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New member New Chevrolet Impala 64 SS owner

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3.1K views 32 replies 6 participants last post by  65_&_67_Impala  
K
#1 ·
I wanted to say hello to the Impala family. Thank you for having this platform. I recently acquired a 64 Chevrolet Impala SS matching numbers car. this has been the car of my dreams and I finally pulled the trigger and made the purchase. The wife does not know as of yet finding the perfect time lol. Could anyone give suggestions and recommendations of what I need or should do to help keep the integrity and originality of my Chevy?
 
J
#2 ·
K
#6 ·
japete92 said:
The following are great sources of reliable information:

The '64 Assembly Manual, the 'the '64 Shop Manual (Supplement), and the '61 Shop Manual (the Manual the '64 Supplements).


First task I would do is VERIFY the claimed original configuration (if not already accomplished).

Pete
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hey
Pete can you recommend a good places to get tires. I am looking for the older look with a better ride.
 
K
#3 ·
Thank you for this great guide. I did have the information verified by a third party inspector and found documents on line how to verif, but not as detailed as what you sent. I had added some various photos below from the dealerships’ site. It was an older restoration 10-12 years old came from a private collection out of Washington state.
 

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K
#9 ·
Are these 1964 CHEVROLET IMPALA WIRE WHEEL HUBCAPS an accessory that was a special order item for this year? The hubcaps below are NOS full set in original packaging. would it be worth the hassle of purchasing and mounting? Again I plan on driving the car and going to shows. Feed back is greatly appreciate. Thank you all in advance.
 

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K
#11 ·
That 63 is amazing I hope you reach your reserve. You took AMAZING care of your car. I might have to work some crazy OT hours to get my wife your rag top. She wants a drop top too. I totally understand and respect your reasons as to why your selling. I will check the GMHeritage document . I believe you are correct in regards to the hubcaps not being standard issue for the SS trim. Best of luck on that auction I will try to follow the auction.
 
#14 ·
I would just change the front springs. I used to get mine from the dealer, but I believe Moog has good replacements now. You will need figure out exactly what spring tension you would need depending on how much height you are looking for.
 
K
#15 ·
That is an easier suggestion. I am not sure of the height I am looking for to be honest. I have some homework to do.I will check Moog. My wallet is opening more and more each day. I will be getting the car shipped from the sellers location in Iowa to NY in an enclosed trailer. shopping around for a transportation company. The fun keeps continuing for me.
 
K
#20 ·
Thank you so much. I can not wait to drive her. My wife has no idea Of my purchase lol. I am looking forward to getting the car to its new home. I have adhere to advice and suggestion given on this forum and ordered all manuals from EBay. The '64 Assembly Manual,64 Shop Manual (Supplement), and the '61 Shop Manual (the Manual the '64 Supplements).
 
K
#22 ·
cintocrunch said:
A lot of great advice was given. There are tons of videos and resources on off-season storage that can help preserve the car as well.

Good luck with the wife!
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Whatever resources you think may help send my way please. Knowledge and experience o
is power. I have so many questions to ask you Impala lovers, from which brand oil you all use, to what gas brand you use. This color will be passed down to my children should we decide to have. they do not build cars like they use to. We all own a piece of American history. which is so amazing. The wife has to understand I am now a historian preserving the facts. I will also take her out to fancy place as icing on the cake if my historian line doesn’t work.
 
J
#28 ·
Oil opinions are like political or religious ones. Some folks feel strongly one way or the other with, or without, logical reasons. Me too.

Here are mine:

I do not use Jurassic oil in engines designed for synthetic.

I do not use synthetic oil in engines designed for Jurassic.

I use good quality Jurassic oil (Pennzoil 10W40) in my '383' with flat tappets. I add ZDDP Plus with every oil change. I change oil/filter every 3000 miles OR once a year regardless of miles.

I would follow those guidelines for any vintage flat tappet engine. I have logical reasons for my opinions, but I'll not post them. Those who disagree do not care; and neither to those who agree. No need to waste the potential readers' time, nor mine. :)

Pete
 
6
#33 ·
japete92 said:
Oil opinions are like political or religious ones. Some folks feel strongly one way or the other with, or without, logical reasons. Me too.

Here are mine:

I do not use Jurassic oil in engines designed for synthetic.

I do not use synthetic oil in engines designed for Jurassic.

I use good quality Jurassic oil (Pennzoil 10W40) in my '383' with flat tappets. I add ZDDP Plus with every oil change. I change oil/filter every 3000 miles OR once a year regardless of miles.

I would follow those guidelines for any vintage flat tappet engine. I have logical reasons for my opinions, but I'll not post them. Those who disagree do not care; and neither to those who agree. No need to waste the potential readers' time, nor mine. :)

Pete
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I don't think it's so much the engine designed for Jurassic or synthetic so much as what components it was built with. older cylinder heads having a different metallurgy mixture either require Leaded gas or valve seats to protect them. as cintocrunch said, any 30+ yr old engine that hasn't been rebuilt in the last 30yrs he'd use dino oil, which I agree with. if you re-bore, hone, etc, to todays modern machining standards, you could consider pouring in synthetic at that time
but otherwise, yeah, I agree with you
 
K
#29 ·
You guys have valid points I will adhere to the wisdom shared. Oil ,Zinc, ZDDP are easy finds at the local part store and aren’t big money. I am like a sponge absorbing all the knowledge you are share combines with reading various sources. Knowledge, wisdom, experience, failure, success, along with many other traits such as listening all equal power and longevity for this passion of owing our classics.
 
#31 ·
Kels 64 said:
Thank you all I am truly than for the shared wisdom. Please keep them coming we are all grown and can speak our car experiences on this wonderful platform.
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That was why I recommended reaching out to the engine builder if you can. They usually have an oil that they have had success with in their engines and that's the person I'd listen to if I had a rebuilt/crate engine.

It does sound like we are 2 for 2 on the ZDDP though.

And I do agree with @japete - I am running dino oil in my Impala since it's either original or a 30+ year old rebuild. If I purchase a crate engine or a rebuilt engine where the builder spec'd synthetic then I'd do what they recommend.
 
J
#32 ·

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