1963 Rambler "Sugar" Resto-Track-Travel-AutoX-Mod

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Nice find on all the vintage parts!

Just curious, what power levels do you anticipate?

Based on your original posts, how radical a turn from "restored" will the suspension be?

Suspension is a good question. At this point, we'll be leaving the rear triangulated leaf springs to see how they work (we're hopeful that they will be amazing). In addition, I'll add adjustable coil-overs and spherical bearings on the front of the leaf springs. Haven't determined how much will be done to the front yet other than adjustable shocks with Mustang performance springs. I'm hoping a friend will mill-out Delrin bushings for the front too. In addition to the basic suspension I'll be adding front and rear sway bars (turns out Corvette sway bars fit perfectly in the rear, haven't trail fitted the front yet) with a Watts Link in the rear for good measure.

As for power.....your guess is as good as mine. I will attempt to get every horse out of that little flat head that I can but something tells me it won't be much.

[ent72olds]

Subscribed Suzy! Awesome little ride! Cool sticking with the six....love wagons!

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Things got funny the day we rolled under the car and started taking down the transmission and drivetrain...
Here's how huge a Borg Warner T-96 3-Speed looks like next to a cup of coffee.


The bell housing was significantly larger than the tramsmission itself.




We cracked open the pumpkin in the rear and were VERY pleasantly surprised that things looked nearly pristine!




One less thing to restore! > I should point out that the last known registration of the car (presuming it's last drive) before being partially dismantled and stored was 1996. If the drain plugs had been removed from the interior we'd be dealing with a car that was stored as perfectly as a car can be. There was even oil in the gas tank preventing ANY rust from developing inside the tank.

[Rod]

why cant floor plugs be automatic??

[Flash68]

Wow now that's a project! Very cool Suzy...

[goofybowler277]

Looking good can't wait to see more pictures. I am pretty sure it was parked in 1994 parked it when the clutch went out. The floor was already starting to rust out then. Never thought to pull the drain plugs. can't went to see the finished product.

[goofybowler277]

my dad gave me this car when I was 13. it was a fun driver. can't wait too see it when it's done

[bosses son]

good to finally see some pictures of the little sweetheart! Keep up the progress, your hauling butt!

[MichaelUser]

Looks great, love the flat head route you are taking. If I may you could shelve the Flathead 6 for insurance and put a 242 AMC in for good measure. I am meaning that at least it would stay brand appropriate and still be weighted correctly. Just a thought. Back in HS days my buddy owned a 4door Rambler '63 I think that we beat up continuously during our senior year of HS. That poor little car was jumped off curbs and ran it floored will doing doughnuts in the empty field (muddy) by school. It would never break...

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Thanks Dave!

Wow now that's a project! Very cool Suzy...

[Suzy-Homemaker]

my dad gave me this car when I was 13. it was a fun driver. can't wait too see it when it's done

So glad you stopped in to see how it's going!!

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Looks great, love the flat head route you are taking. If I may you could shelve the Flathead 6 for insurance and put a 242 AMC in for good measure. I am meaning that at least it would stay brand appropriate and still be weighted correctly. Just a thought. Back in HS days my buddy owned a 4door Rambler '63 I think that we beat up continuously during our senior year of HS. That poor little car was jumped off curbs and ran it floored will doing doughnuts in the empty field (muddy) by school. It would never break...

I think if I spend that kind of money I'll probably just swap the flat-head for an LS (so reliable and fast it's hard to beat). However, that flathead has run strong and true for nearly 50 years and is now basically brand new so I think I'll be cruisin' in the slow lane for a while ;)

[Suzy-Homemaker]

good to finally see some pictures of the little sweetheart! Keep up the progress, your hauling butt!

So far, so good Kyle, just trying to keep at it everyday.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

You might recall me touting my love affair with POR15 in a previous post.
While I still love what POR15 does, we just can't get along.

In each spot where I got paint on my skin, I have recurring blisters that itch and drive me crazy.
I look like I've got some sort of skin disease in random splotches all up my arms and in one spot on my shin.
Just in time for sunshine and short sleeved shirts and short pants.

No, I'm not posting a picture.
Nor am I going to be the one to paint the back half of the car.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

I failed to show the floor prep before my short-term engagement with POR-15.
I learned how to weld (a skill I have wanted to learn for many years) and welded a couple of patches to the driver's side of the floor.


I quickly learned that anything you weld, you have to grind. If you're a new, less than perfect welder, there is a LOT of grinding. My welding career on this project was short lived because unlike POR-15, I do not have a love affair with the grinder. I think my arms and ears are still vibrating.


Once the floors were painted with POR-15 the sound deadener went down (I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a lot of this stuff).
They don't call me Suzy-Homemaker for nothin' my chosen tools for the sound deadener were a rolling pin and a metal serving spoon.
(and laying it out in the sunshine to heat up and flatten out)


I'm not going to win any awards for beauty on this application but I did my best to get it on as neat as possible while still covering everything and not wasting a single scrap.




Now it was on to the engine compartment because.... guess what?! The engine is back!! so it's time to get that beauty in the car.







But before I go into that, take a look at where I started with the engine compartment: (I should point out that the engine wasn't in the car when I bought it, it had been stored out of the car.)



Here it is scrubbed within an inch of bare metal and taped off for primer:



Here it is primed for silver hammer tone paint:


Now I've got to go out and finish painting it before Mister gets home.

[acadiankid]

Awesome car, I love these. I think they have the coolest speedometers ever!

[linkstar69]

Great work

[Suzy-Homemaker]

Awesome car, I love these. I think they have the coolest speedometers ever!

I love the entire dash, I wouldn't think of replacing it. The speedo is currently sitting partially disassembled on our dining room table being cleaned with q-tips and hand painted when I can't work outside on the car.

[Suzy-Homemaker]

I'm here to say that everything you've read about The Safest Rust Remover from Ultra One is TRUE. We bought the product thinking that we would try it and see if we can salvage some of the unobtainium pieces and parts of the Rambler. The pictures and testimonials are definitely enticing but who would think that it could be THAT good? Well.... IT IS.
This **** is crazy good and we've salvaged a carburator, water pump, multiple bolts and the hood hinges.
Somewhere we have some pictures but meanwhile, look it up and check it out if you need to restore rusty parts; you will be amazed at the results.
http://safestrustremover.com/

[acegto]

Really awesome project you got here. Love to see obscure models on the forum. Keep it up.