Greetings from behind the Iron Curtain!
August 24th, 2012, 12:54 PM
#41
Those caps look a little different, but not a drastic change. If you get all four, that way you will have a complete match.
Here are a couple of pic's of the A/C units.
The first is of an After market unit, and the A/C compressor was mounted above the P/S pump.
The second is of a '62 unit of which I assume was an after market unit. But looking at the engine bay pic, I can see the compressor is mounted below the P/S pump, which had different style of mounting brkts.
I think it will be very hard to find the factory A/C unit for under the dash.
pi's are not great, but give you and idea.
Good Luck.
Gene
Also run the new oil for a short time and change again.
Here are a couple of pic's of the A/C units.
The first is of an After market unit, and the A/C compressor was mounted above the P/S pump.
The second is of a '62 unit of which I assume was an after market unit. But looking at the engine bay pic, I can see the compressor is mounted below the P/S pump, which had different style of mounting brkts.
I think it will be very hard to find the factory A/C unit for under the dash.
pi's are not great, but give you and idea.
Good Luck.
Gene
Also run the new oil for a short time and change again.
August 24th, 2012, 01:18 PM
#42
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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Thanks, Gene. How long should I run the new oil before changing it? Why is it necessary to change it if the problem is already gone? Should I go with pure synthetic again, and if so, what viscosity?
I agree with you that the pictured hubcaps look nice and it would be great to have a matched set. I've checked on ebay and found only various 13" caps. I hope these are 14".
Thanks for the pictures of the interior A/C setups. I don't believe I'll ever be able to find the proper parts to make it complete, but then again I don't really need A/C anyway. I was more concerned with the originality and hence value, if mine is a factory unit. Since my compressor is mounted below, does that mean it's factory?
I agree with you that the pictured hubcaps look nice and it would be great to have a matched set. I've checked on ebay and found only various 13" caps. I hope these are 14".
Thanks for the pictures of the interior A/C setups. I don't believe I'll ever be able to find the proper parts to make it complete, but then again I don't really need A/C anyway. I was more concerned with the originality and hence value, if mine is a factory unit. Since my compressor is mounted below, does that mean it's factory?
April 27th, 2014, 10:18 AM
#43
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Hello again, friends! Just a short update. The 63 Cutlass has been in the garage for 2 winters and now we're pulling it out to cruise around this summer. We had a small electrical problem due to corrosion which I think was caused by salty air on the way over here. I've had similar problems with other cars. In any case, a quick cleaning of some connections and the Cutty is running like a champ. I also found out that it has had a Pertronix system installed under the distributor cap. And more good news. On my last trip to the States, I picked up 3 more hubcaps that match mine, from a very good dude named Eliot Erlandson. Thanks, Eliot!!
News on the 88 Cutty: I rebuilt the carburetor and now it seems to run fine, without the hesitation problems of before. The "check engine" light doesn't even come on anymore.
News on the 88 Cutty: I rebuilt the carburetor and now it seems to run fine, without the hesitation problems of before. The "check engine" light doesn't even come on anymore.
April 27th, 2014, 12:40 PM
#44
Tree Row Hunter in N.D.
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Great white north ND
Posts: 200
Hi Hetman,
Cool to hear your 63 is gonna strach her legs a bit. I got to Poland in my mil days. We drove from Germany, to Krakow (Auschwitz)on Zaduszki, I think it was called, (night of the dead) An experience I wont forget, then back thru Prague. Is there alot older american vehicles out that way? I imagine you get alot of unusual looks driving something vintage.
Cool to hear your 63 is gonna strach her legs a bit. I got to Poland in my mil days. We drove from Germany, to Krakow (Auschwitz)on Zaduszki, I think it was called, (night of the dead) An experience I wont forget, then back thru Prague. Is there alot older american vehicles out that way? I imagine you get alot of unusual looks driving something vintage.
April 28th, 2014, 01:57 PM
#46
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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Thanks, Car Designer! We are excited to be driving the 63 Cutlass. We were doing a few things under the hood today, making sure it's tip-top. The engine revs freely and sounds awesome. I fixed a leaky valve cover gasket over a year ago and so now there's no smoke under the hood when I drive. 
So it appears that everything is working fine now. I love this car!!
