Restoration of a 63 SWC

[61 Silver]

I have just started the restoration of the 63 SWC and I am in to my first problem. I am having a problem removing the windshield stainless, upper and lower. The trim is in excellent condition and I do not want to damage the stainless during removal. I have removed enough dumb-dumb putty and white strip caulk from under the trim to restore a complete car. The 63 shop manual states to pry the trim from the weather strip. Does anyone have any tricks to remove this trim? I am sure this will be the start of many questions during this restoration.



Thanks for any help!



Ray

 

[studiog]

Ray, glad to hear you are into the 63SWC sounds like another great project. Don't forget photos when you get a chance. How did you make out with the midyear paint... I can't remember where you were with that?

 

[1KULC7]

Ray,

You have to cut into the rubber weather stripping. If you wish I have a telephone number of a person you can call and he can walk you through it, let me know via email and I will be happy to give it to you....

This is tedious work and takes a lot of patience. Those clips are really hard do disconnect from the trim, and you certainly do not want to bend or dent the trimwork.

BTW are you restoring this back to driver condition or NCRS Show?

I have a lot of 63 pieces in fairly good shape. most are for driver not NCRS Flight, so let me know and I might be able to save you some money.

Collin

 

[61 Silver]

63 SWC Restoration

Hi! Studiog & Collin



I decided to start on the 63 prior to completion of the paint on the 65. The 65 is ready for the base/clear coat, but do to delays at the paint shop it won’t be completed for a couple of weeks. (Barry; I believe you know the feeling) A test panel has been sprayed and I am very happy with the color. I am going to the darker shade of Glen Green and I believe it will show well.



I need to have the body off the 63 with in the next couple of weeks. A good friend is a welding instructor and I only have a short window of time to get any welding repairs completed to either the birdcage or frame. I hope to do the welding my self under his guidance. Learning and the satisfaction of completing the project is half the fun. As the project progresses I will be posting information and pictures on my web site. I also hope to post helpful hints on the restoration process to help others. I hope that other forum members will provide information and experiences to this page to help other restorers.



Collin; I restore the Vettes to NCRS standards whether I plan on having the cars judged or not. The 65 has been restored to the last detail except for cad plating and the exterior paint. (I had problems with the previous lacquer paint including paint chips, scratches and water spot type look telegraphing up through the finish.) I like to drive the cars and have adopted a philosophy that if I restored them once, the second time should be a breeze. I try and use original parts and restore the parts when possible. If you have a list of 63 parts I would like to see it. The 63 is quite original; I have just purchased an original four-speed shifter and have it working fine. Need to send parts of it out for chrome when I have all the chrome ready for re-chrome. I am in need of a 63 master cylinder, should be a good Carlisle hunt!



I am going to attempt to remove the stainless today; if I cannot do it with out damaging the stainless I may take you up on the phone number offer. Collin as you have already learned, restoring a 63 is a little different than the other Stingrays. I knew that they were a one-year car, but did not realize that many parts were 1/2 year only. It will be interesting to learn how much the assembly process differed from year to year.



Thanks for the help!

Ray

 

[BarryK]

The 65 is ready for the base/clear coat, but do to delays at the paint shop it won’t be completed for a couple of weeks. (Barry; I believe you know the feeling)

hi Ray

yes, i know the feeling well at this point!!

at least you have your paint mixed up well - that's where I've been delayed and keep waiting on.

Can't wait to see the '65 when it's done and lets see some pics of the '63 as you are working on it.

Good luck on the new project!



Barry

 

[1KULC7]

Ray,

My 63 was the first car I ever restored, and little did I know the learning curve was going to be so steep and that I managed to choose about the hardest and most expensive of all the vettes to restore.

Last time I counted there are ove 153 parts that are one/two year (found on the 64 too) parts. Everything from the nose emblem to the mounts on the seats are unique to the 63. Most obvious of the parts hardest to find are the rear window trim and the interior trim. I understand that PIPER might be reproducing the trim pieces and I did see one of the dealers are doing the corner window trim for the split windows.

Don't know if you know this, but the MBC for the 63 are not the same. If you have a power booster, you will NEED the top plate with a hex nut. Otherwise the top plate had the thumbscrew, until about Feb/Mar of 63 when all were reproduced with hex. Another gray are are the stupid hood aliment blocks, first two were used then four, then two then none. Next is the rear leaf springs are different then other years, and of course the doors have a mounting form for the door handles...end on and on and on...

