Thread: At Last - 1963 Nova

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All the little things…

I’ve been in the garage a lot lately. I’m now remembering all of the little bits and pieces that go into completing the little Nova. I’d taken pretty much everything apart/off before taking the car for paint. As I reassemble I realize that some of the original parts are just not good enough to put back so I’ve ordered new/reproduction pieces. Little things like bumper brackets that would seem to be straight forward are challenging as the new pieces (well made I must say) are just a ticth off the original and some persuasion is in order to make them line up. Couple that with a 57 year old car that has most certainly been bumped a time or two and well – it’s challenging to get things to line up and then reef the bolts nice and tight. And oh-by-the-way…. Why did GM decide to use 7/16 x 20 bolts to attach the bumper brackets to the frame? Fortunately my local Ace stock a good lot of Grade 8 bolts. I’ve got so many nuts and bolts at home that my stock is nearly a hardware store – but for whatever reason, 7/16” is not one I have a lot of.

Sound is important in a hot rod as well so I installed new speakers and a nice modern stereo. The unit mounted below the dash as the original radio opening is filled with gauges. Front speakers found a new home in 57 year old kick panels and look pretty good. Sub woofer in the trunk and we're all good to go. I’m a bit compulsive where wiring is concerned so after I moved the battery to the trunk, I built a small distribution system and used relays for the large draw items. All in all, I’m happy. I have found that it’s not as easy to crawl into and out of the trunk as it was when I was 30 years younger! Thank you Lord for Advil!

A special note to those of you who are working electrical – you cannot “over do” on grounding and bonding. One of the biggest causes (especially in older cars) for electrical issues is a poor ground return for a circuit. As such, I’ve individually bonded all things electrical to the frame. It assures that lights, signals and horn all work correctly. I make a lot of short jumpers using appropriate size (#12/14/16) black wire and high quality crimp ends that heat shrink to the wire. It’s bulletproof and saves a lot of headaches with troubleshooting trying to find those electrical gremlins that tend to plague us hot rod people. Use good tools and take your time and the results will be very rewarding.

Here’s a few more pictures – enjoy!
Glenn

A couple more pictures - tools and such

Gonna be sweet! But as I've just blown one apart it kind of makes me wonder about my weeks to come....

Originally Posted by glennsexton

A special note to those of you who are working electrical – you cannot “over do” on grounding and bonding. One of the biggest causes (especially in older cars) for electrical issues is a poor ground return for a circuit. As such, I’ve individually bonded all things electrical to the frame. It assures that lights, signals and horn all work correctly. I make a lot of short jumpers using appropriate size (#12/14/16) black wire and high quality crimp ends that heat shrink to the wire. It’s bulletproof and saves a lot of headaches with troubleshooting trying to find those electrical gremlins that tend to plague us hot rod people. Use good tools and take your time and the results will be very rewarding.

Here’s a few more pictures – enjoy!
Glenn

Glenn, in IMHO this can not be stressed enough. GOOD work!

I've had 2 roadside problems with wiring, it was due to poor wire. I made the mistake of using copper/aluminum wire on some of Rita, one of them the fuel pump circuit. They are more like a fusible link in a high amp circuit. It's now been fixed and 100% copper wire only. Your doing it right the first time !

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

I've had 2 roadside problems with wiring, it was due to poor wire. I made the mistake of using copper/aluminum wire on some of Rita, one of them the fuel pump circuit. They are more like a fusible link in a high amp circuit. It's now been fixed and 100% copper wire only. Your doing it right the first time !

You got that right Seth - copper is copper and there's no substitute. Years ago a lot of mobile and manufactured homes were wired with copper plated or all aluminum wire and after a period of time, galvanic corrosion would occur and a lot of electrical failures occurred - some resulting in major fires and loss of life. It's always worth the extra to buy stranded copper wire for automotive and marine electrical. Also, when in doubt, go to the next size, i.e., use a #14 instead of #16 or a #12 instead of a #14. Overall the wire is very inexpensive - especially next to the cost of being stranded or worst, a fire.

Glenn

And may I add, use a high temp wire (insulation) in the engine bay.

I agree with everything said, but I get anal when it comes to wiring and most everything I do is soldered.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

I agree with everything said, but I get anal when it comes to wiring and most everything I do is soldered.

And I'm the same as you!

Update on progress:

As is often the case, I'm finding a couple of bugs here and there with wiring, a rattle or two and some fitment issues with putting new door panels and such on. I fought with the linkage (Hurst) until i just stopped and went back to the beginning, i.e., take all the rods off, insert the alignment pin and put them on - starting with reverse and working out. Viola! shifts perfectly.

Fired up perfectly (well a little rough, but engine has only been run in with about an hour of time). Found the front brake calipers were frozen and rather than mess with the old ones (canabalized from a '95 Camaro) I visited my local NAPA and replaced them with nice rebuilds for $25 a piece (very reasonable for all new parts and peace of mind).

Fired up again and warmed up - still rough and found #8 plug wire off. Once all eight were popping, took her out for a little spin. After warming up gave it some gas and all sounded really good. Decided to open secondaries and oh my goodness! Rear end squats like a fat duck, tires report and the front end looks like an old gasser! Very fun. Picked my neighbor up and we were both teenagers again although his comments was, "I NEVER had anything with this kind of power!"

All in all - I'm pleased with progress. Few rattles to chase down and I have an appointment on November 4th an an upholstery shop for the headliner as it's a bit beyond my comfort zone and I want it to look good. After that the back seat can go in and we're pretty much ready for a cruise.

Long time coming, but worth the wait. I'm glad I come from a generation that not only understands but can appreciate "delayed gratification".

Regards All,
Glenn

Very, very nice! Congratulations on "almost done"!

Looking good!

[Rear end squats like a fat duck, tires report and the front end looks like an old gasser! ]

Sounds like you're going to get in a lot of trouble very soon lol!

Congrats! Looks like a very nice car. Have fun!

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

[Rear end squats like a fat duck, tires report and the front end looks like an old gasser! ]

Sounds like you're going to get in a lot of trouble very soon lol!

Is it a case of 'great minds think alike' or 'fools seldom differ'?
Because that thought crossed my mind too!

Congratulations Glenn!
Have fun!
Go fry some tyres!

(On a private road and under police supervision of course!
Yeah right!)