Parked for a Long Time !!!

[Already Gone]

I came across a 64 Impala Wagon with 91,000 miles that is for sale. I went for 3 hour drive last Saturday to see it as the older farmer that owns it doesn't have a digital camera. He bought the car used from his local Chev dealer in 1969 or 70 and drove it till the cops told him he needed a muffler on it, so he decided to park it and as he said " I went to town and bought a new Buick". He said its been sitting for at least 20 years and it could be 25.. He just drove it in the shed ( which he needs now, thats why he is selling it) and turned off the key and walked away. Okay now for the help. He poured some gas in the carb for me and the motor fired up with no obscene noises. Its a 327 with a 4bbl and the car is completely stock. What am I facing to get this thing driveable? Will I need to remove the gas tank have it cleaned before I put gas in it and try to start the car to let it run. What about the transmission, will a service be okay on it or will I need to rebuild it. If anyone has had any experience dealing with a vehicle in this condition I'd appreciate some advice. I know this has nothing to directly do with our trucks ,but maybe someonne will be looking at atruck in this condition one day.

[sdmahr]

Well, this is a tricky one. We can start by saying that anything that is "rubber" and has the job of sealing with be subject to leak. That includes all engine & transmission seals/gaskets. From there, I would suspect ALL wheel brake cylinders are most likely stuck and/or leaking. Corrosion might be heavy in the cooling system as well. I would suggest the following:

-Pressure check in cooling system to assure there is no coolant into engine leaks.
-Change oil & Filter
-Flush fuel system, (including carburetor....I also think the diaphram in the fuel pump could be weak)
-Fully charged battery
-Pull wheels and check operation of brakes
-Check belts
-Check hoses
-Check tires for dry rot

Get that bad boy running ! ! Watch oil pressure ! Watch temperature and assure thermostat is functioning.

I say if it runs good and there are no "major" issues, depending on what the guy wanted for it and its condition, it could be a real cool vehicle to play with. I love finding stuff like this ! GOOD LUCK !

[sneakysnake]

The biggest problems you run into are, the fuel system,crud in the tank,rusted lines, fuel pump diaphram, and carb gunked up.
Brakes, froze up or leaking master and wheel cylinders.
Engine and tranny gaskets and seals dry rot and brittle and all the belts and hoses. Rats ate the wiring.Would bejust some of the things you'll run into.
Good luck.

[Already Gone]

Thanks for the advice guys!! Here are a couple of pics of her.. Check out the factory cruise control !!!

[Green Machine]

You may find bad bearings in the rear end, my newest truck project had been sitting inside a shed for 12 years before I got it, Found in the rear axle, 1 rusty axle bearing, 1 rusty carrier bearing and 1 rusty pinion bearing(front). Rear wheel cylinders were froze, front wheel bearings were ok. Your should do a complete brake overhaul including all cylinders and rubber hoses and probably all the steel lines as well. Frost plugs in engine may be rusty, and there is likely a bunch of oil sludge in the bottom of the engine oil pan.

["67"StepSide]

Still a nice find!!!!!!!

[70STOVEBOLT]

What does he want for it?

[knsmodels]

Originally Posted by sdmahr

Well, this is a tricky one. We can start by saying that anything that is "rubber" and has the job of sealing with be subject to leak. That includes all engine & transmission seals/gaskets. From there, I would suspect ALL wheel brake cylinders are most likely stuck and/or leaking. Corrosion might be heavy in the cooling system as well. I would suggest the following:

-Pressure check in cooling system to assure there is no coolant into engine leaks.
-Change oil & Filter
-Flush fuel system, (including carburetor....I also think the diaphram in the fuel pump could be weak)
-Fully charged battery
-Pull wheels and check operation of brakes
-Check belts
-Check hoses
-Check tires for dry rot

Get that bad boy running ! ! Watch oil pressure ! Watch temperature and assure thermostat is functioning.

I say if it runs good and there are no "major" issues, depending on what the guy wanted for it and its condition, it could be a real cool vehicle to play with. I love finding stuff like this ! GOOD LUCK !

for starters

[HeavyD]

Is that tire right off the rim? I would say (in addition to some real tires..) complete brakes because having none is quite frightening, exhaust will be rotton, and a fuel system flush including maybe getting the tank properly cleaned out. Looks to be in nice shape though, especially for around here. Unless he wants big $$ I would have no problems bringing it home.

