[quote=11222]G.M. switched to alternators in 1963. Getting a bracket for a ’63 F-85 would be the easiest thing to do without having to modify anything. Then you could get a rebuilt alternator for a ’63 and splice in your aftermarket wiring harness. You’ll have to check pulley alignment with the crank pulley, etc.[/quote]

This is exactly what…[Read more]

[quote=11211]When you get your driveline shortened, it’s better to have the back end of the driveline instead of the front end shortened. That way you will partially avoid the acute angles that will arise if the front shaft of the driveline ends up shortened. Also try to set the drive line up so the rear u-joint and differential pinion angle a…[Read more]

Be sure to get the REVISED edition of the 1961 manual, as it includes info that is not in the original version and is not covered in the 1962 supplement either.

I can set you up with the linkage. I converted my 62 to an Ebrock carb and made my own linkage. It is not difficult to properly adjust the new linkage to operate the throttle valve correctly, but if you want to go back to stock, send me an email.

joe_padavano@rocketmail.com

Coming into this thread late, but as noted, 2.5″ pipes are a waste of money for a 215. I wanted to maintain ground clearance on my 62 wagon. A single 2.5″ pipe in the stock location has MORE cross sectional area than two 1.75″ pipes. It should have even less flow resistance since there’s less surface area in a single pipe of the same cross…[Read more]

Coming into this thread late, but as noted, 2.5″ pipes are a waste of money for a 215. I wanted to maintain ground clearance on my 62 wagon. A single 2.5″ pipe in the stock location has MORE cross sectional area than two 1.75″ pipes. It should have even less flow resistance since there’s less surface area in a single pipe of the same cross…[Read more]

The “other fabrication” that must be done for the booooring SBC swap is pretty much everything. Also be aware that you’ll be adding a couple of hundred pounds directly over the front wheels. Yeah, it’s been done, but don’t kid yourself that by the time you custom fabricate new mounts, a larger radiator, new exhaust, new trans tunnel, new…[Read more]

The steering box is unique to the 1961-63 cars and nothing else interchanges, so there are no aftermarket close ratio boxes. I have manual steering in my 62 wagon and other than the fact that it takes about a million turns lock-to-lock, I have no problems with it. I’ve installed an aftermarket wood steering wheel that is actually slightly larger…[Read more]

Olds used two different methods to retain the glass and thus two different methods of holding the trim in place. Cars that use the glue-in glass have regular trim clips that require the trim clip removal tool sold at nearly any auto parts store. Cars that retain the glass in the rubber gasket have the trim pressed into a groove in the gasket.…[Read more]

Fatman now makes a complete bolt-in front crossmember for the 61-63 cars, with five bolt disk brakes (the don’t BREAK, they BRAKE).

I scored a set of used aluminum slot mags from a 1960s Mustang with the six cylinder motor. The bolt pattern is the same 4 x 4.5″. Note that the Fox-body Mustangs with four bolts do NOT use this same bolt pattern, only the 1960s six cylinder cars (as well as Falcons and Comets from teh same vintage). The wheels are 14×6, with about zero offset.…[Read more]

That’s a nice find. I’ve never heard of Maxxis tires before. I assume they are Chinesium? Their website cleverly doesn’t specify.

You do realize that 13″ is the diameter, not the width…

In any case, you’ll have difficulty finding 13″ tires in any size, especially those tall enough to look good on this car. The closest modern size to original will be something like a 185/80-13. Unfortunately, the only tires you can find in this size today are trailer tires.

On my 1962…[Read more]

Obviously this isn’t a direct attachment to the stock steering column. You’ll need to fabricate an intermediate shaft. This is pretty common in the street rod world and lots of vendors sell the double-D shaft and U-joints.

I’ve got a dilemma now with my 62 wagon(s). Do I spring for one of these (at a cost of more than I paid for both wagons…[Read more]