Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

[ QUOTE ]


I followed the link you provided Jake and I see a couple of things that would rule the 62 out as being originally a 409 car...It's an automatic and doesn't have a tach.

[/ QUOTE ]

an automatic and no tach is not a "no go" for the low HP 409

the 409 had a unique radiator that had a
"slant" to the top of the tank

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the offer to decode Steve, I just might take you up on that. Here are a couple of blown-up pics of shocks. Can you tell from these if they are Pliacells? What is F41 option?

[/ QUOTE ]

They look like the could be pliacells. but it is difficult to tell without a clearer picture or the number itself. Pliacells were not spiral shocks, and the ones in the picture definitely appear to be Delcos but not spirals. F41 (RPO F41) is the Special purpose suspension option. This gave you a heavier front sway bar and added a rear sway bar which was visible in one of your pictures.
Steve

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

[ QUOTE ]


an automatic and no tach is not a "no go" for the low HP 409

the 409 had a unique radiator that had a
"slant" to the top of the tank

[/ QUOTE ]

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/ooo.gif While researching the 62, we ran across this this on Wikipedia. Because it was on Wiki, we took it with a grain of salt...until you made the above post:

The 1962 model featured new "C" pillar styling for all models except the 4-door hardtop "Sport Sedan." Sport Coupe models now featured the "convertible roof" styling, shared with other GM "B" full-size hardtop coupes. This style proved extremely popular, and contributed to the desirability of the '62-'64 Impalas as collectibles. The "overhang" roof style of the sedans was replaced with a more attractive, wider "C" pillar with wraparound rear window.<font color="blue"> Engine choices for '62 settled down, the 348-cubic-inch (5.7 L) V8 discontinued and replaced by the 340 brake horsepower (250 kW) 409-cubic-inch (6.7 L), which could be ordered with any transmission.</font> The small-block 283 was enlarged to 327 cubic inches (5.4 L), which added more engine choices for small-block fans. The Beach Boys produced a hit single, "409," referring to the Chevy, which became an iconic song for these cars.

So maybe it could really be a 409 car? Glenn has been crawling all over it and has been saying all along that it just doesn't look like the engine has been out. We figured that it must have...because of the funky deck stamp suffix, the automatic, the tach. LOL - This info lit a fire under Glenn's butt...he's on his way now to get casting numbers and pop the valve covers.

BTW...The radiator does have a slant to it. It slants to the the front (lower in the front). Is that the correct slant you mention??

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

I had a 64 Impala SS 409/340 with console powerslide. The car was sold new at Rudolph Chevrolet in Phoenix, AZ. The car was loaded with options and was supposedly ordered as a dealer demo.

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Radiator should have (2) indented 5 sided markings on top tank.

No tach if automatic.

Where does fuel line run?

I believe casting # for 62 block is #3788068(both 409 and 380 HP)
I believe heads should be #3814690 (both 409 and 380 HP)

Again - Verne is the expert I might be incorrect.

Jake

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

I'm waiting to get the casting numbers before contacting Verne for some help. He is having a hard time finding them. The radiator does have the indentions. Here are some photos of the fuel line...can you tell anything from them?

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ouguysrock.gif


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ala/photo1.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ala/photo2.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ala/photo3.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ala/photo4.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ala/photo5.jpg

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Radiator looks correct. I should have said (2) 6 sided indentations not 5 - my mistake.

Fuel line looks like it runs outboard which would be correct as well. I have also heard that all V8 dual exhaust cars ran the fuel line outboard though.

If nothing else it has many of the correct features - but it is certainly looking like it might be real? If you run the VIN# on the 348-409 site decoder it will tell you some more information. Trim tag only indicates if it is an SS or not (which yours was confirmed as an SS). That's part of the problem with older cars, not much hard proof without any owner history or real paperwork.

Looks like an outstanding car regardless - and if a real 409 then that is icing on the cake. Good luck.

