63 Restro Update - Moving slower now, have questions....need answers...

[1KULC7]

Worked on the car again this weekend and have got some more stuff finished, but now on a slow down. Ran into a couple of problems, first, when installing the headlights found the harness was brittle and the wires that go to the limiter switch were broken off. Also found several ground problems with the old harness on the drivers side. Now you really don't need the limiter switch, but I prefer to have it on there. The limiter switch mounts were broken, so I decided to order a new lamp harness and two limiters.

Next show stopper was the flat trim around the grill. The sides don't fit correctly, so I am going to have to figure out how to bend them without destroying them. I need to ge a good fit onto the flat piece. Any ideas???? Do all these trim parts fit poorly? How do you make these end parts lay flat and even?

Need to order some basic hardware, nuts and bolts etc. Plan to put in the rocker panels, change the shocks, then work on the seat anchor hardware, and then mount the seats.

Still have to put the windows in, stainless window trim, and then the harness, etc.


Now for the HOOD BLOCKS, these are the alignment blocks that mount on the hood and on the body that makes the hood align itself, does anybody have photos are instructions on how these blocks are installed? One is nylon the other is metal....any instructions?


Here are a few more photos:

These are the fiber glass buckets and bezels that replace what was on the car, metal buckets and bezels from a later model. Think they came out really nice...lucked out on finding a pair. The lights work, but the drivers side turns a little slower then the other side, I think that is because of some ground issues on the harness...Harness on order and will be replaced.

Rear bumpers are on, all support brackets fit perfect, and all lights work great....so far so good.

Front parking lights are installed and work.....

Well if anybody else has ideas or answers to my questions above, please let me know....I will post next week when more gets done..

 

[JohnZ]

Looks great! The A.I.M. should show the hood block installation in Section 11/13, and Noland's book has lots of photos and illustrations on it on page 98 (more photos on pp. 118, 120, and 136).

 

[1KULC7]

OK John, I figured out how they work. Forgot to purchase the shims, so I need to orger them for the bottom metal one. Did the cars come with FOUR or TWO of these blocks. I have seen most with TWO blocks, yet I have seen some with four...I am confused :confused

 

[Sting Ray]

Colin,

If I rember correctly, some came with 4 some came with 2 and some came with zero. Any before pics that you can look at?

Tom

 

[studiog]

Looks great! The A.I.M. should show the hood block installation in Section 11/13, and Noland's book has lots of photos and illustrations on it on page 98 (more photos on pp. 118, 120, and 136).

Are these blocks available for a C1's also or only for C2's? Thanks.

 

[1KULC7]

The Hood Alignment Blocks are made specifically for the mid-years. Because of the design of the hood and how they fasten, I doubt they would do anything for the C1's. They are used to keep hood evenly aligned. It was a factory modification that was done after December 62, and you start seeing them on cars made in January 63 through April or May...don't know if these were carried on to the next year, but I imagine they would be used in at least the 64 model year.

 

[ctjackster]

The Hood Alignment Blocks are made specifically for the mid-years. Because of the design of the hood and how they fasten, I doubt they would do anything for the C1's. They are used to keep hood evenly aligned. It was a factory modification that was done after December 62, and you start seeing them on cars made in January 63 through April or May...don't know if these were carried on to the next year, but I imagine they would be used in at least the 64 model year.

the hood blocks are a 63-only item, as in many things you are unique yet again!

 

[ChuckG]

If you look in the NCRS JG, there is a synopsis of the placement of hood blocks within the 63 model year only. They VARY with the VIN number, and they VARY within coupes and convertibles.

Don't have the JG in front of my. Early had none....then 4, then 2 rears only. Confusing!!

On the "gutter" in the hood surround panel, you should see holes that have special fiberglass reinforcements. You should see none, 2 or 4 sets of holes. The metal blocks mount there. They use a 1/4 x 20 recessed head E bolt with lock washer. On the hood, you should find corresponding holes. The white plastic pieces mount there with the same type bolts. Chuck

 

[ChuckG]

Dug out my JG. Here's the deal on hood wedges:

Early 63 coupes and convertibles. No hood wedges, no provisions on hood to mount the plastic. to approx. VIN 6500

After 6500 to 7300, NO wedges but nut plates in hood in 4 locations, with the holes normally plugged.

After 7300 to 14000 approx. both coupes and convertibles have 4 wedges.

From 14000 to 16000 for coupes, and 14000 to 19000 for convertibles, there are 2 rear wedges only.

After 16000 for coupes, and 19500 for convertibles, NO wedges.

This is a guide only!! "Many late 1963 models may still have hood wedges. Models that use only 2 rearward wedges may or may not have the forward hood holes plugged. Normally, the fender "gutter" will not be drilled if there is no corresponding upper front hood wedge".

Chuck

 

[1KULC7]

Chuck,

Many thanks, I fall into the four block catogory...so I will put on the four blocks. Again MANY Thanks....Collin