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

[dykstra]

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

[A12pilot]

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

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




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




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




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



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.

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

[napa68]

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

[big gear head]

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.

[A12pilot]

Run out? Is that Wisconsineese, Tim? 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.

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!

Best upgrade ever!

Cheers
Dave

[olredalert]

----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

[Lynn]

That frickin garage is WAY too clean. You suck.

[TimG]

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

[67since67]

Originally Posted by napa68

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

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

[scuncio]

Looking good!!