First Muscle Car

[Jim Patterson]

I just purchased a dream car.  It's a 1963 Grand Prix.  She is black and has two four barrels and a four speed with a Hurst shifter.  When I was a kid I had a 1971 442.  I am 57 now and I raised a family and never had the funds to own one of these beautiful cars.  Until now!  I know the two fours are not original.  I am looking for the VIN on the block.  Haven't found it yet.  She is a beauty.  The VIN says it was built in Lansing New Jersey(L)

[Ringo64]

Congrats on the purchase! She's a beaut! Any plans for it?

[Jim Patterson]

Thank you.  I always wanted a muscle car.  This one is going to be driven on nice days.  I want to take it to car shows and participate in this type of activity.  I would like to find local Pontiac enthusiasts if all the old fellas haven't died off.  My Son is a mechanic and we are going to enjoy the heck out of this masterpiece ride.  We raised a nice family and now the wife and I can have fun.  The car runs really great.  It shifts smoothly through the gears.  The first objective would be to get the car re wired.  DO you have any advice on finding someone that will not turn my cars wiring system into spaghetti.  The steering column was replaced by the previous owner.  I have a short to find.  Probably the overhead interior light.  Work in progress.  I have a shred of hope that the 389 in it is original but modified with the two four barrels.

 

[Wrongway]

Hey Jim, welcome buddy! Glad to see another 63'. I've been rebuilding mine for about 2 1/2 maybe 3 years now. Good luck and remember, we love pics.

[Ringo64]

22 minutes ago, Jim Patterson said:

DO you have any advice on finding someone that will not turn my cars wiring system into spaghetti. 

May wish to create a topic in the local club of your area to find someone local to help you out. Here is the NY area local club: https://foreverpontiac.com/clubs/7-new-england/

 

[64 kiwi boni]

Welcome, Jim, nice to see another pontiac being loved

[Jim Patterson]

On 11/9/2020 at 1:50 PM, 64 kiwi boni said:

Welcome, Jim, nice to see another pontiac being loved

Thank You.  I am looking to track down any history on the car.  I want to enter it in the car shows too.  She has a 1963 or older 389 with after matket offenhauser intake and two Edelbrock 1404 carbs.  I haven't looked for the vin on the block yet.  Came with the factory four speed and console.  I am not sure if the Hurst shifter is original but looks great.  The original bucket seat interior is excellent as well.  I am looking to have the car rewired to replace as much of the old wiring as possible.

 

[Wrongway]

Jim, I can tell you that I rewired everything in my 63' Grand Prix by myself a few month's ago bud. I used a Painless wiring harness part# 10102. It really wasn't as hard as everybody made it out to be. But I have wired a couple of old Fords in the past. The only wires that have not been replaced in my car are the Turn/Parking lights in the grill. About 18' of wiring on each. That's because the screws holding the lenses on are rusted and I don't want to strip out the heads. They will be replaced when I can figure out how to remove them. The biggest issue is the ignition switch. There's conversation on this forum about it. IF your 63' has the original Pontiac ignition switch then it will be a 9pin. Nobody that I've spoke to has been able to figure out the proper way to wire it. But there are a number of after market switches and Painless even offers one. American auto wire also offers a kit. I've heard good things about them but never personally used them. If you decide to rewire it yourself, I have a factory wiring schematic that is in color. It was a huge help when I did mine. Be happy to shoot you pics if you decide to tackle it bud.

[Jim Patterson]

20 hours ago, Wrongway said:

Jim, I can tell you that I rewired everything in my 63' Grand Prix by myself a few month's ago bud. I used a Painless wiring harness part# 10102. It really wasn't as hard as everybody made it out to be. But I have wired a couple of old Fords in the past. The only wires that have not been replaced in my car are the Turn/Parking lights in the grill. About 18' of wiring on each. That's because the screws holding the lenses on are rusted and I don't want to strip out the heads. They will be replaced when I can figure out how to remove them. The biggest issue is the ignition switch. There's conversation on this forum about it. IF your 63' has the original Pontiac ignition switch then it will be a 9pin. Nobody that I've spoke to has been able to figure out the proper way to wire it. But there are a number of after market switches and Painless even offers one. American auto wire also offers a kit. I've heard good things about them but never personally used them. If you decide to rewire it yourself, I have a factory wiring schematic that is in color. It was a huge help when I did mine. Be happy to shoot you pics if you decide to tackle it bud.

Great information, Thanks.  I believe I have a 25xxx mile car.  I have the small original keys, a chrome set and a brass set.  The ignition switch works properly and is not loose.  I think I would leave the grill lights alone too.  Someone installed a new steering column and fouled some wiring.  When I hit the brake, the directionals come on.  LOL  She's a real beauty but I have some work to complete the car.  I really appreciate the feedback.  I am going to look it up and then purchase part 10102 painless wiring.

 

[Wrongway]

Yeah from the pics you sent she's beautiful bro. I have thought about the 2x4s for a while. Still thinking about it lol. Maybe next year after mines been on the road a bit and I get the bugs worked out. If you need anything just ask bud, everybody here is willing to help and the amount of knowledge these guys have is just unreal! Be safe

[Jim Patterson]

6 hours ago, Wrongway said:

Yeah from the pics you sent she's beautiful bro. I have thought about the 2x4s for a while. Still thinking about it lol. Maybe next year after mines been on the road a bit and I get the bugs worked out. If you need anything just ask bud, everybody here is willing to help and the amount of knowledge these guys have is just unreal! Be safe

I got the 1963 Pontiac shop manual in the mail today.  I found the vin on the block.  I also found the engine code 06B states a 3 speed manual with a four barrel.  The car has been modified with the Offenhauser intake, two-four barrels a four speed and electronic ignition.  But the big win is that the 389 in the car is original from the factory.

