On a few of the hiking forums I post to, my screen name is “63ChevyII.” I’ve been asked several times where this name come from and if I like cars. Prior to getting back into hiking in 2011, car restoration was my main hobby and Southern California is a great place to pursue this hobby.
My biggest car project was restoring & modifying a 1963 Chevy Nova over a 7 year period. “Completing” (are old cars really ever finished??) this project was a daunting task for someone who really didn’t know much about cars before diving head-first into it, but with some internet research and help for some friends, I ended up with a nicer car than I’d ever thought I’d own. Work completed includes, but is not limited to: bodywork and paint, replacing entire drivetrain, upgrading electrical systems, suspension upgrades and a disc brake conversion. Full documentation of the work can be seen on 63ChevyII.com. Please note that a Flash enabled browser (PC based works best) is needed to view this website. For IOS/Apple users without IOS capabilities, I’ve included a summary and photos below:
Summary of Completed Upgrades:
Bodywork, Paint and Re-assembly
Bodywork (dents & rust repaired)
Paint (changed interior and exterior paint colors)
Engine
292 bored .30 over
Holley 390 CFM 4 barrel carb
Offenhauser Carb Linkage 5416
Engine Wiring Harness
Langdon’s Stovebolt Castiron Headers for dual exhaust
Offenhauser 4 BBL Intake
2 grove, 292 Harmonic Damper with custom offset
Transmission
700R4 with a mechanical speedo
CPP 700R4 Crossmember
700R4 Shift Linkage
700R4 TV Cable
Shortened Driveshaft
Lokar dipstick
Cooling System
Brass 2-Row Radiator with integrated transmission cooler
US Radiators part 010440ANH
Water oulet housing spacer -allows use of Offy Valve Cover
Universal Flex Fan
Waterpump Pulley
BBC pulley – smaller diameter, better damper pulley alignment
Fuel System
Holley Red Fuel Pump
3/8″ Stainless Steel Fuel Line
3/8″ Fuel pickup
New Gastank
Fuel Relay switch
Interior Upgrades
newly upholstered seats
misc interior items
headliner
windlace
seatbelts
sun visor brackets
sun visors
Sound System
CD Player in Glovebox
Custom Kick Panels with speaker holes
Speakers for kick panels
Package tray with speaker holes
Dual cone speaker for package tray
Sound Deadening/Rust Prevention for all panels
Suspension Upgrades and Disc Brake Conversion
CPP Mini Subframe Deluxe Kit (tubular upper and lower control arms)
