Can anyone help. I'm looking at a 63 Split window Fuelie. The VIN is 30837S112735. The engine pad rt side has: T0I04mm Injection SN is F1586part number 7017370. Can the engine be an original 1963 Fuelie? thanks for your help. Also the car has 54k original miles and has been restored. It's definately a fuelie car. Anybody know what a ballpark value would be? Bill

 

As far as my understanding goes, no Tonawanda engines were used in Vettes in 1963. Since this engine pad begins with a "T" it probably isn't original. Engine code suffix for a 63 fuel inj. would have been RF according the Alan Colvin's book "Chevrolet by the numbers"



Mike

 

The engine is noot original per the stamp pad numbers. I have a 1963 split window factory black car with red interior (now black). The car is not restored, but has a correctly restored Injection unit and I want $61000 to give you an idea. They go from around $50000-$150000 depending on condition originality quality and pedigree.

oWEN

 

Thanks Owen and Mike. The car is in show condition and all there with some light rust on the steel wheels with spinners but the pedigree sounds lacking with that engine. Any more thoughts on the value $65000?

 

The engine came from a 275hp powerglide Camaro or Chevy II from the 67-68 timeframe.

 

Does it have a block casting number and a casting date

 

It may be an original fuel injected car but that is not the original engine block.

You should get the car evaluated by a '63 expert before spending $65,000. There are a lot of things beyond the block that might affect the market value of the car.

 

Let's see - Tonawanda block with an UNKNOWN FI model # and we're asking "Can the engine be an original 1963 Fuelie?" while stating 11 words later "Its definately (sic) a fuelie car."
It would seem impossible for anyone on this Forum to be able to help you since the answers are already known. Good luck.

 

Bill, the $65K is reasonable IMO IF it is a quality restoration.

If the seller is saying it is all original and numbers matching, you already know the motor is not and the FI is not, so that brings into question the rest of the car (if the seller is misrepresenting anything). Those 2 items alone are very expensive as are many other 63 items.

Don

 

Thank you all. I appreciate all the comments and the help.Had one experied car guy look at it and he's the one who said it was a fuelie car judging from the air cleaner and tach.I got the injection system part number 7017370 serial number F1586 does that date the system to a 63?.
Does anyone know of an expert in the Philadelphia area I could hire to judge the car? Thnaks again and have a great Thanksgiving

 

The FI model number for 63 should be "375", not 370.

The F1568? Not right either. Should be a 4 digit number only.

These #'s are on the tag riveted to the side of the FI doghouse. Chuck

 

Thanks Chuck I'll take another look now that I know what to look for.You guys are great. Sorry I'm such a novist....Bill

 

If I am looking at a '63 with a NOM and a carb. But there are three small unused bolt holes in the driver side wheel well and to the driver's side of the radiator there is an unused ellypitical opening in the metal panel behind the headlight buckets, am I looking at a former FI car. The seller is n't saying anything other than its not the orginal motor. He's said nothing about nor has he claimed it was once a FI car.

Its been heavly restored to nice driver condition with a '67 front and stinger hood, color change, interior color change, fender flairs, aftermarket ac, even the gas cap lid is incorrect.

Are there any other ways to know for sure?

 

Does the car have a high redline tach? With all that is wrong, in my opinion it does not really matter if it is a FI car or not. The cost to bring it back to original would be so high that it would be cheaper to buy a car done.

oWEN

 

If I had that money to spend, I'd be knocking on vintagecorvette's door. I've studied the pics of his Split Window, and it's a peach.

M.

 

Thank you for the kind words Venari.


Cheers

oWEN

 

FI units do not make a FI car. They are just another put together Vette that some sucker will throw a ton of money at. Original documents are the only thing that can save this one.

 

Having recently completed two frame-off's on 63 FI Convertibles I would be doing a LOT more homework before spending 65k on a NOM car. There are many 63 only parts that are very expensive to restore or replace. For a driver, who cares, but you can buy a nice driver for $30-40k. For 65k I would expect most of the car to be correct.

Also, check where the FI Emblems are located on the side of the front fenders. Many that have been dummied up are not drilled in the exact/correct locations. The "J" in injection should be almost directly below the bottom point of the crossflags. From the inside of the engine compartment the 3 holes for the FI emblem should come through almost right near the top of the bonding strip.

Other things to note in addition to those mentioned:

There should be no steering damper
Should have a 6qt oil pan
80lb oil pressure gauge
Tach 6500 redline (mentioned)
Did you check the Trim tag to see if it is the correct color?
Heads: 3782461 and dated before build date of car
Exhaust manifolds L/3797942 R/3797902
Fuel Injection Unit: 7017375 - #3xxx
Intake: 3826810
Thermostat Housing: 3827370
Distributor: 1111022 - Dated
Coil 1115087
Alternator: 1100628 and dated
Starter: 1107242
Fuel Pump: 4657
Fuel Filter: GF90
Waterpump - 3782609
Radiator: 3155316 and dated
Expansion Tank: 3155416 and dated
Radiator Support: The real deal - 63 only. Not a service replacement or 64/65?
Rear Differential: Dateed and should be 3.36 or higher posi
Bellhousing: 3788421
Transmission/Muncie: 3831704 / Vin should match
Shifter - original muncie?
Steering Box - 5666723
Master Cylinder: 5462389 / dated
Horn Relay: 824-12
Voltage Regulator: 1119512 / Dated
All glass original and correct codes and dates?
Horns (Real almost impossible to find 63 - 9000455 & 9000456
Headlight Buckets should be Fiberglass
Glove Box - One year only
Valve Covers should not have casting flaw in the "O"
Parking brake is 63 only setup

 

A SWC fuelie just popped up on EBAY. Blue/red in that price range.

78 vette-sa. "Parking brake is 63 only setup" What's the difference? Thanks

You wouldn't happen to be from Yonkers originally would you?

 

Not from Yonkers but close.

The 63 PB front cable attaches to a swing-arm mounted on the chassis directly below the driver. ONe cable then crosses over the tonque on the differential (also unique with a bolt holt for the cable clamp).