63 L84 Engine chrome

[Michael G.]

Going back through the archives I found that 63 L84 cars built before January are not supposed to have much engine chrome. From the cars I've seen, some pieces may have been gradually introduced through November and December 1962. does anyone have a feel for the approximate order and timing of the early pieces?

Thanks,

[John H.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Going back through the archives I found that 63 L84 cars built before January are not supposed to have much engine chrome. From the cars I've seen, some pieces may have been gradually introduced through November and December 1962. does anyone have a feel for the approximate order and timing of the early pieces?

Thanks,

Mike -

The NPC (Notice of Production Change) indicates that all the affected pieces were in production on 1-3-63, but I don't have any detail on intro dates for the individual parts.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Thanks John,

I found that NPC notice (attached) in the archives. I think maybe the chrome oil filler tube and cap made it into production before that date, though.

[John D.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Mike, Thats a very good question you asked. I think Michael Hanson, etc covered it here quite a number of yours ago. I don't remember what was said. Jorjorian will know though as he still looks in often.

Here is a wild guess on your question about chrome. When RP completely eliminated the bosses on the plenum-completely machined them off then at about that time or shortly after a chrome oil cap appeared. Now as to when the chrome started appearing like a typical 63 FI unit my personal observation from seeing customer units is sometime in Dec 62. Sometime is the key word.
A problem that has arisien in my 63 FI restoration is not one I am proud of but the customer writes the checks. I have done numerous November-Dec 62 FI's where the customer wants all the chrome goodies whether they are correct or not. But you didn't ask that.
I would go on Hinckley's note and maybe guess that the chrome oil tube/cap could have been used shortly prior to the NPC.

Ask your team leader. JD

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Thanks John,

I've only seen a few cars without chrome on the two tubes that run across the front of the plenum. All those cars were in the first 300 or so. The chrome tubes must have been used there after early November or late October. Any ideas?

[Bob B.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Thanks John,

I've only seen a few cars without chrome on the two tubes that run across the front of the plenum. All those cars were in the first 300 or so. The chrome tubes must have been used there after early November or late October. Any ideas?

Mike I have vin #618 built in the 4th week of Sept delivered in Oct (still have) and it has no chrome anywhere.

[Bill C.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Bob; I have an l84 with a vin 499, just before yours. I dont think there should be any chrome including the dipstick and the oil fill cap. Bob, I am interested in where your "winters" mark is on your baseplate.

Thanks
Bill

[John D.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Bob; I have an l84 with a vin 499, just before yours. I dont think there should be any chrome including the dipstick and the oil fill cap. Bob, I am interested in where your "winters" mark is on your baseplate.

Thanks
Bill

Guess you didn't like the bad answers Bill. You know Bill I don't agree with all the info we have on the 63 baseplates. Especially the one about when the winterleaf snowflake next to the top water outlet came into play.
Here is what it may amount to on our 63 baseplates(intakes). I am sure that Winters must have been running numerous molds to pour those baseplates. Therefore there is or could be variations on just when and where the snowflake appeared.
Since we emailed each other, etc I am convinced that your snowflake should be toward the center of the baseplate-near the casting number.

In recapping 63 baseplates there were 5 variations.
Two of them were used on the pilot cars. One did not have a provision for the waterpump bypass fitting and one did.
There were three used on a typical production car.
1st one had the snowflake in the center
2nd one had the snowflake toward the front. Near the center of the two plenum legs or close to the firing order.
3rd one had two snowflakes. One next to top water outlet and one like the 2nd variation-near the firing order.

As to exactly when these variations came into play I am gonna pass on answering that one for now as sometimes all this stuff gets to be a maize in my burnt old brain. JD

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Bob, I have a bunch of photos of your car taken at Kissimmee two years ago. I thought it was #318. I noted you have a brass elbow on the fuel lines like I do -- I haven't seen too many of those elbows on L84 cars.

What is the finish on the two lines that run across the front of the plenum on your car, it looks like dull cad or zinc?

Bill, my late November Duntov car has the Winters mark in the center.

[Bob B.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Bob; I have an l84 with a vin 499, just before yours. I dont think there should be any chrome including the dipstick and the oil fill cap. Bob, I am interested in where your "winters" mark is on your baseplate.

Thanks
Bill

Bill the snowflake is center between the front two plenum runners and you are correct on the dipstick, oil fill cap and tube. BOB

[Bill C.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Bob thank you. Did you ever record you casting date for your baseplate? I think it is underneath.
Bill

[Bob B.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Bob thank you. Did you ever record you casting date for your baseplate? I think it is underneath.
Bill

No I have not. Bob

[John D.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Bob thank you. Did you ever record you casting date for your baseplate? I think it is underneath.
Bill

Bob, A Sept 19, 1962 base plate I own has the snowflake in the usual spot near the front.
I used to see a fair amount of Aug 62 baseplaes but haven't for awhile. I imagine those have the snowflake in the middle.
Maybe Jorjorian will chirp in as to the time frame on the snowflake being in the center (only) of the early 63 baseplates. JD

[Bill C.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

Well JD now I am confused(again). You have a Sept. 62 baseplate with a winters mark in the front of the plenum? Is that "typical"?
Can we then estimate the August 62 baseplates had the winters mark in the middle.?
Bill

[Bob J.]

Re: 63 L84 Engine chrome

JD, this may help.Bob