Hey guys just want to throw this up here so I have somewhere to collect my thoughts and try not to stray too far away from the plan

Starting off with a 66' Impala wagon 6 passenger. Originally mist blue with a white top which I guess is sort of a rare thing. The color on the car is not the original paint, if you look at the boxes on the forum page it's kind of that blue color but a little bit darker.

Anyways, bench seat car, originally 396 with a turbo 350 trans I think. It will be getting a rebuilt LS1 that I had gone through by my engine builder. I was going to put that in my Malibu after I dropped something into the cylinder but the cam was too big to fit without modification to the pistons or a different cam.

Most likely going to stick 243 heads on with a Z06 cam and get a 3k stall converter and just drive it but who knows.

So far the plans for the wagon are to clean the frame down perhaps put body bushings in it. Fix the couple of rust holes, restore it back to original and then build it like GM would build it if they could do it 40 years later.

I'll be using a hydroboost assembly from an 05' Astro van, a master from a modern GM car, and a CPP big brake kit that uses Silverado calipers up front and C5 rotors. Also will be using a power steering box from an 87' Grand national, that way the Astro p/s lines should bolt together and at most I will need to have the lines shortened, creating a factory look.

The frame I'm thinking will be epoxied satin black same with the firewall.


So far the swap parts I have are Holley adapter plates, Pacesetter F-body headers in black, 4L60E trans crossmember for a 66 Impala, and I have a Holley oil pan, second design on the way.

Progress is slow as work is busy and the project is in no hurry as I have a running car I can take to car shows and such with my dad right now. Both of us are busy working so at least I can stash some money away and keep collecting parts

Here are some pictures. If anyone has any experience with the swap especially an idea for the fuel tank please let me know

 

Always had a thing for the 65/66 wagons looks like you have a good plan laid out

 

Great build thread. I love wagons!

 

Awesome wagon I've seen it a couple times on here. Has anything changed under the hood? I'm trying to figure out what to do with the fuel system

 

Not that I know of it's the car I wish I never sold. If I was going to redo anything it would be the fuel setup I ran the supply and return line for the truck manifold/ rails but didn't clear hood so went to ls1 manifold/rails ( no return at rail ) so could have save som time if I would have looked at everything be for I started

 

Nice wagon.

I'm working on swapping a 5.3 in a 64 Impala right now. We wound up getting an EFI fuel tank through Tanks, Inc. It is probably the most expensive route, but it is baffled for an in-tank fuel pump and allows for the cleanest install. Others have just simply used a stock replacement tank with an external fuel pump.

 

Great build. I'll be watching for sure. Can you post some more pics of the header to steering box clearance?

For a fuel tank, I went with a new efi tank made by spectre. Works great, and was easy to install. I ran all new lines too, and utilized the corvette filter/regulator setup. I don't think they make a tank for the wagons though.

-Nick

 

So did you just weld a sump onto the stock tank and run an inline pump? I wish I could use an intank pump and get ***** installed but I don't think that's an option

Thugga the 65+ wagons had fuel tanks that stand up between the left quarter and cargo area no one makes replacement ones

 

I'll take some more when I get home nick. I tried using these on my Malibu and dented the crap out of the passenger header so I have to get a new set but they are great mock up ones. There are companies that build cheap stainless headers for 4th gens I may try them

 

Great thanks. I know people have had luck with the Dynatech 69 Camaro swap headers, so was curious to see how yours fit. I went with ls3 camaro manifolds but might do headers in the near future.

-Nick

 

Well, ****.

Try looking at a 04-06 GTO fuel tank. That tank stands up in the trunk.

 

I do...

This is my 72 A-body in tank pump install...

 

Initial mockup...it's tight, but it will accept a modern electric pump...

 

Dude you are my hero. Did you braze the fittings on the end of the original sender or weld them? Also are there any baffles in the tank or just like the factory?

 

My factory sender only had a 3/8" feed line out of the tank...and a 5/16" vent line...no return.

I added a 5/16" return. I welded it in...





I installed this -6 AN fitting to the feed line out of the tank...








I didn't trust my welding...so I used a little silicon rtv...






There are no baffles in the tank...but by the nature of how it sits vertically...and the pump sits so far down in...I see no need for them as long as you keep it over 1/4 tank full.

 

looks like a decently clean car. Nice score !!!

 

Looks good! Should be cool.

 

The original tubes are just soldered in the sender, at least is was that way on the 82 olds I did when I put a a larger return line in the stock sender. Looks good, Gonna baffle that tank at all? Should be able to have someone cut it open and do it without much issue

 

Thanks for the pictures and advise cattleac.

Nick not sure if you are still following this but I actually need mount plates to move the engine forward 1-1/4" so the headers will hit the steering box. Oh well it was worth a shot and they were just laying there for free. I'll just end up using the 1st gen f-body headers

 

So what headers didn't work? Can you post some pics? For me, the 69 Camaro swap headers didn't work because the third tube ran right into the steering box.

Nick