Ben, thanks for your memories. When did you cruise out this way? I spent a few years in Germany back in the 80s but back then it wasn't so easy to go behind the Iron Curtain and I never made it to Poland then. I did take a bus tour to Prague, however, in 1987. I got to see a black state-owned limousine Tatra back then (didn't know what it was then but it was obviously important, so I snapped a picture). Prague is still one of my favorite destinations and I've been there dozens of times. Out here, there are precious few classic American cars, due to the misfortunes of history. It's not like in western Europe where they always had freedom to buy what they wanted, and generally speaking, the money to do it too. Here, people had neither. So there's a huge dearth of classic American iron. I'm trying to do my share to change that!! LOL. But honestly speaking, people stare at the old classics as if a UFO were flying through. Their jaws drop, they stand in a catatonic trance, and just stare. It's great to share these cars with the people.
So it appears that everything is working fine now. I love this car!!Ben, thanks for your memories. When did you cruise out this way? I spent a few years in Germany back in the 80s but back then it wasn't so easy to go behind the Iron Curtain and I never made it to Poland then. I did take a bus tour to Prague, however, in 1987. I got to see a black state-owned limousine Tatra back then (didn't know what it was then but it was obviously important, so I snapped a picture). Prague is still one of my favorite destinations and I've been there dozens of times. Out here, there are precious few classic American cars, due to the misfortunes of history. It's not like in western Europe where they always had freedom to buy what they wanted, and generally speaking, the money to do it too. Here, people had neither. So there's a huge dearth of classic American iron. I'm trying to do my share to change that!! LOL. But honestly speaking, people stare at the old classics as if a UFO were flying through. Their jaws drop, they stand in a catatonic trance, and just stare. It's great to share these cars with the people.
May 1st, 2014, 01:16 PM
#48
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
You're probably right, Eric! 
I wanted to bleed the brakes in the 63 Cutlass today but while attempting to take off the wheels, I came upon a serious problem. First of all, one of the lug nuts on the left front wheel is missing! And two others have worn out threads. Which meant I only had one good lug nut on that wheel!! Scary to think about, but I fortunately haven't driven much in the car yet since I got it (about 30 miles). And the biggest surprise for me was that the left side of the car has left hand threads on the studs!! Now where am I going to find new left hand threaded lug nuts over here?! Apparently all of the left hand lug nuts are not factory nuts, but a poor quality aftermarket replacement, and they need to be replaced before I take the Cutty on a trip. Bummer. I hope I can find something soon. They are 7/16" with 20 gauge? threads. Now another option for me is to take my spare axle I have for a G-body Monte Carlo and remove all its studs and put them on the 63 Cutlass, so that all studs on the car are right hand. Anybody ever done that?
I guess I'll just have to try my luck at finding a set of OEM quality left hand lug nuts. Sigh.
I wanted to bleed the brakes in the 63 Cutlass today but while attempting to take off the wheels, I came upon a serious problem. First of all, one of the lug nuts on the left front wheel is missing! And two others have worn out threads. Which meant I only had one good lug nut on that wheel!! Scary to think about, but I fortunately haven't driven much in the car yet since I got it (about 30 miles). And the biggest surprise for me was that the left side of the car has left hand threads on the studs!! Now where am I going to find new left hand threaded lug nuts over here?! Apparently all of the left hand lug nuts are not factory nuts, but a poor quality aftermarket replacement, and they need to be replaced before I take the Cutty on a trip. Bummer. I hope I can find something soon. They are 7/16" with 20 gauge? threads. Now another option for me is to take my spare axle I have for a G-body Monte Carlo and remove all its studs and put them on the 63 Cutlass, so that all studs on the car are right hand. Anybody ever done that?
I guess I'll just have to try my luck at finding a set of OEM quality left hand lug nuts. Sigh.
May 2nd, 2014, 05:10 PM
#50
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
Yes, I just saw that, Dave. Thanks a lot! Might anyone know the quality of these nuts made by Dorman? How do they compare to OEM (original Oldsmobile or GM, etc), or Raybestos (also advertised on RockAuto.com)? The nuts I have on the car now are cheap quality aftermarket products and the threads are literally sheared off on a couple of them. I don't want to buy the same quality nuts and have the same problem in a few weeks. Thanks!
May 6th, 2014, 04:47 PM
#51
Tree Row Hunter in N.D.
