1969 Imperial progress thread

Isn't there some space between the sandwich of the inner frame & outer sheet metal? That's the way all my cars are built. Depending on how much space there is & how hard the material, you may be able to just physically cut & release. On one of my cars, a previous owner removed the original caulk material on the hood which caused it to flutter at speed. I bought some 3M stuff & injected it in the spaces where the original material was. While it doesn't look like the original, it solved the problem & did not expand or contract which 3M claimed in their specs.
Your work to date is awesome.:thumbsup:


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As Alan correctly stated, I unfortunately don't have that option on my Trunk Lid. Other than the Hood, it's one continuous panel without openings. I even had to drill some holes to inject the foam.

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After waiting forever for some NOS parts I finally was able to reassemble the steering column.

As usual, all the otiginal parts were media blasted, zinc plated and painted to look as good as new or even better! :)

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A new Turn Signal Switch (Shee-Mar SM-107) and a NOS Turn Signal Switch housing. Unfortunately, its original grease was all gummed up, so I removed it and filled the bearing up with fresh grease.
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A NOS Shift Tube Bearing was installed.
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The O-Ring Seal is for a B-Body (DMT part# CHR6026275), but fits very well and a new Column to firewall gasket (DMT part#CXX6973SC01) is ready to be installed.
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The original metal gasket was somehow too lose, so I added a layer of 3M Scotchgard Tape to the rear. Now it fits very well.
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Unfortunately, I was not able to find a NOS Lower Bearing, so I took it apart to removed the bearing. It was very rusty, so I cleaned all the old grease out of it and then removed the rust with evaporust.
Then I filled it with fresh grease and reinstalled the seals. It's not perfect, but it will work.

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A NOS Horn Ring was installed.
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Since the Column Jacket is welded originally, I had to cut it off. To reattach it, I used velcro.
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The result is looking pretty nice if I may say so.
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Unfortunately, I was not able to find a NOS Lower Bearing, so I took it apart to removed the bearing. It was very rusty, so I cleaned all the old grease out of it and then removed the rust with evaporust.
Then I filled it with fresh grease and reinstalled the sea

What a disgrace! Forever and ever you will always know that rusty old lower bearing is helping to turn your wheels! :poke:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

As usual, spectacular!
 
Who are you and what did you do with real Julian?:poke:
It's not that I haven't tried! I searched for years for a NOS one but there is none...
The part I need would be: 2950 504 - Lower Steering Column Bearing

My bearing is fine, just not like new. I makes very little noise.

I talked to a big bearing seller and tried to find a new ball bearing with the correct measurements but there is none available with the correct dimensions...

I even contacted the manufacturer of the OEM bearing in hopes of getting a new bearing from them, but they don't even list specially made bearing for the automotive industry...
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The rust is removed and converted.
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It's not that I haven't tried! I searched for years for a NOS one but there is none...
The part I need would be: 2950 504 - Lower Steering Column Bearing

My bearing is fine, just not like new. I makes very little noise.

I talked to a big bearing seller and tried to find a new ball bearing with the correct measurements but there is none available with the correct dimensions...

I even contacted the manufacturer of the OEM bearing in hopes of getting a new bearing from them, but they don't even list specially made bearing for the automotive industry...
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The rust is removed and converted.
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@mobileparts , Craig?
 
Weird, must be was new in his inventory, since we talked about it not too long ago.

Thanks, John!
 
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Unfortunately, I was not able to find a NOS Lower Bearing, so I took it apart to removed the bearing. It was very rusty, so I cleaned all the old grease out of it and then removed the rust with evaporust.
Then I filled it with fresh grease and reinstalled the seals. It's not perfect, but it will work.

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A NOS Horn Ring was installed.
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Since the Column Jacket is welded originally, I had to cut it off. To reattach it, I used velcro.
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The result is looking pretty nice if I may say so.
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Just seeing this thread now. Wow, this is out of control. I've been missing out.

On the steering column, suggest to test the operation of the parking brake release vacuum switch to make sure it engages with the plastic tang on the shift tube. I recall on mine it didn't always work, it was a design thing and I had to modify it somehow.....
 
Just seeing this thread now. Wow, this is out of control. I've been missing out.

On the steering column, suggest to test the operation of the parking brake release vacuum switch to make sure it engages with the plastic tang on the shift tube. I recall on mine it didn't always work, it was a design thing and I had to modify it somehow.....

It is out of control, you're right! And I'm still loving it! :)

I did test the vacuum switch and it seems to work like it should! I will have to check it again when it's in the car tho.
 
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