HCP's Hot Rod Power Tour 62 Catalina

[A.X.]

This is the HCP HotRod Power Tour 1962 Catalina preparation project. As many of you know, I have a 1962 Catalina that was purchased by some of my UK friends so they can cruise in the 2008 HotRod Power Tour. The car is in excellent shape, and is pretty much, all original. It does need a little work to get it road ready for the tour, though. In this thread, I will show the progress of it's road ready preparation. Most of the fixes are minor, but some are going to be a pain, as parts are rare and expensive. The idea though, is to do this on the cheap! HCP's sponsorship of this car is coming from me preparing it for the tour.

Here's a list of what needs to be done... so far!

1. Wiper Motor. This thing is pretty much shot, but is very expensive to replace. I've tested the wiring and the switch, and they are good. Nothing left but the motor. Not sure what to do about this.

2. Fuel Gauge. Does not work. The gauge is new, and the wiring seems fine. It stays on Full, so my guess is that it's a bad ground. That bad ground is probably on the tank side, which means I'll need to drop the tank. No drain plug on the tank, so I'll have to siphon the gas, before dropping it.

3. Speedometer. This thing sticks at 80 MPH. It's not the cable, but the needle itself. I just squirted some WD-40 in it, and hope it's fixed. LOL!

4. Mufflers. The mufflers are crap. Rusted and look to have once had a lot of pressure, which kind of "ballooned" them. One it busted at the seams, and is leaking pretty bad. I have a set of Flow Masters that will be a nice replacement.

5. Points to Ignition Module. This is not necessary, but will aid in starting and idle, and maybe even fuel economy.

6. Odds and Ends. Theres a fuel line that is rubbing the exhaust, and I'll need to remedy that. There are also a lot of other little things that will need some attention, especially since this thing will be making a long voyage.

7. Shocks. Replacing the rear shocks is not a necessity, but will offer a better ride on the long trip.

These are some pics of the items listed. Any help or ideas for these fixes would be great!

[A.X.]

More work on the wiper motor, and I've pretty much determined that it's shot. I'm looking for alternative motors as a replacement, or maybe some sort of rebuild kit.

[Chuck]

Its all the little shit like the rubber lines. That'll leave you stranded.

[A.X.]

Yeah, gonna need to buy rubber hoses and lines in bulk. LOL!

[The Chief]

OK,

The wiper motor

Have pretty much struck out on a rebuild kiyt and at the moment $250 for a new motor is crazy when we know the motor still works if you spark it form the battery. Im gonna suggest that its corroded terminals inside the motor connection plate. The annoying thing is if i was there i would just tear into it and fix it most of that stuff is easy fixes i rebuilt the stop light switch on the 55 that was just the contacts worn away so with some careful sanding and a soldering iron they were rebuilt. If you want to crack it apart mike its fine with me.

Shocks

Will be on the phone to KYB monday im damn sure they will have something that will cross reference and hopefully something a little stiffer

Exhaust

Can we get away with new mufflers or is it a complete system? if so would glasspacks fit i dont mind it being a little loud infact i prefer to hear the car and as most of the journey is slow speeds a decent rumle would rock

[A.X.]

I said I have a set of flow masters for it. (They may be FM knock offs, I don't remember.) They are the same size as the existing pipe.

[The Chief]

Originally Posted by A.X.

I said I have a set of flow masters for it. (They may be FM knock offs, I don't remember.) They are the same size as the existing pipe.

Sorry was in maryann mode whe i read your post

[M-CCCXXXIV]

What can I do or give to help with this project?

[A.X.]

Biggest dilemma is the freakin' wiper motor. Any ideas on this would be a great help.

[M-CCCXXXIV]

Damn I just did a quick search and that this is weird looking. I have no idea's But I can and will donate to the cause.

[The Chief]

Yup it was only used for one year, the following years were 2 speeds and cross across the entire GM range in various years

[A.X.]

Well, I took it off, attempting to repair it. Didn't work. The brushes look fine, the thing is greased fine. All contact points are nice and clean. The armature looks fine. No burned electronics smell or nothing. The motor is very weak, though. I can stop it with my hand, and without much effort at all. I was gonna swap out the motor guts with a late model, but the brushes on those are in a different place. LOL! Tried to fit a modern wiper motor in the car, but it wouldn't even come close.

Here are some pics of this oddball thing!

[poncho1961]

55, is the only difference the number of speeds or do the other years differ in mounting points too? You could always adapt plugs and skip a speed or two if that was the only difference. How about an adaptor bracket welded up to adapt a later model to the mounting points of the existing? Are there clearance issues that would prohibit this?

A.X., Does the motor seem to come up to speed? When you grabbed it and stopped it, was this motor only or at the end of the small transmission? I don't think the motor itself puts out a lot of torque, it gets its power through the small gearbox.

[The Chief]

Rick, its totally different to every other year in size and mountings as well as its speeds. I think the motor is gone probably due to age and the insulation on the windings breaking down. Mikes gonna take it to a place local to him that rebuilds starters and alts and see if they can test the windings

[The Chief]

Just got off the phone with Dan at KYB and he has found a shock that will fit, his words were i hope you like a firm ride as its meant for an isuzu Trooper I said fine by me i like a car to handle and i cant argue with the price summit has them for $39 each and $25 for the fronts

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by The Chief

I think the motor is gone probably due to age and the insulation on the windings breaking down. Mikes gonna take it to a place local to him that rebuilds starters and alts and see if they can test the windings

I think thats the best bet have the armature rebuilt. The case should have fixed magnets. But over time the winding will loose there continuity and loose torgue or stop working all together.

[A.X.]

Which is probably what has happened. At least for the most part.