New guy new project

[waspp]

Greetings. I just picked up this 63 short bed and will be spending a good deal of time here as I gather info and ideas for my project. The truck is mostly complete with a 327 3 speed on the tree, not in to bad a shape considering its from upstate NY. The bed is real solid and so is the area around the windshield which is a plus. I haven't done a vehicle with 4 wheels for a while but have completed a number of motorcycle projects in the past few years so i'm looking forward to this little truck!

Hal

[aerotruk63]

I can sympathize with you on the northern truck thing. Looks like a great project. Ask away with any questions neighbor!

[awbrown]

Looks like a great truck !! since I own 2 just like it .....

[waspp]

Thanks guys. My plan is to lower the truck some and go with wider steel wheels using the original hubcaps. I took some measurements today and I think a 2 1/2 drop spindle in the front and a 4" drop coil in the rear would give me a slight rake of maybe 1/2 to 1". Just wondering about your rides or advice.

Hal

[LostMy65]

Welcome to the community.
Congrats on your new truck.

[samuellg1977]

Sweet ride!! Good luck on it. Keep us updated - with pictures!! Although most of us here can read, we prefer to look at the pictures and make up our own captions!!

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new truck. It looks like a great place to start.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

It's good to see another '63

Keep us updated with your progress and/or questions.

[waspp]

I ran the numbers on the engine in my truck and learned it's not original but it is a pretty good fit. It turns out the engine is a 283 with a factory 4 barrel, the suffix codes indicate its from a 1957 Impala. Pretty cool little hot rod engine!

[jimmydean]

Welcome and nice project.

[shortbed70]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

Welcome and nice project.

What he said!!
And must have more pics when you can. Truck looks good
Posted via Mobile Device

[Slow Build]

Originally Posted by waspp

I haven't done a vehicle with 4 wheels for a while but have completed a number of motorcycle projects in the past few years so i'm looking forward to this little truck!

I see your working your way slowly towards the 4 wheel thing. I know it will take some getting used to but we're here to help.

Welcome to the forum.

[waspp]

The garage is full of bike projects that I am moving to the back for winter so the truck can role in for some winter work. I removed the bed and the front clip and we also tipped the cab on it's back to repair some of the floor braces which were nicely wrapped in aluminum flashing and undercoated to "fix" the rust.

[A.T. RockDriller]

Things seem to be lookin up for you two...Arr Haaa ha ha..

Nothing wrong with your method..

My method still has me sufferin' from it..

[62 Longbed]

Welcome to the site !!! Remember we like pictures ....

[fryer1979]

Diving right in, nice. Cool truck.

[hopped up]

pretty sure there wasnt a 57 impala! impala began in 58 ,just saying. nice truck keep up the work
Posted via Mobile Device

[waspp]

Originally Posted by hopped up

pretty sure there wasnt a 57 impala! impala began in 58 ,just saying. nice truck keep up the work
Posted via Mobile Device

Your right the Impala model officially began in 58. One of the suffix code lists online listed it as a 57 impala power pack 283 and also in a chevy book it was also listed as 57 impala 283 4 barrel engine. The engine has the head castings of a powerpack engine so that narrows it down to 57 283 4 barrel.

[jocko]

63 + short fleet = SWEET!
Welcome! I'd try a different reference for that engine number and run it again, any book that lists a 57 impala isn't a very reliable reference since there wasn't one. It's probably a 57 motor since all things point to that, but I'd look till I found a definitive ref that made sense.
Cool truck and I like your plan. Steelies rock.

[waspp]

Rockdriller thats some nice work! Looks great,
I did some opening up yesterday and found some unpleasant surprises. The new rockers that someone installed are solid but the pillar posts behind them are gone so the rockers have to come off and some new posts on the way.

I ran the suffix codes on nastys hotrod site and it lists the engine as a 57 chevrolet powerpak 283, so i'm pretty convinced thats what it is.

[onequickchevy]

Cool start, nice to have another 63 added to the pile. Is there a harmonic balancer bolt on the 283 or is it press on? All early ones were press fit iirc, I had a nasty 283 in my 57 for a while, and we had to tap the crank snout for a bolt, it would work off at extremely high RPM's. Great engine for sure!

[waspp]

The weather has be good and I was able to get one side of the cab floor all done with new pillar post, cab floor brackets and the rocker reinstalled. I sand blasted the frame under where the cab sits and primed and painted it so when the braces are all done I can set the cab down and have that part at least completed.I used the mastercoat silver primer and tractor coat top coat and really liked the way it sprayed and covered, time will tell weather it hold up but looks pretty good. A pic of frame with the silver primer before the black top coat.

[waspp]

Originally Posted by onequickchevy

Cool start, nice to have another 63 added to the pile. Is there a harmonic balancer bolt on the 283 or is it press on? All early ones were press fit iirc, I had a nasty 283 in my 57 for a while, and we had to tap the crank snout for a bolt, it would work off at extremely high RPM's. Great engine for sure!

Some how I missed this post and just noticed it upon reviewing the thread. Sorry about that. Yes it has a pressed on balancer but while the engine was out we drilled and tapped the end of the crank and put a harmonic balancer bolt in from an 80's parts truck. I was worried about the same thing happening.

[waspp]

Finally starting to look like something. It's a great feeling to be bolting on new parts instead of removing old ones!

[E911manager]

I cant believe how clean that cab is. Was it originally a New York truck? Oh and I am with you, daylight savings time stinks..