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Great white north ND
Posts: 200
Ben, thanks for your memories. When did you cruise out this way? I spent a few years in Germany back in the 80s but back then it wasn't so easy to go behind the Iron Curtain and I never made it to Poland then. I did take a bus tour to Prague, however, in 1987. I got to see a black state-owned limousine Tatra back then (didn't know what it was then but it was obviously important, so I snapped a picture). Prague is still one of my favorite destinations and I've been there dozens of times. Out here, there are precious few classic American cars, due to the misfortunes of history. It's not like in western Europe where they always had freedom to buy what they wanted, and generally speaking, the money to do it too. Here, people had neither. So there's a huge dearth of classic American iron. I'm trying to do my share to change that!! LOL. But honestly speaking, people stare at the old classics as if a UFO were flying through. Their jaws drop, they stand in a catatonic trance, and just stare. It's great to share these cars with the people.
This was in late 2000 that we got out your way, most of the driving was evening /night so all we saw were the candles lighting up the graveyards. On the way out lots of unusual cars. The people out in Poland were more than hospitible during our stay. I understand alot of reason to stay
. Prague was ahh, well you know alot of fun. Keep cruising that 63 around, rare cars in the states as well.
May 7th, 2014, 02:16 AM
#52
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
Hi Mike,
This was in late 2000 that we got out your way, most of the driving was evening /night so all we saw were the candles lighting up the graveyards. On the way out lots of unusual cars. The people out in Poland were more than hospitible during our stay. I understand alot of reason to stay. Prague was ahh, well you know alot of fun. Keep cruising that 63 around, rare cars in the states as well.
This was in late 2000 that we got out your way, most of the driving was evening /night so all we saw were the candles lighting up the graveyards. On the way out lots of unusual cars. The people out in Poland were more than hospitible during our stay. I understand alot of reason to stay
. Prague was ahh, well you know alot of fun. Keep cruising that 63 around, rare cars in the states as well. of Poland. I didn't come here primarily for the girls, but I probably stayed because of them (or one in particular. ).If you ever get around this way, please drop me a line!
May 14th, 2014, 01:27 PM
#53
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
I got around to checking the brakes this weekend. It was very difficult to bleed them because of all the micro particles in the ancient fluid. It was very dark brown and dirty and full of contaminants (rust particles?). It was hard to force the fluid through the bleeder valves. We blew compressed air through each one first because they were all completely blocked. The passages broke free and then I could bleed them but with much pedal effort (manual brakes). So now we have much more confidence that the brakes will work better. No test drive yet because I'm waiting on the new lug nuts. All the other brake parts were complete and in excellent condition. All the wheel bearings are fine but the front ones had old grease and not much there, so they are repacked now. Should run great now. And I put on new and expensive rubber on all 4 corners. Ready to hit the road!
July 27th, 2014, 05:07 PM
#54
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
I guess I should update this. I had to go back and rebuild each wheel cylinder. They are the original ones, I'm almost certain, and were packed with junk from many decades. No wonder no fluid was passing though!! So then we rebled the system again and noticed that the brake shoes were sticking in the rear after braking. I had to cut a test drive short because I could smell them smoking and they were very hot. So back to the drawing board. We removed and rebuilt the master cylinder, which was equally full of crud, then rebled the system again. Still having problems with rear brakes locking up and dragging, so we put the car on stands and ran the engine with the car in gear, and it turned out one rear brake shoe was slightly out of round. We adjusted the shoes in a bit so they wouldn't drag and after a 50-mile trip, they no longer catch and rub. Relief!! And braking feel is much improved now, for 4-wheel unassisted drum brakes. However, one thing I'd like to point out is that while the pedal is hard during light braking, during harder braking, it sinks a bit towards the floor, but with no signs of lack of braking effectiveness. I'm sure we got all the air out, and the brakes work well now, so why would the pedal sink slightly under hard braking (and not under light braking)? Could it be due to the out of round rear drum when the shoes make full contact?
Anyway, I"m glad to get the car more or less reliable. It's a fun car to drive.
By the way, does anyone have any idea what the engine codes mean on my car? The first number is S224568G, which decodes to a 3167 chassis with the 10.75:1 compression ratio engine for 1963. So it's the factory original engine, and I'm very happy about that. But just below is another number, upside down, which reads JN345. I was trying to do some research and some people say a Jetfire block has a J stamped into it. Could this engine have been designated as a Jetfire block but then built into a standard block? Also, while researching, I read that a Buick 215 engine has such a configuration (upside down code below engine number) and JN means the 200 hp high compression engine. Does anyone know what this code designates in my case? Anyone else have the upside down second code? Thanks!
