Whizzer
Gig'em
But................but................what's taking place with the rest of the restoration?? Asking for a friend ...............
My '63 Unibody (Integral Cab)
- Thread starter BobbyFord
- Start date
It’s just me being slow. I’m currently taking the whole truck apart. Doors, hood and fenders are all at the shop, being bodyworked. I’m hoping to get the engine and trans out before Sunday. Then the body goes off to the sandblaster.But................but................what's taking place with the rest of the restoration?? Asking for a friend ...............
Whizzer
Gig'em
My friend said to tell you "thanks" for the update.
Got this little 1965 356 over at Paul’s now.
The lower front pan is rotted out in a few spots. Fortunately they make replacement parts. This is really a nice little car. Prolly worth $100k
The lower front pan is rotted out in a few spots. Fortunately they make replacement parts. This is really a nice little car. Prolly worth $100k
I’ve been idle on the 63 lately. Paul has a lot of cars in the shop right now and not much room for my truck.
Doing a frame-off on this truck, I wanted to build a fresh motor. Currently has a 390 under the hood with a .040 over bore and 100k miles. I can’t find a standard bore 390 to rebuild, they stopped producing 390s in 1976.
I have a rebuildable, standard bore 429 in the garage and I bought some engine mounts to adapt that motor to the 63 frame. I’m going to mock it up and see if it’ll fit with the brake booster in the stock location.
Ford C6 transmissions don’t have removable bellhousings and the bolt pattern is different from 390 to 429/460. I have a 429 pattern trans case in the shed to use if I’m happy with how the 429 locates in the truck.
Doing a frame-off on this truck, I wanted to build a fresh motor. Currently has a 390 under the hood with a .040 over bore and 100k miles. I can’t find a standard bore 390 to rebuild, they stopped producing 390s in 1976.
I have a rebuildable, standard bore 429 in the garage and I bought some engine mounts to adapt that motor to the 63 frame. I’m going to mock it up and see if it’ll fit with the brake booster in the stock location.
Ford C6 transmissions don’t have removable bellhousings and the bolt pattern is different from 390 to 429/460. I have a 429 pattern trans case in the shed to use if I’m happy with how the 429 locates in the truck.
Got the old 390 out of there today.
Man, this truck is ugly
Man, this truck is ugly
Tore out a bunch of 60 year old wiring too. I’ll rewire the whole truck.
Whizzer
Gig'em
think I'll try that Blue Moon.
Whizzer
Gig'em
Took my Bride out for lunch today and ordered a sample of Blue Moon, Liked the sample and ordered a glass of draft. Really nice smooth drink. Bet it would tase great with a slice of an orange or maybe even lime. Will drink it again. That is the test of whether we like something or not. My Bride asks, "would you order it again?" The answer, "yes." She even liked it!!
I pulled the old FE C6 trans out today and set the 429 C6 in place to try to get an idea if the 429 will fit under the brake booster if I’m running tall valve covers.
The FE that I pulled out was installed in the center of the frame rails, the factory location for an engine is offset to the right side by about 1-1/4”.
I’m mocking up the 429 with the 1.25” offset.
The 429 C6 case has a different bellhousing pattern and with the driveline offset requires me to notch a crossmember for clearance. I can butcher this frame because I’m not going to use it. I’ll make the clearance cuts much nicer on the other frame. Frame notch in the foreground, trans mount offset visible toward the rear of the pic…
The nose of the engine will come down about another inch to maintain the old driveline angle…
The FE that I pulled out was installed in the center of the frame rails, the factory location for an engine is offset to the right side by about 1-1/4”.
I’m mocking up the 429 with the 1.25” offset.
The 429 C6 case has a different bellhousing pattern and with the driveline offset requires me to notch a crossmember for clearance. I can butcher this frame because I’m not going to use it. I’ll make the clearance cuts much nicer on the other frame. Frame notch in the foreground, trans mount offset visible toward the rear of the pic…
The nose of the engine will come down about another inch to maintain the old driveline angle…
Whizzer
Gig'em
Is the plan to also clean and repaint the frame? Truck looks solid. Looks like it is coming along nicely. Keep up the good work!! 
