DSC_5735



On a few of the hiking forums I post to, my screen name is “63ChevyII.” I’ve been asked several times where this name come from and if I like cars. Prior to getting back into hiking in 2011, car restoration was my main hobby and Southern California is a great place to pursue this hobby.

My biggest car project was restoring & modifying a 1963 Chevy Nova over a 7 year period. “Completing” (are old cars really ever finished??) this project was a daunting task for someone who really didn’t know much about cars before diving head-first into it, but with some internet research and help for some friends, I ended up with a nicer car than I’d ever thought I’d own.  Work completed includes, but is not limited to: bodywork and paint, replacing entire drivetrain, upgrading electrical systems, suspension upgrades and a disc brake conversion. Full documentation of the work can be seen on 63ChevyII.com. Please note that a Flash enabled browser (PC based works best) is needed to view this website. For IOS/Apple users without IOS capabilities, I’ve included a summary and photos below:
DSC_5735

Summary of Completed Upgrades:

 Bodywork, Paint and Re-assembly
  • Bodywork (dents & rust repaired)
  • Paint (changed interior and exterior paint colors)

 Engine
  • 292 bored .30 over
  • Holley 390 CFM 4 barrel carb 
    • Offenhauser Carb Linkage 5416
  • Engine Wiring Harness
  • Langdon’s Stovebolt Castiron Headers for dual exhaust 
  • Offenhauser 4 BBL Intake 
  • 2 grove, 292 Harmonic Damper with custom offset

 Transmission
  • 700R4 with a mechanical speedo
  • CPP 700R4 Crossmember
  • 700R4 Shift Linkage
  • 700R4 TV Cable
  • Shortened Driveshaft
  • Lokar dipstick

 Cooling System
  • Brass 2-Row Radiator with integrated transmission cooler
    • US Radiators part 010440ANH
  • Water oulet housing spacer -allows use of Offy Valve Cover
  • Universal Flex Fan
  • Waterpump Pulley
    • BBC pulley – smaller diameter, better damper pulley alignment

 Fuel System
  • Holley Red Fuel Pump
  • 3/8″ Stainless Steel Fuel Line
  • 3/8″ Fuel pickup
  • New Gastank
  • Fuel Relay switch

 Interior Upgrades
  • newly upholstered seats
  • misc interior items
    • headliner 
    • windlace
    • seatbelts
    • sun visor brackets
    • sun visors
  • Sound System
    • CD Player in Glovebox 
    • Custom Kick Panels with speaker holes 
      • Speakers for kick panels
    • Package tray with speaker holes 
      • Dual cone speaker for package tray 
  • Sound Deadening/Rust Prevention for all panels 

 Suspension Upgrades and Disc Brake Conversion
  • CPP Mini Subframe Deluxe Kit (tubular upper and lower control arms)
  • CPP Power Disk Brakes
  • 5 lug rear end
  • 5 lug wheels
  • 1″ lowering blocks
  • CPP Idler arm bearing conversion

 Wiring & Electrical Upgrades
  • Petronix HEI Conversion
    • 7mm Plug Wires
    • Flamethrower II Coil
  • New Engine Wiring Harness
  • 100 Amp, 1-wire Alternator
  • Added fuse blocks (fuel pump, gauges, torque converter clutch lockup switch, electric choke)
  • Added Relays (fuel pump, secondary fuse block)
  • Upgraded/replaced wiring – battery cables, ground wires, etc