62 Belair bubble top 409

[CamarosRus]

VERNE, I would have sent you the below private Email, but I see you dont list any. I have a friend Jim B. in Conyers,GA that is quite knowledgeable on the 62 B.T. subject. After reading this thread he sent the following.....FYI Lamar Walden built his engine.
"Chuck;
Since I'm not a member I can't respond. This guy Verne came as close as anyone....however he was wrong about the Z-11 top half being offered in 62...I have a 63 split manifold but original 62 experimental heads that start with an "O" seial #. Z-11 package was offered in 62 called a "Sevice Package " and was totally correct to run a 63 block !Also if it has headers then knock off about 800-1000k for the manifolds "IF" and a big if you can find them ! If it has disc brakes then it doesn;t have the correct master cylinder. Mine has a Corvette M/C marked "7/8 ths for a smaller line as opposed to the standard "1" inch. Corvettes are great but a correct big car would be better !
Still looking ! Also I have the "metallic brake option" nos shoes...very rare ! I was offered cash 25K for those heads alone !Then the price depends on actual condition of the car itself ! Paint,interior Date coded posi etc. If he buys it for what he says he did he should be fine. Muscle cars have gone through the roof ! Also I have an original not I repeat not dry rotted spare ! Very rare... I would take 130 K for mine and not a penny less !"

[Belair62]

Did Jim ever get that car finished ??? Have him send me some pics...we talked years ago....

[Verne_Frantz]

Chuck,
Thanks for forwarding his reply. Take a look and you will see that I said Chevrolet "factory produced" zero of them, meaning you couldn't order the Z-11 top half on a '62, nor did the factory assemble any and ship them out as done cars. (and that includes the factory aluminum B/FX Impalas, which came with the standard 2x4 engine). When the early Z-11 heads and intake set-up were first done (mid '62), the individual pieces could be gotten over the counter. The term "service package" implies the parts service system offered a "package", which would have it's own part number, as a kit which would include everything. They did that in April when the '63 cam, etc was put together as a package, and it had a package part number.
If a '62 Z-11 "package" would have been offered, it would have included the pistons as well. The Z-11 head has it's intake valve raised up .190"; just enough to nick the eyebrow. A lot of early heads were lost due to guys putting on the heads and intake without doing the work and using the right pistons.

And I agree: a set of "0-" pre-production casted heads would be worth quite a bit more than the "production" Z-11 heads.

Verne

[CamarosRus]

BelAir, Jim B had his 62 BT with a guy in S.C. "forever" waiting to get ALL the misc bodywork and paint complete. After paying the "bodyman" G-D only knows TOO much money, Jim had his fill of excuses and broken promises. The car is now with some 62 409 GURU in the midwest, who reportedly finally has the car in paint. Jim had Lamar Walden build the engine. He has collected parts and pieces from here ti tomorrow. It appears to me he's $$$$ buried in the car, but I hope and pray it will be "NICE". Jim is an old ARMY buddy FYI and we go back aways.
Regards as always, Chuck Sharin

[Turblou]

Great replys!& I apprciate them. As far as the original parts go.They are all available & go with the deal.How I acquired the car.The owner had me do the disc brake conversion after he had the headers installed.Then he wanted power steering & a five speed tremac trans.Well the trans wouldn't fit so he said do what it takes.Which would involve cutting up the floor tunnel. Up to that point I was going along with his wish's.Since the car could be converted back at a later time.But when faced with the floor issue I refused & offerd to buy the car to save it. So now I have the choice of putting it back to orginal.After doing all that work & him wasteing his money.By the way the car is identical to the turquise one F/S in Hemmings by select auto in Louisiana.Also does anyone know of a place that sells original style bolts.?

[indyjps]

give me some details on the disc brakes and headers if you pull them off, a guy on pro-touring.com is building a 62 and i can forward the info to him. pm me if you pull the parts off.

[Turblou]

Thanks but I will probably keep the stuff no matter what course I take. This way I can offer options when I put it up for sale. Meanwhile I need a alumn. bell houseing Pt. Num. 3779553 can anyone out there help!

[sixtiesmuscle]

Try Show Cars Automotive in MN. 507-233-1958

[Vettefinderjim]

Call Curt Harvey. Look at his web page at www.mr409.com

Curt is a 409 expert right here in Southern California. Dave Lindsley is also, and he lives in Lake Forest. I have owned two in my lifetime also, so give me a shout if i can help.
Jim