1969 Imperial progress thread

[vdk2010]

A scene from my favourite movie springs to mind. ;)

I'll tell you one thing about the Krauts, they sure clean up good.
All they need is a little beethoven country music...

 

[73Coupe]

Despite having cleaned up all of the remaining "good" parts, it may be easier and more economical to find another transmission at this point rather than trying to rebuild this one and find replacements for all of those unusable internal parts. You could even get one that's already rebuilt - "plug 'n play".

727Specialist

 

[vdk2010]

Despite having cleaned up all of the remaining "good" parts, it may be easier and more economical to find another transmission at this point rather than trying to rebuild this one and find replacements for all of those unusable internal parts. You could even get one that's already rebuilt - "plug 'n play".

727Specialist

Taking into account the cost of shipping to Germany, as well as additional fees and taxes totalling around 25%, it's unlikely to be cheaper.
However, I have a few leads on good used parts here in Germany. I will try these first.
If that doesn't work, I can still look into buying a new one.

But since the case in numbers matching, I would have to swap the parts over anyway.
It doesn't matter too much, but if I have the matching numbers parts, I will try my best to keep them.

 

[vdk2010]

First thing was to install the Bulkhead for the HVAC Lines. I'm using the diamond shaped 4-Way Bulkhead from Vintage Air.

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That was my first major mess up. I didn't account for the kick panel reaching that far into the footwell when I told my body man to put the bulkhead there.

Now I have to make 4 new holes somewhere else.......

 

[vdk2010]

Finally, more 440 (451) goodness!
The shortblock is done.

Compression @ 0 Deck
TrickFlow 240 combustion chamber volume: 78cc
Mahle PowerPak Piston dish: 8.1cc
440 Source head gasket compressed Volume: 12.76cc
Cylinder volume: 924cc
= 10.33:1

 

[vdk2010]

 

[vdk2010]

 

[vdk2010]

Soo exciting! The rest is up to me.

 

[MacLebaron]

Very nice! The point where you are with the engine assembly it becomes hard to contain your excitement. You just can’t wait to slide behind the steering wheel and take your car out for that maiden voyage.

I have been following your journey and I know it has been said many times, in many different ways. But……, you have done one heck of an exemplary job restoring and bringing that car back to life!

 

[3175375]

Yummy!

 

[JJ300]

I can only hope to see this car in person someday....cheers to you and your work!!

 

[Dana Goetz]

Since it is a low miles car, the body is pretty good, even the leather looks good, the door panels seem nice, the instrument panel will clean up nice and rarely has cracks in this model, the steering wheel looks good, and so on, it won't be that bad of a restoration. Plus the engine is low miles and spins and probably the rest of the drivetrain would need minimal anything. One of the sticking points will be the Autotemp since generation 1 controls are not readily available to my knowledge and were prone to frequent maintenance from others I have heard from. But while redoing the body and cleaning up the engine compartment, you might want to consider switching to standard a/c controls at that time plus the standard a/c evaporator and heater assembly and associated wiring and hoses.
I think it will be an awesome project. Enjoy!

The air conditioning control was identical to the one Mercedes used in their cars . They bought it from Chrysler. You should be able to source it in Germany with a little effort. The auto temp isn’t that bad to trouble shot as long as you have a service manual

 

[ceebuddy]

The air conditioning control was identical to the one Mercedes used in their cars . They bought it from Chrysler. You should be able to source it in Germany with a little effort. The auto temp isn’t that bad to trouble shot as long as you have a service manual

This sure applies to the Auto Temp II components used by Chrysler from 1971 on. Not sure if Mercedes already used the earlier Auto Temp I components, too.

 

[vdk2010]

The air conditioning control was identical to the one Mercedes used in their cars . They bought it from Chrysler. You should be able to source it in Germany with a little effort. The auto temp isn’t that bad to trouble shot as long as you have a service manual

That doesn't apply to me anymore, though, since I replaced the original AutoTemp with a modern Vintage Air system. ;)

 

[vdk2010]

Very nice! The point where you are with the engine assembly it becomes hard to contain your excitement. You just can’t wait to slide behind the steering wheel and take your car out for that maiden voyage.

I have been following your journey and I know it has been said many times, in many different ways. But……, you have done one heck of an exemplary job restoring and bringing that car back to life!

Ha...! I would love to! If only I had my steering wheel!
August 4, 2025, will marks four years since I sent it to Dave at D&D Automobilia for recasting.

He took my $2500, yet he still hasn't returned my steering wheel.
And now, he doesn't answer my calls or respond to my emails...

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

Ha...! I would love to! If only I had my steering wheel!
August 4, 2025, will marks four years since I sent it to Dave at D&D Automobilia for recasting.

He took my $2500, yet he still hasn't returned my steering wheel.
And now, he doesn't answer my calls or respond to my emails...

Familiar story. Seems to be many people getting ripped off by suppliers in this hobby. As much as I would prefer to deal with these issues in a more primitive fashion, considering your investment in your car, $2500 being a ton of money for a steering wheel. You might consider throwing good money after bad and sending Dave an anniversary cake to commemorate your partnership in the steering wheel project.
A local cake shop would probably do that for $100.

 

[stain]

Maybe one of our local members can go knock on his door for you.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Ha...! I would love to! If only I had my steering wheel!
August 4, 2025, will marks four years since I sent it to Dave at D&D Automobilia for recasting.

He took my $2500, yet he still hasn't returned my steering wheel.
And now, he doesn't answer my calls or respond to my emails...

I think I'm in it from about April 2021, no major deposit.


Alan

 

[vdk2010]

I think I'm in it from about April 2021, no major deposit.


Alan

Initially, I only put down a $500 deposit.

Then, last year, he sent me my steering wheel while I was in the US.
It was in such poor condition that I could not accept it like that.
He promised to fix everything, so I sent it back to him. He has ghosted me ever since.


See for yourself. This is what I received after 3 years and paying the full $2500... It makes me so angry!
At this point, though, I just want my steering wheel back.

It was even dangerous as this pointy metal tang was razor sharp and cut my hand immediately.

 

[vdk2010]

Not only were the fake wood pieces very messy, but they also did not look like wood at all.

The original for comparison:

Alan, if you can get your steering wheel back before he starts, do it!