Re: IML: Paul W. and his '56 and '65 Imperials & Maintenance

[randalpark@xxxxxxx]

Thanks for the compliments Joe! If it is still out there, check the 
November 2003 Spotlight on the OIC website. I think there are pictures 
of both cars included there.

From a distance, the answer to the brake line question would be yes, 
replace them. My reason is that brake fluid turns cruddy after years of 
sitting. Even if the lines don't leak, crums or globs of rotten fluid 
can break lose and interfere with the braking action. I suspect many 
folks who have been unhappy with the brakes on these cars have 
experienced a combination of this problem in addition to other worn 
parts and incorrect adjustment. All of my Imperials have excellent 
functioning original braking systems. Unless you plan on using your car 
to run a race down a curvy mountain road, I don't think that you need 
to convert the brakes. They will serve you well if they are properly 
maintained, and the car is driven sensibly.

Paul W.


-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Strickland <jwstrick426@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Imperial Mail List <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 5:33 am
Subject: IML: Paul W. and his '56 and '65 Imperials & Maintenance


Paul; 
 
Kudos for keeping your Imperials running and stored properly. I like 
both years. Each has its strong points. Both are beautiful cars. 
Paul, do you have a website or could you send some *.jpg pictures of 
your cars to the club? It would be nice to see them on-line. My dad 
used to have a '55 model and I loved the "Million Dollar" interior, 
especially the large steering wheel with the chrome thumb rests and 
ribbed hand grip areas. Even the steering column cover was a beautiful 
piece of work. The generous use of chrome trim inside really set off 
the older Imperials and makes them look especially luxurious by 
comparison to todays cars. 
 
I spent some time yesterday looking through the Repair section of the 
Imperial Club's information. I have been wanting to get my '62 on the 
road again and brakes are the primary consideration. I found a wealth 
of information on the 3-Point/Total Contact brake systems in the 1960 
Service Reference Book, Session 153. This has greater detail than 
anything else I have seen on the '60-62 models. Based on the good 
information there, I believe I will try once more to repair the 
existing 
system before trying to convert to disc brakes. It would certainly be 
cheaper and less trouble to do. 
 
A question for the group - do you think it would be best to replace all 
of the steel brake line tubes? 
 
Thanks a million to all those who have had a part in gathering this 
wealth of service information. The number of people experienced in 
dealing with the older brake systems diminishes each year. Most current 
mechanics have never even seen any of these and would likely not be 
able 
to work on the system without causing additional problems. 
 
My most recent battle on my '62 was getting rid of some field mice who 
had set up housekeeping in the trunk. I had to completely remove the 
trunk floor carpet. That lead to also removing, scanning and cleaning 
up an image file of the jack instructions that were glued to one of the 
cardboard panels on the left side of the trunk wall. I am trying to 
decide whether to try to clean the original carpet or to just replace 
it. 
 
Does anyone know of a source for new carpet material like the original 
for a '62 Custom? 
 
For the time being I have placed some moth balls in both the trunk and 
the interior of the car. That seems to be keeping the mice out. I was 
lucky with this car in that the previous owners had always kept the car 
garaged. I have done the same myself. The dash pad has no cracks and 
the steering wheel only has one small one. Since the interior of the 
car is blue, I found and installed a blue plastic wrap on the steering 
wheel to cover the crack. I have vinyl and original equipment seat 
cover material to finish repairing the interior parts that have 
deteriorated. 
 
Joe S. 
 
 
 
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