Jake Dykstra's 1962 409/409 Impala!

[RPOLS3]

The two steps forward one step back bug bit again last night........

I took the car to a local cruise night (see seperate post in the lounge). The last couple of times I drove the car there has been a disturbing clunk coming from underneath that has gotten louder. I thought I screwed something up when I put the front end back together but after I got home last night I took a look and everything under the front is as it should be. I know the center carrier bearing support for the driveshaft is a weak point in these cars. When I went to grab the rear driveshaft it was loose as a goose, so I think I found the culprit.........and my next project. Always something.

Other than that the car drives great, new carbs are very responsive and the new correct radiator keeps things noticeably cooler than the previous unit.

[Too Many Projects]

Car looks great !!
Sorry to hear about the next issue...

I bought a replacement for my '62 a number of years ago now and the pressed metal stand was so cheesy, it bent under hard acceleration and would rub inside the frame. I had to remove it again and weld supports on both sides..

[RPOLS3]

Originally Posted by Too Many Projects

Car looks great !!
Sorry to hear about the next issue...

I bought a replacement for my '62 a number of years ago now and the pressed metal stand was so cheesy, it bent under hard acceleration and would rub inside the frame. I had to remove it again and weld supports on both sides..

Thanks Mitch - supposedly the trick is to install the billet version that holds up better, which suppsedly Dad did back in 2010 based on receipts and forum postings I can see. There can't be that many miles on it since then guessing 5k? Some say the billet one isn't worth the 4x price as it fails just as easy. Will see once I get it apart.

[Too Many Projects]

I thought the billet support required a slip yoke on the rear half shaft ? Is there one with the rubber around the bearing for shaft movement ?

[Bill Pritchard]

Originally Posted by RPOLS3

I know the center carrier bearing support for the driveshaft is a weak point in these cars.

Yup, always has been. Those were a routine maintenance item back in the day.

The car looks great! With so much history (and family history, to boot!) behind it, putting it back to the correct non-SS configuration was absolutely the right thing to do