Blank Canvas: 300hp - 3spd (?) 1963 Vette!
 

Well let's see, this will make my third C2 Corvette convertible. They all have one thing in common: All Silver Blue with a white top. Such a pretty combo and when I found this I couldn't refuse it. No L95, 480hp, triple carb paperwork having NCRS craziness. Just a nice 300hp Roadster with an AM/FM and a factory 3spd to boot. Kinda weird. Didn't know this was the base transmission until I did a little digging. It's the non-synchro crash 1st gear which I think was correct early in the C2 realm in 1963.

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I took it for an hour long spin in good old Texas 100 degree heat today. Zero issues. Although still all drum, it stops nice. Everything works like it should (even the radio and clock) but that 3spd has to go. Garbage.

So what's the plan? Well, is a blank canvas for me. I really want something I can drive reliably and comfortably to and from our training center when the weather is nice. So what's that mean? Fuel injection, 5spd, PS, PDB, AC, PW, etc. Several ways to get there, so I'm weighing a full on LS Swap or possibly the Edelbrock Pro4 EFI system and keep the original motor in place. It is all matching, but I really don't care about that. Although it would be nice to keep it. I wouldn't be considering the LS if it was a high horse car. But a 300-3spd? Bring it!!

So between the 507, the 250 GTO, and now this, I think I'm occupied for at least until next year! :cool2::3gears::biggthumpup:

Cheers
Dave

Very nice!

Looks like a nice little car.
You're just yanking our chains with all that talk of resto-moding an original 1963 corvette....right ?

:eek: :eek2: :no: Picture an image of me passed out on the floor!!


Only way I'm good with this is I know Super Dave would do it in world class fashion. But, please, no 18-20" rims! - Bill W

----Dave,,,Don't mis-place that Amco shift knob. They are very cool and very hard to find! It should fit the new 4-speed shifter you are thinking about updating to. Very classy! Reliable transportation would be a stock 300hp 4-speed 63 roadster. For a change you wouldn't have to do a lot, but I'm not sure you understand that concept,,,LOL!....Bill S

Put a hot 327,aluminum heads, 5 speed and manifold with side draft webers.

Looks great Super Dave!!

I thought I recognized that shift knob Bill!

Fear not, guys! You know if I did what I'm planning it would be first-class all the way! But for now, nothing gets changed and I'll drive it like this through the summer. No matter the direction I take it, no chance on goofy Hot Wheels in the wells. I love those stock 63 caps.:cool2:

The three speed is OK, but that non-syncro 1st is junk. Not sure why they would still have that in 63. I might have to upgrade that sooner than later. Don't worry Bill, the knob will stay safe!:3gears:

Cheers
Dave

Beautiful!

Are you done with the transmission swap yet? LOL

Ha! OK, now that’s funny right there.:tongue::laugh:

That’s probably the first thing I’ll do before anything. Starting to look into the 5spd conversion kits. Maybe an upcoming weekend project, so let me know when you’re coming to Ft. Worth to help!:scholar::eek2:

Cheers:beers:
Dave

https://www.shiftsst.com/tremec-tkx/p23

Don’t know if you have seen these??

Hmmm....I have not. Haven't started looking for the conversion parts yet but now I am!:wink::eek2: Thanks, I think? :naughty:

Update to follow....

Cheers
Dave

Build the original motor to 360 HP specs with an aftermarket EFI system, 5-spd, and 4:11 gears.

I think that’s the plan. Chatted for a while with someone who’s used the Edelbrock Pro-Flo 4 in their C2 and has nothing but good things to say. Zero issues. Sounds like what I’m after plus, no LS swap headaches!

Waiting on a quote for the 5spd from SST. :headbang:

Cheers
Dave

Why not cruise the thing the way it is? Maybe add a syncho to first gear for ease of operation......

300hp 327's are an awesome engine! Besides that.......it's already paid for:biggthumpup:

Odds are you won't own it in 9 months anyways:grin:

OK, now that's funny, Tim. True, but still funny none the less! :blush:

Nah on the 3spd, but agree on it being paid for. But that's no fun! Quote coming in today from SST for the transmission swap.

Cheers
Dave

You don't need no stinking syncro in first gear... everyone who grew up with these knows to put the trans in second and then into 1st or reverse...no grind...:flag:

What Mitch said!! I rolled this for years with non synchro low and a weak second. Double clutching adds to the adventure :headbang:

The four speed that came in my 49 Studebaker dump truck had no synchros in any gear.

You known it, Bill. Learning to downshift my '54 150 by double clutching is what got me into trucking. Geared a 13 speed Road Ranger for 40 years with no syncros at all. Loved going thru the gears with those transmissions.

