[stucky2947]

Well, here it is as of today. I put the rear end back in after its trip to the rear end guy (no, not the proctologist ). I had a 3.42 posi put in. As you can see, I'm working on the wiring, and since I'm no electrician, it's going to be a challenge. I got all new harnesses from M&H, and they went in very easily with the help of a wiring diagram and the correct color wires from M&H. The dash is next and then get her buttoned up so I can see if she will start.

[Engine-Ear]

Mike,

what is your target date to drive / show the car?

[stucky2947]

I'd like to have it completed by the end of this year, but I think $$ is going to be an issue. I still ned interior, glass, and paint.

[mviker]

Man, That's one fine looking ride! She's going to fire right up too. Be sure to post a pic of you with a big fat ear to ear grin when she does!

[GT182]

Nice looking 62 GP Stucky.

A friend of mine back in 72 had a 62 HT, white with the light blue top and interior, that was his family car. It was a beauty and was all electric inside. We used to go see some friends we worked with, with his and my black 63 GP HT. Great cars back then... and still are today.

[stucky2947]

Well, I finally got there. One major milestone behind me. The engine cranked over and it started!!!! Just a minor oil leak at the oil filter adapter, tighened up 2 bolts and no more leak. I have been at this now for 3 years and 4 months. I plan to have it done by the end of next year. I big THANKS to all who helped me get this far. This is my first restoration and I have learned SOOOOO much doing it. It has been a lot of fun, a lot of headaches, a few busted knuckles, a nice scar between my eyes, some cuss words, alright, a lot of cuss words. I have learned how to weld, tackle wiring, made some friends, and realized that a car is truely a work of art.

Now that is running, I love to hear it. I don't have exhaust on it yet, full exhaust anyway. I have the long branch manifolds and the down pipes, so as you can imagine it is pretty loud. Luckily for me, most of my neighbors are in to hot rods and restoring cars so they don't mind the noise..

Here is a picture of it. Some may notice there are no spark plug wires, I took the old stock ones off and now have Taylor Thundervolt 8.2s installed. There are a few other things removed as I have some minor mods to make.

[gentile3]

have know you 4 yrs ago when i was living in wentzville...

here is some pics of my 62 project... 425a code bonne convert 4 speed 390 posi manual steering and brakes but pwr windows...? odd but i have the phs confirming it...

and a pic of my three done cars infront of the house...

save the darksiders!!!

[Stuart]

They do sound good the first time you start 'em up with open pipes, don't they?

[TheMonkey]

great update. i think we are on the same type of time frame.... just take bites at a time with occasional breaks, and next thing you know... years have past but i'm always thinking about the current to-do on it.

i cheated though.... i put my motor on a break-in stand to hear it come to life at home earlier in the process. and my neighbors also got a taste of same long branch + down pipes. they are encouraging me with my build too - great neighbors.

sooo... the scar between your eyes? whah happen?

[stucky2947]

Well Monkey, here's the story. I was taking the rearend out to swap gears and the control arm bolts/nuts were damn near impossible to break loose. The first one a LOT of 'Ummph' using a 2 1/2 foot breaker bar and after that experience, I figured there had to be an easier way. What I came up with was to use the breaker bar and put a 1 1/4 box wrench (about 18" long) on the end for extra leverage. The gas tank was out of the car so room was not an issue. I started pushing down on the box wrench with everything I had and you know the rest. The box wrench slid off to one side and the breaker bar flew up and hit me right between the eyes. Lucky, I suppose. I felt a tickle on my nose and when I rubbed it I saw blood all over my fingers. I figured I should go check it out, so when I got into the bathroom to look at it, with all the blood you'd think I'd been shot. After cleaning up that, I put an ice cube on it, took 4 Motrins ( 'cause I knew it was gonna hurt later) and laid on the couch. My wife got home, saw me, asked what had happened, and wanted to take a look. She said I should probably get stitches. Long story short, I said no, now I have a cool scar.

