Sons 63 race car build

Its been a long time since I visited and posted on the forum. I've always enjoyed seeing everyone’s projects, thoughts, and input. My 16 year old has always loved racing and frequently helps me wrench on my High Strung 64 Dodge. We were fortunate to have a friend ask to have my son race his 63. It hasn’t been run in many years and is in need of some TLC and updates. What a great opportunity for my 16 year old and a couple of his buddies to learn more about these machines.
Needless to say, they have been pretty busy ……….The suspension is being updated to Caltracs, we’re installing a spring relocation kit, updating the cage, and changing to a dana. All the front suspension has new bushings, bearings, etc.
Strange brakes are being rebuilt, modern shocks will be used. A modern wiring harness will replace the stock burned out harness, and the fuel system will be revamped.
The drive train will be an accumulation of spare and back up components I’ve collected over the years. The transmission is a very stout 727 with all the A&A goodies. The engine will be an aluminum 572 with 572-13 heads running a A&A max wedge cross ram. Yes , I know what your thinking………. We want it OLD SCHOOL and will use the manifold as a restrictor plate. Thanks for letting me share.

That looks like a great family project! Should run good too with that combo.

One thing I forgot to ask. The 63 Plymouth used a 20” front leaf spring segment. I have a Caltracs from a 64 Dodge which uses a 21” front segment. Anyone use the 21” segment in a 63? It appears the tire clearance is improved with the extra 1 inch.

Do you want traction or clearances?
Nice looking Savoy
It reminds me of my old 1963 Belvedere 415 HP steel front end car that has held the NHRA A/SA record multiple times in the last 30+ years by the new owners( I sold that car to Bob Bauder in 1989 and he sold it to them in in1990 or maybe 1991 or 1992, CRS ) that live back in Maryland
CRS, can't remember the family names or the large trucking company they own and operate on the east Coast

On a car like that use whatever fits the best. B body cars used different front segment lengths depending on Dodge or Plymouth. Looks like you have multiple eye bolt holes in the front hanger so start off with whatever fits the best and then adjust from there to find out what works the best.

Once he gets used to driving it you can upgrade to a sheet metal cross ram and pick up 100 hp. That will make the car feel fast again for him.

What a great looking family project!

Nice build keep us up on it.

Very nice! Looking forward to meeting the team in the future.

Looks great. It's fun being able to race with your son. And for those who don't know. Spencer and his family know plenty about going fast.
Doug

Yes they are fast! I saw his brothers car at Milan. I don't want to start anything but based on the conversation, I think the Ford was faster.

i REALLY like 63's !
great project !

Seems like a lot of car for his age, but I suppose he's worked his way up to it.
I say that based on my 1st racecar experience, which was in a dirt Sprint Car.
First time out I was a bit overwhelmed, but then again, I'll never forget the 1st hammering of the throttle !
It's great that the son's so involved with the car, good job there, Dad !

I'd want to trim the ends back on those forward spring boxes, for easier maintenance.
Love the Early Bs !

That is an awesome build . Keep us in the loop . Love seeing these cars being built . I am sure with your help lots of knowledge will be shared . Have not seen many posts as you stated from you . Was watching your White Dodge truck build but never seen end results . Met you a couple times at Muncie dragstrip . Always liked your High Strung car . Gary

Gabbt63. You need to post a larger picture of your 63. Looks awesome.

Great to see some younger blood getting into nostalgia stuff. I joke with my buddies that most nostalgia events look like the nursi9ng home just let out.

until he gets used to the car, a throttle stop or limiter might be a good idea ?
also, i like the 63's with the parts store replacement amber parking light/turn signal lenses the best.

I think they all came with the yellow bulbs from the factory, not the lens at least mine did but I was the 3rd owner in 1973 so keep that in mind

Gabby63 -Good hearing from you! Yes I remember meeting at the track. The truck is on the road, still needing finishing touches. My kid learned all about wheel hop this summer

Doug , love that photo of me racing racing Grinwald! Yes, racing is in our family blood. It’s a drug and I’m sure everyone on this forum agrees. HardcoreB, yes my brother’s Hard Limit Ford 8.00 car has me by a by a couple tenths. I’m a Mopar guy but that Ford he built is absolutely beautiful.
I’ll slow the 63 down with throttle stop and the Grid. He knows racing but doesn’t have seat time so we’ll work him in slowly
Didn’t like things done with the cage so more changes are coming. I’ll post progress pic’s

Here's a picture of my boy a few years back............ time flys. I'm very thankful he loves the sport

Is that a Mercury or not?

Hope you know I was just having fun. Both cars are very nice and very quick. Do you mind sharing any details of your current engine in another post? What do you expect out of this 'spare-parts' engine for power? Care to share any details of that here? THANKS!

Man, you guys do it right out there.

Always been a big fan of your 64 and this 63 is shaping up to be a nice one as well!

Great to see a father son project!

Casey FJ

Small world I've seen your car run several times at Havana Il. Mike

you are correct Cab.
however, there were replacement lenses made from amber plastic that used clear bulbs.
these were parts store items, but i can't tell you who made them. i'm guess there were several vendors, or maybe just one, then the lenses were packaged in whatever parts store brand your local parts store handled.

like these : https://www.ebay.com/itm/402165101390 [says it has a MOPAR part number, but is made by another manufacturer, which name i remember from way back, as a supplier to parts stores around here, and they made lenses for all makes]

That truck is looking great , thanks for the update . Keep us in the loop on the 63 . Gary

My Dad ws on the B body styling team fir the 63/64 cars. He did the rear end design of the 63 Plymouth. He also came up with the Fratzog emblem.

https://www.allpar.com/d3/history/plymouth/1963.html
Doug

cool history footnote Doug.

Looks like a great car. Will it ready for Memorial Day at Da Grove?

Yes my brothers car is a Mercury Comet Caliente
My 64 Engine is a Goodwin 620 with his -13 head machining and profiling, sheet metal manifold. Car weighs low 33xx , don’t remember exactly.
Honestly I have no clue what to expect for my sons 572. Running a big port -13 head with a cross ram will be interesting.

Did some work trimming the spring relocation kit and trimmed up the QA1 k frame.

if all the stars align .... it will be close

some more updates.......... engine bay ready for paint, spring hangers welded in, under side of front fenders painted, also discovered some pretty cool stickers when my son pulled out the carpet.

Who made the spring hangers?

spring hangers look like us car tool

and great job to Dad and Sons on this car!!

Man this is really looking good so far . Glad he is enjoying the build . He is definitely learning on this one . Yes like those stickers . Gary

Yes, they are US Tool trimmed up. Shakle mounts are next. Who ever had the car years ago turned the mount area into Swiss cheese so we’re starting over. Then redoing the subframe connectors, they were not installed in right location nor properly. Add a few more updates to the cage then the underbody will be ready for paint.
The new KR Performance Engineering wiring hardness was delivered today. I’ll have the boy start laying out an install plan based on other cars we’ve wired with their kit. It’s a simple straight forward harness. I recommend it, they are great guys to work with.

Nice progress!

I’ve been scratching my head how I’m going to activate the MSD Grid launch (dark blue) wire on this car knowing we will not have a transbrake to active it. How do you guys power the launch control feature foot braking? I’d like something simple, my 16 year old is driving so I didn’t want him flipping switches. I’m guessing he’ll foot brake around 1500 RPM……

Switch on the brake pedal...

thanks for sharing! great family project with a very cool car!

Stocker guys use a pressure switch in the brake line.
Doug

Thanks , I just realized I used footbrake switch before I was transbraking, guess my memory is slipping. Thanks for reply’s