in this location regardless of radio option or not?
Can anyone with a non radio mid year check for the presence of this capacitor.
Thanks in advance
Dave Gray 3627

Dave>This has happened before because the Assembly People work from "The Force Of Habit". They have been
known to put capacitors on places that should not be on non-radio cars. So nothing to worry about. Larry

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

Dave,

Yes I know of a very original 1963 "Non Radio" convertible. No signs of ever having U65/U69. No telltales whatsoever. Undercar original engine pipes, no threads in ground strap frame holes, no left rear quarter bodywork, no dash modifications, no horizontal engine shielding L- brackets, no engine capacitors, no ground strap threads in accelerator lever, none at rear hangers.....nada.

However, quite surprisingly, it had a capacitor for the brake lamp switch mounted to the pedal bracket. I think I remember the leads were just hanging there too. I often wondered, and now glad you've seen the 2nd I've ever known of.

I suspect when the workers grabbed the pedal assemblies off the shelves, one of two possible scenarios: All had the capacitor already mounted by the off line pedal bracket assemblers, or they simply grabbed the wrong assembly.

More examples would help our observations.

Rich

[David G.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

Thank you for the responses to my question. Interestly the lead to my capacitor was also just hanging loose and not plugged into the switch.
I assumed that someone had unplugged it, but it is also likely that it had never been attached. Hopefully other non radio mid year owners
Will respond.

[David G.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

Thank you for the responses to my question. Interestly the lead to my capacitor was also just hanging loose and not plugged into the switch.
I assumed that someone had unplugged it, but it is also likely that it had never been attached. Hopefully other non radio mid year owners
Will respond.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

I have a '63 and a '65 that were ordered without radios, and neither have any capacitors or wires there. But, both have been restored by knowledgeable, meticulous restorers who would know they should not be there, so who knows what they looked like originally.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

I have a '63 and a '65 that were ordered without radios, and neither have any capacitors or wires there. But, both have been restored by knowledgeable, meticulous restorers who would know they should not be there, so who knows what they looked like originally.

Michael, Any chance.... if you could get a closeup look of the hole for the capacitor bracket on your '63, I wonder if there's a telltale. If once there was a screw, the holes would have evidence of thread cuts.

Rich

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

OK, where exactly should I be looking for a hole?

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

OK, where exactly should I be looking for a hole?

In center of flat area near brake lamp switch. I'll try to get you a photo.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

In center of flat area near brake lamp switch. I'll try to get you a photo.

Rich

this area is on a '67, but '63 may be similar. On the left triangular flat area.

The screw is self threading course sheet metal threads so the hole would have visibly deep cut grooves.

P7140034.jpg

'63 may be similar setup. From our old coupe.
P1050004.jpg

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

On close inspection, yes, my '63 has not only the hole, but the bolt and strap holder. But no wires anywhere. My '65 does not have the hole, wires, or anything else.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

On close inspection, yes, my '63 has not only the hole, but the bolt and strap holder. But no wires anywhere. My '65 does not have the hole, wires, or anything else.

Interesting. It likely had the capacitor there at one time as well.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

I would not make that assumption, perhaps the strap and bolt were installed when it was an assembly, and the capacitor and wiring were added later in the assembly sequence.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

I would not make that assumption, perhaps the strap and bolt were installed when it was an assembly, and the capacitor and wiring were added later in the assembly sequence.

Michael, Note that the AIM Section U65/U69 indicates all 3 items were installed together, and the capacitor was actually an assembly with the clamp attached to it, part# 1960962 "CAPACITOR ASM".

Rich
1963 Corvette Assembly Manual (U65 & U69).jpg

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 brake light capacitor used on non radio cars?

Well maybe, but the workers shouldn't have been following that AIM for a non-radio car, should they? And since my car is body off restored by a pretty meticulous restorer, I am wondering why he would put a brand new bolt and strap on the car, but no capacitor, if he found it the way the AIM shows. Who knows.