[stucky2947]

Here's the latest and greatest. I have good news and more good news. No more injuries to date and I am making progress. I'm finding out that hanging sheet metal takes A LOT of patience, something that I do have an abundance of. Thanks to Tim Younker for coming over so I can take a look at his Cat to see how things go together. The fender and door are pretty close, but the grill insert is way off. I guess I'll just keep tweaking until it's right. Also, it takes more time than it should because this is my first restoration and I have to check everything to see if I am putting it on in the right order. With all this heavy gage sheet metal and it seems like everything gets bolted to everything else, no wonder these cars could survive an accident, this car is a tank.

[68Prix]

Great work so far. It has to feel good to be getting so close. Hope to see more updates soon. Pat

[Engine-Ear]

too damn cool.

hey, you're missing the blower motor!

[stucky2947]

Yes Matt, I know. I have an issue with the vacuum actuator and I can't get to it except thru the blower motor. Actually, my hand is too big to fit in that spot, so one of these weekends I hope I can convince my wife to give it a shot. She's into cars too, so it shouldn't be a problem.

[PITTSBURGH 64]

Stucky get a piece of 1-1/4" pipe for that breaker bar, schedule 80 PVC even works.. I've done the wrench thing myself though...

Are you going to swap out those rear control arms for a set of Ram Air Resto arms? It's a good move should you choose to. You'll want to put all that power to the ground and not have any rear end steer with the posi....

That's a nice looking master cylinder what brand is it? I need a new one for my 64..

Looks fantastic!!

[Tim Younker]

Looks like you did some work with the front clip after I left Saturday morning. Was glad to come over with my 62 Cat so you could check the assembly Mike. Do not hesitate to call on me if you need any assistance with hanging the front clip. This is for sure a two person job. Just to let you guys on this forum know, Mike is doing a super resto job with his GP. This thing is going to be a beast when completed. A very beautiful blue/white combo.

[stucky2947]

Thanks for the kind words Tim. What you see so far has been a solo job. I had to be fairly creative to get some of it done. Like the drivers side door, for example. I rested the door on a 2x6 on my creeper chair, the PERFECT height to line the door up with the hinges.

As for the master cylinder, I'm not sure what the specs afre for that. Dave Trokey (Imperial, MO) put that on when he helped me with the wiring. The power booster is an 8" dual from Frank Botte in New York.

The rear control arms I boxed in myself. I got a new welder and that was the perfect place to start. They are not pretty, but they are strong.

Thanks for the tip on the pipe / breaker bar, I'm gonna get a section tonite.

[PITTSBURGH 64]

Thanks for the info. Boxed stock arms might even be better because they have the rubber bushings...

Man have you been busy, I haven't looked at your thread for awhile. That blue looks great!!

[stucky2947]

Here's the latest and greatest! I gat the drivers door and fender on. This, I found out, takes a lot of patience and spacing, shimming, taking off, putting back on. A LOT of time invested and not yet how I want it. The brakes are bled, a few more accesroies put on, vacuum lines ran, trying to figure out the electrical for the tach, instument panel, courtesy lights, etc. I am NO auto electrician, so you can imagine the fun I'm having (all at the same time).

BUT, hang on to your hats, here's the fun part. I DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK TODAY!!! No windshield, or any glass for that matter, no passenger door or fender, partial grill, one seat and me. What a blast!! I have posi 3:42s and with the awesome throttle response, well lete's just say I left more rubber on the street than I expected. When I backed it in the driveway, you guessed it, two black marks. I got the 'you've got to be kidding me' look from the wife.

I have to do some tweeking on the brakes, I have a little brake fluid leak, but overall, what a ride, MAN was that fun.

see attached pics.

I case you were wondering, the thing hanging from the right hood hinge is the oil pressure gage.

[TheMonkey]

congratulations!

at least you had the seat in, instead of sitting on an upside down Homer bucket.

seriously though.... big accomplishment.

Originally Posted by stucky2947

... I got the 'you've got to be kidding me' look from the wife....

perfect.