[macf85]

The shock comes out the bottom. You shouldn’t have to cut anything. It been a while since I changed mine but you may have to extend or compress it to get it out.

[macf85]

Just wanted to throw my two cents in here. I agree with Jim that welding is the way to go unless you discover that the cracks you found will force you to find a different intake. I see that your from Indiana. If you’re in Indianapolis surely you can find a good welder capable of working with aluminum. Also, while you have the engine apart you should have your main bearing caps magnafluxed. When I rebuilt my 215 with 4-barrel the machinist found cracks in the #2, #3 and #4 main caps. I got good used replacements from D & D Fabrications at aluminumv8.com. Also, if you’re still looking for pistons I got my new replacements from EGGE Machine at egge.com

[macf85]

Hi John,

If you want to match the original style interior you won’t find any pre-made seat covers. There are plenty of aftermarket sources for the 1964 thru 1972 F-85/Cutlass but really none for the 1961 thru 1963 models. If you have a multi-clored interior it will be even more difficult. I had to have an upholstery shop make new seat covers using my originals as patterns. I purchased the vinyl seat material from SMS Auto Fabrics. They also have door panels for quite a few different cars and may have them for your car. You might want to try contacting them. Their website is smsautofabrics.com. A word of warning though….I had good luck with them 3 years ago but another member of this website had trouble with them. See the thread in this forum titled Upholstery Material. I’m not promoting them by any means but they are the only decent source I’ve found for material. They will send free samples for your review. All you need to do is give them your trim code. This is on the VIN tag located on the firewall near the windshield wiper motor. It will be a 3 number code located between the words “trim” and “paint” on the tag. This code will tell them the style and color of your particular interior. The material I got from them matched perfectly. I was lucky in that my door panels were in good condition but discolored so I dyed them to match the seat material.

Good luck with your project!

[macf85]

I don’t know the exact date they started production but the Jetfire was introduced mid-way through the 1962 year. You probably have one of the earliest cars.

This engine has very high compression for a turbocharged engine (10.25:1)and was meant to run with the alcohol/water injection system to stop detonation. I would’t run it if it were mine, at least not hard. I was told by a machinist that detonation (knocking) is muffled somewhat by an aluminum block versus a cast iron one. You could be doing damage you may not know about yet. On the other hand if the turbo isn’t building any boost, you are basically running normally a aspirated engine with a one-barrel carburetor through a turbo that isn’t turning. I’m sure it’s not very efficient but shouldn’t be detonating under those circumstances. I wouldn’t think it would be doing any damage to the turbo itself though. Maybe Jim Noel or someone else could give you a better answer.

[macf85]

Welcome to the forum! That’s a great looking Jetfire. Does it have a working turbocharger?

[macf85]

I sent these documents by email. I hope they’re clear enough. You can also double click on the documents in this post and they will enlarge a little bit.

[macf85]

1963 Option Codes

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[macf85]

1961-62 Options page 2

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[macf85]

Hey Jim,

I’ve got more options information for you. I have a good list of codes for several options on the 61-62-63. I have 3 pages that I will scan and add to this topic. Also, I’m not sure if you looked through the whole Motor Trend article but here are some other options/prices that I didn’t see in your spread sheet.
Anti-spin Differential: $43.04
Heavy Duty 52A Alternator: $6.46
14″ Wheels/BW Tires: $13.45
Heavy Duty Rear Springs: $3.77
Air Conditioning: $378.00
4-Speed Manual Transmission: $199.50

Don (macf85)

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[macf85]

Jim,

Motor Trend article page 6.

Don (macf85)

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