Looking for information on how to maintain your 1963 C2 Corvette? We’ve curated resources to help you keep your Corvette in great shape for years to come!
1963 Corvette Service Bulletins
NHTSA did not track factory recalls for the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette. Please contact your local Chevrolet dealer for more information.
1963 Corvette Recalls
NHTSA did not track factory recalls for the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette. Please contact your local Chevrolet dealer for more information.
1963 Corvette Maintenance Schedule
The information contained here is for reference only. The time and mileage intervals for each of the maintenance items included on this page was established by General Motors with the introduction of the 1963 Chevy Corvette.
Please note that the original service intervals may not reflect the standard service intervals used in current automobile engines.
From the 1963 Service Manual: The time or mileage intervals are intended as a guide for establishing regular maintenance and lubrication periods for your Corvette. Sustained heavy duty or high-speed operations or operation under adverse conditions may necessitate more frequent servicing.
Maintenance and Lubrication
Every 6,000 Miles/60 Days
- Battery System – Check the fluid level in each cell of the battery regularly and keep filled with distilled water to the bottom of the split ring in the vent tube of each cell. DO NOT OVERFILL. Also, clean and oil the battery terminals and oil the felt washer at each regular oil change. Check the state of charge regularly, especially in freezing weather when an undercharged battery may freeze and break.
- Engine Oil – Oil should be changed at 60 day or 6,000 mile intervals, whichever occurs first. Under prolonged dusty driving conditions it may be necessary to change the engine oil more often.
- Engine Oil Filter – The oil filter should be changed at 6,000 miles or 6 month intervals, whichever comes first. During prolonged dusty driving conditions the filter should be changed more often.
- Crankcase Ventilation Valve – At every oil change, more often under prolonged driving conditions, the valve should be tested for proper function and replaced when necessary.
- Fan Belt – Inspect the fan belt every 6,000 miles for signs of wear, fraying, cracking and tension. Belt should be re-tightened only when it deflects more than 1/2 inch with moderate thumb pressure applied midway between pulleys.
- Steering Linkage – Every 6,000 miles or 6 months – lubricate fittings with specified lubricant. For manual steering systems, lubricate the fitting at each tie rod end and at relay rod (5 fittings). For power steering, lubricate the fitting at each tie rod end and at power steering valve adapter and cylinder (6 fittings).
- 3-Speed/4-Speed Manual Transmission – Check at operating temperature and fill as necessary to the level of the filler plug hole with lubricant.
- Powerglide Automatic Transmission -Check fluid on dipstick with engine idling and the selector lever in neutral “N” position, parking brake set and transmission at operating temperature. Add automatic transmission fluid “Type A” bearing the mark AQ-ATF, followed by a number and suffix letter “A” to “full” mark on dipstick. DO NOT OVERFILL.
- Power Steering Pump – Check fluid level in pump reservoir and fill as required with Automatic Transmission Fluid (“Type A”) with AQ-ATF-A mark. Oil should be at operating temperature to ensure an accurate reading and to prevent overfilling.
- Front Suspension – Lubricate 4 fittings (2 fittings on each side) with water resistant EP lubricant (General Motors standard GM 4751-M1.)
- Rear Axle – Every 6,000 miles – check and keep filled to level of filler plug hole with lubricant SAE 80 or SAE 80-90 Multi-purpose Gear Lubricant meeting requirements of U.S. Ordnance Spec. MIL-L-2105B. NOTE: With positraction, use only the Positraction Rear Axle Lubricant available from your Chevrolet Dealer.
- Master Cylinder – Check fluid level and maintain 3/4″ below filler opening with GM Hydraulic Brake Fluid (originally listed as Super No. 11).
- Parking Brake Cables & Linkage – Apply a water resistant EP lubricant (General Motors Standard GM 4751-M)
- Clutch Cross Shaft – Every 6,000 miles or 6 months, lubricate with a water resistant EP lubricant (General Motors Standard GM 4751-M).
Every 12,000 Miles
- Air Cleaner – Every 12,000 miles (more often under dusty or other adverse driving conditions) remove the polyurethane element from its support screen and clean in suitable solvent such as kerosene. Squeeze out all solvent, then soak in engine oil and squeeze out. Remove excess oil by then squeezing the element in a clean dry cloth.
- Distributor – Change cam lubricator end for end at 12,000 mile intervals – replace at 24,000 mile intervals.
Every 30,000 Miles
- Steering Gear – Check lubricant level as follows:
1.) Remove the forward and the outboard cover attaching screws.2.) Inject steering gear lubricant into the forward cover attaching screw hole until lubricant begins to come out of the the inboard screw hole. 3.) Replace both screws.- Universal Joints – Every 30,000 miles, more often under prolonged dusty driving conditions, clean and repack with a high melting point wheel bearing lubricant.
- Wheel Bearings- Every 30,000 miles, clean and repack front and rear bearings with a high melting point wheel bearing lubricant.
