Technical ‘63 Impala build thread novice

Go to a junkyard and grab a small scissor jack out of a late model vehicle. The OEM jack/tool kit that is in my 2017 F-150 is very nice and is capable of lifting this heavy truck, so it'll be fine for a smaller car. It's also quite compact and sould work in a lowered vehicle just fine. I have a few small scissor jacks from '90's-00 Hondas that I keep around that are small and have always kept them in my classic cars.

 

Amount of tread is meaningless, and you don't want to deal with a blowout on your 63 if you can avoid it. I realize you're on a budget but Google how to decode date code on tires. Those don't look recent.

 

Belts are made in I believe 1/2" increments, or 1". Going up an inch on your alternator belt would have moved it enough.

 

So what should I do about the dent?

 

Buy a different pump.

 

OMG. The condition of the tread means absolutely NOTHING. Go to Pep-Boys (or wherever) and get new shoes on that thing. Tires over 5 or 6 years old are suspect, no matter how they've been stored or how much tread they have. You can get a set of 21575R15's for around $300, much cheaper than replacing a fender or quarter panel from a tread separation, or a trip through the median.
Nice look'n car.

 

Can we get back to the PS pump? I got the reservoir off and pounded out the dent. However while I was banging out the bolts the holes got wallowed out a little. I hammered them best I could to get them flat but it’s not a perfect circle. Where it bolts to the pump is a O-ring. I’m thinking of using RTV to seal up the mis shapen hole.
And another thing: I just noticed the pulley has a wobble/runout. I should’ve noticed this earlier. Do you think the pulley is toast or something else?

 

We all make mistakes and we all start somewhere, but you seem to keep going without knowing what you're doing next. Please, stop and educate yourself. Get yourself a new pump. Prying on it cost you a learning experience at the price of another pump.

I don't know how much pressure that area of the pump is under, but GM power steering pumps put out as much as 1,350 psi. When you pried on the pump the first time and dented it, the steel was weakened. Bending it back and further deforming it weakened things again.

Just like you shouldn't trust tires based on their tread, you shouldn't trust a component of a hydraulic system under pressure that has been yielded and cold bent back into shape.

 

I’m curious on the pulley wobble. How do I determine the the source . I removed the pulley with a puller. The shaft seems straight .

 

Okay the next issue I’ve got is : new front end suspension. New springs and shocks but it’s too bouncy like if the shocks were bad but they’re less than a year old. The old suspension just squeaked so first I replaced the shocks. It didn’t bounce. After I put new springs,ball joints,tie rod is when it changed. The only thing I can think of is the shocks and sway bar rubbers not being tightened enough. I don’t know what do you all think?

 

no one seems to have said it yet-you need to find a mentor-type close to you to shepherd you through all the basics-go find an older guy who had/has cars-he'll be good at giving hands on advice

 

That’s why I’m on here. I’m all alone

 

I always tighten stud type shocks until the rubber is the same diameter as the large washer. After replacing all the front-end components, was a front-end re-alignment done?

 

well-start looking around-any other older cars in a 5 mile radius?--we all learn from others,and easier if it is in person
not a keyboard

 

Tighten the A arms bushing bolts/nuts after the car is sitting down on its tires. They should not be tightened when the wheels are hanging down on jacks.

What is your tire pressure? It doesn’t need to be the max listed on the side of the tire.

 

If you include your city & state on your profile page, it'll be displayed on your posts.

You might be surprised- There may be fellow HAMBers nearby that can help you... and vice versa.

 

....That's fine, but I see that you don't indicate your general area on your profile. There could be someone close by willing to offer up advice and maybe even some hands-on help. Just sayin'.

 

...Sorry Gary. I advised him before I even read your post. Two great minds.....ha,ha.

 

I’m saving the alignment until I get the power steering installed. The shocks are all the way tightened. I also tightened the sway bar attachment points . I’m in San Diego ,CA if anyone wants to stop by. Thanks