Regards to Grandfathers 63 Chevy

Hey everyone. Well I wasn't sure were to post this so I put it here.
in about two weeks my wife cousin and I are going to go pick up my Grandfaters Old 1963 Chevy Pickup Truck. The engine is I believe the 283 v8. My grandfathers truck as been sitting for a long long long time. I believe my uncle started the truck about a year and half ago. Im going to attempt to start it and bring to my house to start the restoration project. I was just wondering, from you restoration junkies out there, what should I do to the motor? Stroker motor, new crank etc... (Lord knows I would love to put a 383 stroker in it. but my uncle {Grandfathers son } told me to keep it original. Also I want to know what should I do with body work. Do I do body work first then do motor? Or vise Versa. Thanks
Chris
mjtcst2004@yahoo.com

If the motor runs then restore it cosmetically before doing any motor work. If you did want to put in a 383 or anything else then I would suggest building a motor completely seperate from the one you have and swapping it in with a new tranny also. That way, later on down the road, you can swap the original motor and tranny back in to return it back to stock.

Ok Cool. Im going this weekend to get it. My buddy told me to pull all the plug wires and squirt some oil in the clynders and rotate the motor manually that way It wont scrap the walls. Its prolly going to need a new battery etc.. Now it has a carb intake. Im not to familiar with carb motors. It also has a cap and rotor. So would I have to pull these parts off and spray some carb cleaner in them? im used to EFI cars. (LT1)
Thanks
Chris

Post some pics up if you can! I'd pull the original motor if you are going to restore it. Who is going to own this thing after its restored? I'd drop something with a bit more potential than a 283 in it even if its just going to be used to cruise.

tune the motor up
change all fluids
completely redo the brake, disc conversion is highly recommended (have to stop)
change the tires
replace the ball joints and bushing
make sure nothing is leaking
change the belts
new wires, plugs, cap, rotor
if the exhuast is really rusty and leaking just get a simple aftermarket one (I love flows)

go from there

prepare to get addicted and spend $$$ lol

Yank the motor/trans and save it.

I would put some kind of cool motor in it,being a stroker,a big block chevy :D or some LSX type engine depending on your budget.

And last but not least....HAMMER that sucka! :eek:

HAHA You guys are awsome. Thanks for all the replies. I dont plan on selling this truck at all. So I would not mind putting in a stroker or something Maybe even my LT1 out of my camaro. Its a 385 stroker. I plan on going with a big block set up with my camaro anyway. Well thanks guys. I hope things go well. I will post pictures as soon as I get into it more.
Chris

Just be careful with how radical you go in your motor swap. The further away you move from a carbed SBC the more changes you will have to make to the truck, and the more you will have to change back if you ever return it to stock.

Just don't go dropping in a twin turbo 540 BBC unless you plan on leaving it like that.;)

Well my uncle (Grandfathers Son) Told me if I work on this truck, he would like for me to keep it original. Meaning motor and all. thats cool with me. I just wanna give it some spice you know? Maybe a 350. I dont plan on selling the truck.
Chris

I have fired many engines that have sat for a long time. My Dad gave me a 68 Impala last year that he had let sit for 10 years without starting. it has the original 275 hp 327 with 150,000 on it. He put gas, battery, and some starting fluid and within 15 minutes he had it running. After a fluid change and brake check he drove it out from Oklahoma city to me in Hesperia, California with no issues what so ever. this car runs strong with no problems at all.

Last year I bought a VW Thing that had sat for 13 years and fired it with the same results. It was funny when over a gallon of mouse nesting and crap came out of the exhaust, but the engine was great except for oil leaks.

I have had over 300 cars in the last 25 years and have had mixed results. usually if the car ran well when it was parked it should run if the basics are put to it. I have become very cautious since moving to the california desert though. The sand here gets into everything if it is not buttoned up well. I have pulled the oil pan on two different excellent engines that had been sitting for awhile and they had 1/2 inch of sand in the bottom. Im glad I didn't fire them. Now I just bring them home on a trailer first versus trying to fire them from the purchase place.

Most of what I buy is old iron that needs total restore. Good luck on that truck Bud :) Old chevys are the easiest to work on, well maybe old VW too.

I have had over 300 cars in the last 25 years...

:eek::bow:

Just ignore the rest of us newbs and listen to this guy.;)

Hey Mitch. Thanks for your information. WOW!! what a small world. Its funny you mentioned sand. LOL. My wife and I Just moved to Hesperia not too long ago from down the hill. (ONTARIO) I LOVE IT UP HERE. people are nice. And its alot slower compared to down the hill traffic. I got my grandfathers truck up from Monrovia Ca. no problem. Yesterday I added some fluids, Added Oil with some lucas oil. Radiator fluid. And the jumb the truck with my suburban, and all of that = Fired up. Oh I had to spray some Carb cleaner and kill a BIG ass BLACK widow under the hood. Anyway the motor fired up. However the motor would not stay on. So sounds like a possible battery or ALT is out. Prolly should replace both. Im so happy to have my grandfathers truck. I have always wanted an old school ride. My wife and I often talked about rebuilding and restoring a classic piece and im happy to have my grandfathers 63 Chevy. Thanks for the info. He yull have to come by sometime and see it.
Chris