[69TowRig]

My K5 had been sitting for a few years before I bought it, here were some issues:

-frozen calipers
-rear resevoir in master cylinder had developed (and finished) leaking out all the fluid
-blown fuel pump diaphram-
windshield wiper rubber fell off
-more leaves in the cowl and vents than on the tree the truck was parked under
-carburetor had (and still has) gunked up things that are causing issues
-fuel tank was full of crud
-coolant hose connections started leaking the first time the engine was warmed up again
-coolant ate away the cast aluminum water neck!
-coolant also destroyed the heater core, it started leaking the second time I warmed the engine up
-everything that needed grease/lube was dried up
-most of the plug-in electrical connectors had corroded
-most of the grounds went bad
-etc, so on, and so forth.

[RANDY COX]

HHMM factory cruise never seen one but what's new that alone could be worth some bucks.Wagons are makeing a come back.Looks pretty nice.

[Joesjunk]

Very cool!! I love old wagons, I have a 1960 Chevy wagon. Lets see some more pics. What are your plans for it??

[phantom dually]

Id buy it. Ive always loved a nice wagon. SLAMMED of course!!

[Striker169]

Well I bought a 1972 Ford (yes I know I know) Mustang Grande with 10,000 Miles on it from a guy in Dallas who a year after he got it just didnt drive it (it was his wifes who died a year after they got it) and well to get it working right I Dropped the tank had it cleaned and re-sealed, new fuel pump, new carb and intake (for more power). Changed the coolent oil filter, trany filter and fluid, and the rear diff fluid. After that it worked like a champ.

[Radke]

Looks like a find if you like the car and get it for a good price do it and must of all have a good time with the car and remeber all the things the other guys said. Good luck and enjoy

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Joesjunk

Very cool!! I love old wagons, I have a 1960 Chevy wagon. Lets see some more pics. What are your plans for it??

Hi Joe; I luv your wagon, especially those rims on her. Are they 14's or 15's? The color combo really works on your wagon. Is it stock under the hood? If I buy this wagon I was gonna put the same rims as you have on your wagon and just drive it in the summer.. I'd luv to get an LT1 and 460 trans to stick in there but dont have the $$$$$...

[Already Gone]

Thanks for all the help and comments guys.. As requested here are some more pics of the wagon. Check out the cruise control on the dash, I've never seen that before has anyone else? The wagon has power windows and front seat and the tailgate window still goes up and down ,but slowly and there is no rust when you open the tailgate, and oh yea its got the rear jump seat too..

[shelby987]

what do the floors look like? Mind telling us what the final price was?
My advice would be the same as above.....with the exception of priming the engine oil pump before firing it over....but I am sure the PO was not all that concerned with that.....when my father got an old 55 cameo pickup, I went through everything, changed all fluids (oils, coolants, lube, brake,gas, etc), checked all lines.....didn't tear into the engine gaskets, as the truck hadn't been sitting for more than a couple of years....its his daily driver in the spring, summer and into the warm months of fall.....no problems yet!

Wagons are an awesome vehicle, that is severely under-rated in today's society in favor of the mini-van!

[truckdude239]

u are killing us an what are you paying for it its going to look sweet once its back on the road i'd change all the fuilds clean the tank inspect the brakes get her back on the road and let her rip

[ChevLoRay]

Geez, if it didn't have that dented rear bumper, I'd go for it......

Nice catch!! Wagons can be cool rides. Seems like when you see one these days, and it's been "street rodded", so to speak, it's killer. Black with red interior and all those options....9-passenger...that was top of the line and maybe more expensive than a new SS convertible...I'd have to get out my old books to find that answer.

Good luck. I'd love to find my old '56 Mercury Monterrey HT...still have dreams about finding it. I know the wagon wasn't yours in the past, but I've parted out stuff that was better than that, and that sucks to think about, now.

[Joesjunk]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

Hi Joe; I luv your wagon, especially those rims on her. Are they 14's or 15's? The color combo really works on your wagon. Is it stock under the hood? If I buy this wagon I was gonna put the same rims as you have on your wagon and just drive it in the summer.. I'd luv to get an LT1 and 460 trans to stick in there but dont have the $$$$$...

Hey, The wheels are old "ET" mags. They are 14x6.75 (odd?) They are in very good condition. I would really like some 17" wheels, but this is a low buck project so these will do for now. Would you believe that is the original red paint!!! I had to repaint the white top, but all of the red is original. Solid original paint colors usually will polish out pretty good. Looks like the black on yours would do the same.
The wagon was a 6/3speed, but it is getting a 350/700r4. The motor/tranny should be in very soon. Here is what it looks like now. I removed the front clip and painted the firewall. Had the other things powder coated.