1972 Imperial Revival Thread

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

I will be reviving my Imperial this spring, but I am gathering parts and doing small things this winter to help me stay occupied. I am making this my progress thread if anyone wants to follow along.

For those who do not know I went to Ohio and picked up this Imperial out of an old car dealership. It was originally owned by a man in Michigan. He is the owner of a plastic manufacturing plant that makes many reproduction Mopar parts.

It was advertised as a barn find of course. These are the ad pictures.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

Unfortunately the seller was not very helpful, always making negative comments about each attempt to load it on the dolly. After a break to get two tires mounted and balanced then reinstalled and eat lunch we finally loaded up and got the driveshaft disconnected. Here she is loaded up after 8 hours of messing around.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

So the first couple days were a little bit of cleaning and just seeing what the car does with a new battery in it.

 

[CBODY67]

Always did like those green interiors. Car looks pretty good.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

I was able to get one of four light bulbs working on the parking lamps. The headlamps work!

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

All of a sudden the front side markers came back to life. With some light bulb replacements the parking lamps started working. The bottom bulbs are stubborn and will not work. A test light shows there is 12v at the socket but the socket must be too corroded for a good connection.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

Reverse lamps work, but the license plate lamp socket is corroded badly.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

I repainted the breather cap and the air cleaner lid. I started to run a set of NOS Mopar spark plug wires as well.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

I cleaned the rocker assemblies and pushrods then cleaned out the engine. There was a lot of dirt and debris. I was missing a rocker shaft bolt and spacer. 440source was super handy and I was able to reuse everything.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

I was able to Frankenstein a carburetor together well enough out of 3 carburetors to know that I have everything I need for a correct 4160. This is the result. I will be sending it out to Scott Smith at Harm’s Auto in May of 2023.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

Murray Park has been a huge help. I got some parking lamps from him and I was able to say the front end lighting is 90% there. I still need to diagnose the headlamp doors not closing when the switch is turned off.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

I may or may not replace the valve covers, but I am working on getting the top end of the 440 back together. I want to do a compression test and a leak down test in the spring.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

I picked up an NOS tailpipe and muffler for the Imperial. I would love to get an NOS y-pipe and midpipe.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

Every time I touch this car it lets me know it wants to live. The rear passenger side marker started working.

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

She’s back together after who knows how long and turned over for the first time in almost 20 years. I will get her ready to fire up!

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

Before and after…

I am waiting for the carburetor rebuild kit, NOS muffler and NOS tailpipe to show up.

Next pay day I will be getting new belts and ordering tires for the front. Then it is really just minor bits and pieces that I need to order.

 

[Marv]

I like your effort. Does you have a replacement hood?

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

I like your effort. Does you have a replacement hood?

No. I would like to save the original hood if possible. Once the car runs and drives I will take it to a body shop I trust to see what they say.

 

[Marv]

That´s cool also, just thought it looks very crispy at the edge

 

[Imperial_Eagle_72]

I know. The inner skin looks to have no pinholes so I would like to save it.