My 1964 Impala Restoration - Page 3

July 4th 2010 – It took a long time to finish the air conditioning project due to parts delays. But now it is time for a new project. Brakes, suspension and differential rebuild. Big safety items that probably should have come earlier. Since so much stuff will be removed, this will also be the time to do a lot of cleaning and painting under the body, including painting the frame inside and out.

Other than the sagging springs, things don't look too bad back here, at least compared to the front suspension. Just need to tear it down a bit more and send the differential off to J&S Gear for a rebuild/beef up.

There is a lot of space back there, without the wheels and differential in the way.

Likewise it is strange to have such easy access to the sides of the engine with all the control arms and wheels out of the way. Parts flying everywhere all over the garage floor. I sure hope I can remember where they all go.

July 14th 2010 – In a recurring theme, I removed the steering box, so as to get at the frame in that area for cleaning and painting. The gears felt a bit rough, so I opened it up....

There was very little liquid oil in there, mostly thick rusty sludge and some powdery/clay like sludge that was almost dry . I wonder if this has ever had the oil changed. I can't recall ever having serviced it in the 26 years I have owned it . Probably one of those things that should be changed once a decade or so. Those are supposed to be shiny gear teeth, not rusty pitted teeth.

Steering gear has been rebuilt by ABS Brake with new gears and a fresh coat of paint.

On this side of the car, the metal of the frame is in great shape. All that leaking power steering fluid seems to have kept the rust away. The little rust that can be seen is just thin surface rust. I am sure the story will be different on the other side, with the battery acid having washed away protection in some areas.

There was lots of sludge to remove down here.

First time in 46 years the front spring tower has been clean.

July 24th 2010 - I applied the internal frame paint today. Took 3-1/2 cans (good thing I ordered 4). Only problem I had was the metal fitting that you push into the spray nozzle would push into the hose if you were not paying attention. This would cause the fitting to not be seated well on the nozzle and pop off at inopportune times. Recovery involved putting a small drill bit into the metal fitting and pulling it out from the hose again. By slightly squeezing the hose just behind the fitting when inserting the fitting into the nozzle, this can be prevented. I think I will follow up with some cheap black paint so the green does not show so much. Front frame area where the steering box bolts on (on the other side).

Looking up a the front spring area.

Looking forward inside the from the coil spring area.

Drive shaft area looking forward, the cross in the X frame. Paint is still a bit wet.

New tie-rod ends, painted "cast iron" color. Original tie-rod sleeves got the rust wire brushed off and nice black paint inside and out. Since it fits with a stock looking bracket to the power steering ram, I am still going to use my old "Late Great Chevy" 1 inch thick anti-sway bar that I got back in the 80's. Freshly painted black instead of the silver and rust color it was.

Rear suspension parts back from soda blasting and powder coating. Still waiting for J&S Gear to finish the read differential. That was delayed by the supplier of the custom axles taking a vacation. I guess I can't hold that against him. Come to think of it, I could use one myself.

July 31st 2010 - It is time to service the steering coupler. Everything is easy to get at with the suspension and brake booster out of the way. I don’t think it has been touched since 64. The rubber boot had deteriorated letting in water and whatever dirt etc. This turned the old grease into a brown sludge, much like the steering gear box. At least it still had some lubricating and rust preventative properties. So I cleaned out the old stuff, cleaned painted things, put in fresh grease and put on a new rubber boot.

Aug 7th 2010 - Got the front suspension parts back from soda blasting and powder coating. Now it is time for my least favorite part, installing the front springs. Flakey tools and dangerous spring tension are not my idea of a good time.

But in the end they got installed and I am still alive.