Technical ‘63 Impala build thread novice

Hey guys I’ve been posting different questions on this forum regarding my ‘63 Impala project. Another member suggested that I start this thread instead of asking a bunch of different questions regarding the same car. So here it goes:
I recently installed 15” Cragar SS wheels. I don’t have a spare wheel or a Jack. I want to know what can I use that is light and compact to jack up the car in the event of a flat tire

 

Having recently jacked up a 63 Chevy to work on the brakes, I’d recommend buying a small hydraulic floor jack, and a good small jackstand. Jack rearend up in the center, put a jackstand under the frame, then use the jack under the outer end of the axle to get it lifted or lowered to fit the larger tire in that skinny wheelwell.

 

Sounds like you have a good start already. As for a good jack, since you’re going to use it for flat tires and the like you might want to look at your local auto parts store ( O’Riley, Auto Zone, etc) or a place like Harbor Freight. They have multiple options for what you want.

 

I've got a small parts store jack in all of my cars.about a foot long and five tall

 

How about an original factory type jack that are pretty cheap at swap meets ??

Otherwise as others have said a small HYD jack that you can toss in the middle of the spare tire or a box in the trunk. There cheap.

 

On cars that are missing the jack I just use a cheap scissors jack. Nice and light weight.

 

Sorry I forgot to mention this is for emergency purposes like if I drive on Route 66 in the middle of nowhere and I get a blow out. I have 2 jacks and stands for my home equipment but on the road anything could happen.

 

What did it take to fit those rear wheels in the wheelwells at home? Do you think you could do it on the side of the road with any less?

 

What @Moriarity said.

 

Hello,

Having grown up using a stock bumper jack, I can attest to the jack being only used for emergencies. It can be stored away and used at will. But, at home, those steel jack stands did the job of securing the car in one position.

In the beginning, I was under the 58 Impala to replace the complete third member of the rear axle every Thursday afternoon and night. My brother owned the car and he show me how to use the jack and jack stands to replace the 4:11 positraction third member. Jack it up, put the jack stands in and the crawl in to take apart the third member. Then pull out the axles slightly and now go back under the car to pull out the third member. Once the threaded end cleared the third member, then that whole unit came out easily. (all preparation for the weekend dragstrip competition and for my brother, a Friday night challenge races when they happened on the Cherry Avenue Drags location.))

The third member was super heavy, so in the beginning, I had to use flat wood blocks to put near the unbolted third member. Then pulling it out was simple and landed on the wooden blocks to move away from the opening. The blocks were on a flat metal plate that had steel roller skates welded on and could now be moved back and out of the way.

Once it was outside, it could be exchanged for the other complete third member. A 4:56 positraction unit. I did that for several weeks. Why? Since I did all of that work, my brother was obligated by my mom to take me anywhere I wanted to go. I did not drive and so, he took me all over. Basketball practices, games, to the beach, friends houses and also pick ups too. For me, spending hours under the Impala was a lesson in mechanics and also, a paying job so I could go places easily.

Note:

The bumper jack and jack stands were useful since it was the only way we could jack up the rear end of the Impala. The only folks using the floor jacks were the actual mechanics at gas stations and repair places. So, my dad’s friend in Los Angeles liked that we were involved in hot rods and drag racing. So, he offered to our dad a new black and silver, Walker Floor Jack. It was new, large and taken apart in the trunk of our dad’s Buick one day after work. Assembly was simple and now, there was a strong helper for my work under the car. Yippee! I was a lifesaver for me.

For the most useful tool, a small scissors jack takes up less space in the trunk or for our sedan delivery, under the rear floor. But, before you go spending a lot of money on any jack, we used that scissors jack one time at home to get a new tire already mounted in place. So, a minimal jack, strong enough for raising any corner, plus wheel chocks for safety and at home definitely strong floor stands. YRMV

Sold everywhere, single or in a kit

 

Here she is

 

I’m set for home jacks. I was thinking about when I’m away and AAA lags. I can change the wheel in a pinch. I still need to get a spare cragar 15x7, tire and scissor jack,lug wrench. The tires I have on there have good tread but are old.

 

Your Cragars are in great shape. Does the body have to be lifted to get the rear tire off? How about an original bumper jack, supplemented with a scissor jack. You probably have the mounting points for the stock unit already. Don't forget a wheel chock!

 

I am a fan of '63s (we are the same vintage). It's my favorite of the '61-'64s. I'm not a fan of Cragar SS because they are everywhere and on everything. The white letter tires give it a 70s-80s look to me. Not a fan of those either. The only problem jacking them up, is the X frame. Find a scissor jack as stated. Good luck on your project.

 

Regarding the cragars they do have some rust. I tried using extra fine steel wool but it didn’t remove it. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

I got an oem factory PS from a ‘60 impala that I’m modifying to fit the 63. Pump had to be shimmed to align the belt. As you can see the top hose fitting is too close to the alternator belt. I was thinking about using a MAPP torch and a metal rod to move it 15 degrees. What do you think about this idea? Any better suggestions?

 

You don’t need a Cragar as a spare. Steel wheel and tire of same/similar diameter is all you need, maybe 5 different lug nuts.

 

Pick up a single '55 -56 factory steel wheel. 15x5. Palm trees. Florida? Cali?

 

Sandy eggo,CA

 

Cool car.
And the Cragars make it even better!

I spent a lot of time at North Island & 32nd street bases back in the '80's & '90's.

Can you pivot the pump a few degrees outward so the hose fitting rotates away from the belt?

My vague memory says there's a slot on the back of the pump bracket that allows rotating it in order to tighten the belt.

 

Yes it pivots to tighten but it’s at the tight zone already.

 

Can you make the slot a bit longer so it pivots a few degrees more, without weakening the bracket?

I'd be reluctant to heat the tube for fear of cracking it.

 

Exactly. Belt numbers are an indication of length. You need a longer belt on the PS if you have adjustment, or shorter on the alternator if you have adjustment that way.

 

The car looks much better with the new wheels. I'm curious, are the tires new or used? They almost look like they might be older, if they are check the date codes... If you don't know how they were stored, it might be risky running them.

 

That’s a good idea . So the ps pump is from a ‘60 which uses a 44” belt. The belt I currently have is for a ‘63 which is 36”. That’s 8” difference. Seems like it would be too long ?

 

Yeah the tires are old but good tread. That’s why I was thinking of getting a spare wheel. In case of a blow out.