Customs Opinions on a 1962 Chevy Impala

I've recently been hired at a well paying company and I've decided to (possibly) rebuild our 62 Impala that's been sitting in the front yard for God knows how long. And I want some opinions on the internals.

1. The car was originally a 3-on-the-tree, but then was made a 4-speed a few years ago, and then most recently an automatic 4. I want to go manual but what would you recommend?

2. The current motor is a 350 that is in desperate need of overhaul, but I'm torn between putting a 283 or a 327 back in.

Suggest away. Pics will be posted soon.

 

I started off writing a long winded thing but why change from what you have when it sounds like a solid candidate to be rebuilt into a but kicking engine for a reasonable cost? That won't please the characters who think it adds to their "trad creds" to blast guys with 350's but you will save the trouble and cost of hunting down and buying a rebuilder core just to please them. But you could spend and extra thousand dollars putting together a 283 that may or may not keep up with your buds out on the highway on road trips or you could spend a bit more than that and put together a 327 so you could kick back in the lawn chair at a rod trot and tell everyone within listening distance that you had a real 327.

Well i'm gong to catch a ration of crap from those who think it's some sort of crime to build a 350 even if there is one already in the car and so be it.

 

I would go with the 350 since it will give you lots more power than the other 2 choices . On the other hand if I hand that 327 with a solid cam that would really make a sweet small block to build . They are strong engines that seem to last forever . The 283 was another great engine as well but I like HP so I would go with the 350 . You can always sell the 283 & 327 to build the 350 with . Just a thought .
Got some pictures ?

Retro Jim

 

I'm a big fan of Goodwrench engines myself.

 

I need to find the pictures on my computer. But the only reason I was suggesting the other two engines is because I'm pretty sure the 350 is seized up. Plus I have a 327 waiting in the corner of the garage.

 

I got a oem grabber bar out a 62 ss if u need one for your build, tan in color and not easy to find

 

If you have a good 327 ready to go, why WOULDN'T you get rid of the questionable 350??

 

Go retro! The 327. What is the plan for the overall theme of the car? A specific era, lowrider, drag style, ect. If it's 20" wheel'z and bags.......see ya!

 

I can tell ya one thing for sure. If I was considering building a 62+ Impala ( I am) it would get a 409. Nothing better. 4 speed for a high HP of a glide for a 340 horse or a 348. Screw a belly button, you already have one! Only a period belly button like a early 327/300 if you must go that route

 

No lowriders for me. Blech. Perhaps a street legal "Super Stock" look.

 

So if it already has a 350 and you don't already have a 327 or 283 to play with there is no reason to not build the 360. You can dress it to look older if that makes you happy.

If I wanted to run a stick I would go bak in with a 4 gear. By 4 speed auto I assume that you mean OD tranny correct? I am not a big fan of OD trannies so I won't bother discussing that part of it with you.

 

Ignore my avatar for a minute..... I've always had it bad for 62's!
You already have plenty of suggestions on an early small block; and one I like is the 409 or even a 348, just because it fills that big engine room up. A hundred years ago a friend and I put a 396 in his 62 Impala and that thing looked right at home in there! Suprised a few guys too. Course back then, every yard in town had a half dozen of em. Another engine I always thought would make a good cruiser is a 472 Caddy. Buttloads of torque for cheap. They're not too expensive and the Chevy guys might scratch thier heads a minute till they figure it out. It's also a way to not have a belly button motor, yet still hang with the General.

Here's a pic of a sweet 62 for inspiration. No idea who's...just love it.

 

Put in a 327 that's balanced and rev's like hell with a 4 speed.

 

If the 350 is locked, or presumably locked and needs a rebuild, drag the 327 out and go with it.
Personally, the small journal 327's are my favorite small block chevy.
I don't personally care about running a 350, my 57 has one, and has had one since i built it the first time 22 years ago so it has nothing to do with the belly button thing.
I just prefer the high winding 327's...They CAN be made to haul the goods!
Here's a pic of one of my old 63's. Looks stock, but wasn't..had a lot of go fast goodies hidden under the orange..it's a 65 327.


NOW, all that being said...
A 409 would be PERFECT as was said..here's a pic of the 62 i built and have now..
Problem, cost...that part sucks. but ohh man if you can swing it!!



I've had a bunch of early Impalas, and all aside from this 62, and the 63 i have, ran 283's or 327's. they just belong there..can't explain it...

I still say run the 327.


Tony

 

I may have managed to acquire a Saginaw 4-speed for it! Needs a little work though.

 

Put what YOU want in it. The last thing I'd ever do is spend money on trying to make an engine look other then what it is. My 62 wagon has a late model 350 with center bolt valve covers. If someone doesn't like it they could pound salt..

 

Sounds like money will not be an issue with your new job so I'd go with the 327 4-speed combo. If money is an issue, locate a local motor deal where you can verify the condition and stick with the automatic.
Personally, I prefer a driver that you can fix up as you drive it. The other way it would be easy to lose interest if it got too involved. And that's happened to me when I was a little younger and a little less patient.

 

Sorry I haven't posted pics yet . I just picked up a car (irrelevant to this board) and I've been trying to piece it together. I promise I will post them for anyone who has shown interest in the tread.

 

Ok so I haven't gotten on in 3 months because of other issues, once again, irrelevant to this board. My brother and I have cleaned out the majority of the 62. However, severe floorboard damage has probably hindered this until I get replacement pans. Where would be the best place to purchase good quality at a fair price? I'm really on a low budget as school has started up again. Any input will be very appreciated.

 

This was the idea.

 

Classicindustries.com is a good source for tin for your car. But when it comes to shipping, you may have good luck and save a couple bucks by ordering through summit.com since they have a warehouse in ohio. I would call around to whoever you can find that carries them and talk to a real person who can tell you what the real shipping cost on those big panels is gonna be. I just went through this with my '62 Wagon...

 

A 327 and 4 speed, sweet! If you have the 327 and 4 speed and still have the pedals etc for manual trans go for it. A million guys would love to have that combination and here it is all in front of you.

 

This (minus the wheels). Sorry the picture didn't show earlier.

 

Well we moved the 62 closer to the garage so I could start teardown. Not really sure the true condition, maybe better than expected...