Progress pics from Kansas

[Tracy C.]

I thought I'd post a some pictures of my project. I'm now ready to flip my chassis upright and put my wheels on it. This project has been underway since 1989. I actually had the chassis rolling back in 1990, but life got in the way and I joined this organization in 2003. It didn't take long for me to realize the work I had completed wasn't "blue ribbon" quality. So...I stripped it all back apart last year to do it right.

I've gone by the book so far. Take a walk around look and let me know if I've overlooked something. At this point it's pretty easy go back in and fix something.

thanks
tc

[Don H.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Tracy,
I am not a mid year expert but it looks good to me. Congrats on your "stick to it". Too many cars have been started then sold when the project fizzles. Don H.

PS Congratulations to all to all Midway USA Chapter members. The video of your meet was great. Roy E. needs to learn the "rubber axle" cars too.

[Rich P.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Tracy'

LOOKS AWSOME!!! 2 things I would take note of.....1 the front lower shock bolts should be like the hood hinge bolts with a recessed hex head and a 3/4" captured flat washer. 2 the pinion snubber bracket should have a very large thick flat washer similar to the body mount washers (except a little wider). Nice flat springs on the front hubs!!

Rich

[Tracy C.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Thank you Rich for the tips. Where exactly do the body mount shaped washers go on the pinion snubber bracket? I'll have to keep my eyes open for the bolts you mentioned for the front shocks. The ones I have are a recessed head, but the captured washers on them are too small.

tc

[Edward J.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Thank you Rich for the tips. Where exactly do the body mount shaped washers go on the pinion snubber bracket? I'll have to keep my eyes open for the bolts you mentioned for the front shocks. The ones I have are a recessed head, but the captured washers on them are too small.

tc

Tracy, you may have mixed the washers up on the snubber, The smaller washer is on the top with the head of the bolt, And the bigger flat washer is on the bottom w/nut. just take a look and that may tell you.

[Sander B.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Hi Tracy Nice genuine 63 body mount brackets you have
looks great all put together !

if i am correct the rear spindle supports should'nt have the reinforcement webbing in them they are mid 64 and up

[Tracy C.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Tracy, you may have mixed the washers up on the snubber, The smaller washer is on the top with the head of the bolt, And the bigger flat washer is on the bottom w/nut. just take a look and that may tell you.

Thank you Edward, The illustration in my 63 AIM does show a larger P washer on the bottom, but both top and bottom washers on my install are 1 3/8" dia. Anyone know what the diameter of the larger washer should be?

tc

[Tracy C.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Hey Sander...good to hear from you! I'm not aware of any configuration change on the spindle supports. I checked the date on mine and could make out F 4 3 on one and the other was more difficult to make out but appears to ? 21 3. Not completely sure of the date format, but I believe these are both 63 pieces. Can't speak for the fact they are original to the car though. My history with it only goes back 21 years.

tc

[Timothy B.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Tracy,

I think there was a change in the webbing sometime in 63. Some cars actually have webbing without and with the reinforcement, (one of each).

The shock bolts should be like Rich says and to add to that the captured washer should be serrated for 63. That is what mine look like and I am not sure but this washer is not serrated for later mid years. It's the same bolt as the hood catch mounted to the firewall.

I am not sure about this but the 63 tie rod end rubber covers are different than 64-up. They are like a mushroom style that's not really as good as later FWIW..

Your work looks very nice, I will check my springs that go around the brake drums as I believe mine are round but my 63 is November 62 build..

[Donald O.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Tracy
I can't tell from your pix if the two pinion bracket bolt bolts are installed in the same direction or not. I think that they should not, but don't remember the direction for them and I don't have a 63 AIM with me at the lab. I know that in my 67 AIM it shows them from opposite directions.
Looks pretty good so far, keep it up.

DonO

[Bill C.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Just curious ----

How are you going to get the assembly flipped over?
Do you have a special lift assembly for this?


When I did my car, I wanted to do the assembly of the chasis like you did, but was told I never get it flipped back over becuase of the weight.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Tim, Thanks for additional info on the shock bolts, I know exactly what I'm looking for now. The info on the spindle casting is news to me. The JG is silent on any configuration change. My understanding on the drum spring is that the flat wire was used on all 63 and it changed to the round wire in 64 and for all service replacements.

Don, There are actually 3 bolts used on the pinion snubber bracket. The two front ones are short and thread directly into the diff housing. The rear bolt goes clear through and clamps with a nut. Apparently this all changed before 67.

Bill, I plan to use a cherry picker type engine hoist and will first let it down to the floor and I will put on some old wheels and tires and throw down some carpet scraps to keep from scuffing the frame. Then I will lift one side with the cherry picker and roll it over carefully. Hopefully I can get some help from my chapter buddies along the way.

I can say that working on this has been a piece of cake. Everything is at a comfortable working level, easiliy accessable and one can really focus on the details. It also was very handy to rough in the alignment of the rear wheels.

Thanks for all the comments,

tc

[Bill C.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Tracy; What a beautiful chassis. I have an early '63 that has gone through three rounds of judging; with the last at the Charlotte Nationals. A few points for you to consider.
First; my spindle supports are open web. To my knowledge they were changed in '64. Could late '63 cars have the closed design, I guess it is possible.
Second; I took a deduct on my flat wire brake springs. I checked the Bowtie '63 at the Nationals and it had the round wire springs.
Third; I do not think the '63 had any stickers on the shocks. I also had a deduct for that.
Tracy; I am far from an expert; but I hope I was able to help you.
Good luck and keep us posted after you flip the chassis.
Bill

[Tracy C.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Thank you Bill!

Interesting comments and goes to show us that judges are all individually different. The JG states that stickers are on the shocks. I was also told by the lead chassis judge at the Boston national meet (I was an OJ) a couple of years ago that "We don't judge the drum springs" again the JG is silent on this.

I'd be very interested in the change over point on the spindle support though. The one date I can read on mine is F 4 3, which I assume to be June 4, 1963. My car is a July 24 build.

tc

[Bob J.]

Re: Progress pics from Kansas

Tracy,
I believe std shocks were color coded with a slash of tan paint.
Your chassis looks very nice, Bob