I did the same thing Bruce did. Bought new lower channels from Steele, swapped the brackets, chrome plated the new channels and they work great. A lot of stuff to do and some expense, but it was the best choice for the long run.

Looks great Eric! Have fun!

Great innovation Eric!! They picture the dealership tool in the 1963 Service Manual in section 12-102 but where would a person ever find one? Looks like yours worked great.
Jim

Thanks for the update Joe. Until you mentioned the “V” shaped base I had forgotten that. But now that you have explained the difference, I do recall it now. Too bad, thought Layne might have a great find!

Hi Chris,
Yes, this Jetfire is quite unusual! Sheffield Mist & black vinyl top. Automatic trans, A/C, power brakes, steering and windows. Has a remote mirror (not available until ’63) a clock and radio.13″ wheels, WSW tires, and full hub caps. All the big options for 1962 on one car! I first saw pics of this car in 2011 but didn’t know about all…[Read more]

My parts book and experience does not substantiate that Jetfire block/engines used different connecting rods or head bolts. One Jetfire head bolt was/is different and has a screw hole on the top to accommodate the bracket to hold the oil dipstick tube to the block. It would be interesting if someone can show data to be otherwise?

The Jetfire block is different than a 215 used in any other body style. The main bearing cap bolt holes were drilled and threaded 9/32″ deeper. The main bearing cap bolts are 9/32″ longer and have 12 point heads. The pistons used were only used in ’62 & ’63 Jetfire’s and ’63 4bbl carb cars. The main bearings were “Marine-400” bearings and were…[Read more]

Hi,
I sent you back a email but I see my old article about air cleaners got posted?? If you didn’t get my email regarding rear view mirror glass & parts, send me a new email.
Jim

Hi,
Thanks much for the offer! I did purchase one from Phil some time ago and have just what I need for now. I do have a good mirror glass with a broken frame for a ’62 if someone else is interested in your housing and would want my mirror glass? I also have the spring and mirror keeper ring. They did not use any glue.
Thanks, Jim

After you last post on the trouble you had making a usable gasket from RTV, I thought I had better check the outcome of mine. Pulled one lens to check out the gasket that I made and found that it is what I thought it was, light gray RTV silicone molded to fit. What I also learned is that it is stuck quite well to the plastic lens! I can peal it…[Read more]

Hi Eric,
Yes, the ’63 Jetfire does have a “Jetfire” emblem on the hood, just above the left side headlights. The emblem on the rear does say “.F-85”, yours just needs some red and black paint.
Jim

I honestly do not recall! It was back in 2006 and my memory can’t pull up all the details.If you elect to coat the housing and lens with something to help the release of the new RTV gasket, a light coating of vegetable oil might work best. A silicone oil or grease might just incorporate with the RTV silicone rubber and not give the desired result.…[Read more]

I have made a set of gaskets out of light gray RTV Silicone rubber (elastomer). Both the aluminum housing and the plastic lens need to be very clean. Apply a generous amount of the RTV to the bottom surface of the housing (be sure to apply around the two screw holes too) and place the lens in place. Hold the lens in place with the two screws with…[Read more]

Ken, good for you and your “new to the road” turborocket! We all appreciate our own work and it is really an added bonus when others do too, especially car show judges! Congratulations, looking good, nice work.

There have been a number of members who have changed their brake system to disk brakes. Look them up and see if they might have saved their old brake drums. I did search for front and/or rear drums new or used and didn’t find anything two years ago.I decided to have mine turned and now they are at or close to the limit but work just fine.

I could be wrong on the paint code order. (Sure would not be the first time-ha) However I have 2-1962 convertible cowl tags and they both only have one letter for the paint code? Second code just might be wheel color on a “non black wheel” conv’t.? I have noticed that often the black wheel color is not stamped on the cowl tag.

No one really knows just how the Oldsmobile factory would have tagged a “one off” car. The real tell tail to this tag being from some other Jetfire hard top is the paint code V-V. The first V stands for the body color. The second V stands for the top color. A convertible, 3167, did not show the color of the fabric top in the paint code, only has…[Read more]

Hi Ken,
I assume that you are posting pics with your recent posts. They only show as [blockquote]BBCode you used is not allowed.[/blockquote] for me? Can you post in some other way? I would like to see them.

eBay has the rear brake cylinders and idler arm listed now. The brake cylinders are very reasonable. The idler arm is somewhat expensive. I have seen them cheaper from time to time, just keep watching. I have not seen new front brake cylinders offered for quite a while but this company in Duluth, MN might have them also? Rear cylinders are 7/8″…[Read more]