Thanks Whizz,Is the plan to also clean and repaint the frame? Truck looks solid. Looks like it is coming along nicely. Keep up the good work!!
I have another frame that I’m going to have blasted and powdercoated.
This frame is bent and has been repaired in a lot of areas by previous owners. I just measure and transfer any modifications I might make, over to the other frame.
Whizzer
Gig'em
Good to know. I was looking at the old frame and trying to think of nice ways to ask the question. 
I'm excited for you and appreciate the progress reports. It is special to see a work as it progresses.
I'm excited for you and appreciate the progress reports. It is special to see a work as it progresses.
I’m doing this right now. S&S paper base gaskets failed at 17,000 miles.
88” S&S Evo with 1984 heads and STD cases. Front cylinder has a head gasket leak when cold. These barrels expand .100” when warm.
88” S&S Evo with 1984 heads and STD cases. Front cylinder has a head gasket leak when cold. These barrels expand .100” when warm.
45 year old rear brake caliper wore out and had a lot of slop in the anchor pin, causing the caliper to bind and burn up the rear rotor.
Also made a rear brake hardline. Ran it through the frame and added some rock guard.
Also made a rear brake hardline. Ran it through the frame and added some rock guard.
Broken mounting tab on this tank. It’s always a pucker moment when welding on an empty gas tank. Usually we fill them with dry ice and weld away. Didn’t have any ice this morning.
This modified pair of tanks are the only gas tanks that will fit on this bike.
Whizzer
Gig'em
Typical. Start one project and find a few more problems needing attention.
Exactly, and the finished product always ends up above the intended budget.
Cars are worse, whatever you think it’s going to cost…multiply by 3.
Keep the receipts but don’t ever add them up.
Keep the receipts but don’t ever add them up.
Only 3 times? LOL Amen to never adding up the receipts.
Whizzer
Gig'em
Sounds about like what happened as we renovated the first retirement house we bought ...............and the second ...............and the third, but this is the last one - I think - and we only guessed at the total spent thus far. (We put that much money into this place?!! Ho-lee chit! )
Toasted base gasket.
The S&S gasket that failed is paper. The Genuine James base gaskets I’m using are metal impregnated with a bead of silicone.
The James head gasket is composite with silicone bead.
The S&S gasket that failed is paper. The Genuine James base gaskets I’m using are metal impregnated with a bead of silicone.
The James head gasket is composite with silicone bead.
I replaced the valve seals while I had the heads off. The guides were tight and the valve faces and seats looked good. I spent an hour looking for my valve spring compressor. My brother in law had it. Kudos to my sister for bringing it to me
I love that gal
It sucks that so many brick and mortar stores have closed. There’s only one place here now to buy parts for older Harleys and it’s 45 minutes away and has limited inventory.
I ordered most of what I needed online but a couple of things were wrong and had to be sent back. It prolongs the repair procedure 🫤.
While I was waiting for other parts to arrive I wound up wiring in a new regulator and putting some Painless Powerbraid on the loom. Also, cleaned up the oil pressure wire and the electronic ignition loom.
I’ve got the heads and cylinders back on, rocker boxes installed, tapered pushrods in and valves adjusted. Intake and carb back on. I’m going to pull the alt. rotor off tomorrow and replace the stator, I’m also going to replace the rubber oil lines from the tank to the pump.
I’m going to ride this thing tomorrow
I ordered most of what I needed online but a couple of things were wrong and had to be sent back. It prolongs the repair procedure 🫤.
While I was waiting for other parts to arrive I wound up wiring in a new regulator and putting some Painless Powerbraid on the loom. Also, cleaned up the oil pressure wire and the electronic ignition loom.
I’ve got the heads and cylinders back on, rocker boxes installed, tapered pushrods in and valves adjusted. Intake and carb back on. I’m going to pull the alt. rotor off tomorrow and replace the stator, I’m also going to replace the rubber oil lines from the tank to the pump.