Jake

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Thanks for the info Jake. The vin 21867F decoded as:

Your car is a: 1962 Impala 8 cylinder convertible built in Flint, MI

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

So from all this we know that it was orignally a V8, SS, convertible, Maroon with black buckets. Everything checks out there.

With a little more investigation maybe even a real 409 car. Sweet find.

Jake

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

[ QUOTE ]
So from all this we know that it was orignally a V8, SS, convertible, Maroon with black buckets. Everything checks out there.

With a little more investigation maybe even a real 409 car. Sweet find.

Jake

[/ QUOTE ]


With numbers matching spiders https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

All '62 409s were solid lifter engines - 380hp or 409hp. No Powerglide with the '09 until '63 when they introduced the hyd lifter 340hp.

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

I would take that 67 all day at that price. You got a nice car for the price and a 427 car to boot. Post some more pics of that!!
Im glad you bought it otherwise I was hooking up the trailer and getting ready for a road trip. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


an automatic and no tach is not a "no go" for the low HP 409

the 409 had a unique radiator that had a
"slant" to the top of the tank

[/ QUOTE ]


BTW...The radiator does have a slant to it. It slants to the the front (lower in the front). Is that the correct slant you mention??

[/ QUOTE ]

correct

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

[ QUOTE ]
All '62 409s were solid lifter engines - 380hp or 409hp. No Powerglide with the '09 until '63 when they introduced the hyd lifter 340hp.

[/ QUOTE ]

We are getting so much conflicting info on this car. I'll be happy to get all the weddings, funerals https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif, and business glitches out of the way so we can start digging through this car. So many things make it look like a real 409 car, yet some say there's no way it could be because of the tranny and some say the opposite. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif So far we have found it to have the right radiator, the right fuel line routing, the little white ceramic box on the firewall (don't remember what that's called), the right front shocks. One thing I think I haven't mentioned yet is that the people we bought it from bought it 30 years ago and have had it in storage for the last 20. It only has 16k miles and has original interior and paint. Even the exhaust looks original and it still has the paper tags on the springs. Looks like it was seldom, if ever, driven in the rain. Once we get that Caprice out of there tomorrow https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smirk.gif I will reveal some info on who it is that owned these cars. I have a feeling a lot of you might know of him. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Ballast resistor?

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Ballast resistor?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, that's it. Thank you!

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

According to the site below - no automatic with any 409 in 1962. I learned something here myself, I did not know that the 380 HP engine was a solid lifter engine in 1962. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif

http://www.oldride.com/library/1962_...t_bel_air.html
(Thanks to my Dad for the information and the link)

No comments from Verne yet?!

Jake

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

I've been following along but waiting for the casting number from the block before commenting. It's definitely not an original '62 passenger car 409. The 5J suffix doesn't show up in any of my literature. QJ was a 252hp truck motor though, so perhaps its a glitch and the 5 is just a place holder or a mistake.
The CFD on the back of the block is Central Foundry Division. They started casting blocks in mid-'62. All CFD casting use julian date coding, so there should be a number from 1 to 365 on the bellhousing flange.
It's not normal to find a build sheet in a Los Angeles '62, but I'd look in the rear seat back springs first, then possibly glued to the top of the instrument cluster (above the speedo). Also pull the rear ash trays out and look inside the upholstered panel for one.
Correct that all '62 409s were solid lifter motors and not offered with a Powerglide. That alone might be the only answer you need, providing you're sure the 'glide is original, and not converted for "Mom" from a stick.
Check that ballast resistor and the harness for it. A repro harness will have solder dipped terminals. An original won't.
The fuel line appears to be the correct type, but looks new. That 3/8th line routed under the A arm was also used on all 327 cars.
Back to the Powerglide: '62 was the first year for the alum 'glide and it's a one year only 'glide. Rather than having assembly numbers stamped on the pan, they're stamped in the aluminum bottom flange in front of the pan. If those dates agree with the build date of the car, its a pretty sure bet it's the original which means no orig. 409.
As for the indentations in the radiator top tank, they came with and without them. Full sized Buicks from that era used the same Harrison top tank, only the Buicks had bolts soldered upside down in those hexes for the fan shield to attach to. The hex tops had to be separated out for the Buick radiators, but both types found there way onto Chevy radiators. (it didn't matter)
As for the exhaust appearing original, the 300hp 327 would use the exact same exhaust as the 409. (heads pipes and all). Also, if it's original, the head pipes are welded to the mufflers (one piece)

