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Customs The Sixty Two (My Build Thread)

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by graverobber63, Sep 22, 2011.

  1. graverobber63
    Joined: Sep 8, 2004
    Posts: 4,134

    graverobber63
    Alliance Vendor

    I think it's about time I started a build thread on my 62 Bel air, so here it goes.

    Last year after selling my Riv, buying a house and getting engaged, I started to get the itch for another car bad. I decided I wasn't going to just buy any car that came along, I wanted a car that I would keep and be happy with, and not a rotten Canadian salt eaten POS either. I started to think hard about what car I really wanted, and I narrowed it down to 2 or 3 models.

    After hearing a lecture from my car buddies at our local hangout, it was decided a 62 Bubbletop Bel air was the only car that would keep me content. So the hunt began. Considering how rare they are, I actually found 4 or 5 of them within weeks. I found one in southern Ontario, VERY rough with a 6 cyl/3 speed for $8500, a few basket cases and the one good one, but it was in Vancouver, basically a shell that was WAYY to expensive.

    I started asking around if anyone knew of any for sale. One of my customers at work was building a 62 Impala SS wagon (a clone of a factory produced SS, never done to a wagon. This thing is awesome even has the rear cove SS trim) and he mentioned one that an older man in Quebec had one, and has owned it for 20 years. I got ahold of the guy, and he said yes, he was considering letting it go. I immediately called 3 friends and we booked it to the mountains of Quebec to find this car.

    We got up there and all 4 of us had hardons immediately. The car was SOLID. Not a pinhole or rust spot anywhere. Body mounts, floor braces, inner rockers where perfect. Besides a few minor dents the car was perfect. While there, he showed us other cars he had, including a '56 hardtop, a '61 409 Sedan and a '55 Chevy that one of my friends wanted. We struck a deal and bought both the 62 and 55. That was a great day. This was Febuary 2011.

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    Here's the '61 409 4 speed he had

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    My car is extremely rare, according to the VIN, it's #8 of 710 built. Very low production number, which is neat because it might have been in some promo material. I plan on getting GM Canada to help me decode it further.
     
  2. graverobber63
    Joined: Sep 8, 2004
    Posts: 4,134

    graverobber63
    Alliance Vendor

    He wanted way too much money for the 409 that went with it, so I bought it as a complete shell less drivetrain. He told me if he was ever to sell it, I would be the first to know. I towed the car to my friend Shawn's house and left it there while I figured out what I should do first. I decided a motor was a good winter project, so I started rebuilding a 58-62 passenger car 283 I had at home.

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    The block is .30 over, flat top pistons with a mild cam

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    I smoothed the block as best I could, I wire wheeled it then used etching primer on it

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  3. graverobber63
    Joined: Sep 8, 2004
    Posts: 4,134

    graverobber63
    Alliance Vendor

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    I scored a 4bbl intake with a filler tube cheap

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    I cleaned, wire wheeled and degreased everything, even though I replaced most of everything

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    Got the heads rebuilt, factory Canadian Powerpack heads

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    Smoothed the fuel pump

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    Smoothed the 2.5" Corvette Ram Horns

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  4. graverobber63
    Joined: Sep 8, 2004
    Posts: 4,134

    graverobber63
    Alliance Vendor

    Painted and reassembled, NOS Cal Custom Valvecovers freshly polished

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    We test fired it on a stand in my garage- ran awesome

    Now it was time to teardown the car and start the airride. At this point the suspension is being completely redone.

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    Supervising Shawn while I drink beer and smoke

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    I owe some favours to my friend Felix for all the polishing he's doing for me!
     

  5. graverobber63
    Joined: Sep 8, 2004
    Posts: 4,134

    graverobber63
    Alliance Vendor

    Plumbed all my valves

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    8 gallon, 8 port tank. Street T on top with a pressure switch and Shrader valve. Street T on the bottom with a 200psi blow off valve and a drain cock

    Next up, Steering rebuild and PS Conversion

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    Gotta cut those new bumpstops

    Should I go with Roman Red/Red interior or Tuxedo Black with a red interior? (ignore the wheels)

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  6. graverobber63
    Joined: Sep 8, 2004
    Posts: 4,134

    graverobber63
    Alliance Vendor

    I noticed a hairline crack in my intake from the top heaterhose fitting spreading to my thermostat housing thanks to my cheap ass chrome Mr.Gasket fittings. I guess I snugged them a little too tight. So I swapped the intake for a new Edelbrock last night. Weighs considerably less, I lost the carb adapter so the breather will sit lower, and will flow better but I regret not painting it orange.

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    Polished the fuel line, mounted my new starter and flywheel, timed the motor as best I could and started running the plug wires too

    I'm not feelin the wires...

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    Thats it for now, more to come...
     
  7. graverobber63
    Joined: Sep 8, 2004
    Posts: 4,134

    graverobber63
    Alliance Vendor

    ...
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2013
  8. michev
    Joined: Aug 22, 2010
    Posts: 96

    michev
    Member

    Run the Fentons,they will look really cool on your car.
     