I was invited to bring some cars to a 4th of July event in Warsaw, and here's my blog entry about it. One car from each of the Big Three. Enjoy!
http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...al-casino.html
Anyway, I"m glad to get the car more or less reliable. It's a fun car to drive.
By the way, does anyone have any idea what the engine codes mean on my car? The first number is S224568G, which decodes to a 3167 chassis with the 10.75:1 compression ratio engine for 1963. So it's the factory original engine, and I'm very happy about that. But just below is another number, upside down, which reads JN345. I was trying to do some research and some people say a Jetfire block has a J stamped into it. Could this engine have been designated as a Jetfire block but then built into a standard block? Also, while researching, I read that a Buick 215 engine has such a configuration (upside down code below engine number) and JN means the 200 hp high compression engine. Does anyone know what this code designates in my case? Anyone else have the upside down second code? Thanks!
I was invited to bring some cars to a 4th of July event in Warsaw, and here's my blog entry about it. One car from each of the Big Three. Enjoy!
http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...al-casino.html
Last edited by Hetman; July 27th, 2014 at 05:16 PM.
December 13th, 2014, 01:48 PM
#55
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Posts: 71
Greetings, folks! My car was the subject of a 5-page article in one of the major car magazines here in Poland. Good to get ink on a very special car!
http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...publishes.html
http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...publishes.html
January 15th, 2015, 04:30 AM
#57
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3
Cutlass from France
Czesc!
I have seen your post, I'm from France and also got a '63 Cutty.
But is is unfortunately in a less good shape as yours, but I'm restoring it little by little. The engine has recently broke down because the oïl pump failed, so I must open the engine to see the damages...
If you need any docs, manuals, etc, please let me know I could have some things for you!
Na razie, Ben
I have seen your post, I'm from France and also got a '63 Cutty.
But is is unfortunately in a less good shape as yours, but I'm restoring it little by little. The engine has recently broke down because the oïl pump failed, so I must open the engine to see the damages...
If you need any docs, manuals, etc, please let me know I could have some things for you!
Na razie, Ben
March 27th, 2015, 05:04 PM
#58
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
Czesc!
I have seen your post, I'm from France and also got a '63 Cutty.
But is is unfortunately in a less good shape as yours, but I'm restoring it little by little. The engine has recently broke down because the oïl pump failed, so I must open the engine to see the damages...
If you need any docs, manuals, etc, please let me know I could have some things for you!
Na razie, Ben
I have seen your post, I'm from France and also got a '63 Cutty.
But is is unfortunately in a less good shape as yours, but I'm restoring it little by little. The engine has recently broke down because the oïl pump failed, so I must open the engine to see the damages...
If you need any docs, manuals, etc, please let me know I could have some things for you!
Na razie, Ben
I'd love to see your car. Good luck getting the engine fixed.
March 27th, 2015, 05:11 PM
#59
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
I noticed I haven't been on this forum in a while. Winter is over and the cars are out.
Last year I got a lot done to the 63 Cutlass, though the one rear drum is out of round and I need another one. I"m not sure if these are still available new. I rebuilt the driver's seat a bit. It had a problem with the hinge. Now it works great! But unfortunately I discovered some surface rust on the floorboard. I will want to take out the interior of the car this summer and fix that. Hopefully there will be no rust-through! I didn't notice any holes from the underside. The underside looks as clean as a desert car. Also, I did buy some lug nuts from Dorman. And they are GARBAGE!!! Chinese junk. Trash. I hate them. Every time I tighten them down, tiny slivers of metal come off. They won't last forever. Where do companies get off producing this dangerous and disgraceful $%@#?! I'm going to have to buy some good quality studs and lug nuts from ARP or some reputable outfit I guess, and might as well change them to standard ones (and larger too) while I'm at it.
