My '68 Impala daily-driver project

[66Submarine]

Finally started actually working on it.

[Kerry P]

I'd be smiling big time if I pulled the fenders off a '68 anything and it looked like that. Very nice.

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by Kerry P

I'd be smiling big time if I pulled the fenders off a '68 anything and it looked like that. Very nice.

Yeah, besides the floor pans this is a pretty nice one.

Not much, but I did finish getting the engine pulled out the other day. Now I just need to order in some supplies and parts so I can keep going...

[Clyde65]

Would be very cool to have a 4 door vintage DD like this! I am more jealous of your shop than anything!!!!

Great progress!

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Would be very cool to have a 4 door vintage DD like this! I am more jealous of your shop than anything!!!!

Great progress!

Thanks!

Yeah, having access to an actual shop to work on it in is certainly an upgrade over gravel/mud with no covered storage!

The floor pans aren't going to be ready to pick up at Summit until the 3rd of June, but I'm hoping to do everything else in the meantime and have it ready to drive very shortly after that.

[richards72chevy]

Looks good.I have a 69.

[MalibuSSwagon]

Updates? This car is pretty awesome. Hard to find an older 4 door in the Northeast.

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

Updates? This car is pretty awesome. Hard to find an older 4 door in the Northeast.

Not much, but the trunk pans came in. I still have another month before the floor pans are ready to be picked up and I can really get after it.

My daily drive to and from work is also about to become 110 miles instead of the current 75, so I've decided to leave the 2.73's in the 12 bolt and use my 3.11 first gear Saginaw 4 speed (instead of the 2.52 first Muncie M20 and 3.42's).

FWIW, here's the current driveline:

Very exotic/rare .030 over 350 short block with TRW 2256 flat top pistons
Stage 1 molested 906 Vortec heads with $30 "Z28" springs
$100 beaten and abused Performer RPM Vortec intake
$100 Summit K1103 cam kit (generic 214/224@0.050" white box)
Holley 0-80457S 4160 carb that came with the car (I'll try it and see how I like it)
Put together with steel shim head gaskets for proper quench

$50 2 groove/line Saginaw 4 speed (3.11, 2.20, 1.47, 1.00)

Open 2.73 12 bolt from a '68 BB Caprice with 235/70R15 Pep Boys tires (I had to put the 255/70's on my father's truck a couple days ago)

Not sure if I'll use a 10" clutch or an 11" (leaning towards the 10" with the weaker Saginaw)

[MalibuSSwagon]

4 speed? Now I love it. Great work.

[sawman]

nice,2x4s are old school lol,have some 69 Biscayne parts if you are missing anything its a 4 door to,had a 327 invader engine in it with powerglide rode nice at 110 for long distances,

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by sawman

nice,2x4s are old school lol,have some 69 Biscayne parts if you are missing anything its a 4 door to,had a 327 invader engine in it with powerglide rode nice at 110 for long distances,

Thanks. I'll have to take your word for the long distance cruising capability at 110...I don't think the guys in the cars with the flashing lights and push bars would like me doing that very much.

[sawman]

ya they don't like that to much, got caught drag racing a bug 35 yrs ago ,got popped doing 138 in a 40,big ticket loss car lol never again,well enjoy your your car,i always enjoyed 4 door sleepers,

[66Submarine]

Finally got the floor pans!

[Advanced Design]

This is a cool project and I am tagging along!

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

This is a cool project and I am tagging along!

Thanks!

[rusty76]

I'm late and the thread is a little old but any new stuff been done? I dig four doors for some reason. Cool car.

[66Submarine]

Unfortunately I haven't been able to do anything to it in a while. I did finally put the engine together and stuck it in my truck the other day (clip attached).

Need to move it soon so I can work on again. Sold the LQ4 to a buddy and made a few $ off it; decided I'm sticking to the old stuff for now. Think I'm going to use the 350/3.42's/Muncie combo for now, maybe a 454 later. Not driving a ton anymore, so the fuel isn't a giant concern. Could also use a 454/2.73's/TH400 combo like the rear end donor car, but I think I'd like to keep to the 4 speed plan. Also have an Eaton M112 blower I picked up for $150 that might make an appearance.

Might paint it white instead of black, not totally sure. I'd much prefer the look of black, but the white would keep everything from being quite so hot.

Hopefully I'll be able to get back to it soon...

You Tube

[rusty76]

Awesome to see your still piddling with it i really dig more doors for some crazy reason. Lol

[66Submarine]

Thanks. Yeah, it'll certainly get slapped back together when I get some free time and a little extra money for rest of the stuff I need (hopefully soon).

It's hard to beat the four door cars for practicality. Plus I actually kind of prefer how these look compared to the fastback and business coupe variants...

[66Submarine]

Wow, long time since my last post! Moved it twice since then, finally bought a house with a big shop and I'm hoping to get some time in on it and finish it now.

Going to put the 454 I have in it instead of my truck. Bought a 226/226@0.050 108LSA cam and an ebay Performer intake to give it some extra pep. Probably something like 400-something-HP and 500ftlbs torque if I had to guess. Should be a nice cheap, mild 87-octane engine with plenty of power to move the big barge.

I was going to just leave the 3.08 10 bolt and put my M20 Muncie in it for now, but tonight I managed to grab a nearly complete disassembled LT1 T56 out of an F-body for $200! Really stoked about it. Now I'll probably go ahead and put a limited-slip and some 3.90's or 4.10's in the 12 bolt and slap it in there.

Should be really sweet with that driveline! Really looking forward to putting it together and driving it.

[rusty76]

Awesome upgrades there. Can’t wait to see more.

[Russell Ashley]

I'm glad to see some updates on this one.

[straight6chevyguy]

This is a cool thread!
I cant wait to see it when it's all done!