1963 FI with engine vibration*UPDATE*

[Scott M.]

In my original post I did not give all the details of this car. My Dad did purchase it but only for the taxes. He won this car in a raffle from the Catholic Parish of St. Bernard in Rockport, IN. If you google the name you will see they do this quite often. They purchased the car from Proteam. This is a link to the original listing on Proteams website http://www.proteam-corvette.com/cars/293X.htm. My Dad had a 63 when he was a young man and has always wanted another one, so that's why he purchased the tickets. He was on cloud nine when he found out he had actually won it! Now the bad. There are multiple problems with this car which is a shock to us because we thought coming from Proteam it would be flawless, top notch. There are two major problems, the others I won't even get into. The transmission had to be rebuilt and after tearing the motor down it appears that it does have a bent connecting rod. I checked piston to deck height on all cylinders and #8 is about .020 farther in the hole than all others. Everything is going to the machine shop this week to verify. As some of you noted in your posts the oil pan had been off this motor which makes me think somebody knew there was a problem. I know this car is worth alot more than he gave for it and after its repaired he still will come out o.k. It's just really disappointing that he ended up with a basket case and it makes me question the quality of the cars that are given away. If anyone knows anything about this car please let me know. We would like to find out any history we can so if he decides to sell it in the future we can pass it along. Can't wait until it's fixed. I of course will have to put a few miles on it just to make sure everything is o.k., don't tell my Dad I'm not trying to accuse or bash anyone, just expressing disappointment and our experience.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 FI with engine vibration*UPDATE*

Sounds like a rod was hydraulic-ed. Common problem with FI units. Seems like it's most often #8 too. I bent a rod in my 63 several years ago just starting the car.

Problem is the syphon breaker "system" in the FI unit.

I'd have the FI unit checked out, or you might be bending #8 again.

I certainly wouldn't call the car a "basket case", and I'll make no comments about ProTeam.

Chuck

[Gary C.]

Re: 1963 FI with engine vibration*UPDATE*

Scott, if the engine is going to a machine shop this week and it's the original block with an unmolested stamp pad - you will want to make sure they don't mill the block and remove the stamping on the stamp pad. Milling the stamp pad clean will completely destroy the value of the engine if it's in fact the original block. JMTCW, Gary....

[Clem Z.]

Re: 1963 FI with engine vibration*UPDATE*

Scott, if the engine is going to a machine shop this week and it's the original block with an unmolested stamp pad - you will want to make sure they don't mill the block and remove the stamping on the stamp pad. Milling the stamp pad clean will completely destroy the value of the engine if it's in fact the original block. JMTCW, Gary....

i think you are giving pro team credit they do not deserve

[Scott M.]

Re: 1963 FI with engine vibration*UPDATE*

Thanks for reminding me about casting numbers. In my original post I was told this engine had the incorrect balancer on it. I found a finned balancer part# 3817173 but I need to make sure this is the original crank. The numbers on the crank-- 186 stamped on the snout of the crank, 2680 cast in the front, x51 cast in the rear and 186 stamped on the counter weight. Flywheel-- 3791021, L16. Heads-- Both are 461's E145 & C296 which don't appear to be original. Block-- 3782870, F09I4RF with the last 7 digits matching the vin. Fuel injection-- 2366, 7017375. Distributor-- 1111063, 3M14. The transmission appears to be from December of 1962 but not the original.

[Scott M.]

Re: 1963 FI with engine vibration*UPDATE*

Is this the correct crank?

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 FI with engine vibration*UPDATE*

A 2680 is the correct crankshaft forging for '63 SHP/FI. Later SHP 327s used a different forging number. I think it's 4577. I don't know the actual differences, but they are essentially interchangeable.

Duke

[Scott M.]

Re: 1963 FI with engine vibration*UPDATE*

Thanks for your reply Duke. I've read many of your posts on rebuilding these engines. Unfortunately the crankshaft has been turned. I definatley will replace the connecting rods though. It looks like the motor was rebuilt in 2002. It has TRW L2211 pistons and the cam shaft has 119992 stamped on the front with some letters and numbers cast in between some of the lobes. I googled the number with camshaft and think it's a Howard custom grind? I've always read that with iron heads 9.2:1 is the maximum compression on premium pump gas. You say that 10.25 to 10.5:1 is ok, is this because of the LT1 camshaft's duration?

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 FI with engine vibration*UPDATE*

The later the inlet valve closes the more static compression the engine will tolerate. The limit for the LT-1 cam to run detonation free on unleaded pump premium is about 10.5:1, so use of the OE replacement domed pistons and judicious head gasket selection will get you there.

Duke