Intro/Welcome

445 Views 16 Replies 6 Participants Last post by 65_&_67_Impala, 2 d ago

izzgar7

Discussion Starter · 15 d ago

Hi everyone, my name is Izzy. I'm 25 from out in the Chicagoland area, and I bought my '62 Impala straight out of college as the first car I was able to buy with my own money and hard work. It's a bit ratty but that just made me comfortable using it as a summer/dry weather daily. I love not having to tiptoe around in it because of its condition and I definitely appreciate the looks I get around town, showing people that these cars can be taken out constantly.

Unfortunately, the og 235 stovebolt in it just gave out. Fortunately, that means I can drop a small block in it like I've been wanting! I'm hoping to make it an in-house project with my dad and brother. We've done plenty of work on our older cars, but this would definitely be one of our biggest jobs we've ever done. I'll be coming to you guys with some questions and help, and hopefully I can soak up as much knowledge as possible. Thanks for letting me join!

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65_&_67_Impala

· #2 · 15 d ago

well, a couple of things right off the bat. if swapping the engine, you'll also need to consider transmission and driveshaft. what is the current setup? console or steering column shifter? automatic or manual? transmission?

since you said 'stovebolt' I'm assuming it's all original. what about the fuel system? carb or FI?

@62BillT @BA.

62BillT

· #3 · 14 d ago

If an Auto Trans he can use the same Driveshaft if he sticks with a Powerglide. If a Manual, he can keep the same Trans and Driveshaft, but will need a V-8 Bell Housing, etc.

62BillT

· #4 · 14 d ago

izzgar7 said:
Hi everyone, my name is Izzy. I'm 25 from out in the Chicagoland area, and I bought my '62 Impala straight out of college as the first car I was able to buy with my own money and hard work. It's a bit ratty but that just made me comfortable using it as a summer/dry weather daily. I love not having to tiptoe around in it because of its condition and I definitely appreciate the looks I get around town, showing people that these cars can be taken out constantly.

Unfortunately, the og 235 stovebolt in it just gave out. Fortunately, that means I can drop a small block in it like I've been wanting! I'm hoping to make it an in-house project with my dad and brother. We've done plenty of work on our older cars, but this would definitely be one of our biggest jobs we've ever done. I'll be coming to you guys with some questions and help, and hopefully I can soak up as much knowledge as possible. Thanks for letting me join! View attachment 32052

Welcome to the site.

Car looks solid.

izzgar7

Discussion Starter · #5 · 14 d ago

65_&_67_Impala said:
well, a couple of things right off the bat. if swapping the engine, you'll also need to consider transmission and driveshaft. what is the current setup? console or steering column shifter? automatic or manual? transmission?

since you said 'stovebolt' I'm assuming it's all original. what about the fuel system? carb or FI?

@62BillT @BA.

Yep, bone stock right now. It's auto/column, and I'm planning to keep it that way with the new set up. I'm definitely moving on from the powerglide, so my questions with the trans options is:
1. What difference do you feel between a 3 and 4 speed trans, and which do you guys consider better? It's mainly going to be a cruiser, but I occasionally jump on the highway headed to the city and would like lower rpms at those speeds.
2. I hear a lot of guys saying that for those highway speeds you might want to consider a trans with an overdrive gear, is that true? Is there that big of a difference?
And just to be clear, @62BillT you're saying once I go with a 3 or 4 speed and ditch the powerglide, my driveshaft won't work anymore? I'm assuming different splines/teeth at the connection?

62BillT

· #6 · 14 d ago

As a Manual Trans guy, I'm not up on Driveshaft lengths for the different Auto Transmissions out there, but can say that the newer ones will most likely have a Fine Spline Yoke. What you have now is a Course. Also, having a 2-Piece Driveshaft like you have, any changes will concern the Front section only. All Rear sections are the same length.

