Technical 283 1964 Impala Build

Hi, I'm new to this whole forum thing so excuse me if I did something wrong. Anyway, I have a stock 1964 Impala Sport Sedan with a 283 2bbl. I'm looking for some ways to make it a bit more fun to drive. From 40-60, it takes about 10 seconds. However I'd also like to keep the original look if possible. Any help is appreciated and if you suggest an item could you provide a link to it aswell? Thanks again!

 

Upgrade to a 4 bbl carb and free flowing dual exhaust. The powerglide likely has a tall geared rearend. Lower gears will give it more launch.

 

yep, dual plane Edelbrock intake manifold and 600cfm carburetor (summitracing.com) and low restriction dual exhaust system will make a world of difference. while on Summit site look at getting a Pertronix electronic replacement for the standard points, along with their replacement coil. hold off on changing rearend gears for now.

 

With the electronic replacement, do you mean an HEI distributor? And if so, I have an HEI cap, rotor and wires, can I put that on my stock distributor? Thanks for the reply!

 

Do you think something like this would work pretty good?

 

That's a clean motor, what does the rest of the car look like.
I had a 64 sport coupe years ago, 250 hp 327, and 3 speed on the colum, not a rocket, but I did a 4 speed changeover and didn't touch the engine, man was that a fun car to row through the gears. I had intensions of doing some engine upgrades, but the car was just too much fun to ruin a good thing, you would be surprised what a few mods will do to a 283.

 

It needs a nice new paint job, but it works as a driver. The rest of the car is beautiful, interior is great! I just got it last August.

 

That's a beaut.
I had one beside the one mentioned above, it was a white sport coupe also.

 

Leave it the way it is! All you need is some lower gears, 3.70 to 4.11; does't have to be "Posi", so it'll be cheaper. That will make far more difference than messing with the engine. The car looks to be completely stock, why mess with it? Maybe add dual exhaust. There you go. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Okay I'm still new to this whole thing, is there any reason why I can only see you saying "That's a beaut." On the thread but if I go to quote you, I see the rest of what you wrote?

 

And yeah I just want it to have a little more get up and go, sometimes it's really sluggish. I'm not looking to go racing but some more ponies are definitely appreciated [emoji274]

 

Could I do that kind of job myself or would I have to give it to a shop? Also, if I were to change the rear gear, where would I start if I were to look for one that would fit as well as would I need any other modifications to make it work? Thanks for the input!

 

Swap out the third member; plenty of 3.70-4.11 open rear ends out there ($100-150/ there's currently a 4.11 open on the Seattle area Craig's list for $100). Remove the wheels/tires and brake drums, remove the 4 nuts that hold the backing plate/axle retainer to the axle housing. Use a slide hammer to bump the axles out, then remove the third member. Worst part is there's no drain plug, so the foul smelling gear oil tends to make a mess. Reassemble, add new lube; the whole personality of the car will change. But, once the bug to modify bites you on the a**, all bets are off. Some cars just should't be messed with; yours might be one of them. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Two seperate posts.
But, sometimes we will just copy part of someones post when quoting.

 

Thanks for all the info, is this what I need? Just found this on CL

 

No those parts will not fit your 64 rearend. You want to get a complete hogs head. the trird member in your car is removeable. And you need the right sized carrer assembly to change the gear set.

 

yes

no - not with your transmission/motor

 

Your car came with a 3:08 rear which is a great highway gear. Changing to a 3:70 or 4:11 will do nothing but have that little 283 cranking about 3000 RPM's at 65- 70 MPH. I'd leave the rear end alone. A four barrel and dual exhaust is an option but will do little as far as increasing your performance with a stock 283, power glide and a big heavy sedan. Not worth the time or money in my estimation.

Gary

 

A 3.36 to 3.50 gear is what I would put in it. Good all around gear for the freeway and around town. Also putting a used third member into your rear may be asking for problems. I would have all new bearings put in it just to make sure. You should probly have shop rebuild the third member since it does require some special tools and knowledge of how to set the gears up. But then you can swap the their member out and save some coin. I def would put a good free flowing exhaust on it before I stepped up to the intake upgrade as well. Do that and you will be shocked at what a change it makes.

 

I'd change the powerglide out to a turbo 350. Had a V-8 Vega back in the day with a glide and it blew, Changed it out to a turbo 350 trans and it was a world of difference.

 

Okay what you're saying makes sense, a good medium ratio gear that keeps driveability. Now you said that it's probably a safer bet to get a new third member, could you point me in the direction as to where to look for one or what to look for? Sorry but I'm really lost when it comes to rear end stuff. I appreciate everyone's time on this thread [emoji846]

 

I'm pretty sure that no one makes a new 3rd member for that rear. But there are tons of used ones out there that can be had for cheap or free if you hunt. However you can get gears and bearings all day long and have another third member rebuilt or have the one in your car rebuilt with a new gear ratio. Look at Richmond Gear web site. I have bought stuff from Randy's Ring and pinion with good prices and good results. You can call them tell them what you have and what you want from the car and the can hook you up.

https://www.ringpinion.com/

 

First run a compression test, all cylinders should be within about ten percent of each other and not under about 120 psi. Then be sure your distributors mechanical advance and vacumn advance are functioning properly.Set your total advance around 34-36 degrees.Now you can install something like an Ebelbrock performer intake manifold and an Edelbrock 600 cfm carb and a good low restriction dual exhaust and it will do you some good.If you cannot do the first two items yourself you really need to learn how. Paying a shop to do this sort of thing gets expensive.

 

Musclecar, If its more ponies your looking for replace that 283 and powerglide with more cubes and a four speed. In 1964 Chevrolet made performance cars that were 327 and 409 powered.

Gary

 

I have not seen where the poster mentioned what tranny is in this '64.
With a 283 2 bbl., it could have come with a 3 speed stick, a 3 speed stick with O.D., or a PowerGlide.
Like stated above, if it is a P.G., a 3:70 or 4:11 would not be the answer.
Depending on which factory tranny was selected, the gear ratios could have been a 3:08, 3:36, 3:55 or a 3:70.
As a footnote, many car guys would give their left gonad for a car like this, with such quality.

 

Okay I'll get to it on checking the compression etc. which makes sense before getting into anything else. And yeah I don't know how to do most things, I'm only 17, trying to learn as I go and I don't really have anyone to teach me about car stuff so I'm on my own. So far people on the Internet (such as the people on this thread) have been a great help, thanks again.

 

I could a swore I read powerglide but I don't see it either. But I zoomed in on the under hood shot and could see the shift linkage for an auto. I'll assume glide as clean and original as that car looks.

 

Sorry it is a Powerglide. As for rear gear, I really don't know. If it was anything other than a 3.08 would it say on the little options sheet from the dealer? I could check that. Haha thanks, it looks good from afar but the paint is getting worse and worse everyday, it's starting to crack. Luckily there's no rust

 

Oh and can someone tell me how a "thread" works. If I want to respond to someone, do I have to quote them? Sorry for asking so many questions