63 Biscayne - Lateral-g Forums

renegade6 · #1 06-24-2012, 03:07 PM

I've posted a few times on here but, have finally done some work on my car although what I've just done will be undone. I'll explain below.

What I have is a pretty stock 1963 Biscayne. It has has a decenter interior, a 454 with a TH-350 transmission and it runs OK, once you get over the exhaust and oil leaks. When I first looked at the car, I could see that the floor pans were replaced but, instead of cutting out the old ones, they put some others on top of the old ones therefore; I'll have to change them again.

I purchased it in Arizona and drove it back to Kansas and the one question I didn't ask is where the car was titled in originally because it is an Illinois car so, I think once I blast it I'll find more rust than just the floor and trunk pans but, live and learn.

When I first purchased it, it had some really lame exhaust cut-outs on it and those were the first to go. Followed by installing some new trunk hinges that ended up being harder than they should have.

The plans for it are a Schwartz Performance frame, LS series engine, new wiring, new interior, different bucket seats, paint, Dakota Digital VHX gauges, air conditioning, power windows, new wiring, etc. Still trying to decide on color combinations but, I'm thinking a dark silver on top with a dark metallic blue, black or something else on the bottom. At the rate I'm going I have plenty of time to decide.

Because I'm dropping this off next month to Schwartz for the frame install, I figured it would be a good idea to at least get the peeling paint on the roof covered so that I didn't have to deal with more rust than I already do. The paint was already peeling so, I figured it would be easy to strip...Wrong answer. The only part that came off easily with the razor blade was the top four layers, not the other five that were below it.

Now, on to the pictures.

I'm always open to ideas on paint, wheels and interior schemes.

renegade6 · #2 06-24-2012, 03:08 PM

Here is the close up of the before on the roof.

LILBuzzy · #3 06-24-2012, 10:21 PM

that sounds cool. if you decide to shave the side trim i would be interested in purchasing it.

Rick D · #4 06-25-2012, 04:32 AM

Cool ride, the plans sound great

The only thing that I would change is stay with the big block. Maybe an aluminum block but the LS is going to get lost in that big engine compartment. I know they make good power and I do love the LS platform but in "my opinion" an all aluminum big block would look so bad azz in there. Keep us posted on the progress!

**214Chevy** · #5 06-25-2012, 07:49 AM

All aluminum big block= BIG $$$$....

renegade6 · #6 06-25-2012, 08:58 AM

Yes, that is big $$$.

My thoughts with the LS are good performance, drivability and gas mileage. I have a feeling this is going to be my daily driver when I finish it.

renegade6 · #7 12-01-2013, 02:46 PM

Time for an update again. I've actually had some time off work to spend some quality alone time with the car. For this update, I've done the following:

-Finished welding up the driver's side quarter panel patch. The patch panels are a POS but, I made it work. I was going to weld up another rust hole but, decided I would put in a patch...While I was welding I heard a clunk and now I have a new dent to fix.

-Fabricated seat mounts for the front and back seats. I sourced the seats from a Lexus SC400, the fronts are full power and heated. Although there are a crap load of wires, you only need three wires on the driver's seat (two grounds and a power) and two wires on the passenger seat. The back seat was a little more involved. As you can see from the pictures, it was too tall for the car so, I cut a six inch chunk out of the middle of it and welded the inner frame together. Fortunately, the foam isn't very flammable. I used 3/4" square tubing for the bottom frame, light weight and plenty of support even with me sitting in it. The seat doesn't sit as low as it did in the Lexus so, I welded in a couple of bars so the upholstery folks have something to fill the hole in with.

-Worked out a few dents on the drivers side quarter and while working on the rear tail light panel, discovered that it is going to have to be replaced. I think the patch panels for these are halfway decent and if they are bad, I'll just graft in a piece.

-Removed the passenger side trunk weatherstrip rail and replaced the metal that it attaches to on the quarter panel. I finally got a chance to use the shrinker/stretcher that I've had sitting around the garage and it was worth the $50 bucks I spent on it.

Pending your comments and suggestions...

renegade6 · #8 12-01-2013, 02:48 PM

More pictures

renegade6 · #9 06-07-2015, 04:42 PM

I've made a little progress since the last update. For this one, I finally received all of the parts to finish up the accessory drive, installed the top cover for the radiator, mounted the fans, mocked up the AC lines and have just about finished the exhaust. Just a little bit to finish up on the exhaust but, the big pieces are finished.

One of the challenges I had was finding an adapter to connect the LS pressure switch to the AC lines using an EZ clip fitting. They make pressure switch adapters but, most don't have the right threads. I purchased a weld on adapter and TIG welded it to a pressure port EZ clip fitting.

Next step should be paint unless anyone else has some other suggestions.

renegade6 · #10 06-07-2015, 04:43 PM

More pictures