RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
Thats all for now. Next update will be some wiring. And hopefully get it running. I have the custom harness and computer on order. Thank you everyone
1960 IMPALA CONVERTIBLE BIG PROJECT
- Thread starter RosharonRooster
- Start date
Dean Jenkins
Promoted Users
We are on parallel paths, at pretty much the same point of re-assembly. It is nerve racking!
And, I'm with you on the OEM vs. Repop. I saved and labeled all the OEM parts and find myself using as much as I can and throwing away alot of repop stuff I bought
Love your fuse block solution, very cool.
I'm currently fighting door locks as well. Finicky business that . . . frustrating and time consuming to be sure. When it is all done and working it seems so simple, but getting there is a "journey."
RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
Yessir. I'd rather use a little rusted 1/4 inch screw than use the one that comes with the repop if it doesn't show.. I dedicated a whole day to install the door and trunk locks. That was my objective that day. My buddy is the one who gutted them, so it took some trial and error to figure it out. And grease...grease helps everything function smootherWe are on parallel paths, at pretty much the same point of re-assembly. It is nerve racking!
And, I'm with you on the OEM vs. Repop. I saved and labeled all the OEM parts and find myself using as much as I can and throwing away alot of repop stuff I bought
Love your fuse block solution, very cool.
I'm currently fighting door locks as well. Finicky business that . . . frustrating and time consuming to be sure. When it is all done and working it seems so simple, but getting there is a "journey."
Dean Jenkins
Promoted Users
Yes! Grease. I've become a fan of the WD-40 spray grease.
WD-40 Specialist Gel Lube with SMART STRAW SPRAYS 2 WAYS, 10 OZ https://a.co/d/2cFrPij
RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
I'll check it out.
My buddy turned me on to kroil. I bought some and I must say, it's better than pb blaster for rusted stuff.
My buddy turned me on to kroil. I bought some and I must say, it's better than pb blaster for rusted stuff.
Dean Jenkins
Promoted Users
I meant that the WD-40 Specialist Gel Lube is good for a lot of places where you would use grease, door locks, regulators, etc.
RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
Wednesday update. I spent 4 hours on 1 small piece of all this about 2 weeks ago and threw in the towel. Broke down and took it to an Upholstery shop. Rear piston cover, and door arm rests are now done
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RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
Yeah that would be cool. I cut the piece to accept the courtesy light bezel. Impala didn't have that. It's a buick thing or cadillac.
RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
Weekend update. Yesterday we got the door panels and rear panels in. The door panels and rear quarter window panels are pre-made from ciadella interiors and are excellent quality. The rear arm rest sections need to come back out for carpet but atleast I know everything fits and the screw holes line up
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I'm sure you are going to restore a few more cars, so was the problem you had about getting the material to lay down flat around the edges when folding it over on a curve, or a cut out, maybe an arm rest?
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RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
i think the culprit to my problem was the glue i was using. i was using permatex orange rattle can with blue lid. ive used that glue on headliner and other random stuff and its good glue. but when i dropped off the parts. the guy did compliment my work on the 1 piece i was able to do . and then asked me what glue i was using on the big pieces and when i answered all he said was "hmm". then when i picked up he said they had to remove all the old glue i used. probably should use the landau glue, or contact cement in a spray gun. but i just havent bought a gun or tried with that. not to mention when i was working on these parts i was under the weather with a head cold and just wasnt feeling good. shop charged me 300 dollars to do the work. i thought that was a pretty good price?...
I always weigh shop price against how much time I think it will take me to do it.......then I usually end up working for $.10 an hour
But I have fun doing it. I think you got a good deal on it.
RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
I asked the guy how long it took them and he said. About 6 hours....so that's 50 an hour. Minus foam and minus glue....I always weigh shop price against how much time I think it will take me to do it.......then I usually end up working for $.10 an hour
But I have fun doing it. I think you got a good deal on it.
RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
It's a really small shop. In the hood....2nd or 3rd generation
MJM
Promoted Users
I hope RosharonRooste understands what he has accomplished up to this point is flat out outstanding, from the planning, to the designing, to the execution. He may not see it being so involved but, me personally, I can see it from afar. It really is impressive. That's the kind of vehicle back in the day I would see a high roller, movie star, entertainer driving.
Your vehicle has class written all over it. It's also one of those cars I could see rolling across the podium at Barrett Jackson or Mecum hitting some huge numbers $$$$$$.
You've built a real winner, well done!
Your vehicle has class written all over it. It's also one of those cars I could see rolling across the podium at Barrett Jackson or Mecum hitting some huge numbers $$$$$$.
You've built a real winner, well done!
RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
thanks MJM, i still dont know what im doing though...this weeks project is get the tail lights wired up. then under the dash wiring and thats where i REALLY dont know what im doing. with the ECU from the engine, the dakota digital dash, im going to have to call in some reinforcements. my buddy ran this exact drivetrain on his 64 impala a couple years ago so he knows the ins and outs
i had a couple guys offer me money on the car before i painted it. to finish it for them to their liking. ive also had a few people ask me if its going to be for sale when its done. but honestly. i love the car and i can sit and stare at it all day.
i had a couple guys offer me money on the car before i painted it. to finish it for them to their liking. ive also had a few people ask me if its going to be for sale when its done. but honestly. i love the car and i can sit and stare at it all day.
Dean Jenkins
Promoted Users
You probably already know, but just in case...
Dakota Digital makes a BIM module that connects the ECM to the Dakota Digital gauges, using the GM CAN Bus. Totally simplifies everything.
Dakota Digital makes a BIM module that connects the ECM to the Dakota Digital gauges, using the GM CAN Bus. Totally simplifies everything.
RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
I've been reading up. I'm sure once me and my buddy do it. Well he does and i watch then I'll be able to say it was easy and maybe never go back to carburetors