1969 Imperial progress thread

[vdk2010]

I was wondering if there were pistons in that size. Interesting....

This pic had me chuckling. A bare block hanging from a forklift. I don't think I ever saw a machine shop around here pick up a bare block like that. 1 or 2 guys for a 225lb Mopar, but small block Chevys were a one person lift. Your shop is probably used to smaller European engines.

I can't say anything though... My days of lifting a big block by myself are long gone.

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The machine shop onwers are a young guy and his "older" father. So he would have needed to lift it himself ;)
And to be fair, I think this is a much saver way to do it. Can't slip off your hands. And your back will thank you

 

[3175375]

Yummy!

 

[ceebuddy]

I am somewhat surprised to see that the complete VIN was stamped into the block in 1969. I thought one would only find a partial VIN stamped into the block, but perhaps that change came in later years.

 

[300rag]

I am somewhat surprised to see that the complete VIN was stamped into the block in 1969. I thought one would only find a partial VIN stamped into the block, but perhaps that change came in later years.

This was actually mentioned last Friday by @69CoronetRT in post #4

VIN's on engine and transmission

I know that somewhere around 69 or 70 they started stamping the last part of the VIN on the bottom passenger side of the engine and automatic transmissions of cars. Did they do this to trucks and Ramchargers too? Did the stamp 4 speed transmissions also? Where? it's not a huge deal, but I'm...

www.forcbodiesonly.com

Beginning in model year 1969, the full 13 letter/digit VIN is stamped on the passenger side engine pad and the pad on transmissions.

The best research so far shows that during January, 1969, plants started scaling back to stamping only nine letter/digits. The transition time frame appears to vary by plant. Meaning, cars with Mid January SPDs and VINs may or may not show the full VIN.

Research continues.

 

[vdk2010]

The first load of engine parts arrived from Summit!
Next will be the package from 440 Source.

I'm soo excited!!

 

[vdk2010]

 

[3175375]

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Yay!
Get on it!!!

 

[vdk2010]

Finally, the second big load of parts for the engine arrived from 440 Source! Now, I finally have all the parts the engine builder needs so he can do his thing. I brought him all the parts so he can start machining the block and eventually assemble the short block. More updates on that as he proceeds!

 

[vdk2010]

Since I will reuse the original rocker setup, I had to clean it thoroughly.

To do so, I had to remove the core plugs in the end of the rocker shafts, since there was a lot junk in them. I highly recomment doing that when reusing them! Next to sludge, I found some loosely hanging metal sharts on the inside of the oil passage holes, which the factory never reburred... Yes, they stayed there for over 50 years, but on the other hand, they came off fairly easily, too.

 

[vdk2010]

The buttom of my original Oil Pan was paper thin and already had some pin holes in it after media blasting, so my metal man welded in a new buttom into the sump.
Unfortunately, after that, the spot welded bung for the drain plug was leaking. So I removed it, cleaned the area around it and then soldered it back in using silver solder.

 

[vdk2010]

One more engine part had to be worked on, before bringing everything to the engine builder.

The 440 source "Stock Stroke Windage Tray" was not fitting into my original "187" Oil Pan so I had to modify to slightly.

 

[vdk2010]

After all the engine parts were ready and at the machine shop, I started to apply insulation to the floor, which is a very time consuming thing to do making dozens of templates using masking paper and tape. The floor has soo much shapes to go around.
But I'm tretty happy with the result!

The rest of the firewall will follow, but I have to install all the parts that attach to it first, to then glue around 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.

 

[vdk2010]

With the bulk head in place, next thing to fit to the firewall was the Vintage Air Magnum IV HVAC Box.

My metal man changed halt the firewall for that. It fits, but everything is really tight. Getting the lines installed is going to be interesting...


But still, looks really nice fully installed!

Even the original hole in the firewall for the drain is placed perfectly!

Unfortunately, one of the rivet nuts was installed crooked by VA, resulting in me cross threading the bolt which made the nut spin freely inside the plastic housing. I had to grind off the bolt head to get it out. At that point, the nut had damaged the housing pretty badly, so I had to come up with a repair.

I made a small metal plate, welded one of these "three hole furniture nuts" to it and used tri-fold pop rivets to attach the plate to the housing.

The last thing to be changed on the HVAC box was the expansion valve, which had to be turned 90° to allow the hose to be routed differently. There is very little space around the box to route all the hoses unfortunately.

 

[3175375]

Looking great. Exciting times!

 

[73Coupe]

Very nice work on the oil pan sump. Looks like a new bottom was formed so that you just have one continuous weld around the vertical sides of the sump....

 

[vdk2010]

Very nice work on the oil pan sump. Looks like a new bottom was formed so that you just have one continuous weld around the vertical sides of the sump....

Correct, he cut it out completely and replaced the buttom with fresh metal because it was very thin and had holes.

 

[detmatt]

Correct, he cut it out completely and replaced the buttom with fresh metal because it was very thin and had holes.

Very resourceful and skillful!

 

[vdk2010]

More engine parts arrived! Can't wait to install them!

 

[vdk2010]

I'm having trouble installing the KYB shocks in the rear. They are hitting the bracket on both sides. Has anyone else experienced this problem before?