Thread: 1964 Chevy Impala SS needing work!!

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I just bought a 1964 Chevy Impala SS. It's beautiful with the exterior and interior. The only problem I am looking at is converting it over to disc brakes and getting a new engine. The car takes alot of oil, it has no leak but I need to get it to where I can drive it more than just 5 miles without worrying about it dying on me. I want to get a 350 engine put in it, and I would like to have anyones insight on where the best place to look for both the conversion kits and the engine. Feel free to place any insight on anything on here about what I could do with this car.

Thanks

Alicat

No conversion required, all the sbc motors will interchange with the V-8 that's in the '64 now. I would suggest one of the GM crate motors, available at any chebby dealer. Lots of different ones to choose from, all depends on how big a check you want to write !!!!!!

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't want to write a big check, but would like to drop a good engine in it. So go to a Chevy dealer and do so. What about brake conversions. You said I wouldn't need it? I have drum brakes and want disc. Any suggestions on that too?

Originally posted by Alicat
Thanks for the suggestion. I don't want to write a big check, but would like to drop a good engine in it. So go to a Chevy dealer and do so. What about brake conversions. You said I wouldn't need it? I have drum brakes and want disc. Any suggestions on that too?

Your only gonna need front disc conversion, I do belive that you could get everything you needed right from your local parts supplier or junkyard ( but would need rebuilt/ some parts replaced like rotars, pads and possibly a set of rebuilt calipers ), the disc brakes off any GM full size up to like '83 would be bolt togther with a little machinging done to the spindles.

What motor is in that SS now? 283 I'm guessing? Crate motors are not a bad way to go, but personally, with an SS I would find one to get in it to run and go through the original. I guess it depends on what you want to do with the car, but keeping it original will keep the value higher. Of course you won't hurt it by swapping motors because you can always put the original back in before reselling, but I like those old 283's and 327's, they were good motors too, and underrated in my (not so) humble opinion.