1970 impala custom coupe

[Hj2392]

I've been around the bonnevilles in and out and a few others but have never dealt with pre 90s cars. I have my eyes on my first classic and it seems I'm getting a steal to me so I figured Id see what you guys think. 1970 custom coupe with 454 bb chevy stock engine runs and drives. Body has been restored engine needs cleaning and some work but nothing huge I've seen so far. The car is a good drive away from me and I've only seen it one time so far. No major flaws other then a piece of chrome moulding from the rocker area and one or 2 max body badges missing. I'll be getting it for ~4500$ not including transport costs. Anybody hav experience with these cars??? Very curious as far as what the common faults are on these and troubles to look for. I would love to do some performance modding but nothing major. The car will mostly be for me and my family to present at shows with my father in laws 70 Chevelle. Let me know what you guys think.

P.s. Not sure how to post pics from my iPhone to this. Sorry

[1oldman]

The only think I have any knowledge about at all is the typical LIM gasket failure in GM push rod V-engines. I know I'd love to see pics of the car. - BC

[Hj2392]

Same type of gasket failure as the 3.8s??? I'll look into how much felpro has them for so I can get a set right away. I'll go on the computer maybe tonight after work and see if I can upload pics that way.

[Hj2392]

Here's a few pics of the car. She's a real beauty and i'm very excited just gotta hope he doesnt make a sale before i can get up there with a trailer and cash. Haven't gotten more then the one reply with this. I'm just wanting any knowledge anyone might have on these specific cars.


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[Jfridge92]

Fixed the img codes for you Great looking Impy!

[00Beast]

Biggest things you want to look for is how it steers and drives, that there are no vibrations, clunking, grinding noises, that the transmission shifts smoothly (assuming it's a TH400, which are very stout). Just typical old-car stuff. Then the next thing is the body, is there any rust, or major repairs that had been done? I'd check and see how the panels fit, try and discern if there's much bondo anywhere (knocking on a panel with a lot of filler will give you a dull ring as opposed to a "bright" ring, unless it's been dyno-matted or something). Make sure there aren't any major leaks, soup cans sealing leaks on the exhaust, stuff like that. If you really want the car and can do the work, those are all haggle points, otherwise if you're not, it might be a make-or-break item on the car.

I wouldn't worry too much about gaskets, it'd be a great idea to refresh the top end of the motor, go through the carb, new intake and valvecover gaskets, check valve-lash, etc, but it's not a major expense if you can do it yourself.

[1oldman]

One great looking car! If the car doesn't have a TH400, "something is rotten in Denmark". As far a the LIM failure in the 3800, yes. My dad had a 264cid in a '54 Buick Special. The LIM gaskets leaked in it. The rust cancer ate the car up before the LIM gasket failure destroyed the engine. That was in 1967. - BC

[Hj2392]

Thank you for fixing the images. I wasn't able to get it to work the way you did.

As far as body I did a walk around along the bottom of doors and fenders and knocked along them. I Am almost positive that there's none. And if there is it would be very small amounts. Body panels all lined up very smooth and clean. It's not orig paint so it has had body work done but doesn't seem like it was a huge job. Frame looked very clean. Engine is really dirty and you can see from oics. Only place i seen some rusting starting is inside the car on the dash where the windshield meets the dash. There was once chrome trim there it looks like and it was showing some signs of rotting there. Otherwise car is rust free and very nice looking.

I've been reading and watching a ton of videos on tuning and cleaning carburators. Like I've said I've never had an older car so to get my hands on a 70s big block is very exciting. Even when I went to look at it the design is so much more of a simple design compared to looking at my 99 ssei.

As far as gaskets I'll be looking into all the gaskets and rubber parts as well as some suspension and brake upgrades as soon as I get it home. I have not driven it yet. I didn't want to test drive a ar I didn't have the money for quite yet. I was supposed to go get it over New Years weekend but my car didn't sell and I was stood up so I'm waiting until taxes for sure.

This one is new to me. Is there anyway I can tell what trans is in it for sure. He wasn't sure the engine is from a 72 impala body is a 70. It's a 3speed auto that's all he knew about it and that its a 454 chevy engine. It's an older guy im buying it from so I'm assuming he didn't ask many questions when he bought it. Or he's trying to keep secrets. lol

Sorry for the long reply but I really would love a few opinions on what I've got so far for this thing. Thanks for all the replies.

[Hj2392]

Btw does anyone have any idea if there's a way to verify its a 454 and not a smaller displacement? I don't think there is at least I've never heard of any way but I figured I'd ask the stupid question just to make sure. Also how would I be able to verify if it's a th400 and not a different trans? I've asked but the current owner doesn't seem to knowuch about cars. He just knows it's a 1970 impala and he's got a 1972 454 engine in it. Otherwise he doesn't know when the restoration was done or when engine was put in. Im assuming that's why he's selling it fairly low compared to others I've seen this nice. I appreciate any and all help!

