Re: My 63 Project
 

Today was all about the clutch linkages. The original linkage was too long because of the straight six. So short piece of all thread and a pipe, new linkage!!! And it works!!

Re: My 63 Project
 

Hey, nice truck coming along nice, could you tell me what steering column you used and what the length? yours looks great. Thank you

Re: My 63 Project
 

Not sure of the manufacturer... It's an IdidIt knock off from Tuckers Classic Truck in Henderson NV. And it is 34" long from the adapter plate too the point that collapse shaft goes in.

Re: My 63 Project
 

The big brown truck showed up today. Too bad this is NOT the correct radiator!!

Re: My 63 Project
 

this is a nice build ....

nice attention to detail ...

Re: My 63 Project
 

Thank you, but I guess I am like EVERYONE else doing a build, I KNOW where every mistake is and I think they stick out like a sore thumb!! Part of the process I suppose.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Back to the Radiator Saga...

I contacted the company that sold me the Radiator, I explained that they had sent me the wrong one based on the discussions that we had.

They swore that this radiator would fit my BIG BLOCK motor, and would have plenty of room considering that I was not using a serpentine system... and since this was originally a V8 truck, that the saddles would allow for a simple drop in installation...

As most of you know, none of that is true, and I explained that too the guy.

"We are so sorry, if you ship it back to us, we can make you a custom fan and shroud at your additional cost and we will send you the correct radiator saddles for another $200" "oh, and shipping is on your responsibility"....

Needless to say, it is on the way back and if they don't refund my money, in full, along with the shipping costs, I will gladly reveal the name of the company. If they take care of the return and the shipping, I will gladly let this go as an honest mistake. I think they are going to work hard to stiff me on the shipping, but I am sure I can get $160 in bad press for them.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Today's work.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Leadfoot racing sells champion radiators and has good customer service. I went through this on my chevelle, 2 wrong rads. I called them, they sent me a rad with alum shroud and fans. Fit perfect and cools great, has been in there for 2 yrs. Friend of mine builds a lot of old cars and trucks, he has bought several with never a problem. He just got a 4 core for a 37 ford truck that has a BBC in it. worked great. If you have problems finding it, PM me and I'll look it up.

Re: My 63 Project
 

And so the wiring begins.

Re: My 63 Project
 

One of the challenges is redoing the wiring harness do to the turn signals in the hood. So those wires have to go through the firewall with the engine bundle.

Re: My 63 Project
 

I found this material that we call snake skin. It really cleans things up in my opinion.

Re: My 63 Project
 

This is the solution for removing the hood in the future. I put some "disconnects" in line.

Re: My 63 Project
 

This is my son helping with the routing of the wires. I took advantage of the old air mounting hardware.

Re: My 63 Project
 

If you look close, you can see the wireing inside the snake skin running along the inner fender well. It really does clean things up.

Re: My 63 Project
 

And after getting the engine bundle and the front end bundle and the hood bundle all in and dressed nicely... I realized that my park brake light wire was in the wrong bundle... OOPPSS... so I had to take most of this apart, but it wasn't too bad to correct it.

Pay attention to where your wires are before you start putting the snake skin on.. it's not fun trying to fish the wires through bundles that are all ready in snake skin and dressed up nice.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Well that test fit didnt go as well as I had hoped. These are the short headers that I have, with a little BFH work, they will fit. The long tube headers that I have were not even close. And these short headers have round ports. So that is a problem.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Drivers side with the short headers and they are indeed hitting my motor mount. The other side is just barely touching the frame.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Anyone got an easy way to fix this one??

Re: My 63 Project
 

As you may be able to see from the previous picture, the ignition switch hole has the knotch that keeps the switch cylinder from turning, the flat spot on the bottom of the hole has been destroyed. Now the cylinder wants to turn when I turn the key.

Any thoughts on an easy way to repair this one??

This picture shows the cylinder in the hole.

Re: My 63 Project
 

So I got the fuse panel installed.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Dim

Re: My 63 Project
 

And Bright

Re: My 63 Project
 

Man, I'm enjoying your build and I can't believe how little rust you have. One pinhole, WOW. Good luck on the rest of the build and I'm subscribed.

Re: My 63 Project
 

You can repair your ignition hole by getting some seals/washers (like oil drains plug gaskets) only larger. place one in the back and one under the bezel to sandwich it in.
These washers are available in many diameters and are used to seal fitting and plugs. I have some in soft aluminum and I would think they should form in to the front recess.
Something like these....http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fra-999218/overview/

Re: My 63 Project
 

So the way that I repaired it, and I didn't take pictures, I cut a two inch piece of steel and then cut a 1 inch circle inside that. Then I brazed a piece of flat steel on one side to create the flat notch. Then I shaved it down so that it fit into the cutout. Cranked the bezel down and it worked.

Re: My 63 Project
 

I am still working on wiring.... still working on brake lines... and having a huge issue...

For some reason, I can not get my brake lines to flare correctly. I have watched about 20 videos... looked at several web sites... followed all of the instructions.. and I just can NOT seem to get my brake lines to flare. And it's not my brake line tools, I am already on the second set. Anyone have any thoughts???

Re: My 63 Project
 

Don't have a suggestion unfortunately but just want to say you got a sweet build going :metal:

Re: My 63 Project
 

Nice, but I ran all of my front wiring underneath the ridge of the inner fender inside of a piece of nylon air hose, so that no wires or conduit are showing, and unless you take the front tire off, there is no way to even see it....you could probably re-route yours...again...LOL! just kidding!

Re: My 63 Project
 

Ordered these today.

Re: My 63 Project
 

And a quick shot of the rear tires.

Re: My 63 Project
 

I have a question for my followers... The radiator that I pickup up is Aluminum 3 core from a 55 thru 59 Chevy...

It's too tall to put in using the saddles, and it has flanges for mounting flat against the radiator support...

But the height is such that if I don't pull the lower cross member under the radiator, it will not fit...

A friend of mine used this radiator with success and pulled that crossmember...

Any thoughts????

Re: My 63 Project
 

Can't help with the radiator, but I can say that's a nice set of rims you ordered. lol :gmc2::chevy:

Re: My 63 Project
 

Great Build!! Love the LED parking lights!! One suggestion, paint the master cylinder!! I have the same one from CPP and made the mistake of not painting it. Now it is rusted. I'm going to have to take it back out sand and paint. Unless ofcourse you did paint it silver..

Re: My 63 Project
 

Today was about getting the radiator installed.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Top view.

Re: My 63 Project
 

Tires and wheels are here!!!

Re: My 63 Project
 

And stepping back a bit so you can see how it looks in the fender well.

Re: My 63 Project
 

And the rear...

Re: My 63 Project
 

I love the "deep dish" look.