I went and did something...
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Mooresville, NC
Yea, and he's the reason the impala exists in my life. About a year ago I had planned on completely redoing my '55. Sat with him for a few hours, we had spec'd out a whole new chassis (we've got a mutual friend that's a big chassis builder.... www.artmorrison.com) and all.....and at the end he looked at me and said, look i'll do this work in a heart beat.....but it runs good, drives fine......keep it as is and buy another car......
But yea, he does little day jobs as well as usually has 1-2 long term projects he's working on. Dudes solid, worked for Moal Coachbuilders for 9 years out of high school. Car drives completely differently, only one thing that popped up once i got it home is that the lower control arm bushings squeek like a mother fucker.
But yea, he does little day jobs as well as usually has 1-2 long term projects he's working on. Dudes solid, worked for Moal Coachbuilders for 9 years out of high school. Car drives completely differently, only one thing that popped up once i got it home is that the lower control arm bushings squeek like a mother fucker.
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teh Senior Instigator
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 44,094
Likes: 980
From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
about to make a suicide trip....driving the impala and my 2 year old down to LA tomorrow morning. Zero confidence it's going to make it all the way down without blowing up. The radiator needs replacing, the coolant is full of rust, but I don't want to drain and refill as in my head the rust is plugging up some holes. The car also cruises at 65 doing about 4000 RPM. I changed the oil about 4 months ago, and refilled it with 3 qts last night (it takes 5 quarts on a refill, lol). Sooooo.......let's see how this goes....one of those "fuck it, let's roll" moments.
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,120
Likes: 4,430
From: Mooresville, NC
Some time of show/event going on that way? Seems like a crazy trip if you are that concerned of it stranding you. Could be a really fun memory though if all goes smoothly.
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teh Senior Instigator
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
Fathers day...and LA Roadster show....probably won't enter it though. Not a big car show guy. I just have a long trip, and figured fuck it, let's work this thing out (porsche is in the shop getting ceramic coated and new full frontal clear bra.....truck is boring.....the '55 i've done this drive a few times already and I know it'll make it 
.......so that left the impala). You guys know, i don't let my cars sit.....and only one way to figure out how reliable they are.
.......so that left the impala). You guys know, i don't let my cars sit.....and only one way to figure out how reliable they are.
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,120
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From: Mooresville, NC
I fully approve the not letting cars sit and putting all sorts of miles on them when I know they are mostly reliable. The picture you painted though makes it not sound all that reliable at this point for such a trip. I hope it goes well for you and proves you wrong.
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teh Senior Instigator
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 44,094
Likes: 980
From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
I fully approve the not letting cars sit and putting all sorts of miles on them when I know they are mostly reliable. The picture you painted though makes it not sound all that reliable at this point for such a trip. I hope it goes well for you and proves you wrong.
well, in it's defense, it hasn't let me down yet
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teh Senior Instigator
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 44,094
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From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
worst comes to worse....the radiator fails....i replace it.......the motor blows....I put in an LS.
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teh Senior Instigator
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
Originally Posted by CCColtsicehockey
Was trying to make it a reliable car here
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teh Senior Instigator
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
Made it down and back. Covered 900 miles total. Need to get radiator relaxed for sure. But never overheated. Also, need to finally put a new driveshaft in with slip yoke (telescoping shaft). Car gets down bad vibrations but you can generally pedal out of it. Thing ran well. Cruised home between 75-80 at about 4K rpm 😂
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,120
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From: Mooresville, NC
Awesome! Glad to hear you mad it there and back with no issues to strand you. I bet it was an awesome trip for your son and some great memories for sure. Love the black and white shot of him and the car.
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,120
Likes: 4,430
From: Mooresville, NC
Thread Starter
teh Senior Instigator
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 44,094
Likes: 980
From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
Originally Posted by CCColtsicehockey
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Waffles, BU
Too much..
Buy the conversion kit, pan, accessory components as needed, etc
MuscleRods 58-64 Impala LS Conversion Kit
Builder can probably do fuel tank / pump conversion, radiator, intake and headers / exhaust on the low
Best bang for your buck.. LS3 w/ trans can be had for $5k
Super stout, reliable, takes to FI no problemo
Then do a 12 bolt rear swap.. refurb with solid parts and seals
Custom shaft.. and you're off.. can be done for ~7k in parts (half the price, more monies for turbo).
You'll put money on top depending on how much you farm out, custom work etc, but that's a given with any swap
I'm pretty sure engine / fuel mgmt is plug and play / no brainer.. so tuning ain't no thang
Might want to do some wilwoods or custom brakes too
Buy the conversion kit, pan, accessory components as needed, etc
MuscleRods 58-64 Impala LS Conversion Kit
Builder can probably do fuel tank / pump conversion, radiator, intake and headers / exhaust on the low
Best bang for your buck.. LS3 w/ trans can be had for $5k
Super stout, reliable, takes to FI no problemo
Then do a 12 bolt rear swap.. refurb with solid parts and seals
Custom shaft.. and you're off.. can be done for ~7k in parts (half the price, more monies for turbo).
You'll put money on top depending on how much you farm out, custom work etc, but that's a given with any swap
I'm pretty sure engine / fuel mgmt is plug and play / no brainer.. so tuning ain't no thang
Might want to do some wilwoods or custom brakes too
