Adopted Imperial

[vdk2010]

As stated in some other Threads, I have a friends Imperial for 4 weeks because he is in Mexico on vacation.

And because you all love pictures and I haven't posted any, I thought I'll do that now. More will come in the next 2 weeks. I will be on the BBTR meeting next weekend and then on a roadtrip for three days back to Eindhoven, Netherlands to give the car back.

 

[detmatt]

It's hard to stop looking at them, isn't it.
Nice pics Julian and a good friend!

 

[vdk2010]

It's even hard not to be at the car while at work!

He is indeed a good friend! But I'm the one who keeps the car running because he is not a mechanic at all ;)

There are a LOT of small gremlins to fix on a surviver car! Totally new experience for me to resist not to dissamble the whole car to do it "the right way".
One important thing was the starter relay, I had to "rebuild" it because the car wont start from time to time (the relay was bad!, but fixable).

It's fun to do that, but the best part is simply to drive the heck out of the car I already drove 600 Miles in two weeks And its affordable thanks to LPG.

 

[live4theking]

I only see one problem... it doesn't fit in the parking spots very well...ha lol. That's a beautiful ride. That dash is light incredibly well.

 

[vdk2010]

The dash lights were all not working due to corrosion inside the bulb sockets. I cleaned them up but like on my car, they are not good anymore. Still flickering. The problem is, that the sockets are made from two pieces that are not separable without destroying them and they are corroded in between. I'm going to convert them to LED like on mine.

 

[bulldogchesty]

Very nice Julian. Is there anything you can't repair?

 

[vdk2010]

Can't? I don't know, I don't want to say I can do everything, but it's basically pretty simple technology. I was able to fix everything so far but I'm not done yet.
Don't want to? Yes. Everything to big keeping me to long from driving it. ;)

 

[commando1]

Very nice Julian. Is there anything you can't repair?

What I was thinking... lol

 

[vdk2010]

I always said the car is gold, but compared to the New Yorker, it's more green then gold.

 

[330dTA]

The dash lights .... I'm going to convert them to LED like on mine.

Did you post your LED conversion already? I'd like to learn about it.

 

[Big_John]

The dash lights were all not working due to corrosion inside the bulb sockets. I cleaned them up but like on my car, they are not good anymore. Still flickering. The problem is, that the sockets are made from two pieces that are not separable without destroying them and they are corroded in between. I'm going to convert them to LED like on mine.

It's more likely that the issue is with the dimmer switch.

 

[Big_John]

BTW, I think Will did the LED dash light conversion on his 69... and doesn't like it.

 

[Carmine]

I tend to agree with the dimmer switch suggestion, however if you are sure it's corrosion in the sockets, how about a nice soak in vinegar, which should not harm the plastic, than a flush with water, finally a bit of anti-corrosion dilectric grease on the bulbs?

 

[vdk2010]

We had the best day of the year by far today, so time for a nice cruise along the rhine valley. Absolutely beautiful

 

[vdk2010]

It's more likely that the issue is with the dimmer switch.

BTW, I think Will did the LED dash light conversion on his 69... and doesn't like it.

I tend to agree with the dimmer switch suggestion, however if you are sure it's corrosion in the sockets, how about a nice soak in vinegar, which should not harm the plastic, than a flush with water, finally a bit of anti-corrosion dilectric grease on the bulbs?

I've posted the pictures over in my build thread, yes. But here they are again:

These are the two pieces of the socket and they are pressed together. I don't think soaking would help a lot. At least not enought for my satisfaction ;) On mine, they didn't lead current at all.

My first try was with cold white LEDs, but the filter changed the color to blue.

Second attempt was with warm white LEDs and they did the trick, so I made small circuit boards with 10mm LEDs.

And voila, with the filter they looked like the original bulbs!

Made new contacts to fit the new little cuicuit boards.

I will put my finished panel in the '70 before converting the others and will do before-after pictures. But I'm pretty sure they will do what they're supposed to do!

 

[LeBaron1973]

Well done, you could probably make some kits and sell on eBay - must be many folks with the same problem.

 

[vdk2010]

Hmm, sounds like a good plan! ;)

 

[vdk2010]

On my way to the BBTR

More pictures on Sunday! Have a nice weekend everyone!

 

[1978 NYB]

Very cool!

I miss cruising Southern Bavaria and Austria in the 70's, 80's and 1992.

 

[75LandYacht]

We had the best day of the year by far today, so time for a nice cruise along the rhine valley. Absolutely beautiful

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That's freak'en gorgeous.. The car and the scenery..