I’m going to ride this thing tomorrow
Whizzer
Gig'em
Well, it is now, "tomorrow," and I can't help but ask, did you ride it? 
I did not ride it. The motor is back in the frame and everything is hooked back up. I decided to get a new outer primary. The one I have is old and wasn’t really a quality product. The chrome is terrible. So…I’m waiting for a new part to get here. 
I’d forgotten what a pain in the butt this thing is to work on. This motor isn’t supposed to fit in this frame. The rear rocker cover is pretty close to the frame…
I had to notch the gas tank to clear the carburetor when I originally put this engine in.
I had to notch the gas tank to clear the carburetor when I originally put this engine in.
Whizzer
Gig'em
The best maintenance is preventative maintenance. Best to know you have a new outer primary than to have issues with an old and possibly deteriorated one.
Outer primary arrived today.
Man what a day. I made a run around the reservoir yesterday and I came back and had primary oil (ATF) raining out of the starter gear housing.
I got off work at 2:30 and tore the bike back apart. Had the pull the battery and battery carrier out, loosen the oil tank to get the starter motor and starter gear housing out. This is a 4-speed bike so it’s very different than anything made today.
There shouldn’t be any ATF in this sealed area.
This pic is actually sideways, not sure why it posted this way.
I’m not sure if I was in a hurry or what, turns out this was caused by the amount of shims on the starter jack shaft. I changed the outer primary and used the two jack shaft shims off the old primary. The tolerances were tighter on this new primary and this one only needed one shim. My bad 🫢.
I got the bike back together and ran it around the reservoir, no leaks!!
I’m pretty happy.
I got off work at 2:30 and tore the bike back apart. Had the pull the battery and battery carrier out, loosen the oil tank to get the starter motor and starter gear housing out. This is a 4-speed bike so it’s very different than anything made today.
There shouldn’t be any ATF in this sealed area.
This pic is actually sideways, not sure why it posted this way.I’m not sure if I was in a hurry or what, turns out this was caused by the amount of shims on the starter jack shaft. I changed the outer primary and used the two jack shaft shims off the old primary. The tolerances were tighter on this new primary and this one only needed one shim. My bad 🫢.
I got the bike back together and ran it around the reservoir, no leaks!!
I’m pretty happy.
Whizzer
Gig'em
HEY!! At least you figured out what the issue was and managed to correct it. I know a lot of guys, and ladies, who would have ridden it to the repair shop and dropped it off only to return when it was fixed.Or, might have spent half a lifetime trying to figure out what was wrong.
I gave up riding about thirty years ago after an acquaintance was broadsided on a side street intersection. Crushed his right leg. Somehow, they managed to save his leg but it got me thinking about riding a motorcycle, figured it was time to hang up the helmet.
I got some goodies back from Alabama. These Custom Cab plates were badly pitted and I wasn’t expecting anything good out of it.
Not bad for 60 year old parts.
View attachment 64156
Not bad for 60 year old parts.
View attachment 64156
Whizzer
Gig'em
Parts look good!! Nice job. They will definitely put the finishing touch to the truck when it is finished.
Really nice!
@Whizzer
Or, might have spent half a lifetime trying to figure out what was wrong.
I gave up riding about thirty years ago after an acquaintance was broadsided on a side street intersection. Crushed his right leg. Somehow, they managed to save his leg but it got me thinking about riding a motorcycle, figured it was time to hang up the helmet.
I’ve had this post of yours in my head since you posted it. I always appreciate your posts and your POV.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about the perils of riding on two wheels. Especially now and especially here in the L.A. area.
@Nitro Dude can tell you how dangerous these streets are today, how little people care about penal code violations or how little value is placed on the lives of others on the road. If I dwell on it I’d hang up my helmet, too. I’ve had friends killed or permanently injured on motorcycles. I try not to think about it because that’s how much I enjoy riding. The freedom is incredible. I can be uptight about life’s trivial challenges and get on the bike, blast through a canyon and wind up in some beautiful place with an amazing view and completely forget about my troubles. I’ve been riding so long that it’s second nature to be on the bike, I can release my mind and let it wander. When I was younger I’d just get on the bike and leave, let it take me to a place where there were no worries.
