1963 SWC Update

[61 Silver]

1963 SWC Update

Hi!

I have been making steady progress on the restoration of the SWC. I thought it was about time for a few photos and an update. Then I can harass studiog for an update on his 61!

The differential is almost restored (new barring and seals) and I should have it and the trailing arms home next week. All the parts that needed to be painted black have been DP-90 and are coated with a black single stage urethane. The parts have been sprayed with different sheen black paint. The body mounts that are located in the engine bay have been replaced. The engine bay was primed with a high build K-36 primer and sprayed with black out paint. This should have been done after final paint of the body, but I only want to mount the body once and will be painting it after I have shimmed it to the frame and correct bodylines and gaps. The new frame has been sand blasted and will be sprayed with PPG DP-90 and a semi-gloss urethane. The A-arms have all new bushings and I hope to rivet the ball joints in this weekend. If everything stays on schedule I hope to start installing the rear and front suspension on the frame early next week. I still have to check out the Muncie transmission and if everything is ok with the transmission I should be able to set the drive train the following week.

This is my favorite part of the restoration. Working with clean parts and watching the Corvette start to look like a Corvette again.

I will post additional pictures as the restoration proceeds.

Ray

 

[IH2LOSE]

Ray I am soo jealous of your wall of parts. I think it ingenous.in looking at your stuff it make we want to start another car.

Folks this is what a proper restoration of a car is. what ever can be taken off is taken off and restored to a like new condtion. I looks like you know how to build a quaility car.

I know how much work you have done allready in bringing the car to this condtion.

Looks great so far

 

[MidShark]

Looking good!

Rich

 

[BarryK]

Ray
wow! everything looks great.
I'm moving up to NY just so I can watch and learn from you rebuilding cars

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

Nice car and what a playground!

 

[studiog]

Hi Ray,
She looks great. As Larry said, that wall of parts is very ingenious. You can see everything at a glance and just pick a fresh restored part off the wall as you need it. You have this restoration thing down to a science and it is evident in your steady progress on this quality restoration. Seeing your photos makes me anxious to start another project.

PS: My daughter and I took the 61 out for a quick run around the block last night for the maiden voyage, it was a blast. I'm still waiting on some parts to come in to finish dressing her out (ignition shielding, air cleaner, etc.) but basically I'm done. But as someone said here a while back, (maybe it was Heaven) "you're never really done". I was so excited last night I forgot to take pictures but I'll try to do that soon.

 

[IH2LOSE]

PS: My daughter and I took the 61 out for a quick run around the block last night for the maiden voyage, it was a blast.

Folks I have to comment on this comment. I know several folks have dealt with this prior buts is something I have to explain.

Your first drive after makeing a car out of parts,or something you have taken out of a feild,or in a barn,or somthing you had parked for 20 years or so, or what Ray is now working on (its just a bunch of piles of parts) is one of the greatest thrills.Your so proud to be responcable for make this sum of parts move under its own power.

Your wondering what may go wrong,how far away should you go from home base.Did you tighten everything. So when I hear of a fellow explaining it is his first motor fire,or there first trip up and down there drive way.I truly share in there excitement as its a real cool feeling, proud , nervous, scaired all in the same time frame.

Whats even more exciting is pushing a car up to speed (I never admit to what speed it was but my tach was at about 3500 rpms) and really getting to enjoy it

Great stuff here guys

 

[61 Silver]

Gary,

Congratulations on that first drive. What a great feeling it is or in my case was.

IH2LOSE has made a great observation and posting. I use a check list at the end of any project to insure that every thing is torque, tightened, bled and filled to the correct specifications. I have tried to complete two major frame off restorations in time to attend major Corvette events only to miss it by a few days. There seems to always be a problem that needs to be solved. I know Studiog worked very hard to have his 61 at Carlisle. In the long run he needs to get a few miles on his project to insure every thing is working right

Gary, can't wait to see the finish product. I think you should be in charge of planning an outing for early spring so that all of us can see your beautiful 61.


Ray

 

[Z28Canuck]

It sure is nice to see everything so well laid out and organized Ray. Must be great to work in an area with the space to do it like that. Looking good. Thank you for sharing the project pics and please keep them coming .

.....Whats even more exciting is pushing a car up to speed (I never admit to what speed it was but my tach was at about 3500 rpms) and really getting to enjoy it
Great stuff here guys

Larry
It does really get the heart pumping that's for sure! I remember pushing Bob's vette up to 50 for the first time! Boy was I relieved when he told me "Thanks for the push, it will be a lot easier for you when the crate engine comes in two weeks!" . Seriously, it's a lot of fun for all of us when you guys let us share these projects with you, thank you!

 

[JohnZ]

Ray, looks great - and you're very well organized! That system works - when we built prototypes at Chevrolet Engineering, we hung the parts on many A-frames on wheels with 4'x8' pegboard on both sides and two shelves on the bottom, organized by UPC Groups (like the Assembly Manual is). Any peg that had a yellow tag instead of a part on it had the engineer's phone number who was responsible for releasing that part so we could raise hell about the parts shortage. I've used the same system for my home car projects for 30+ years - worked at Engineering, works at home.

 

[henny496]

63 project

Hello Ray
I like the set up you are using for the assembly of your car. I may start a similar set up. I am interseted in the frame and body paint(firewall) you did and I will be looking for more pics of your project

Tom

 

[61 Silver]

Hi! Tom

Thanks for the compliments; I used PPG K-36 high build primer and then applied PPG Black Deltphane Poly Acrylic Enamel with Hardener. You can purchase a flatten agent that will allow you to very the sheen for the different chassis parts and brackets.

Ray

 

[61 Silver]

Ray, looks great - and you're very well organized! That system works - when we built prototypes at Chevrolet Engineering, we hung the parts on many A-frames on wheels with 4'x8' pegboard on both sides and two shelves on the bottom, organized by UPC Groups (like the Assembly Manual is). Any peg that had a yellow tag instead of a part on it had the engineer's phone number who was responsible for releasing that part so we could raise hell about the parts shortage. I've used the same system for my home car projects for 30+ years - worked at Engineering, works at home.

Thanks John,

I always enjoy reading your post on how the General preformed production/RD methods. Thanks for sharing.

John, question for you, my wife and I try and have one major Corvette outing or vacation each year. What do you think about the Woodward (spelling) Michigan Dream Cruise? I have watched coverage on the Speed Channel and it looks like it would be a great time.

Ray

 

[61 Silver]

Ray
wow! everything looks great.
I'm moving up to NY just so I can watch and learn from you rebuilding cars

Hi! Barry

You don't have to move, just come up for a vacation. We have a very large house and the kids are long gone. May be you and the wife can spend a weekend at Niagara Falls.

Ray

 

[JohnZ]

Thanks John,

I always enjoy reading your post on how the General preformed production/RD methods. Thanks for sharing.

John, question for you, my wife and I try and have one major Corvette outing or vacation each year. What do you think about the Woodward (spelling) Michigan Dream Cruise? I have watched coverage on the Speed Channel and it looks like it would be a great time.

Ray

Ray, the Woodward Dream Cruise is a genuine honest-to-God spectacle you wouldn't believe unless you're there; nothing like 50,000 hot rods, classics, and muscle cars and 1.5 million of your closest friends at curbside for 16 miles in both directions, and the "cruising" starts in earnest about a week ahead of the "official" Cruise day.