Separating the lower A-arms...

 

Cracked the passenger side ball joint free

Removing the bumpers

Onto the Driver side. Note paint daub on the knuckle

Could that be the original inspection paint?

All 4 A-arms separated and ready for sandblast, powdercoat & rebuild.

Front suspension removal: spindles, knuckles, brake assembly, A-arms, etc.

Pulling the cotter pin on the upper knuckle

Disconnecting hard brake lines from the brake hoses. Curve ball #1: hard line heads were rounded.

Breaking everything free

On the driver side, we used our old spring compressor.

For the passenger side, we had to remove the alternator to accommodate the top/down spring compressor tool

Compressing the passenger spring (much safer method)

Unbolting the upper A-arm

To remove the passenger upper A-arm, the fan shroud needs removing.

Unbolting the steering relay rod

Given the rounded heads on front hard brake lines, we'll likely replace them. Now is the time.

Front suspension is all removed.

Covered the header collectors

Fan shroud, coil springs, shocks, upper A-arms, fan, front stabilizer, alternator & steering stabilizer damper shock

Front brake assemblies

Lower A-arms and steering knuckles

Very original alternator

Correct Delco-Remy #1100628 (37 amp) alternator with "3C21" date code (March 21, 1963)

Correct boot

Note: 63 alternator fans were actually cadmium or zinc plated...not black

Original radiator fans were slightly different design, with part #3770529

Although those are original RBW headmark bolts

Everything bagged & tagged

Exhaust, tire tub, stabilizer, shock removal...

Mufflers have some rust holes

Very cool to see original (1963 one year only) spindle supports with no webbing.

The exhaust is pretty rusted. We'll need to remove it in order to remove the rear-end and transmission. Figured we'd do it now (on the lift) before beginning the front suspension & brake work.

Nice original fiberglass tire tub

Correct 1963 steel wheel (spare)

A beautiful B.F. Goodrich Silvertown spare tire

Hubcaps are in nice shape!

Appears to have fairly new brake pads & brake kit installed.

Removing the anti-roll/stabilizer bar

Shock removal