61 Silver
Well-known member
I thought this would be a good time to post an update on the 63 project. Collins 63 SWC is coming to a closer and I thought the pictures might bring back a few memories. I also figured that when Barry views the photos he will realize how close he is to driving his 65.
The 340HP engine is at the machine shop and being evaluated for rebuild. I was lucky that the engine had ever been apart and no previous machining had been done. I now need to determine how I will proceed with the engine rebuild.(If anyone has an opinion please post) Keep it original or drop the compression so that it will be a little friendlier to today’s fuel.
The original frame was shot. This is the first time I have been fooled with a frame inspection. The frame had been previously repaired, fiber glassed and painted. The repairs must have been done a long time ago because there were enough signs of surface rust to lead me to believe that the frame was solid. After sand blasting the frame looked like a piece of Swiss cheese. I have ordered a replacement frame from Vette Products of Michigan. The good news is that they are tightening up their quality control on their frame products, the bad news is that it will take up to 12 weeks to get my frame. (9 weeks to wait) Thanks to John Z for the frame lead.
This past week we started to remove the paint by using chemical stripper. The car must have been completely stripped before; the paint is coming off very easy and the primer is different than was used on the 61 or 65. I hope to have all the paint off with in the next few days. There has only been one area that shows bodywork, front right fender. The repair was done very well and should only need some minor work to clean up the bodylines.
I will continue to post up dates as the restoration proceeds.
Ray
The 340HP engine is at the machine shop and being evaluated for rebuild. I was lucky that the engine had ever been apart and no previous machining had been done. I now need to determine how I will proceed with the engine rebuild.(If anyone has an opinion please post) Keep it original or drop the compression so that it will be a little friendlier to today’s fuel.
The original frame was shot. This is the first time I have been fooled with a frame inspection. The frame had been previously repaired, fiber glassed and painted. The repairs must have been done a long time ago because there were enough signs of surface rust to lead me to believe that the frame was solid. After sand blasting the frame looked like a piece of Swiss cheese. I have ordered a replacement frame from Vette Products of Michigan. The good news is that they are tightening up their quality control on their frame products, the bad news is that it will take up to 12 weeks to get my frame. (9 weeks to wait) Thanks to John Z for the frame lead.
This past week we started to remove the paint by using chemical stripper. The car must have been completely stripped before; the paint is coming off very easy and the primer is different than was used on the 61 or 65. I hope to have all the paint off with in the next few days. There has only been one area that shows bodywork, front right fender. The repair was done very well and should only need some minor work to clean up the bodylines.
I will continue to post up dates as the restoration proceeds.
Ray