Last year I got a lot done to the 63 Cutlass, though the one rear drum is out of round and I need another one. I"m not sure if these are still available new. I rebuilt the driver's seat a bit. It had a problem with the hinge. Now it works great! But unfortunately I discovered some surface rust on the floorboard. I will want to take out the interior of the car this summer and fix that. Hopefully there will be no rust-through! I didn't notice any holes from the underside. The underside looks as clean as a desert car. Also, I did buy some lug nuts from Dorman. And they are GARBAGE!!! Chinese junk. Trash. I hate them. Every time I tighten them down, tiny slivers of metal come off. They won't last forever. Where do companies get off producing this dangerous and disgraceful $%@#?! I'm going to have to buy some good quality studs and lug nuts from ARP or some reputable outfit I guess, and might as well change them to standard ones (and larger too) while I'm at it.
December 20th, 2015, 03:19 PM
#62
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
Yes, thank you guys for that response on honing the drums if there's enough material. I will do that if possible.
I'm sorry it's been so long here. I drove the Cutlass many times this year and it is a real joy to drive and listen to! The baby block purrs, or rather roars, like a lion and is a beautiful thing. The car gets compliments everywhere. Being a triple-black car, with a classic 60s shape and loads of chrome, it is really a show on wheels. Even at temperatures in the high 90s, it gave absolutely no problems driving. Not surprising, since the car spent its entire 50 year life before I bought it, in Los Angeles, so it had to deal with that kind of heat on a daily basis.
I have a few blog articles with some pictures from some of the events I took the Cutlass too. It made national TV also.
http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...1_archive.html
http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...1_archive.html
http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...1_archive.html
Merry Christmas, everyone!!!
I'm sorry it's been so long here. I drove the Cutlass many times this year and it is a real joy to drive and listen to! The baby block purrs, or rather roars, like a lion and is a beautiful thing. The car gets compliments everywhere. Being a triple-black car, with a classic 60s shape and loads of chrome, it is really a show on wheels. Even at temperatures in the high 90s, it gave absolutely no problems driving. Not surprising, since the car spent its entire 50 year life before I bought it, in Los Angeles, so it had to deal with that kind of heat on a daily basis.
I have a few blog articles with some pictures from some of the events I took the Cutlass too. It made national TV also.
http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...1_archive.html
http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...1_archive.html
http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...1_archive.html
Merry Christmas, everyone!!!
July 12th, 2016, 02:13 PM
#66
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 71
Greetings, kind folks! Time keeps flying by, but I have been able to get the Cutlass out a couple times this year already. What a beautiful ride!! I like this car and it makes a great impression and sounds simply awesome.
There were two local events this season, one in April and one last month. I brought 4 of my cars to that one, and I enjoy every moment spent with and in the Cutlass. It gets the most compliments, not surprisingly. People tend to ask if it's a Cadillac. In a way, it is a baby Caddy.... Enjoy the pics!
http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...n-cars-at.html
There were two local events this season, one in April and one last month. I brought 4 of my cars to that one, and I enjoy every moment spent with and in the Cutlass. It gets the most compliments, not surprisingly. People tend to ask if it's a Cadillac. In a way, it is a baby Caddy....
Enjoy the pics!http://rebelridesclassiccars.blogspo...n-cars-at.html
July 12th, 2016, 03:32 PM
#69
Very nice pic's. The black vehicle with the rear scoops and the split back window, a very interesting vehicle. I assume that it may be a Fiat, I could not make out the emblem, as it is in a row with a few Fiats, I'm taking a wild guess.
Did have a wide selection of cars from the USA and looks like all over.
Any chance you could put names of them on the pic's?
Very nice turn out and very nice day for the show.
Gene
Did have a wide selection of cars from the USA and looks like all over.
Any chance you could put names of them on the pic's?
Very nice turn out and very nice day for the show.
Gene
July 12th, 2016, 03:42 PM
#70
Connoisseur d'Junque
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: The Hudson Valley
Posts: 21,183
A Tatra 603.
Made in Czechoslovakia in the early fifties as a luxury car for Party officials, both there and in Russia.
It had an air-cooled V8 in the rear.
- Eric
July 13th, 2016, 12:18 PM
#71
'87 Delta 88 Royale
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Margate, England
Posts: 2,513
Spot on, Eric.
I met the owner of one at a British show several years ago. Very interesting engineering in these cars, and quite startlingly quick too, so long as there isn't a crosswind apparently.
Roger.
I met the owner of one at a British show several years ago. Very interesting engineering in these cars, and quite startlingly quick too, so long as there isn't a crosswind apparently.
Roger.
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