BY the way, the base trans for the '62 409s was the 3-spd (column) and you didn't get the tach.

Neat car. Great colors, SS convertible, low mileage and solid.

Verne https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Hi Verne https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Thank you for the additional info on what to look for. Looks like it is what we originally thought...an Impala SS Convertible but not an original 409. Most of the drivetrain is looking like it is 1964. In addition to that, the new things you said to look for...Exhaust is not welded, ballast resistor has solder, not converted from manual trans. And here's the numbers:

Block 3844422 - 324 - X
Heads 3819333 - GM3 - CFD - 289
Intake 3767578
Trans Pan C0904N
Trans Tail 3789080
Rear GM T3 - 3726899 - E2366
Carb 01-552 - 6-1518
Alternator! 1102174 - 1E17

Still a cool car, but I don't think we are going to be retiring any time soon... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/laugh.gif

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ouguysrock.gif

Oh, yeah...and https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...BruceRocks.gif too! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

The Caprice is in Oklahoma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif She's still in the trailer (going through the spider extermination process https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif) Thought I'd share a couple of pictures of her out in the sunlight and going in the trailer....

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...minghome01.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...minghome02.jpg

And here's one of me with the original owner, Sue Hardy. Although she doesn't look like it in this pic, she was a little sad to see the old gal go. We talked about ordering the car new and how the dealer at Valley Chev in Roswell, NM told her how rare the interior would be... and she had some very interesting stories... about how she used to drive the car to the drag strip where her husband, Don, was every weekend, about the racing days in places like Carlsbad, KC and Indy, and about how she would like me to get a message to Helen letting her know "Sue says Hi" https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ChevCustom.jpg

Steve, can you decode the Protecto Plate for me??
BTW...Anyone around here ever heard of her husband - I mean ex--husband?? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...20427/pop1.jpg

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif Just kiddin' - I know you have. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Must be the one and only Don Hardy, used his kit to build a V-8 Vega waaaay back when. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Sure are a lot of hand prints on that car!

Thanks for posting these pictures, great story. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Jacquie, looks COLD down there in Texas ! WOW what a find ! Cant wait to see it clean !!


Jon.

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Jacquie................Perfect Power Tour Car...... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Ken https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...BruceRocks.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...HollyRocks.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...BruceRocks.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

I agree! Don Hardy's old cars...how cool! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Jacquie,
Here is a breakdown:

P - Interior color, Plum

M2 - Royal Plum exterior with black vinyl top

VIN - 43,783 vehicle out of the Arlington, TX plant

C - Cater 4BBL Carb

T0130IJ - 427/385 with TH400 tranny, assembled Jan 30, 1967 Tonawanda NY

ER - 2:73 Open rear axle assembled December 3, 1966, possibly with Metallic Brakes.

P - Assembly month code, February

67B329 - Turbo 400 (B=427) built 329th day of 1966

3 - Power Steering/Brakes
5 - AM/FM Radio
1 - Factory A/C
1 - Power Windows

Being that this car is built in Arlington, a BOP plant, there is a great chance you will find a broadcast sheet in one of the seats, but the best place to look is the back seat, as they have been found there several times.

Steve

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Don Hardy was a well known chassis buidler, built cars for the likes of Dick Harrell, Kelly Chadwick, and many others, and yes, the man behind many, many Vega kits. I believe even Joel Rosen used some of his parts.

Sue is a very interesting person to talk to about the good old days of racing. We had a couple of nice visits when I was researching my funny car.

