The Official 356Talk Forum

I'm going to be rebuilding a 1963 356B that has been in storage for 40 years. Last registered and on the road in 1973. I live in San Diego and am looking for advice and direction for this project. Thanks.

Jason

Jason,

Post some pictures of what the car looks like now, you'll get a lot better advice if the people giving the advice can see the current condition of the car.

CW

Hi Jason,
Welcome to the Talk list. Charlie has some good advice.
Let's see what you have, and we'll try to guide you.
PS; that is one ugly kid.

Here's a few more pics. I'm the blonde at 4 years old just before it lost a piston. My brother in the NASA mask. My dad bought it new in 63. Sill have most all receipts. He retired and began to disassemble the car for a rebuild. Everything is marked and in bags. Sadly, he passed away just after dropping it off at the painter's.

Jason

PS. Cant load pics. Too big, hoe do I resize them?

Dad had to sell his shoes to get the kid plastic surgery!

Hi Jason- You have to resize the photos to a low definition size. Then click "choose file" under "upload attachment".

seeing if this works.

Wow! Sunroof! Nice. Original touch up paint! Owned from new by dad! You are off to a great start. What was the original color combo and engine spec?

Yes on the sunroof. How could you tell? It's black on black. 1600S I think. Have receipts for aftermarket pistons, Isky cam, and an Abarth exhaust. Still have the water transfer. Any good engine sources in the San Diego area?

Saw the Golde booklet. Black/black is very good also. I would keep your car original, no outlaw treatment. Especially if you still have the matching number engine and trans. It is going to make a fantastic car, a real crowd pleaser. There are plenty of mutts to do outlaws with but not many well equipped one owner originals with great colors.

Jason,
Wonderful project! You'll get lots of help here. When you're done, you'll be the proudest kid on the block!
Not that he needs more work, but see Jack (and Kerry) in San Clemente for motor assembly.
CR

This is the bad piston. Looking for advice on the rebuild. All new pistons, new pistons and cylinders, big bore, or just replace bad one? Would like to get on the road as a daily driver. Not opposed to upgrades but, don't want to devalue. I think it's 85mm bore. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Jason

Sorry, forgot pics.

That's an old MC 10.5:1 CR. Probably not a good choice today. Also needed major clearance to not "stick" in the cylinder. YES; replace all four.

Thanks for the reply! I'm assuming the heads were modified for the dome. Any suggestions on a set, bore my cyclinders, pros and cons of aluminum barrels vs cast, etc? Thanks again.
Jason