'63 Belair - Project Rust Belt

[indyprince]

Hello all and welcome to the trials and tribulations of a Belair that dodged the junkyard.... I am an amateur enthusiast who knows just enough to be dangerous. I actually started this project a year and a half ago when I bought the car to dress it up a bit, get it running and drive it... Boy was I wrong! There is a sucker born every day. Be easy on me as I am learning as I go. Criticism is welcomed but I prefer it be constructive and ideas and suggestions are encouraged!

I have already purchased a 2004 5.3 and 4L60e trans. (I want to squeeze some power outta this.) I also found a ridiculous deal an a full ridetech strong arm setup with shockwaves, and are you sitting down???? Found it on CL, it was used by a father and son for mach-up only, never used... $1k!! Needs tank, valves and brain, so I will be looking for that too..


Welcome, and enjoy the show!

[indyprince]

I'm not sure how to make the pictures smaller but i'm going to start adding pics of my progress so far, bare with me...

[renegade6]

Doesn't look too bad. At least your rust isn't hidden under layers of filler.

[Jason Collins]

Looking forward to the pics. I'm starting on a 64 hardtop myself!

[indyprince]

Floorboards and rockers, sorta...

[indyprince]

Trunk area....

[indyprince]

I got SOOOO lucky, a friend of a friend let me borrow his rotisserie!!!! That allowed me to shoot my first coats of epoxy, ever! These pics are from last week.

[indyprince]

Here are some pics of the engine I will be using. 2004 LM7 and 4L60E 8X,XXX miles for a smokin' deal!

[indyprince]

I guess the one good thing about projects that take a while is that every once-in-a-while you find some FANTASTIC deals. I had to drive 3hrs to Chicago to pick the Ridetech system but to my amazement the set-up was only use as a mock-up on a custom frame and was never even used.The ball joints were even loose. Sometimes the car Gods smile upon us! :jump:

[MMcMasters]

I like it, subscribed!

[Auto Rod Technologies]

I know somebody that has a new air pod system for sale.. PM me if you would like some info.

[Jetfixr320]

I got SOOOO lucky, a friend of a friend let me borrow his rotisserie!!!! That allowed me to shoot my first coats of epoxy, ever! These pics are from last week.

You have some good friends!

[indyprince]

You have some good friends!

Indeed I do!

[indyprince]

Got started on the side exit exhaust. The first side is going to be a task and I just got started.... Hopefully the other side will get easier... :scared:

[indyprince]

Started pressing on with the side exit exhaust today on the passenger side.... I wish I would have thought of this as I was rebuilding all the rockers. :hammer: Going through 3 layers at an angle and a compound surface, No fun. I made a heat shield to go over it and hopefully help with running the exhaust. I will get it attached tomorrow and start on the other side..... Great....

[Jetfixr320]

Looking good!!

[indyprince]

Looking good!!

Thanks, Jet!

[indyprince]

So, I started on the left side of the exhaust pass-thru today; and made some decent progress roughing it in, however...... My wife was cleaning out her car and put her Note3 on my work bench (which never happens) and well, I found out it only takes one hot spark to jack up a screen... (she's not too happy..) Guess I'll be in the garage tonight, uh, I mean dog house.

[Jetfixr320]

Completely her fault!

Car is going to look great. Digging the exhaust mods.

[all4sho]

looking good

P S she will get over it, and completely her fault

[V8-190E]

Can't wait to see it back on the ground...:)

[indyprince]

oops

[indyprince]

Completely her fault!

Car is going to look great. Digging the exhaust mods.


Yes, I totally agree! (However, she doesn't.) And thanks, its unreal how much time these things took. You need to make your way down to see it some time!

[indyprince]

Can't wait to see it back on the ground...:)

Thanks V8! I cant wait to see it on the ground either! I am dangerously close to having all the sheet metal done, then it will get back on the frame for a little bit during body work. Not only will it be off the rotisserie, but it will in-fact be laid out on the ground with the ridetech suspension!! I keep telling myself, "it wont be long" and I have learned to accept my lie. :hammer:

[Radlark]

I like it I am building a 60 Belair in similar condition!!

SUBSCRIBED!!

[asahi1234]

I have a 62 Impala project that I have just started on. My question is what year and make of spindles are you using? And are you putting disk brakes on the rear? And are you going to use the stock rear end?

[indyprince]

looking good

P S she will get over it, and completely her fault

Agreed, its all for the greater good!

[indyprince]

I have a 62 Impala project that I have just started on. My question is what year and make of spindles are you using? And are you putting disk brakes on the rear? And are you going to use the stock rear end?

Good! Are you going to start a build thread? To be honest, I'm not sure what the spindles are off of. They came with the strong arm kit with the air ride set-up from Ridetech. I believe they are off an early '80's Camaro or S-10. I am planning on doing disks in the rear, however, I haven't chosen a route with the rear. At this point all I know is it will not be the original rear. Sorry I don't Have more solid answers for ya. As a consultation, I do have a a new front end set-up using the stock spindles with a (slotted) disk brake conversion kit from CPP I would be interested in un-loading. If interested, let me know. Looking forward to seeing your project!

[indyprince]

oops

[indyprince]

I like it I am building a 60 Belair in similar condition!!

SUBSCRIBED!!

Sweet! Are you going to start a build thread???? Would love to see the progress. Mine has stalled at the moment..... Tis the season

[indyprince]

Ok, guys....As usual, life has gotten in the way. The wife has me restoring a 130+ year old Victorian house and the my Belair has taken a back seat. However, my good buddy jetfixr320 came over and prepped, seam sealed and sprayed the Raptor Liner on the bottom and it looks great. Pics to follow.

[indyprince]

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