The Road to Carlisle

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

A couple of the old parts removed. Waiting on the new fan clutch to show up.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

NORS fan clutch from the late 80s is on, it’s a correct service part. It was much more affordable than the reproduction restoration clutch.

 

[Boydsdodge]

NORS fan clutch from the late 80s is on, it’s a correct service part. It was much more affordable than the reproduction restoration clutch.

View attachment 719058

Where did you source the fan clutch? Is that the correct fan? The blades look a bit short.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

Where did you source the fan clutch?

NORS on eBay.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

Joe’s Distributor Restoration of East Palestine, Ohio came through again with a beautiful job on the original distributor.

I will be degreasing the engine as best I can and I will be doing valve covers and gaskets with a fresh PCV valve as well.

Still on the list, new spark plugs, finishing the heater hoses, reassembling the left rear drum and bleeding the brakes, fuel sending unit, steering gear and getting power to the A/C compressor and the cruise control servo.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

Some oven cleaner and some Zep degreaser. Before and after.

 

[70NEWYORKER]

Some oven cleaner and some Zep degreaser. Before and after.

View attachment 719492

View attachment 719493

How long did you let it soak? Engine warm or cold? Amazing outcome!!!

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

How long did you let it soak? Engine warm or cold? Amazing outcome!!!

20 minutes on a cold engine, agitated with a brush, rinse with hot water and repeat with degreaser and rinse again.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

I am starting on the steering gear replacement. It is one of the most frustrating things I have ever done with one of these cars. Everything is original and has not moved it over 50 years. What has been replaced is all locked up as if it had been 100 years. Being on my back and getting covered in dirt, oil and rust is really crappy.

 

[marty mopar]

dirt, oil and rust ...this is a great diet (low calorie), has iron (rust), dirt is organic and so is oil.

And the bonus is it has aged for 50 years!

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

Well this is pretty straightforward. Except they don’t tell you it won’t clear the dipstick tube for the engine oil, so then you have to remove it or undo the engine mount and pick up the engine on that side.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

The steering gear will not clear the engine. I will just have to unbolt the engine and jack it up. I was trying to avoid that.

 

[Big_John]

The steering gear will not clear the engine. I will just have to unbolt the engine and jack it up. I was trying to avoid that.

While I don't doubt you, I R&R'd the box in my '70 300 without needing to jack the engine. It came out the bottom with no issue.

I'm wondering what changed.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

While I don't doubt you, I R&R'd the box in my '70 300 without needing to jack the engine. It came out the bottom with no issue.

I'm wondering what changed.

It’s an Imperial so it’s a totally different stub frame. It could be settled engine mounts. I have no idea.

 

[Big_John]

It’s an Imperial so it’s a totally different stub frame. It could be settled engine mounts. I have no idea.

I forgot it's a different stub, but "settled" mounts could very well be the cause.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

After a lot of cussing and screaming and wrestling the old one came out. The engine had to be unbolted and jacked up. The old steering gear came out. After even more cussing and screaming and wrestling the new one went in.

By far one of the worst repairs I’ve ever had to do to a car. My two other Imperials I have will be getting restored one day so this will happen with the stub frame out and no engine in.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

It’s all bolted in and hooked up to the pump. Now to get the steering column back on and the exhaust then go bleed it and take it for a drive.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

New lug nuts, wrapping up the heater hoses, then wrapping up the steering gear. I still need to attach the column and then get the exhaust back together. Progress is slow but steady.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

New heater hoses down to the heater core have been run. The steering shaft is back on, now to do the roll pin and the column hardware.

Next on the agenda is a set of valve covers and gaskets. Then a positive battery cable repair.

 

[The_Eagles’_Nest]

A new positive cable and more heater hose clamps have been ordered. I am picking up a battery tomorrow. I will be sacrificing a perfectly good battery cable to repair the original cable.