bill67 wrote on 07/06/11 at 05:45:07:



That's a beautiful machine, Bill.  I love those big old Impalas, especially the tail lights.   You said that you got it brand new, what was the sticker?  

Biddie wrote on 07/04/11 at 18:51:42:


Biddie, my most sincere CONGRATULATIONS for landnig such a great car !!!  

A few words on performance and mpg from one who's used to $9/gal gasoline...   (keep in mind I speak/think with a European mind, but mechanicals is mechanicals...)

1) 454cu.in is a hoooge engine with hoooge cylinders: you might actually get better mileage frmo a 4-barrel carb rather than a 2-barrel carb, PROVIDED the buterflies open sequetially AND you have a VERY good foam air filter and high flow intake manifold and  headers (in other words, a 4-barrel with only two butterflies open will have better airflow than a 2-barrel at the same engine revs)

2) the old generation 3-speed automatics would often shift "low-2nd-drive" in only a few hundred feet; change the auto trans oil from a SAE90 to SAE75-80 (thicker oil)

3) remember the old adage to run properly inflated tires and have the front wheels properly tracked.

Actually, I'm convinced that if you simply "lope along" at 55-60 you should easily be in the 15mpg range, if not better.

To improve mileage you can always consider GearVendors Over/Underdrive, literally an overdrive to have 4th gear in your 3-speed box!
http://www.gearvendors.com/

I've rebuilt automatics going back as far as a 1953 Chevy cast-iron PG & they all use some form of ATF. Even most modern manual transmissions use ATF now. Please do not put SAE 75-80 or 90 in anything since the mid 90s without checking first. It could get very expensive.

A Turbo 400 would have been my choice back in the day, but there are overdrive trannys available now that would be a better choice for a daily driver.

Wonder if the OP bought it or not?

scroop wrote on 07/06/11 at 18:19:46:

I think it was around $2700,it was the 2 door hardtop dark blue

Ridge Runner, When I was a pre teen and teen my dad and I used to hang a lot of engines and such from a big tree in our side yard. We overhauled a 1951-52? Power Glide using that tree for shade. HEAVY. We weren't mechanics, but country folks back then did their own work. We had a gear chip off our John Deere tractor. While using a cold chisel and hammer I got a bb sized piece of steel in my right forearm. I can still feel it today, 40 years later. That tree is gone and so is my dad. I hope the Chevelle leaves the same good memories and do-it-yourself work ethic I learned. And no matter how it started out, with a 454 in it it is a Chevelle.  

Awesome looking car! Must be fun, but don't let it become a trouble maker  

Biddie, I will be going up Tn 45 taking daughter to camp in a bit. I have a 2000 Grand Prix 3.8 that's been "Breathed on a bit", A/C good stereo. lumbar crank, smooth, reliable--why am I remebering 1973 and my friend's Mustang Mach I 351 Cleveland, competetion steering, suspension, exhaust, and wondering if you are taking a Sunday ride? Tn 45 is railroad straight and was on my way to college. If you didn't mind Tn Troopers it was perfect. Get a picture of you with the car. Not just digital. Print it out! Good day.