1969 Chevrolet Impala from North America - Comments

Timing chain gears recently wore off (I've got pictures and the old set hanging on the garage wall), so now I'm in the process of replacing the old set with a new double-roller timing set. Getting the timing chain cover back on is proving to be the hardest part of the project.

Leaks oil, and I'm betting the engine just needs to be rebuilt.

Battery has died once.

Rusted and leaking fuel tank, which I patched, and then blew the patches by trying to blow out the fuel lines because I neglected to remove the gas cap. Ruseted wheel wells and window frames.

Replaced the fuel lines, the old ones went from 1/4 in. to 3/8, to 1/4, and was not pretty!

Looses brake fluid. The brake master cylinder will be bone dry after a month, but I cannot for the life of me find the leak.

I inherited this car from my grandfather in 1997. A 4-door sedan, no "B" pillar to obscure your view with all the windows rolled down. I always loved to go to town with him in it as a kid. He lived out in the country in Iowa, and the drive to town would take over an hour. Riding in this "land yacht" was always a pleasure. My grandpa would never get above 55 mph in this car, and babied it.

Surrounded by such a mass of steel and chrome, I'll feel sorry if someone in a little tin can accidentally gets in my way. Funny thing is, I also drive a Honda Civic and keep a watchful eye out for the other "land yachts" out there.

I'm currently torn between putting a lot of money into a new engine or getting rid of the car. The sentimental value of it is incredible. The interior is not that bad, I've put in a new radio and speakers, and I still love the land sailing type feel ride of it. There is nothing like riding in a classic American automobile such as this.

It's no hot-rod, but the sweet idle tune of the new dual exhaust and headers is music to my ears.

Fix the Impala!!! Sell the Civic for the funds if you have to, but fix the Impala. You will never lose money on that investment.

Well the civic is no hot rod. I own a 77 impala. and wouldn't sell it for the world. id be scared of hitting a civic and killing someone. my opinion if the car can last 30 years and survive getting hit form a SUV its worth it.

Reading your problems, timing chain, gear, cover, I'm gonna say that you'll probably need to loosen the pan bolts and lay the front on the cross-member. The lip of the timing cover and gasket are boogers to force over the lip of the pan. Use a little "gasket maker" RTV on each side to seal it.

On your brakes, If they're non-power, look under the dash where the master cylinder pushrod comes through the firewall. Peel back the rubber boot and see if there's fluid leaking. If power brakes, loosen the two 3/8 nuts holding the cylinder to the booster. Pull it forward and see if it's been dribbling into the booster. Betcha find it since there's no outer visible leaks. When you rebuild your system I'd suggest going with DOT 5 silicone brake fluid. The DOT 3 & 4 are glycol fluid which is hygroscopic and attracts moisture through the rubber brake seals. I totally redid my system in 1979 on the old wagon and looked at the rear cylinders last year. Still see the hone pattern with no corrosion. The silicone fluid will eliminate interal corrosion in the system. And, if you spill it on the paint, will only shine it up like Armor All. No damage. The DOT 5 can be used on all non-ABS cars. Good Luck and keep the car. Scare yourself and price an alternator, water pump or brake parts for one of those little econoboxes!

I agree with everyone else (Keep the car!).

I have a 1969 Impala, and I have left it sitting in the garage too long, and now I am rebuilding the brakes on it also. And I wouldn't sell or trade my old Impala for anything, it's a joy to drive and really turns heads. People chase me to the stop light wanting to know if it's for sale, and I always say "Ya don't see a for sell sign on it do ya?"