I am sure you probably know most of this stuff, but boy was I shocked when just about every week I was doing a hunt for another part that was only found on the 63 to replace.

I will put a list together of what I have and let you know. But if you need help let me know and I will do my best to direct you to a good vendor with a decent price. You will learn quickly that 63 parts sell at a premium.

Collin

 

[henny496]

rear window trim

Hi Collin
Do you when (and how much )the repo trim pieces will be available for the 63?
thanks
Tom

 

[1KULC7]

Some are available now...others will be ready to go in May...another example, I will have a set of nice aluminum valve covers (no flare, correct for 63), I will have a coil, distributer (stock) with electronic ignition it. I will have a fuel pump, water pump (for 340 HP / L76), plus a bunch more stuff. Like I said, I am still installing and finishing up the motor and suspension. All of its in great shape, just have extras.

 

[61 Silver]

63 SWC Windshield Stainless

The stainless trim and windshield are now out with no damage. I used a very thin breakable point razor knife to cut the weather strip exterior and interior near the windshield and removed the weather strip one piece at a time. I removed the upper clips from the inside and then lifted the windshield out. Last night I found some birdcage rust damage on the interior of the door window/windshield vertical section left and right (very minor on the right) and was very nervous about what I would find on the balance of the cage. The balance of the cage is in very good solid condition and it should be only a minor repair. I will be posting pictures this evening on my web site.



Ray

 

[61 Silver]

63 SWC Restoration Pictures

http://rayscorvette.com/

I have posted a few pictures of the 63 SWC restoration in process.

Ray

 

[studiog]

Hey Ray, I just checked out your progress on the 63. Looks like you are right into it. Your site is really growing. Could I ask you a favor? I still have to install my front cross flags emblem and I was wondering if you could measure the distance from the top edge of the grille moulding to the bottom of the "V" in the emblem. Not in a hurry as I am still waiting for the emblem to come in next week sometime. If it's not convenient don't worry about it.

 

[61 Silver]

Measurments

Stuidiog,



I am away from the shop until tomorrow, I wall measure it then and post them for you.



Ray

 

[61 Silver]

Hey Ray, I just checked out your progress on the 63. Looks like you are right into it. Your site is really growing. Could I ask you a favor? I still have to install my front cross flags emblem and I was wondering if you could measure the distance from the top edge of the grille moulding to the bottom of the "V" in the emblem. Not in a hurry as I am still waiting for the emblem to come in next week sometime. If it's not convenient don't worry about it.

Stuidog



4 13/16", but I also completed front-end body repair and had to drill for the V emblem. I took my measurements from the panel I replaced. May be another member could confirm the measurement.



Ray

 

[studiog]

Stuidog



4 13/16", but I also completed front-end body repair and had to drill for the V emblem. I took my measurements from the panel I replaced. May be another member could confirm the measurement.



Ray

Thanks Ray. Really appreciate it. I will try to verify it and them I'm ready to drill.

 

[61 Silver]

1963 SWC Restoration Update:

The restoration on the 63 SWC is moving forward.



The engine has been disassembled an evaluated. The good news is that the engine has never been taken apart and still maintains all of its original parts. (except the blue coil) Note the 464 production number on the back of the right head.

All the components have been removed from the frame and the frame has been sandblasted. The frame has some rust damage and will need repair to the left kick-up and number 3 cross member will need to be replaced. I guess that is what happens when a car sits in a barn on a dirt floor. Could have been worse.

The interior has been removed and I removed all the dash and firewall components this weekend. This should provide easy access for the birdcage repair. The good news is that there was no further rust damage to the birdcage. It was limited to the left and right interior windshield post. 67 Heaven I believe I viewed a few photos of where you restored you birdcage. If you have any helpful tips on this process please pass them on.

Collin, if you have any pictures of your 63 rear 9 leaf spring could you please post? I believe that mine was replaced and would like to confirm before I search for another.

Thanks for any help!



Ray

 

[1KULC7]

Ray,

I am out of town.....WAY out of town, because of my work. Won't be back for a while, but when I do return I will take and post some photos for you...sorry...duty calls and I have to answer...Collin