Father, Son, and Grand Father project. 1963 Valiant

prorac1 · Feb 20, 2019

Today we got the rest of the wiring, including under dash wrapped and finished.

I’m here to tell you, the space under that dash for the, wiring, defroster hoses, heater control cables, and the whirling blades of death that is the wiper linkage and pivots, is TIGHT. Holy cow.

But we got everything fairly organized wiring wise, wrapped, and routed. Than routed the defroster hoses, and heater cables, as to avoid the “whirling arms of death”. Lol.

Seeing the mess we created, we promptly covered it up with the guage cluster and glove box liner and moved on with our lives. Lol.

And as you can see, the floor is now free from loose wires (except the wires to the tach, console, and shifter).

Thanks for reading. It was a back breaking day, but we got a lot done.

Now we’re onto fun detail stuff!

prorac1 · Feb 20, 2019

We also unpackaged the trunk mat and layed it out in the trunk to flatten out. It fits very well, but needs to flatten out a bit.

We also tried attaching the hood pad we had. But it’s for a 64/65, and isn’t an exact fit for a 1963. So we’re going to tackle trimming and fitting that another day.

Thanks for reading. Eric and Jason.

prorac1 · Feb 20, 2019

Jason ordered the carpet with mass backing, along with the rear speaker tray, kick panel insulation, kick panels, Mylar vapor barriers for the door panels, cat whiskers, and door panels.

He also ordered 7 white wire retainer clips that insert along the drivers side inner fender, red seat belts, Holley secondary spring kit, and a totally sweet valve cover breather that matches his air cleaner and calve covers. It’s an awsome finishing touch that he picked out. And I’m glad he did. It’s perfect!

Thanks for reading. Eric and Jason.

RustyRatRod · Feb 20, 2019

That thing is awesome! You might try a hair drier on the trunk mat. It might heat it up and soften it just enough to make it lay flat and get the wrinkles out. I would not use a heat gun though.

Also, what rear springs have yall got it it?

Prorac2 · Feb 21, 2019

RustyRatRod said:
That thing is awesome! You might try a hair drier on the trunk mat. It might heat it up and soften it just enough to make it lay flat and get the wrinkles out. I would not use a heat gun though.

Also, what rear springs have yall got it it?

Thank you sir it’s starting to come together nicely. We actually have ‘66 barracuda formula s rear spring

prorac1 · Feb 26, 2019

Our carpet arrived the other day. We got it layed out on the pool table to keep the wrinkles out.

We also dug out our inner and outer sill plates. We need to get them polished up/cleaned up, and ready for the carpet install.

Bonus. We also found our trunk divider panel and spare tire board.

prorac1 · Feb 27, 2019

Very productive day today.

We got the new breather installed that matches the air cleaner.

It looks great!

We also installed the dice door lock thingeys. Lol.

We also polished the inner and outer sill plates. They turned out pretty nice compared to what we started with.

txstang84 · Feb 27, 2019

Every moment worth of effort makes this thing shine even more-I love it!

prorac1 · Feb 27, 2019

txstang84 said:
Every moment worth of effort makes this thing shine even more-I love it!

Thank you very much.

It was a very relaxing day with me and dad. Jason came over after school and we got a lot of little stuff out of the way. Fun stuff.

We also got the seats pulled out in preparation for the carpet install.

The interior should really start coming together in the next few weeks.

We’re all getting really excited!

txstang84 · Feb 27, 2019

I can only imagine-I don't have any attachment other than watching and I'm always thrilled to see when you guys post updates.

prorac1 · Feb 27, 2019

We are planing on getting the back seat reupholstered to match the fronts.

The top of the tape line and above will be red to match the top of the front seats.

The 2” wide tape swath will match the seam on the front seat.

The bottom of the seat back and the entire bottom will be the dark gray material.

We are not planing on incorporating the checked pattern into the back seat. Just to keep it simple and a little cheaper.

RustyRatRod · Feb 27, 2019

A monumental project but one that is making irreplaceable memories.

prorac1 · Mar 3, 2019

Today we got the carpet trimmed and installed.

We ordered it a little long in the front and the sides so we could trim it to fit the way we wanted it.

It worked out great!!!

It fits everywhere very well.

ACC carpet. We took it out of the box immediately and layed it out so it wouldn’t wrinkle.

A little more trimming here and there. We have the kick panels to install along with the sill plates.

Hopefully Wednesday.

Overall. It was a total success.

Thanks. Eric

prorac1 · Mar 5, 2019

Our driver side engine compartment wiring clips came in today.

This was the last piece other than installing the hood pad that we needed to finish the engine bay completely.

RustyRatRod · Mar 5, 2019

That is going to be a NICE little car! I don't get it on the carpet. Are you saying they will let you order it longer and wider than usual?

prorac1 · Mar 6, 2019

RustyRatRod said:
That is going to be a NICE little car! I don't get it on the carpet. Are you saying they will let you order it longer and wider than usual?

