New build 62 Impala SS

[pvs409]

Here are the SS insert set of 6 pieces for $ 239 from Dallas County parts
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1962-C...584270?hash=item56d62ee24e:g:hr0AAOSwaNBUbi-l

Note that he recommends the 3M # 4920 tape -this is 15 mil tape( I think the 15 mil tape is thin, from me and others on the forum such as Dave in Michigan who had his red 62 SS 409 done with 3M tape that was thicker).

If the SS metal pieces you have are not cut to fit the Impala trim, I don't see how they would work. The 6 inserts you buy are cut to fit in the painted area of the impala trim. The rear 1/4 SS metal insert pieces are right at 6 ft long, the fenders and doors at least a 1 ft shorter and a different width(the fenders are tapered in width)

One thing the SS tape((Not metal) sold is junk, it will not stay in place on the edges (I have seen 2 friends cars were its failing). It also turns yellow or gold in color.....
Paul

 

[CASHguzzler409]

Hi Guys, Back at it.

I don't know about you guys, but I have a problem with getting sidetracked with little jobs while working on bigger jobs. Like I've been working on the floor of the 62, and all of a sudden Im working
cleaning up all the stainless and aluminum parts, go figure.?I did not know there were so many
pieces?. Well there all cleaned up, I hate to send them to my friend that buffs them, all dirty, its just not
right that he should have to clean them too. Back to the floor project, after 100's of spot welds, chisels, pry bars, I finally have the floor cut away from the rocker panel. Now have to decide what to do? It seems the 63 front rockers are different than 62's. Luckily a few of the members are starting to
make and sell some of these not make parts.

I'm including a few pictures of my progress and wondering if possible some possible direction of which
way to go from here. I do have some patching to do on the floor, and the rocker panels of the 63, I have bought a new front 1 piece brace, I have removed the #2 braces and bought the #3 braces for
under rear seats, the long 1piece under rear seat is good and is still in car. As you can see the original rockers were rotted out by the braces, so I cut out the whole inner rocker section from front to back, not sure if that was a good idea or not. MY 1st thought was to use 4"x3 square tubing and slide them in in the rocker area, as the botton area and outer rocker area were solid, it would be a brace all the way from front to back, and that way I could use the tubing as the inner rocker side and weld the braces to them. But now that I have the rocker section separated from the floor pan from
the 63, is there a better idea or way to incorporate the rockers?. Thanks for any suggestions cash.

 

[blkblk63ss]

That project will keep you out of trouble for a while!!!!/

 

[bubpletop62]

Stan
Would a 'C' channel down the insides (14g) work? Box tubing might be a little tricky. Then, attach the rocker top each side(?). Are the '63 rocker outside any good? Don't forget the center vertical (14g) brace too. Just a thought.
Dennis Bubp

 

[CASHguzzler409]

Hi Dennis,
When thinking of using the 4x3" tubing, I have the inner rocker & inner rocker brace cut out, so the tubing just fits right in, the tubing can be used for the inside brace
stead of the original brace and then used as the inner side rocker for the floor braces. Once again change my mind, going to take the rear seat section out and put in the whole section I have with the 63 in 1 piece.

 

[CASHguzzler409]

I have a question for those that are more advanced at this type of work, if I were to use the complete rocker section of the 63, how to do go about removing the one on the 62? Its pretty flimsy right now, so If I drill the spot welds on the front and back of the door frame would that release the whole rocker?.

 

[R63ss]

On my 63 I drilled out the spot welds on both sides of the kick panel/door frame and along the floor and was able to get the old out.The new one slid inside and then I spot welded where the old spot welds were.I replaced the outer(which comes with the inner brace)and the inner rocker piece.Take lots of measurements and brace everything so nothing can move,and make sure everything lines up,you’ll be all set.

 

[CASHguzzler409]

Thanks R63ss. that really looks nice, now that you have these piece's in, do you buy new outer rocker parts to weld on to finish the outside look along the bottom of the quarter, and in front of door?

