hey guys! im new to the forums and slant six world. i came into the ownership of a 63 valiant with a 6 in it and push button tranny. Runs n drives! i got the car overwinter and thus parked it and has been sitting for 4-5 months...now summer is coming and i want to give it a FULL hardcore tune up to help it run like a top!

What should i do?
basically anything i need to know about a full tune up.

here is a list i got so far:
-flush rad
-engine oil change
-tranny oil change
-rear dif oil change
-spark plugs
-plug wires
-distributor cap and rotor
-fuel filter?
-air filter

anything else i shud look into or do?

Also all fluid amounts and types would be greatly helpful as no one i talk to knows anything about these cars even a dodge dealer who cant tell me nothing of what kind and how much.

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63 Valiant 4 door

Welcome!

Dan will be along in a bit with a list of books you really need to have in your library!

Look in the FAQ under engine, then read as many of the FAQ threads and links as you can. Visit the Articles section as well. From the Home button you will be able to access them. A lot of it has to do with perfomance mods, but it will give you a better background on what you need to look for.

Caps, rotors and spark plugs all have threads devoted to them. I understand that there is a made in the USA cap available now that is being checked into. It may be your best bet.

Enjoy your classic! The '63 is a great car!

CJ

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

63 needs valves lashed, and points/condensor changed/adjusted+++=upgrade to electronic


welcome to a slanted view



enjoy enjoy

Welcome on the board. Tune-up parts and technique suggestions in this thread. The engine needs periodic careful valve adjustment. Carburetor operation and repair manuals and links to training movies and carb repair/modification threads are posted here for free download. Get the three books described here as soon as you can and start reading; they will teach you all about how to put and keep your car in top condition.

The transmission requires some special service procedures because it is a '63; see here.

Fuel filter, yes; you may want to do the Fuel line mod, too.

Use a reputable brand of oil -- 10w30 is fine if the engine is in sound condition -- and a good filter (Wix, NAPA Gold, Purolator...not Fram).

I like Magnecor spark plug wires.

Take a careful look at the engine mounts. The rubber blocks should be square like bricks. If they are bulged, sagged, and/or cracked, replace them. Get the left and right ones here, and the rear one here (last item on the page); these are premium items you will never again have to replace.

Once you've got the car in good running condition, Safety is next up. Lap belts make sure the bottom half of you stays put while you're biting the steering column when the car stops suddenly, but that's all they do. I'd put in proper seat belts. If you're not keeping the original seats, the easiest and best way forward is a set of Chrysler Sebring convertible seats with their built-in 3-point belts. If keeping the original seats, I recommend these up-to-date, reputable-brand ECE-approved 3-point seat belts (linked vendor is reliable; I've been buying there for a decade; their eBay store is here). More info on belt selection and mounting is at the maker's website. If I needed mounting hardware, I'd buy it again from Wesco (and their page has good illustrated write-ups on how to install belts in pillarless cars like yours here ), but the Securon belts are a much better-designed product than anything Wesco carries.

There are also bench- and bucket-seat 3-point belt setups available from XV Motorsports, but I am hesitant to recommend or use them until I have more than a one-line say-so from the company that their belts actually meet the relevant safety standards; discussion on that matter is here.

Unless the brakes are newly (or almost newly) redone, I'd put them near the top of the list for upgrade. 9" drums at all four corners are marginally adequate in today's traffic, and that's if they're in perfect condition. Ask for advice as a separate thread.

Good shocks (at least Edelbrock IAS, preferably Bilstein) and good tires (not from China) go without saying.

Of course, being me (the car lighting guy), I would put in better headlamps (Cibie H4s if you want good but costly, GE Night Hawk H6024NH if you want decent and cheap but not very long lived) fed by relays, and would also upgrade the car's other exterior lights (see here and here).

After making the car more adequately safe to drive in today's traffic, I'd then think about turning my attention to more extensive performance upgrades. An electronic high energy ignition upgrade, perhaps a 2bbl intake and carb (not entirely trivial on a '63 due to throttle linkage configuration, but certainly not impossible, see the parallel 2bbl setup article -- photo documentation of a very well done such conversion is here. And a nicer exhaust system with 2¼" headpipe. Stock manifold is fine, Dutra Duals are better.

There's an endless amount of money, time, and effort you can put into the car. Do it thoughtfully and one bite at a time, and you'll have lots of fun with a steadily-improving car.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

wow impressive on all the info! im mainly going to focus on getting the car to run liek a top this summer and next summer a new paint job.

are all the part numbers up to date n working? like the ones for the tranny pan and such?

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63 Valiant 4 door

Got any pictures? *mmm... Valiant porn...*

ya, bookmarked