Going crazy on my 66 Chevelle

Greetings,

Pardon in advance for the long thread!

I have a stock 66 Malibu that is completely original down to the 283 and slip and slide tranny. It’s been in my family since 1965 when my uncle took position of it. It is a no frills car. No options, nothing. It’s been passed around the family for about 10 years before it made it to me. I have big dreams for this car and wanted to bounce off my ideas and where I’d like to take this. My goal is not to make this a clone of anything, I want it different, so when you see the car you’ll know right away this was built by Scott.

First off, I came across a 502 bb with 10 k miles on it and turbo 400 also with 10 K and I can pick them up for 3K. Would this be a wise choice or should I go with something different? I was kicking around a 5 speed (possibly a T56) and converting it to a floor shifter? What’s your opinion? Secondly, I was going to drop the frontend 2 inches, put air bags on the back and stuff (hopefully) some 17’s in the wheel wells. I want to do disc’s up front with slotted rotors, and rebuild the front end with poly bushings. Additionally I’d like to install vintage air, and add a few creature comforts such as power windows, and such.

What about cooling, any suggestions from you all out there? I want to replace the rear end too. The question is, should I find a used 12 bolt from another Chevelle or go with a 9 inch ford? The car will not be tubbed, I want a nice sleeper that turns heads when I roll into Reno for Hot August nights.
Any suggestions, comments or thoughts are more then welcomed. What else would you all do or not do? I guess that’s the real question.

Thanks for your time..
Scott

well first off, ill give you the advice i will give everyone else in your shoes. if you have an all original, unmolested example of such a popular car. do not ruin it. at the very least, only do modifications you can undo at a later date, and keep all the parts in storage just in case. that being said.

a 502 in a 66 chevelle, will not be a sleeper, aint no body around for three blocks gonna think that things a chump. but both the engine and the tranny for 3k, is not a bad price at all, depending on what kind of miles those 10k miles are. also im a die hard chevy boy, so id say screw the 9in go with the 12 bolt, but hey, thats just me, most other people will probly disagree. other than that, sweet ride, and good plan.

Scott, I have had the same prob with my 66. Its an SS and i have customized it a bit. My car was not all orig so it didnt matter what I did to it. I would suggest keeping it original and finding another car (Poss Malibu?) to customize. And get a 12-bolt.

Scott, I have had the same prob with my 66. Its an SS and i have customized it a bit. My car was not all orig so it didnt matter what I did to it. I would suggest keeping it original and finding another car (Poss Malibu?) to customize. And get a 12-bolt.


This is my problem. I could see your points of view if this was a SS. But this is a plainole Chevelle Mailbu with a 283 and 2 spped power glide.

In top peak shape and performance I figure the car would be maybe worth 14K. If this was a 138 SS, It was be bone stock orginal. I'm still trying to figure out whats best. Looks like both of you are voting for the 12 bolt and your point is well taken. Thanks for the opinions and keep em coming....

Scott

lol well actually thats kinda why i thought you should leave it stock, because it was a malibu, who keeps malibus stock??? personally i am modding my IROC because i know plenty of other people are keeping them showroom perfect, so i dont have to worry about mine, (but still, all mods will be reverseable, and the stock engine will be ona stand in the shed.) but im keeping the RS bone stock. cuz i know those are the ones that always get cut up. make any sense???

but another option, is to make the car LOOK stock, but instead of a 283 small block, drop in a 454 small block, so it looks exactly the same, but is way more powerful, and drop in a drag racing powerglide, so that again looks stock from the outside, but is strong enough to handle the engine its mounted to. 3000 stall converter, 12 bolt rear, and some 10.5in DOT slicks out back, and then a hidden sound system with an otherwise stock interior, and some torque thrust II's, that would be one helluva hot car.

got the idea for that from a Chevy II that came into the dealership a few days ago. super clean, white with a red interior, all the chrome, original lookin. then pop the hood had a 89 IROC engine in it, full custom exhaust, 4 on the floor, with a meaty rear end. oh that car was hot :)

lol well actually thats kinda why i thought you should leave it stock, because it was a malibu, who keeps malibus stock??? personally i am modding my IROC because i know plenty of other people are keeping them showroom perfect, so i dont have to worry about mine, (but still, all mods will be reverseable, and the stock engine will be ona stand in the shed.) but im keeping the RS bone stock. cuz i know those are the ones that always get cut up. make any sense???

but another option, is to make the car LOOK stock, but instead of a 283 small block, drop in a 454 small block, so it looks exactly the same, but is way more powerful, and drop in a drag racing powerglide, so that again looks stock from the outside, but is strong enough to handle the engine its mounted to. 3000 stall converter, 12 bolt rear, and some 10.5in DOT slicks out back, and then a hidden sound system with an otherwise stock interior, and some torque thrust II's, that would be one helluva hot car.

got the idea for that from a Chevy II that came into the dealership a few days ago. super clean, white with a red interior, all the chrome, original lookin. then pop the hood had a 89 IROC engine in it, full custom exhaust, 4 on the floor, with a meaty rear end. oh that car was hot :)


Actually, I was thinking about doing just that. It would be so easy to get all of the stock parts to do this. I was thinking either the turbo 400 or the 700R4 would be mighty fine. The seats will be something more comfrotable, possibly out of a newer vette but install the ss shifter and consol so it looks pretty clean inside. The suspension mods would be the only giveaway that the car is not what appears to be. I found a lead on the 12 bolt I'll be chasing down. Thanks for the tip, your suggestions and comments are allways welcome...
Scott

In my opinion it sounds like you have a basic 66 that they made hundreds of thousands of. No special options or anything. Your options are endless, its all what you want and how much you want to spend. Go to car shows, look at others modifications, get more ideas. But be unique. Is the frame and trunk or window channels rotted? Does it need a frame off restoration? How much work it needs may tell you how far you need to go to make it last another fun filled 40 years.
A 12 bolt from a 68 chevelle will bolt in, its about an inch longer on each axle. You can make up that easily on the rims.
Mustang ll front end may be your choice for front suspension and brakes. Drum brakes work fine on mine, I rebuilt them totally though.
Aluminum radiator and electric fan would be good idea for BBC-keep it cool is always important
Do not, I repeat-DO NOT put air bags under anything. They usually are lopsided in height, they are known to blow (as in ka-boom) down on your tire it will go, say good-bye quarter panel(s). I used 66 chevelle wagon springs and cut 2" off my small block front springs for the stance you will see in my 66 Chevelle page. When cutting springs be sure to set the spring in a full 5 gallon bucket of cold water so you dont over heat it.
Get some Chevelle/Chevy parts magazines (find ads for them posted all over inside of Car magazines like HOT ROD, Truckin, Car Craft).
Good luck, and have fun.