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Yes, it was COLD in the panhandle of Texas where there wasn't so much as a twig to block that North Wind! Sue was freaking out on the guys for making fingerprints in the dust. They told her to stop chastising them and get her hands dirty and start pushing.https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Steve, thanks for decoding the POP. I will get a photo of the vin, deck stamp and trim tag and Monday will pull the back seat and see if we can find that buildsheet.

Tom, Sue told us about Don selling the funny car. Said the gentleman he sold it to didn't quite get all the info about the car he wanted out of Don, so he took her out to dinner to hear what she remembered about it. We wondered if that could have been you. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Ken, great idea! Once we get her all cleaned up and get that AC working the Caprice would be a killer power tour car! Way more fun than Glenns 502 Camaro that we figured we would have to use. I hate riding in that thing because the only way he seems to know to drive it is sideways! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif

I plan to hang on to the Caprice and enjoy it for a while. I'm really looking forward starting the clean-up. The trunk lock is frozen and we haven't been in there yet. Maybe we will find some Christmas presents hiding there! We found a like new 64-66 wood wheel in the trunk of the Impala. Glenn wants to go ahead and sell the Impala but would first like to talk to Don and see if he is the one that put the 409 stuff in it and learn a little more about it...but Sue didn't think he would be too receptive. I don't think he was happy about losing his cars. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Calling Don Hardy a guy who makes Vega kits is like calling Grumpy Jenkins a guy who rebuilds engines.He built tube chassis race cars for the biggest names in the sport back in the 70's.

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Here's a few pics for those of you who wanted to see the Caprice cleaned up. She's looking good https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif Body looks really nice - just a few scratches and dings here and there and lacquer checking, mostly on the hood. Haven't got started on the interior yet...busy time of year to get much done. Got the trunk lid opened and tried to lift the mat to see what we had going on under there. Bad news is the mat shattered, like glass, into a hundred pieces https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif It didn't look like it had ever been moved, but the good news was just normal surface rust underneath. Got all the fluids changed and as soon as we get a couple of hoses we'll fire her up!

We talked to Don too...nice guy! He had some cool stories to share. He said the car did 90 better than 70 out on the highway and that he got plenty of speeding tickets to prove it. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Sorry the photos are taken inside...but it was toooo cold to push her back out for a photo shoot!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean10.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean11.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean12.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean13.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean14.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean01.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean02.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean03.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean04.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean05.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean06.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean07.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean08.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean09.jpg

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Nice ride Jacquie! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Damn nice! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Jacquie,

Love it! Congrats, glad the car is in good hands!

I sent you a pm.

Dan.

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Hey, what did you do with the rodent nest from under the air cleaner?

PETA is going to be mad at you! That was an indigenous, endangered species habitat you destroyed!

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

Not to worry. We left it behind..tucked away in the corner of the shed where we found it. Its endangered inhabitants should be able to find it when they come out of hiding. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Not to worry. We left it behind..tucked away in the corner of the shed where we found it. Its endangered inhabitants should be able to find it when they come out of hiding. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

[/ QUOTE ]


https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Looks like you made a Good Choice https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Ken https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

[ QUOTE ]


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean01.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...27/clean02.jpg



[/ QUOTE ]

Jacquie, the Caprice looks GREAT!

BTW, my buddy is a big Heavy Chevy enthusiast, and I spy a green one in the background. What can you tell me about it? He's not looking to buy, just keeps an unofficial registry of them.

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

The HC is going to BJ Scottsdale. Here are some pics and info. Send someone out there to bid on it!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Heavy Chevy

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

As others have said...the car looks great! Bring it to Scottsdale so we can cruise around https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: 67 Caprice 427 - Any thoughts?
 

[ QUOTE ]
As others have said...the car looks great! Bring it to Scottsdale so we can cruise around https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif Very cool. Bring it to Sag Harbor as long as the heater works!!