Advice needed for '63 Nova SS

Just purchase the frame and body for my 16 year old son.
I need to purchase a motor and transmission for it.
We would like to restore it to close to original and do not want to build a hotrod/dragster.
He wants a V8 engine. What would you guys recommend?
Also what would you recommend for a transmission (automatic)?
Thanks

Doing an "original" type restoration would be hard, and maybe not even worth the effort, I'm sorry to say. 63 Nova's didn't originally come with V8's (63 SS Nova's were 6 cylinder) But there's a way to do it so it LOOKS like an original V8 car. With the smallblock engine of choice, just find the original type valve covers with "Chevrolet" written on it (in cursive), and find an intake manifold with an oil filler on the front of it. Paint it all orange and you're done....orrrr....Go with a newer and more useable engine/trans set up. There's a few different transmissions to choose from, but you'll be better off with an automatic (unless this car was originally standard). The simplest would be a 350 engine/Turbo 350 trans. set up. There are tons of those around from the late 60's to the early 80's. They're cheap...maybe even free. They're usually still rebuildable, easy to get parts for, and reliable. Good 283's and 327's are getting harder to come by, and they're usually worn to the point of needing a re-bore. When looking for your engine/trans., look for a car that's actually running. So at least you'll be able to test run it, and also drive it home (which is a lot easier and cleaner than hoisting it from someone else's property to yours, without even knowing if it'll run). And buying the whole car may even be cheaper than buying the engine/trans. itself. With a running car you'll have everything...distributor, carb, air cleaner, and all the little things. The trans mount in your 63 should line up with a turbo 350 trans. (Turbo 350's and Powerglide's are the same length), and the driveshaft should slip right in. After an overhaul of the engine (rings, bearings, gaskets, and the cam/valvetrain of your choice), all you'll really need are motor mounts and exhaust manifolds or headers. I did the same thing you're doing, about 12 years ago on my 67 Nova, and really enjoyed it (my first V8 conversion/rebuild). Now, this may not be what you were looking for, but it definitely would make the car useable, reliable, easy to find parts for...and you could still find the old valve covers, and a intake manifold with an oil filler on it, paint it all orange, and make it look "original". Only the die-hard Chevy people will be able to tell the difference :). http://hometown.aol.com/a1supersport/myhomepage/auto.html . Have Fun :)

Thanks A1,

I'm sure we won't do an exact restoration because of the $$'s.
I think we will definetly go with the 350 engine.
You say the trans mount should line up OK with the Turbo 350, I assume the Powerglide will too? What is the main difference between the two, if any?
Also, the motor mounts will be different, do you know if there is a mod kit available or will something need to be fabricated?

Thanks again

Just so you know I collect service manuals. I was just looking at the 63 GM hard cover service manual from 1963. If you need any info post away and I can look it up for you. I know it wont be much help in doing a motor swap. But for other original things I would be happy to help out.

Since 62-67 Novas are basically the same in the engine compartment, there are parts suppliers all over the place that'll be able to get you V8 mounts as well as complete V8 conversion kits ( I wish there were as many when I did mine). http://www.partspetes.com/v8conversion/v8.html or http://www.stevesclassicnovaparts.com/V8conversion.html are a couple of places I found online doing a search. I tried looking for a website that'll decode your cowl tag (on the firewall) to tell you what was originally in the car, but haven't found one. I know of one for Chevelles only. After selling my last Nova a few years ago, I gave away all my decoding info I'd collected over the years to the guy who bought the car...but he died last year, and I didn't even find out until this year!...so my information is gone for good :(. As for your trans mount, I see people selling Turbo 350 trans crossmembers for early Novas. But I swear, I've seen people use the original Powerglide crossmember in a Turbo 350 swap. As for the difference between the transmissions, Powerglides are 2-speed, Turbo 350's are 3-speed. Is this your first attempt at a restoration/conversion? If it is, just remember patience will pay off...and don't get discouraged. Also, is there a time limit that you'd want to finish this? Realistically, you could do it in a few months...less than 6 (as for as the mechanicals).

This is my first attempt at rebuilding and I don't have an exact timetable for completion, just an axious kid ready to drive his own car.
Thanks for the links, I'll check them out and start pricing engines and trannys.
Why is so important to have the decoding information?
Thanks

Decoding the cowl tag is more for restoration than anything else...just to see what options originally came with the car. You never know...you may have something special. If it's an original SS, I'd say that's pretty rare...for a 63. Good luck on your rebuild :).

I did the exact same thing with my dad on a 63 ss. Except I had the original 6 cyl/powerglide for the first couple years. Now its got a fuel injected 383 and a 700r4 tranny.The swap is very easy. I did the swap with one other friend and we finished it in a weekend. The hardest part for me was getting a shifter that would fit under my stock SS console and be capable of operating a 700r4. It turned out to be simple with a mr. gasket shifter(universal for chevy transmissions) available at most auto stores. I would recomend upgrading the front drums to disk brakes. The little Novas will stop on a dime with front disks even without powerbrakes. Unfortunately there arent any reliable powersteering units available for these cars unless you use an aftermarket front clip(if anyone knows otherwise please notify). If you have any other questions ask ... i have hit every snag in the book with this car and enjoyed every second.

also... 2 things rather hard to find .. headers and V8 oil pan. i have some great tri-y type headers from a small shop in southern cal called Modern Performance Classics, and i got a good rear sump pan from a dealer on e-bay called ... Big B automotive i think.

I had a '63 Super Sport 2dr hardtop that I bought, running (6cyl. 3spd.), off of the back row at our local Ford dealership back in 1973 (I was 18).

I suspected that it had a broken piston skirt when I bought it. But, it was only $300.00 and had a straight body and a brand new Naugahyde interior. First thing I did was buy a piston for a 230c.i. and a bearing set for it and pulled the head and dropped the pan and went to work.

I honed the cylinder with the problem piston, grabbed the new piston, and it lacked 1/4 inch going in the hole! My first experience with the 194 c.i. six cylinder.

I got it back together and it ran great! I could take a pretty good 283 and still get 33 mpg!

Gas at the time was 12.9 (yes thats cents!) per gal. I was driving 30 miles to work (one way) and it cost me $1.50 to fill up once a week!

Great car, good luck with yours!

-slacker