[1oldman]

I don't think it's a stupid question and unfortunately, I don't know the answer. The way to tell would probably be by the casting numbers. You would need the manufacturing information of what casting was used on what engine. There my be other ways, but I don't know them. - BC

[00Beast]

Engine, not sure. Could try googling it. However, Being a '70, it's likely a 454, but I have no evidence.

[Sirius]

What Ed's shown you above is the pattern of the transmission pan. For a car of that era, you'd likely be looking at the first two shapes as there would be little or no modification required to install either in the car (the output shafts may be splined differently, requiring a different yoke on the driveshaft). Basically if the transmission pan is more rectangular, it's a turbo 350, a more "squiggly" pan is a 400. That's the quickest, easiest way to tell.

[00Beast]

Yes, sorry I didn't make that clear. That's what the transmission pan will look like, either #1 or #2. Should be easy to tell by crawling under the car.

[Sirius]

For engine displacement, there's nothing on the outside that will easily identify a 454 from a 427, for instance. But you can get the casting number off the back of the block and look for that number on this (which is probably one of many) website for a match:

http://www.chevyhardcore.com/news/refer ... g-numbers/

[Hj2392]

Man you guys are on it. Thanks a bunch! I'll take a look the day I go to get it. We aren't 100% settled I. Price yet as I haven't even driven it. The day I went there was snow and I didn't want to get it filthy if I wasn't buying it. This time around I'm almost 100% sure I'm buying it depending the test drive. Unless someone is selling something better for the price. Lol so hoping to get up to grab it first few weeks in February. I'll be posting back for sure on the final outcome.

[Ghosthawk]

I never have been crazy about a vinyl roof, but that car is a looker! I love those big ole boats, and while they surely don't have sports car-like handling, they are fabulous highway cruisers. Look great, sound great, and supremely comfortable. Nothing like yachting on the interstate like it was your living room sofa! Great find and best of luck!

Btw, take the VIN number to a GM parts dept. They make have someone there who knows the various codes, as they usually include body platform and original equip engine.

This link may help
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Vehicle_Id ... /VIN_Codes

[Hj2392]

The vinyl roof is the one flaw I personally have with it. Thank you it deffiebtly is a looker. I plan on trying to take a look at the casting number and look it up. Question for anyone that night have any knowledge. Is the hp difference between 1970 and 1972 true in final hp? I've read on it and many people say it was the different standard that chaned it and not much changed engine wise. Some say the compression ratio was different causing the loss in final hp. I really want a fast great sounding car and also want it to be very nice and roomy for my family. I'm a fast loud old car guy and my fiancée is a cruising type. so I'm just curious if anyone knows the truth behind that.

Btw ghosthawk that is the most badass sexiest bonneville I have ever seen!!!

[Ghosthawk]

Horsepower figures were down in 1972 due to lower emissions laws. The factory response to the lower octane fuels was lower compression, and we all know how much that will affect power output. But even with lower compression, the big block still puts down stout torque figures. My 1979 Trans Am was only rated at about 200hp, and it had an insanely tall rear axle ratio but it would still fry the rear tires just by mashing the loud pedal. I don't think grunt will be in short supply with the 454 under the hood. I wouldn't go picking on modern day Camaros, Mustangs or Chargers for that matter, but it should still have plenty of get-gone for a big cruiser.

Thanks for the props on Bonnie the Ghosthawk, even though she is gone, she was a looker. (I often said owning Bonnie was like dating a movie star. Gorgeous to behold and be seen with, but they tend to be high maintenance.) LOL

[Ghosthawk]

I was just reading that the 5th digit engine code in the VIN plate didn't start until 1972...your 1970 doesn't specify the engine in the VIN

According to OldRide.com...GM 8cyl casting code for that year should be stamped in the block in front of the right hand cylinder head.
CGV = 454/345hp/500trq
CGU = 454/390hp/500trq

There is a CGR code listed for that year as 400ci but all the rest of the V8s are 350s. I'd say chances are good it is a factory 454.

[Hj2392]

So I been contacting the owner for the impala trying to sort out details. I got the vin and looked into it all but shortly after he sent me the bin he told me no test drive. He told me he had someone that would pay twice as much with no test drive. So the fact that I have no personal relation with this guy and he's saving a car for me at ~4500$ but there's someone that wants it for 9000$ with no test drive spooked me a little. I'm thinking there's something trans/rear end wrong with this car. I honestly would never wait on someone when somebody is willing to pay double. I told him I would never buy a car without a test drive and I've gotten no response. So this has fallen through and I won't be getting the car. Good thing I asked because I would have driven 3 hours again just to be told no anyway. Thanks everybody for all the help! At least I got to grab a little knowledge with vins on older cars.

Btw anybody selling something extremely gorgeous for 4000$ or less???