Consider this, Mitch. Might as well disconnect your modern electric fridge and throw in a block of ice to keep things cool. And while you’re at it, ditch that electric starter and connect a breaker bar to the crank for starting while you run to adjust the dwell on the steering column to get the car to run.:laugh: I mean, if we’re thinking nostalgia and lack of convenience, reinstall those non-adjusting brakes too!:grin:

You know I’ve got to poke fun. :biggthumpup: I say the same thing at work when the more experienced guys complain when new procedures pop up and change the way we have done things for so long.

I’m well versed in double clutching and hated it then and hate it now. No thanks!:3gears:

Cheers
Dave

Two words,New Coke. :ooo:

Can't argue that point! :biggthumpup:

Now THAT is a cool Deuce! Did you run it at Bonneville!? That's another is love to do.

5spd kit is headed this way! Thanks, Dave!:3gears:
EFI next.....
Cheers
Dave

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...aaaand it begins! :biggthumpup::3gears:

Cheers
Dave

Dave,

You may want to give some thought to pulling the motor in order to install that trans. While the TKX is smaller than the TKO, it is still larger than a Muncie or a T10. Clutch jobs in those car are not one of my favorites.

Tim

There Dave goes again at break neck speed. So much for driving it through the summer before deciding what to do unless summer ends early in his neck of the woods. :hmmm:

Seriously, lots of people are talk, talk, talk, but Dave's action, action, action:beers:

Good time to replace the rear main seal, which will surely start leaking with a spankin new clutch to soil. But, maybe he doesn't have my kind of "luck"...:(

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Parts inventoried. All shiney and new!

Oh, way ahead of you, Tim. That was my plan all along. Yank that motor out to install. The gantry is still assembled from the 507 engine install.

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Incidentally, this is a very user friendly instruction sheet. Very simple:

1. Remove old transmission
2. Install new transmission
3. Finish all the other junk
4. Drive

I'm pretty sure I can handle it! :scholar:

Cheers
Dave

Lookin great Super Dave!!! Replacing transmissions in a single bound!!

With other projects finally slowing down, I had a spare few days last week to finally get my new transmission installed. :biggthumpup: Caution: what you are about to read will make various Tims and other extremely knowledgeable NCRS patrons upset!:3gears: However, it did massively improve a beautiful classic!:biggthumpup:

A few bolts and some drained fluids and a few hours later the motor is out and ready for surgery.

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Old trans out, now one on!:3gears: Everything went swimmingly. Except a stubborn pilot bearing. Damn pilots….:hmmm::biggthumpup:

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Engine back in and while I was at it, I decided to replace all the old hoses (heater hoses were original and so soft:shocked:) Ned then I saw that bypass fitting on the incorrect 300hp water pump and thought, hmmmmm…..:hmmm:

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So, on goes a correct 340 hp intake, valve covers, and a few other parts and I modified the 300hp dual snorkel air clear to look like the 340 open element style. I still need a few more air hole vents, but it fits the part. Now it at least looks like how a Vette should look! Motor was pretty sludgy inside so I cleaned that up before the new intake went on. I’ll enjoy this for now and think about an upgrade later when I have another few days free:grin:

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Then I thought about the exhaust and decided since I’m pulling a Sinatra here and doing it “My Way”, I’m adding side pipes. :tongue:

Now it looks and sounds 100% better! It drives like a dream. Much more enjoyable to cruise in. Love the sound of those side pipes!

Cheers
Dave

The guy changes out an engine and transmission in the amount of time most of us take lunch!!

I'm curious, how did that new bellhousing dial out? I had bought one from Keisler some years ago when I did a 5 speed conversion, and it was AWFUL!

Impressive you could sneak the motor and new trans in without removing the radiator support:biggthumpup:

I was also wondering about the bell housing being centered. That can be a pain, but it's important with the newer transmissions that have a tapered roller input bearing.

Run out? Is that Wisconsineese, Tim?:hmmm::tongue: Perhaps too much cheese? I just bolted it up and it worked out great! Had to mash it in gear a couple times, and it made a weird whiny sound, but it seemed to settle down after a while. You know, things just have to seat with new parts n' junk. :biggthumpup:

Kidding of course. Perhaps they changed to tooling on the bellhousing since mine was pretty close. Still needed to rotate a little but the directions had it to be no more than .005 but mine aligned at .007, so it was pretty close and not much needed to correct it to .003 eventually. Unless I measured wrong and it was .3 since I'm not exactly great at math. That would explain all that noise! :shocked::3gears:

Best upgrade ever!

Cheers
Dave

----Man will this be a great driver! I did notice that somehow a 66/67 grill is staring at me. All good, but wonder whats up there?....Bill S

That frickin garage is WAY too clean. You suck.

It looks great l, Dave. I like the 340 horse upgrades on the motor.

At MCACN I asked Kelly if Super Dave ever sleeps? She replied, not really, he's always on the go!

Looking good!!