[Jim Patterson]

6 hours ago, Wrongway said:

Yeah from the pics you sent she's beautiful bro. I have thought about the 2x4s for a while. Still thinking about it lol. Maybe next year after mines been on the road a bit and I get the bugs worked out. If you need anything just ask bud, everybody here is willing to help and the amount of knowledge these guys have is just unreal! Be safe

Looking at engine code "06B" I see one-"two barrel" note and a "police" note.

[Jim Patterson]

On 11/11/2020 at 11:59 AM, Wrongway said:

Jim, I can tell you that I rewired everything in my 63' Grand Prix by myself a few month's ago bud. I used a Painless wiring harness part# 10102. It really wasn't as hard as everybody made it out to be. But I have wired a couple of old Fords in the past. The only wires that have not been replaced in my car are the Turn/Parking lights in the grill. About 18' of wiring on each. That's because the screws holding the lenses on are rusted and I don't want to strip out the heads. They will be replaced when I can figure out how to remove them. The biggest issue is the ignition switch. There's conversation on this forum about it. IF your 63' has the original Pontiac ignition switch then it will be a 9pin. Nobody that I've spoke to has been able to figure out the proper way to wire it. But there are a number of after market switches and Painless even offers one. American auto wire also offers a kit. I've heard good things about them but never personally used them. If you decide to rewire it yourself, I have a factory wiring schematic that is in color. It was a huge help when I did mine. Be happy to shoot you pics if you decide to tackle it bud.

Today I looked for the VIN on the block.  I found the numbers matching VIN on the block.  Engine code 06B.  Thank you.  I will take you up if I decide to tackle the job.

[Wrongway]

Man that's awesome Jim! Happy for ya bud!

[Jim Patterson]

On 11/12/2020 at 11:57 AM, Wrongway said:

Yeah from the pics you sent she's beautiful bro. I have thought about the 2x4s for a while. Still thinking about it lol. Maybe next year after mines been on the road a bit and I get the bugs worked out. If you need anything just ask bud, everybody here is willing to help and the amount of knowledge these guys have is just unreal! Be safe

Question, I haven't really driven the car but my father questioned something right off.  He thinks I may want to install an electronic fuel pump.  The mechanical original type is in the car now.  What do you think?  It has two 1404 edelbrocks, 500cfm in it now.

 

[Wrongway]

Jim, I was running the factory style fuel pump on my 428 with a 800cmf Edelbrock AVS2 carb until a couple of weeks ago. I've always had priming issues with them. Meaning if I took it off or disconnected a fuel line it took forever to get it reprimed. I tried 4 different ones in the last year. A couple of weeks ago I put on an electric fuel pump. A Holley Mighty Mite. I couldn't be happier bro. Should've made the switch a long time ago. Now I've got fuel at the carb as soon as I turn the key. Just my thoughts bud

[Jim Patterson]

On 11/11/2020 at 11:59 AM, Wrongway said:

Jim, I can tell you that I rewired everything in my 63' Grand Prix by myself a few month's ago bud. I used a Painless wiring harness part# 10102. It really wasn't as hard as everybody made it out to be. But I have wired a couple of old Fords in the past. The only wires that have not been replaced in my car are the Turn/Parking lights in the grill. About 18' of wiring on each. That's because the screws holding the lenses on are rusted and I don't want to strip out the heads. They will be replaced when I can figure out how to remove them. The biggest issue is the ignition switch. There's conversation on this forum about it. IF your 63' has the original Pontiac ignition switch then it will be a 9pin. Nobody that I've spoke to has been able to figure out the proper way to wire it. But there are a number of after market switches and Painless even offers one. American auto wire also offers a kit. I've heard good things about them but never personally used them. If you decide to rewire it yourself, I have a factory wiring schematic that is in color. It was a huge help when I did mine. Be happy to shoot you pics if you decide to tackle it bud.

Hello, I would like to beg borrow or purchase that set of wiring diagrams.  message me a price and you have a deal.  Also, I promise to share with other pontiac builders.  Thank you.

 

[Wrongway]

Hey Jim, I'll get you some pics and the company's name that I got them from within an hour or so buddy.

[Wrongway]

Ok bro. So the last 5 pics I broke up into pieces in case you want to print and reassemble. The company I got them from is Classic Car Wiring They offer 2 sizes. The large which is what my old eyes told me to get was $29.95. Not sure how good these pics will be. Hope they help bud. If there's anything else you need just ask.

https://www.classiccarwiring.com

[Jim Patterson]

3 hours ago, Wrongway said:

Ok bro. So the last 5 pics I broke up into pieces in case you want to print and reassemble. The company I got them from is Classic Car Wiring They offer 2 sizes. The large which is what my old eyes told me to get was $29.95. Not sure how good these pics will be. Hope they help bud. If there's anything else you need just ask.

https://www.classiccarwiring.com

 

Just now, Jim Patterson said:

 

Thank you.  I just ordered the 18' x 24" set of drawings.  Thanks for the lead!  This is great stuff.

[Wrongway]

Glad I could help out bro