'62 missing parts...help please!

[Sandra H.]

My shift console plate (4 speed) is missing......along with the air cleaner. Does the shift pattern look the same in any catalog that carries them?

What should the air cleaner look like? Round?....Chrome?....and is there a clearance issue with any of them? It just doesn't look like there is much room to fit one in there.

Any advice would really be appreciated.

Sandy

[Bruce B.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Sandy,
All air cleaners, single or 2 X 4 were aluminum 2 piece design with no chrome plating and about 14" in diameter. The 2 X 4 air cleaner has 2 hold down screws.
The shift console plate for the 62 4 speed has a rounded corner on the lower left. All other transmissions use the console plate with square (slightly rounded) corners. The shift rubber boots are also different determined by the transmission type.

[Sandra H.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Thanks for the info Bruce......which, of course, has now added to my confusion.

The place where the shift plate should go has 4 square (rounded) corners, which if I understood you right, means it was for a 3 speed or auto.

The confusion comes in here......there is currently a 4 speed Hurst shifter in it (with the shift pattern on it) and I know the transmission was replaced along with the motor.

The information I have on the car says it originally came with a 327/265hp motor.....would that have come with a 3 speed?

Sandy

[John F.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Sandra, the base motor on a 62 was 250 hp. Base trans was a 3-speed. Never heard of a 265 hp.

john

[Sandra H.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Thanks John,
At least this is clearing up some misinformation I have on the car.....
I'm wondering if it was originally a 250/3 speed.

It certainly isn't now.

A car guy looked at it and said it has a 350 in it (which is what I also was told, but questioning everything now). Is it possible to tell for sure with casting #'s? The stamp pad numbers have been planed off.

Sandy

[Sandra H.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

I just looked at a letter I got from late husband's best friend....it says the car was originally a 4 speed with a motor "around 265", but didn't remember exactly.

If it was originally a 4 speed, what motor options were available?

Probably a rather moot point, since the car is what it is now.

Still doesn't explain why the incorrect console shift plate........

Sandy

[Bruce B.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Sandra,
There is nothing on a 62 to tell you what the original engine and transmission was, so over the years things change. Many times the single rounded corner shift plate may have been changes out in favor of the other plate. They were not exactly interchangeable but they were switched. The base engine in 62 was available with a Powerglide, a 3 speed or a 4 speed.
So in reality make it into the car you want.
Now if you have the original engine the suffix on the engine stamp code will tell you the carburetor type, horsepower and the trans type (manual or automatic but no indicastion of 3 or 4 speed). The "RC" suffix indicates 4 barrel, 250 HP, manual trans.
Have fun.

[Sandra H.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Thank you Bruce for the clarification.....

Sadly, I have been unable to locate the original motor, but, you know, I think I'm going to have fun with this car without the restrictions of having to make every bolt perfect. Probably the biggest decision will be whether to have the motor rebuilt or drop a new crate motor in it. Sentiment weighed against practicality.

I know, I hear a lot of groaning out there, but this car isn't a good candidate for a full factory resto.

But it is a good candidate for a really great first newbie restoration!

Sandy

[Bruce B.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Sandy,
If you want to have fun with minimum problems and expense put in a 290 HP GM crate engine, dress it up as you please and drive the car. Most of your existing parts can be used with that engine.
Bruce B

[Sandra H.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Practicality is winning, I think........the 290 crate engine would probably be a good choice, then work back from there and replace the non-original tach and Hurst shifter to a more correct look.

A custom look will be for some other things I have in mind.

Thank you for taking the time, Bruce.
Sandy

[Bill O.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Sandy:

Another possibility: If you have the original differential and can find the rear axle ratio code (see related thread nearby) it may tell us about the transmission that went with it.

Good luck.

Bill

[Sandra H.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

I will make note of that Bill, and look at the numbers at a later date.
At this point I don't know whether I will have the transmission rebuilt or replaced.
Thanks,
Sandy

[Joe R.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Sandy,

I will try to answer your original question as sometimes these threads tend to get a life of their own.

There are many suppliers that will have nearly anything you need or want to restore your Corvette.

I would suggest calling Corvette Central in Michigan, Auto Accessories of Boalsburg PA or Paragon in Michigan. These are reputable suppliers that stand behind their products 100% and will service your needs correctly and politely. Ask for their catalogs and they will be sent to you free of charge.

Tell them you are an NCRS member for the friendly discount.

JR

[Jim T.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Sandra at the NCRS Strore you can purchase a guide that is not expensive and contains a lot of information to help you with your 1962 Corvette.

The NCRS produced 1953-1967 Corvette Specifictions Guide by John Amgwert has a lot of the numbers for engines, transmissions, carburators, distributors, rear-ends, and alternators etc.

At the rear of 62's current engine will be a block cast date. Post the numbers on the board and someone will be able to tell you what year your block was made.
There will also be a block number on the bell housing flange area that will help in identifing if you have a 327 or 350 block. Post the numbers here and someone will identify what you have. All 62-64 Corvettes used block #3782870. This information is from the NCRS Specifications Guide.

The 290HP crate engine as mentioned above is a reasonable selection to install a brand new engine that comes with a warranty and has all new parts.

Rebuilding a current engine becomes expensive when it has to be bored, new balancer, cam&lifters, pistons, etc and the cost of labor.

[Sandra H.]

Re: '62 missing parts...help please!

Hi Jim,
I will add the spec guide to my (growing) library.....I do know the engine was out of a '58 Chev and from a fella that built race cars.

The crate motor is a good idea.....the catch being, I want to have this motor rebuilt at some point anyway, whether it stays in the Corvette or not.

Which means getting another "something" to put it in. (Definitely leaning toward a '58 Chev pickup....which I will own someday.)

This is all like getting sucked into a whirlpool, isn't it?

Joe.....Thanks for the answer to the original question....I have CC catalog and will order the others, too.

Sandy