62 bel-air sport coupe 09-09 build

[sedanman]

My buddy and I are just starting this project and have high hopes of completing the car that we have dreamed of.We have a good car to start with and some engine parts.Hopefully we can get some good feedback from all of you. The car is now a 283-glide.We need lots of parts for the conversion.Any suggestions or other support is appreciated.

[Tom Kochtanek]

Sounds like my kind of project :).

If you are converting over to a four speed, we have lots of (collective) expertise in doing so. I would recommend that you seek to acquire the pedals from a 1962 car (maybe one with the "3 on the tree"), as these are unique for this year. I managed to fit up a set of pedals from a 1961 car and had quite a bit of trial and error (and some fabrication) getting things to work smoothly. Or perhaps you are thinking automatic?

Are you planning on making this a "driver", a drag car, a nostalgia piece, or something else? Will you be looking for "period correct numbers", or are you planning on using parts from various engines?

We'd all love to see some pics of the "before" as well as the "during" and "after".

Good luck in your endeavors and let us know how we can help out :).

Cheers,
TomK


My buddy and I are just starting this project and have high hopes of completing the car that we have dreamed of.We have a good car to start with and some engine parts.Hopefully we can get some good feedback from all of you. The car is now a 283-glide.We need lots of parts for the conversion.Any suggestions or other support is appreciated.

[RCE1962]

Great car to have as a project. Not too many good project cars to start with, at least where I live anyways.

Your plans depend on the "intended use" of the car.......Like Tom said.

RCE1962

[jim_ss409]

You've got a great car there! It's one of those cars that almost everybody would like to have some day. Every time a car magazine does a top 10 list the 62 Belair Sports Coupe is always right up near the top. You can afford to take your time and do a good job on a car like that. You can do a nice replica of a 409hp 409 complete with 4 speed, or you can put a dual quad Offy manifold on a 348 to get the look and still have a good running street machine,,, or you can spend more money and go for a 474 cubic inch stroker with big power! The future's wide open! Ask lots of questions and use the search feature on this site as well. That car's a once in a lifetime dream car! By the way what color is it? Check out Wrench's 409 site for some great bubbletop photos. http://wrench.vox.org/

[hrlykngt]

Hey Fred,
How has everything checked out with your new motor, I hope you found everything as I told you it was. Glad to see you on the site. Get us some pics of that Belair. :cheers

Tommy

[sedanman]

Thanks for the interest guys.We plan on a period correct 09-09 red-red 4-spd car.It is a 283-glide white-turquoise car.As of now, we need the correct engine block, bellhousing,trans linkage,steering column,pedal assembly and thats just for starters.I have heard the pedals are one year only.Any know the difference?

[Tom Kochtanek]

When I modified my 1962 SS I used the pedals from a 1961 Impala, because I had an extra set. The pedals fit fine you will have to modify one bolt hole, easy fix, you'll see if you compare the PG pedals to these 1961 pedals). The smooth column for the four speed can probably be either 1961 or 1962. I used a 1962 model purchased from Jack Gibbs in CA.

If you hurry and have lots of cash, you an buy a "turnkey" date coded 1962 QB engine, pretty much complete, on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4593624667&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

It's at around $8900 and the Reserve hasn't hit yet...

You can find bellhousings all day long on Ebay (OK, all month long, or once in a while, but they aren't "hen's teeth"). You can purchase the clutch linkage. If you go with 1962 pedals, the stuff is on the shelf at various places. If you slip in a 1961 setup, like I chose to do, you get to fabricate a bit to make these shelf pieces fit :).

If you try to find the parts that date correctly, you will be looking for some time and more than likely spend about the same $$$. Depends on how good you are at the "Art of the Find". Those of us who have these date coded QB blocks aren't parting with them very cheaply... You might stumble on a 409 engine with high performance parts sitting beside a barn (Fatride :)) but you're still a long ways away from having a running engine, and in fact the parts may well be beyond repair (or expensive to repair).

Most everything depends on how resourceful you are and how much you are willing to pay to get these parts. Hang in there, start looking and you'd be surprised where you can find this stuff. I found a 1962 QB block sitting on the ground at an auction. Gave $300 for it. It was locked up solid, had a chip in the deck, but it repairable (for about $1400). So I stopped on that one and kept looking... I rarely pass up making an offer on any "W" parts, but I don't/won't pay "the going Ebay rates" for most parts. The High performance heads that you need (690s) are going for around $2K bare, with another $700-$1000 to outfit them. That's just too much in my book. They should be around $500 - $1000, but command more (supply and demand).

To get an idea how much things cost and how available (or not available) things are, start by entering "409" in Ebay and tracking the parts you need. Or get a catalog from places like Show Cars and see what you can buy off their shelf. Ask questions about repro parts here, because you will get lots of opinions (and some ocassional vendor feedback, er, bashing :)) and suggestions. Then set your sights and adjust your belt, because your gonna need to carry a thicker wallet when you go to swap meets and click on Ebay ads :).

Think about it, I spent almost $1000 just for the rubber that goes on a 1962 passenger car, and then about a million hours getting it in place :). It really adds up quickly...

Hopefully this does not discourage you, only preparing you for the fun that lies ahead. If you are interested in how much stuff can cost I can share an .XLS spreadsheet privately that details my expenses for a typical engine build, including cost to purchase and cost to machine parts.

And of course we are here to help you get going in the right direction. When in doubt, ask questions here. We love to answer them, but we love pictures even more. When might we see some???

Cheers!
TomK

P.S. If you have a spouse, do not, I repeat, DO NOT tell her how much these things cost. Show her how much they are worth when you are done, or how cool they are when completed. And do not tell my wife anything either, I will get in trouble :).

[sedanman]

Tom,Thanks for the info and advise. I saw the e-bay motor.Problem is I have most all major pieces except the block and want to assemble the motor so I'll know what I've got.I also have a 63 block,but...you know what's right is right.This is my first foray into cyberspace to this extent so pictures is really pushing the envelope,so have patience 'cause I'll get there.I have a good camera and plan to doc. the build so all will see if you want and I learn to "post" the pics.The car is still in one piece and we are collecting parts while we complete a 68 L-78 Camaro.Also Tom,that last bit of advise?how well I know.We all know those greasy rusty pieces of iron aka cylinder heads cost maybe 150 200 bucks no way 2000!!! :rofl

[sedanman]

Hey Fred,
How has everything checked out with your new motor, I hope you found everything as I told you it was. Glad to see you on the site. Get us some pics of that Belair. :cheers

Tommy
Tommy are you the parts guy? Fred is my bud.I'm the guy that found you.Stuff looks good so far.Already found carbs and air cleaner too.

[hrlykngt]

Yeah thats me. I gave Fred the grandtour of my stash well partially anyway he brought some cold and drizzly rain with him so we didnt get a chance to make it around to the shop, tell him i,m still not ready to part with my standard shift pedals though. :)

I dont think you will find a better set of 690s than what you got, They were pretty and the manifolds match, did you get the valley pan off the intake to see if it was the correct year? i told him I wasnt sure what year it was , I picked it up after the fact. Good Luck with all , keep us posted.


P.S.
someone here might be able to help you with the double humps you were looking for, I have a set of 461 X heads on a motor and a set of rusty 461s hid in the back of the shop but I dont care to get rid of them.