 

[R63ss]

Mine is a convertible,so I had to weld a piece onto the b pillar support.There is also an addition inner brace that I made a template of and had a metal shop bend for me.The quarter butts to the rocker and is leaded in.The front I made a template of the other side’s fender bracket and made that myself with my bender.There is also an additional brace that is welded to the bottom of the rocker and quarter that is reproduced.

 

[CASHguzzler409]

Spent most of yesterday working on the front rocker ext. I think I'll roll the body over and see if that makes things easier. Thanks for all the extra advice, it all helps.

 

[CASHguzzler409]

Been working on Rocker extensions, boy there isn't an easy piece to take off on these cars, finally finished up, now moving on to strip rest of little things on car so I can take it to sand man. It doesn't take him long when its on a rottissori, and half the floor is gone.
Im going to try and do a little sanding on the wheel wells to see if
I can open it up a little to give the sandblaster a chance to do a better job.

 

[CASHguzzler409]

Took the car up on Tues to the Sandblaster, picked it up yesterday at 2: 30, sure makes you smile to see it so clean once again. Tomorrow will head down to the paint shop and get some Paint Supply's, Trans Star Sealer etc.

 

[Barry Taylor]

That really is clean!! What kind of blasting is that. Dry, Wet?

 

[skipxt4]

WOW! is the word. That car is gonna be Kool, when finished. Great job, Cash.

 

[CASHguzzler409]

Dry Sandblasting, took them a day for the body and (6) parts, the braces inside the bumpers and a inner front fender, 600.00. Then to the paint shop, another 600.00, oh well at least they will be clean and not rust again. I did spray the parts yesterday, and will prep the garage for doing the car soon, I usually just hang up plastic visqueen from the ceiling and let it hang to the floor so the sealer over-spray doesn't stick to everything.

 

[CASHguzzler409]

Back at it again, spent the last week getting ready to shot the body with Sealer, I decided to sand it down first with some 120 grit. Got that done, and today, finally. mustard up the nerve to shoot it. It always makes me nervous, many reasons, mostly its poison features for sure. But it's done and now I can move on or just take it easy for a while.
Our weather here in Seattle is starting to get nice, 70 yesterday, high for the year so far. Guess I should get the
Bel Air out for a drive, I definitely, need some 409 time. Pictures to come soon, of the Black Beauty.

 

[CASHguzzler409]

Pictures of car after sealer. I was told not to shoot sealer around area's where I'd be welding, but I'm just not sure how long that will be before starting again on the floor, so I did it all. I thought it would go a lot quicker beings' it was only the body, but that was not the case. I was lucky it was a nice day, and I have 3 garage doors in front and 1 in back that you can see, it opens up to my back yard, which is very large. I just opened the door put some fans up in back of the car and it worked great. I did also hang some light tarps up from ceiling on both sides, that sealer is sticky stuff. Having the rotisserie made it so much easier for this "old Man". This is one tool you can buy, and share with friends or a group, or have a group help buy it with you. When done they are fairly easy to sell, getting your money back. I will give some advice about having one and friends wanting to use it. Thats ok, but the bad part of it,
is they will need it for a long time, 6 months or so.... hard to ask for it back until their done with there paint job.

Thanks for all your support, ideas, and thumbs up, it all keeps me going. stan

 

[CASHguzzler409]

Got a little motivation from a new friend, so back to work I went. I had taken the old floor's out and hadn't cut out the braces for
the bucket seats yet. So that was my task. What a bitch, it must have taken me 2 days or more to get the first one done, the second
one of course much easier, as I knew more of what to do. SPOT WELDS......
ONE on left is still attached to old floor board, red is one taken off, and the silver part is drivers side cowl part removed.



Have to cut this part out like the other side to make room to slide frame underneath body.

 

[blkblk63ss]

It looks like your having fun!!!

 

[CASHguzzler409]

FUN ! Well that isn't the word I was saying as I was try to remove the old floor pan from those braces. I'm not to sure
the $ 175.00 for new ones wouldn't have been a better idea. Its done now, and thats the reward. After taking the passenger
side cowl side piece off I can slide the whole frame under the body, after removing rotisserie, thus giving me back my parking
for the Bel Air.