63 Valiant Reddog

[reddog]

Been on the site for awhile here but have had my 63 valiant sitting and waiting. Now we are starting to do something with it. Restoration underway.

Here is what we are starting with. 63 convertible, 225. 35,000 miles. Very solid body. found this car some time ago wasting away in a quonset.

Except for the rally wheels, and replacement engine in 66, this car is all original and it shows neglect. Lot of dents, worn paint, shot interior from sitting in California before its import to Canada.

Now sitting in my brothers shop in Ontario as he is managing the rebuild. He is a very experienced builder (mechanical). Body is being subbed out but all mechanical by him.

Will be getting 408 stroker, Tk600 5sp, new rear, 4 wheel disc conversion, fuel injection (likely) among other upgrades. Just looking for a good cruiser.

 

[reddog]

Some more pics from the body shop. The only holes in the body found above rear wheel.

Out of the paint booth a few weeks ago. Colour is Viper adrenaline red. Need some advice on wheels - differing opinions from everyone. I like the rallye wheels but all chrome. Going 15" with large bolt pattern.

 

[baracus]

Wow that looks great, awesome project, should fly.

 

[reddog]

thanks - should be a nice sleeper. Will keep posted with photos of progress.

 

[reddog]

A bit of progress. Cleaned up and reinstalled what chrome we could. Headlight bezels almost beyond repair. Rear bumper has a few too many dents. Hood trim is on but really should be replaced. Grill came out better than expected. Need some new tail lights. So - about 60% of chrome reuseable, rest needs some more work or replacement. Replacement is challenge on this 63.

Will look into these deficiencies as it sits in the queue for drivetrain. Also, organize new top and what we are going to do with interior.

Engine, TKO, aluminum heads, 8 3/4 rear, brake conversion, rad, etc all sitting at the shop waiting for opening.

The viper adrenaline red is stunning in person. Pictures do little justice.

 

[reddog]

Some updates. engine bay painted, engine and trans ready.

 

[reddog]

suspension, k frame all out, refreshed, new mounts and new hubs, discs etc in. Also, my brothers 73 cuda.

 

[chryslerfat]

Good solid start and looks outstanding with new paint.

 

[reddog]

Good solid start and looks outstanding with new paint.

Thanks, yes the guys did a very nice job on the paint. It is viper red, PPG with clear coat. Nothing too exotic but excellent job.

Engine in the bay for the moment just for checking things. Only problem so far is interference with wiper motor. Although TTI headers not on so not in the clear yet.

Trans hole cut in floor. Sorting the clutch pieces for the TKO conversion. We ordered the wrong ones. Next comes more work on the transmission tunnel, supports and the TKO install - this should be interesting.

 

[chryslerfat]

Yes I had read that the dist. did not like the wiper motor in the early car. Now with your pics I can see that.

 

[reddog]

Firewall a little different here than 64+. Need about an inch lower to fit. Thinking about it. Maybe a combination of lower and forward.

 

[Keith Mopar]

Wow looking great, I love your build with the 408 and the 5 sp.

 

[mpaahana23]

cherry!!!

 

[reddog]

Haven't posted for a bit but we have made progress. Got the engine set, had to go in and modify the firewall, move the wiper motor and repaint. Everything fitting now. Transmission in place along with new tunnel re welded.

 

[reddog]

Haven't posted for a bit but we have made progress. Got the engine set, had to go in and modify the firewall, move the wiper motor and repaint. Everything fitting now. Transmission in place along with new tunnel re welded.

 

[reddog]

Sorry for the double post. Learning this new format. Got wheels and tires on. Finished up the engine accessories - rad, mini starter, battery in trunk, carb for now. Rear end in with third member from Dr Diff. Waiting for some offset shackles to finish. Fired it up two weeks ago. Got the carpet in and interior panels and finished up dash, except for gauges. Still need to do something with the steering column has it has the 3 in the tree remnants.

 

[reddog]

On the home stretch hopefully over the next month or so. Have a new roof to put on and get the seats back in - still sorting who is doing the covering. Offset shackles still backordered so can't finish up the rear end and align everything. Which is also holding up the exhaust install. Some chrome pieces still to install and rear bumper is in Calgary 2000 miles away - bought a 64 donor car to get many of the hard to find missing pieces. Hope to have this car back out west in September. So - car is 1 year late and 2x budget so sounds about right?

 

[Oilman400]

Wow, awesome job!!

 

[reddog]

A quick update. New roof installed. Shackles arrived finally. Exhaust in. Just doing some final odds and ends like throttle cable assembly, rear end alignment. Have a loaner 4bbl on for now until we run in the engine and maybe switch to FI over the winter.

 

[reddog]

It was a quiet winter but with the exception of a few shakedown items and the FI which is 3000km away in my garage we are done. I will be going to Ontario next week with a project A100 and returning with the Valiant in time for summer. Thanks for your interest. If you have any questions on what we did, shoot me a PM.

 

[stansabody]

It was a quiet winter but with the exception of a few shakedown items and the FI which is 3000km away in my garage we are done. I will be going to Ontario next week with a project A100 and returning with the Valiant in time for summer. Thanks for your interest. If you have any questions on what we did, shoot me a PM.
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Looks great (and fun to drive!). Makes me wish I'd kept my '64...

Stan