Jake Dykstra's 1962 409/409 Impala!

[67since67]

Originally Posted by RPOLS3

One of the frustrating things I am finding the deeper I dig into this car is the previous restorer used a lot of generic hardware store fasteners - so I am trying to source and replace those with assembly line pieces as I come across them which is a whole other project in itself.

I feel your pain Jake!! My current project was also loaded with hardware store fasteners from a previous restoration requiring many searches through my stash and elsewhere for correct pieces.

[dykstra]

Thanks Lynn. We appreciate the kind words. The fact that we are a close family is not lost on us.
Being able to work on the old niner is icing on the cake.

Thanks again,
Dave Dykstra

[olredalert]

----Geez,,,I wish we were closer as I have s#it loads of bolts. some generic, but most off of old 60/70 GM cars.....Bill S

[RPOLS3]

Not much actual work on the car the last week as I've been busy with other commitments - but I've been able to get some things rounded up behind the scenes......

Dropped the radiator off at shop over in Woodstock and they air-water flow/pressure tested it and cleaned off the old paint. No issues were noted and they were able to repair the fins without replacing the core. I will just need to paint it. Will pick that up later this week. Found out it is a reproduction radiator so now I am working with Jody Anderson to put together a real one (scope creep.....? ) Jody has an original top tank and is trying to gather the balance of the 62 409 specific pieces. In the meantime I will re-install the one I have as functionally it is fine and I can keep moving forward.

I picked up the fan shroud yesterday from the painter - he will have the air cleaner finished up later this week as he wasn't happy with how it turned out and needs a bit more time to get it right. Happy I did this as it will bring the engine compartment a long way for the minimal investment. Turned out better than I could do at home......

The passenger side is ready to have the new drum assembly bolted on, all of the lines and hose are installed and tight. The distribution block and lines on the drivers side are a bit more challenging to finish up as the generator/exhaust manifold/steering shaft and clutch cross shaft are all in the way to be able to swing a wrench - so that will take some creativity to finalize.

I have a couple of people gathering up original fasteners - so hopefully that will work out.

New air cleaner decal arrived with some other small parts - I decided to replace the bolts in the upper ball joints with the rivet head ones for a more correct look. I have one month to get this back together and driving to be able to make my appointment at the interior shop to get the seat trim installed....and enjoy the spring weather hopefully.

[RPOLS3]

Two steps forward and one step back seems to be a theme for me here......

I was able to get the drivers side brake lines wrapped up last night - I needed to remove the generator to get some access from above and then work from underneath the car to install the distribution block bolt to the frame. Got everything lined up and tight. I also installed the backing plates and shoe assemblies on both sides. When I went to slide the hub assemblies on the spindle I found out the inside bearing I bought was a touch too small diameter and would not go on the spindle. Luckily I saved the original bearings from the hubs after I disassembled them and those bearings fit. I threw everything in my truck and will swing by NAPA to see if we can source the correct inside bearing and a new seal. The old ones actually look good if I need to re-use them. Outside ones are the correct size.

I took some pictures of the assemblies installed along with the new outside mirror and the better aligned exterior door handles and cleaned up arm rest and inside door handle chrome. Slowly but surely making progress.

[RPOLS3]

Made some more small progress this weekend after taking some time off in the garage for work and family stuff.......

Got the hub assembly and drums put on - the bearing issue was not an issue - my bad.

Did a preliminary adjustment on the shoes - I will have to tweak this I'm sure. One of the things I did was to source and restore a pair of correct (I think) backing plates that had the proper adjusting hole in them vs. the pair that came with the parts I bought that did not have them. I filled the master cylinder with fluid, made sure the master cylinder pushrod was adjusted to the shortest throw possible (so as not to have the plunger engaged and prohibit the flow of fluid) and waited for it to gravity bleed....and waited........and waited.......and waited some more. I was having flashbacks of my issues with the Chevelle brakes a few years ago. This is a much simpler system with no proportioning valve and a single circuit master that goes one way from the LF and around to the RF and then to the rear. Still no fluid as of now, the master is working as I cracked the fitting at the main line and pushed the pedal down and fluid came out........so not quite sure what is happening there.

While waiting I polished up the grille and the painted bumper filler. I am hoping to pick up the air cleaner and radiator from the painter next week so I can button up things in the engine compartment. I also pulled a spark plug for the first time since we put the new motor in - probably 700-ish miles on these.

I am dropping off the generator at the place that rebuilt it in town a few years ago for a refresh on the paint - I want them to disassemble it and repaint the case correctly vs. me trying to tape things off.

One of my parts sources let me know he has a properly restored bumper bolt and trans crossmember bolt set put together so that will be a nice addition.

Getting close to having it back on the ground and running again - my 4/1 deadline to drive it to the upholstery shop is coming quickly......

[Bill Pritchard]

Spark plug is looking good, as is everything else you're doing!

[BJCHEV396]

Lookin' good,keep 'er up!!

[Mr70]

Very nice,wish it was 4-0-mine.

[RPOLS3]

I picked up the balance of the parts being painted this morning so tonight the re-assembly begins.......