69 Impala SS convertible

[JustJohn]

You might be on to something there. I haven't done any AC work in 6 years or so and I did not lubricate all of the o-rings.

[JustJohn]

Think I found the leak:

[JustJohn]

Have officially reached the banal stage of this project. 1 rear wheel on back order, no more wheel spacers so every stud had to be cut to size or replaced and cut to size, gas tank on the way to Rick’s for repair.

AC held 30” vacuum overnight so it’s ready to charge, oh but I need to run the engine which requires a gas tank. Had to pull the dash again to plug in the cluster lights, which means drop the steering column. Somehow managed to unplug the AC fan during all this so mild moment of panic when everything was back together.

All this needs to come back together by Sept 8 for the trim shop. The upside, damn I made this car easy to work on.

[JustJohn]

I could use some console ideas. I have a ton of room and want a functional armrest. Power window switches, USB ports, cup holders, and that’s it. Still have some flexibility on the park brake placement.

[JustJohn]

Really liking the extra fatness from going to a 295mm tire on the new wheels.

[JustJohn]

Today is one of those small victories…

I’ve had a goal the last few weeks of “just putting in the glovebox.” Turns out that is the last thing to go in.

Haven’t played with the dash in about 5 years and there is a fairly specific assembly order to get everything in. I did find the AC dash assembly page in the factory manual so that helped somewhat.

[JustJohn]

Starting to feel like a biblical trial. I finally have 4 matching wheels/tires. The gas tank came back to me with no leaks and the AC is charged. Going into the trim shop on Monday to finish the last things on the list.

[79 Camaro]

Can't help with a tech advice on your vert project but nothing is better than a mid-morning breakfast cruise. Or a late afternoon early dinner cruise.
Both with the top down.
We have 2020 Mustang 5.0 vert. Great car.

[JustJohn]

Progress. Should have it back with the top by Thanksgiving.

[badbu68]

Looking good, keep up the good work.

[JustJohn]

Home again. Busy week so all I had time for was raise/lower the top and confirm that there is a console in it now. Still have that oil pan change coming up. 21 degrees here today so not exactly open top weather.

[JustJohn]

Interior finally coming together. Starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.

[JustJohn]

Project “Oh god I have to change the oil pan” is underway. ID’d a propagating weld crack at the leading edge of the sump. No doubt from when the car was lower and with the wrong motor mounts.

[JustJohn]

I was dreading doing this but it went surprisingly easy.

Maybe I’m just remembering the old version of the car. I did find a couple of things that needed doing slightly better so it was worthwhile.

[JustJohn]

Yes I have vacuum. I have literally been trying to get this kick panel right for about a decade.

Also found the last oil leak: Body of the Holley pressure sensor. Hopefully they warranty it at $130 a pop.

[Vimes]

On the kick panel, perhaps this stuff will help. Similar was used on the headliner for hardtops in that era, so it wouldn't necessarily look out of place if color matched, on a black interior. With this, you could trim the 90 degree edge off the bottom and slide this on to fill the gap.

[JustJohn]

I’m calling the interior done.

[Vimes]

Pretty sharp looking, particularly after going back a bit and seeing what all you have stuffed under the center console. Very efficient use of space there.

[JustJohn]

Well folks I'm calling it done. Minor tweaks and adjustments here and there but it's a driver and this is the start of the road.

A few changes between 2013 and 2026 but I built a car for myself the way I wanted it to be. Next outing is the 2026 Power Tour.








It's out of place on this forum but I've already started on the track car, an E46 CSL tribute. This one will be supercharged.

[JustJohn]

We made it!



The square back roads in IN cost me a wheel bearing replacement and new flex coupler - apparently when they're working on those roads standard practice is to cut a 6 inch deep ditch all the way across and mark it with an orange bucket. Local repair shop took us right away on day 1 and fixed everything so not even trip time lost.

Top circuit failed but it was 90+ degree days and I have AC. That's the worst of it. Overall a successful road trip.

I will be changing out the police issue springs for something a little more compliant. This is a grand touring car and it needs sporty, not race car stiff.