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magnetocheck

· #7 · 14 d ago

Welcome. Love the car, the color, and those spots! A small block with a TH350 is an excellent, bulletproof combination and parts are readily available. If you are replacing everything, you might consider adding an overdrive but that can get complicated. Depends on how hard you want to work and fiddle with stuff to get it right, since they did not come with one originally. Other guys here have more experience, but IMO, the overdrive isn't worth it unless you are doing A LOT of highway driving. Also depends on what you are going to do with the new engine. With a bone-stock SB+2 BBL, gas mileage will be pretty good w/o the overdrive.

izzgar7

Discussion Starter · #8 · 14 d ago

magnetocheck said:
Welcome. Love the car, the color, and those spots! A small block with a TH350 is an excellent, bulletproof combination and parts are readily available. If you are replacing everything, you might consider adding an overdrive but that can get complicated. Depends on how hard you want to work and fiddle with stuff to get it right, since they did not come with one originally. Other guys here have more experience, but IMO, the overdrive isn't worth it unless you are doing A LOT of highway driving. Also depends on what you are going to do with the new engine. With a bone-stock SB+2 BBL, gas mileage will be pretty good w/o the overdrive.

Honestly that was my ideal set up. I hear the TH350s are the best overall if you're going auto, so it looks like that's probably the move. First things first I've got to get this busted engine out. I'm a teacher so the schedule is a bit busy, but now that my summer starts in a week I want to hit this project hard. I'll keep you guys updated with pics of the process!

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BA.

· #9 · 14 d ago

Hi Izzy, welcome to the site! Car looks like a good driver/cruiser already, it's gonna be even cooler with the V8 in it!

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65_&_67_Impala

· #10 · 14 d ago

keep us posted with pictures

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Gareth432

· #11 · 14 d ago

Welcome aboard.

magnetocheck

· #12 · 14 d ago

If you can't dig up a good, used THM 350, you can use a 400. It is an older model, but bigger, heavier, and stronger inside. Usually, guys will prefer a 350 if space is a problem, but with an old Impala, you've got real estate down there you can rent out!

izzgar7

Discussion Starter · #13 · 2 d ago

Well, I decided to overdo it. Instead of a small block, my little bro has offered me the built 454 out of his Henry J gasser (in the background of the original post picture for the HJ fans) since he plans on going even bigger. My 235 is all unplugged/disconnected from the rest of the car, only thing left is to take out the exhaust and get at the trans.

A couple questions with this post as well:
1. Do you guys think I should drop the trans first, or just take it out with the motor? I have a cherry picker and the help of my dad and brother close by, so the tools/muscle for the job shouldn't be a problem, I'm just wondering about convenience/ease.
2. Looking ahead a bit, what motor mounts do you guys use, and from where? I'm assuming the old ones won't work. Do you just look for stock big block Chevy engine mounts from Summit? JEGS? Thanks again!

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65_&_67_Impala

· #14 · 2 d ago

for pulling the engine/tranny, do you have:
-the nose off?
-the hood off?
-enough vertical height on the picker to lift it over the front clip?

Reactions: 1

izzgar7

Discussion Starter · #15 · 2 d ago

65_&_67_Impala said:
for pulling the engine/tranny, do you have:
-the nose off?
-the hood off?
-enough vertical height on the picker to lift it over the front clip?

The hood I figure I can get off in a couple minutes with the help of my dad/brother. The picker definitely has enough clearance, so that's no problem.
How much of the front clip would you recommend removing (what parts)? I already have the radiator out, are you recommending I remove the radiator support and grill? That's kind of why I thought of dropping the trans first, so I would have enough room to lift the engine without taking apart my whole front end.

62BillT

· #16 · 2 d ago (Edited)

With the Hood off, the Radiator out and the car raised up enough, you can take the whole unit out as is. You will just need the right angle to clear the Radiator Support. I have done it many times, although with Small Blocks. The 235 is longer but should still clear, although you may want to take out the Pulleys first.

When I dropped a 396 in my '62, I used the same 283 Small Block Frame Mounts.

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65_&_67_Impala

· #17 · 2 d ago

one other thing, if you're pulling the engine, I'm assuming you will want to do a nice cleanup of the engine bay, maybe even a repaint. in that case, removing the front clip or nose just makes it all that much easier for everything involved, as @62BillT pointed out

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