My new ‘64 Imperial convertible

[detmatt]

So I finally put the booster back in yesterday just to find that the Auto Pilot is probably going to have to go.

 

[Zymurgy]

Damn that is too bad. Are just the lines obstructed by the autopilot? Are there 90 degree adapters which can shoot the lines straight down first to give you some room?

 

[detmatt]

Damn that is too bad. Are just the lines obstructed by the autopilot? Are there 90 degree adapters which can shoot the lines straight down first to give you some room?

If it were just The lines I’d try to make it work but it’s more the rigid linkage to the auto pilot itself.

 

[Zymurgy]

If it were just The lines I’d try to make it work but it’s more the rigid linkage to the auto pilot itself.

I should have figured it was not just the brake lines. That's a bummer.

 

[Imperialist]

Why worry about brakes if you have Auto Pilot? Those Teslas never hit anything.

 

[78Brougham]

Would it be possible to retro fit a '67 style Auto Pilot in there?

 

[detmatt]

Would it be possible to retro fit a '67 style Auto Pilot in there?

I’ve gone 10 years with a non working Auto Pilot in the silver car which I will eventually get working and probably rarely use. I think I can just let it go on this one.

 

[78Brougham]

Mine only works on the speed reminder function. It seems to have lost its "***" to hold the throttle or pull it for some reason. Seems like the magnet part lost its nut, its not strong enough to hold or pull the throttle.
What's up with yours Matt?

 

[detmatt]

I think my dash switches need to be cleaned or rebuilt as the servo itself is supposed to have been a known working unit from a very trustworthy source.

 

[commando1]

These old CC units were impossible to set so to the desired speed. Fiddle with that screw forever and it still refused to dial in correctly.
I rarely used mine.

 

[78Brougham]

Did you have one of these mid-sixties "Auto Pilot " ones Stan? They are completely different than the ones of the '70's. But still a pain in the ***.

I've got some of the newer ones that don't work either. They are a pain!

 

[commando1]

Did you have one of these mid-sixties "Auto Pilot " ones Stan? They are completely different than the ones of the '70's. But still a pain in the ***.

I've got some of the newer ones that don't work either. They are a pain!

I'm only worked on the later units. The earlier ones I suspect to be even more a PITA.

 

[saforwardlook]

I'm only worked on the later units. The earlier ones I suspect to be even more a PITA.

I have the an older one on my 1962 300H - it worked perfectly 35 years ago but after so much non-use, the last time I tried it, the servo needed servicing again. I just never use it honestly - not worth the hassle. I know a good guy up in Washington (JC Auto) can fix them well, but I don't see the need for this option to be working either. The control is below the ignition key in the photo below.

 

[cantflip]

So I finally put the booster back in yesterday just to find that the Auto Pilot is probably going to have to go.
View attachment 371265

That's a bummer, just because I really like to see the original hardware under a hood... especially stuff folks don't see much of these days.

Just a thought, if you wanted to keep it, how hard would it be to make a new rod that would fit/work better? Might not be too difficult to just start over with a steel rod and adjust the length/bends.

 

[detmatt]

That's a bummer, just because I really like to see the original hardware under a hood... especially stuff folks don't see much of these days.

Just a thought, if you wanted to keep it, how hard would it be to make a new rod that would fit/work better? Might not be too difficult to just start over with a steel rod and adjust the length/bends.

You know I’ve thought about it Jeff because I feel the same as you but I’ve got a lot of battles to choose from these days and getting this car to driver status is a major one, not wondering how much it’s going to cost to get the Auto Pilot working.

 

[78Brougham]

So you're saying that having good brakes, out weighs Auto-Pilot?

 

[detmatt]

So you're saying that having good brakes, out weighs Auto-Pilot?

In short, yes.

 

[bluefury361]

Brakes just slow ya up.....!

 

[detmatt]

Got rid of the Auto Pilot and made my way to the 4 corners to see what all I’m going to need for the brake job. Both of the linings on the primary front shoes fell off when I removed the drums.

Passenger front.

Driver’s side.

Luckily The right tool was available to borrow from a fellow local Imperial guy.

driver’s side.

Passenger side.

 

[saforwardlook]

I haven't seen that in all my years yet Matt - so much for bonded linings! But they are good in that they don't ruin a drum as easily as riveted ones that do their damage before one realizes it.

That Mopar style drum puller isn't the best for those cars rear axles (ask me how I know with all my Forward Lood cars!) as with only three legs, they don't apply the load evenly when trying to pull those bastards. There is a guy that is discussed on the Imperial site that sells a more simple and more effective tool than that one that applies the load more evenly to help the drums come off easier (they are inexpensive too). How I hate those tapered axles - just an unnecessary hazard when they suddenly give way and come off with a dangerous force. A really stupid design that was the worst of Chrysler's screw ups.