  9. matthew mcglothin
    Joined: Mar 3, 2007
    Posts: 970

    matthew mcglothin
    Member

    Very sweet car! She's comin along nice! I vote chrome steelies!
     
  10. Encinitas4
    Joined: Aug 28, 2011
    Posts: 35

    Encinitas4
    Member
    from California

    steelies for sure
     
  11. yblock292
    Joined: Oct 10, 2006
    Posts: 2,937

    yblock292
    Member

    What did you paint the engine with? Looks really good
     
  12. Blk210
    Joined: Feb 9, 2008
    Posts: 185

    Blk210
    Member
    from New Market

    ck car with be gorgeous!
     
  13. graverobber63
    Joined: Sep 8, 2004
    Posts: 4,134

    graverobber63
    Alliance Vendor

    Etching primer, spray bomb Plastic Kote Chevy Orange and then Plastic Kote engine clear.
     
  14. Tony
    Joined: Dec 3, 2002
    Posts: 7,350

    Tony
    Member

    Real nice man! I dig the bubble top, and it's cool you will be able to trace it through GM Canada!
    I also dig the Fentons as well. I got a PERFECT damn near new set of chrome steelies if you wanna trade!! :):)... ok, didn't think so. haha
    I'm running 14" Cragars with thin whites on my 62....they'd look good on that too :D

    Really though, it's a slick car and i'm sure is gonna be a fun build, and even better to drive!

    Tony
     
  15. graverobber63
    Joined: Sep 8, 2004
    Posts: 4,134

    graverobber63
    Alliance Vendor

    Tony hopefully I'll have it in primer driveable for the Syracuse Nats next year!
     
  16. Tony
    Joined: Dec 3, 2002
    Posts: 7,350

    Tony
    Member

    That'd be cool. We may actually go for a day next year and i'd love to see it. We havn't gone in 4 years.
     
  17. Old-Soul
    Joined: Jun 16, 2007
    Posts: 3,773

    Old-Soul
    Member

    Caaaaan you dig it??

    I vote chromies myself...
     
  18. Checkerwagon
    Joined: Jul 30, 2007
    Posts: 449

    Checkerwagon
    Member

    Nice score! , its hard to find one so straight and rust free. IMO, Tuxedo Black with a red interior, the sheet metal certainly looks straight enough for black.
    With Black, I would do the Steelies.

    Dale
    Cleveland OH
     
  19. 38standard
    Joined: Jan 4, 2010
    Posts: 322

    38standard
    Member
    from il.

    black with red interior with those fenton's .
     
  20. koolkemp
    Joined: May 7, 2004
    Posts: 6,005

    koolkemp
    Member

    Its about time Adamo ! Looks really nice, and I vote for black with the Fentons, too many red Chevys already !
     
  21. Tony
    Joined: Dec 3, 2002
    Posts: 7,350

    Tony
    Member

    I forgot to say this before.
    BLACK with red guts!!!
    I had a 63 with those colors from the factory and it really was a great combination.
    If it came from GM roman red, i'd say leave it.....otherwise it's gloss black ALL the way!!


    Tony
     
  22. Man, What a nice looking car!!! I say keep the Fentons too. Keep us updated on this beauty.
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2012
  23. graverobber63
    Joined: Sep 8, 2004
    Posts: 4,134

    graverobber63
    Alliance Vendor

    Got the tranny back last night, rebuilt TH350 with a mild shift kit.

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  24. csimonds
    Joined: Jul 24, 2009
    Posts: 546

    csimonds
    Member

    Looking Good! Can't wait to see your progress
    Chuck
     
  25. Strange Agent
    Joined: Sep 29, 2008
    Posts: 2,879

    Strange Agent
    Member
    from Ponder, TX

    I really dig this style. I vote gloss black exterior with the red interior. And call me crazy, but I actually like the wires.
     
  26. +1
    Red interior looks awesome in these cars.
     
  27. 1954Bill
    Joined: Feb 26, 2009
    Posts: 180

    1954Bill
    Member
    from Long Beach

    Yea I like the wires
     
  28. koolkemp
    Joined: May 7, 2004
    Posts: 6,005

    koolkemp
    Member

    So what are you doing with the wires ....sell them yet??
     
  29. graverobber63
    Joined: Sep 8, 2004
    Posts: 4,134

    graverobber63
    Alliance Vendor

    I'm gonna keep them for another car or daily driver. You have enought shit Steve!!
     
  30. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,244

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Do you just like a red interior or do you already have it? Since you asked, I'd explore the black/gray/white interior combination these things had and paint it Hugger Orange with the Fentons, or painted steelies with blackwalls and poverty caps. Just sayin...

    If not Hugger Orange, a period, subtle, coppery metallic orange from something in the mid 60s. The three colors we almost always see, red, black and white. I dunno about the rest of you, but I don't like my cars confused with someone elses. Bitchin car. Love bubbletops.
     

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