My dad got me a 7hp Westbend mini-bike when I was 5 years old and I’ve been hooked ever since. I raced motocross and supercross.
But, Whizz, I do understand what you’re saying, it’s dangerous out there. I think about it when I pull the choke out to fire it up for a ride.I don’t know if that feeling ever goes away and maybe that awareness is what can keep you alive. I’m not ready just yet, but I sure know what you’re talking about.
Whizzer
Gig'em
I think the awareness has a lot to do with it. Living in New Jersey at the time I was riding meant a lot of folks put away their two wheel conveyance until warmer weather. I tried to stay on top of my game by riding in temps below freezing, wearing a snowmobile suit and boots. Clumsy apparel for riding a motorcycle ............ yes!! But riding all year helped keep me alert trying to anticipate dangers of riding. I always said the thing about riding a motorcycle is you ride for yourself and anticipate the driving of everyone else on the road.
I don't regret any of the time I spent on a motorcycle. After I got back into it around 1970 or so, my Bride learned to ride. She was a farm gal who never rode a bicycle but was hell on a horse, and she learned to ride. As a matter of fact, there is a story that goes with her efforts, but that is for another time.
Once she became comfortable, we often took trips with another couple but more frequently it was just the two of us who would go on one week trips along the east coast and over time covered it from top to bottom. We would leave our pre-teen youngsters with a sitter we had known all our lives, and off we would go for a week of travel through New England and all through the south. We had so much fun. But then, I was with my Bride so despite rain, small mechanical issues or finding clean hotels and places to eat, everything was good when we were together.
I was just trying to recall when I stopped riding and now realize it was in the mid-1980's, just about the time we were deeply engaged in starting two new businesses and the alarm of motorcycle riding rang loud enough that I hung up my helmet.
I don't regret any of the time I spent on a motorcycle. After I got back into it around 1970 or so, my Bride learned to ride. She was a farm gal who never rode a bicycle but was hell on a horse, and she learned to ride. As a matter of fact, there is a story that goes with her efforts, but that is for another time.
Once she became comfortable, we often took trips with another couple but more frequently it was just the two of us who would go on one week trips along the east coast and over time covered it from top to bottom. We would leave our pre-teen youngsters with a sitter we had known all our lives, and off we would go for a week of travel through New England and all through the south. We had so much fun. But then, I was with my Bride so despite rain, small mechanical issues or finding clean hotels and places to eat, everything was good when we were together.
I was just trying to recall when I stopped riding and now realize it was in the mid-1980's, just about the time we were deeply engaged in starting two new businesses and the alarm of motorcycle riding rang loud enough that I hung up my helmet.
Now that I have the motor back in the Harley, I can get back on the truck.
I got out there early this morning to get back on getting the 429 mounts mocked up.
I wound up cutting up the aftermarket engine mount brackets because they are brackets designed to fit 53-64 trucks. That’s a lot of years to cover. These mounts aren’t designed with enough offset, IMO.
I chopped one side and I added to the other. I ordered another set of block brackets just to make for a cleaner install.
I got the offset just right. Lines up with the pinion on the 9” diff.
Also got the angle of the engine correct. I’m about 3 degrees up on the pinion yoke and I’m about 3 degrees down on the engine crank angle. There shouldn’t be any driveline vibration.
I got out there early this morning to get back on getting the 429 mounts mocked up.
I wound up cutting up the aftermarket engine mount brackets because they are brackets designed to fit 53-64 trucks. That’s a lot of years to cover. These mounts aren’t designed with enough offset, IMO.
I chopped one side and I added to the other. I ordered another set of block brackets just to make for a cleaner install.
I got the offset just right. Lines up with the pinion on the 9” diff.
Also got the angle of the engine correct. I’m about 3 degrees up on the pinion yoke and I’m about 3 degrees down on the engine crank angle. There shouldn’t be any driveline vibration.