Yep. The vender I bought it through is a member on here. He suggested doing that.

It adds about 6” at the top and sides.

Allowed us to get it perfectly fit the way we wanted at the firewall and side to side.

He goes by RPM440+6 on FABO.

Great guy to deal with.

@RPM440+6

prorac1 · Mar 6, 2019

Nothing went smoothly today. But we got stuff accomplished regardless. Lol.

Our wire clips came in and we got those installed. Our engine compartment is complete……ish. Lol.

We also got our cat whiskers installed.

The new ones went in pretty easily, but boy oh boy getting the old ones out was a chore!

They look great.

Next we worked on getting the dimmer switch hole cut in the carpet, and the grommet installed. A little nerve racking finding the right spot for the hole, but Grand Pa nailed it!

We also installed the kick panels and insulation.

It was a little rough getting them to fit with the carpet, insulation, and wiring crammed in there. Especially the drivers side. WOW THAT WAS A SQUEEZE!

Who would have thought that cat whiskers and kick panels would pose such a challenge. Lol. Jeeze.

We also worked on adjusting the windows, which on a coupe is no easy task. Lol.

That’s still a work in progress. Lol. But we have them pretty close I think.

Thanks for reading. Eric.

prorac1 · Mar 7, 2019

I had to work today. And Jason had school AND work today, so grandpa was left alone to his own devices today. UNSUPERVISED!!!!

We should all be a little scared. Lol.

He knocked it out of the park today.

He tackled finishing trimming the carpet, and installing the sill plates.

They fought……just like everything else on this car has. But the old man kicked their ***!!!

They turned out great!!!

Then, just because cars and guitars go together so well, he got artsy. Lol.

This whole project wouldn’t be possible without Grandpa.

He taught me most of the skills I have. He taught me how to be a hard worker. He taught me how to be a good husband. And most importantly, he taught me how to be a good father.

Thanks for reading. Eric.

prorac1 · Mar 7, 2019

Our Mylar water shields for the doors came in also!

But we can’t install them until we replace the window regulator I broke yesterday. Lol.

@cosgig to the rescue again with parts we need. Lol.

Grandpa did some YouTube searching and discovered this slick way to put perfectly round holes in the carpet!

You take a round pipe and heat it up with a torch. Then press it firmly on the carpet.

Along with making the hole it also seals the edges so they don’t frey.

Another great grandpa find.

Next comes the seats and console.

Stay tuned. Eric

txstang84 · Mar 7, 2019

That’s some good stuff right there-way to go grandpa!

I’ll have to see if I can utilize the hot pipe tip next time I replace carpet...not so sure how it’ll pan out for colors other than black, but might be worth a shot

prorac1 · Mar 7, 2019

txstang84 said:
That’s some good stuff right there-way to go grandpa!

I’ll have to see if I can utilize the hot pipe tip next time I replace carpet...not so sure how it’ll pan out for colors other than black, but might be worth a shot

As long as the hole is covered or has a grommet (which most holes are either one or the other). You should be fine.

It does leave a little charred ridge around it.

txstang84 · Mar 7, 2019

prorac1 said:
As long as the hole is covered or has a grommet (which most holes are either one or the other). You should be fine.

It does leave a little charred ridge around it.

Yeah, that makes sense-I’m thinking of all the seat belt and seat mount bolts and such...for both my Scamp and Mustang

prorac1 · Mar 7, 2019

txstang84 said:
Yeah, that makes sense-I’m thinking of all the seat belt and seat mount bolts and such...for both my Scamp and Mustang

Yeah. We have a 3/8” tube for those. The belt buckle and seat brackets will cover the fringe around the hole.

prorac1 · Mar 10, 2019

Very productive day today.

We got the rear trunk divider and package tray installed.

It required some trimming where it mates to the rear window rubber, but it fits great!

We also got the front door Mylar vapor barriers installed.

After replacing our broken window regulator with the one I picked up from @cosgig saturday, we replaced that, and finished adjusting the window fitment.

We also installed the windshield wipers.

Than we set to popping the holes in the carpet using grandpas new found method and got the drivers side seat and seat belt installed.

Next week grandpas going to start messing with center console fitment.

All and all a very productive day.

Baby steps.

Thanks for reading. Eric and Jason.

prorac1 · Mar 12, 2019

I had to work today, and Jason had school AND work today, so grandpa was on his own today.

And he killed it as always!

He set to work on the console.

It needed to be trimmed at the bottom to fit the floor better and to help it sit level.

So he pulled back the carpet, trimmed the fiberglass, and re glued the carpet.

He also had to trim the front edges to make them even.

Then he refolded and glued the carpet.

It turned out beautiful. Nice and tight.

Another great job by Grandpa Ed the fender mender!!!

After work today I picked up the sheet of aluminum we’re going to use for the new top plate. Hopefully we can complete that tomorrow.

Thanks for reading. Eric

Father, Son, and Grand Father project. 1963 Valiant

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