'64 Skylark Questions

[EastEnder]

I found a clean '64 Skylark for sale and thinking about buying it. I'd buy it with the intention of building a mild pro-tourer out of it. The body and interior are clean, which is what I'm looking for. I does however only have the 225ci V6, with the 3spd auto, as well as single circuit brakes with drums all around.

The first thing I'd do is swap to a dual master cylinder and disc brakes up front. Is it best to get a kit from YearOne or go for an upgraded kit? Can the conversion be done for about $500 using new parts?

I'd really like to swap the motor out for a V8 either SBC or LSx.... what are my price options there if I do the work myself? I've priced complete LS1s and 5.3s but I cant get a good handle on what parts other than the engine I'd gonna need and how much they will run. I'd love to run EFI but a stand alone system (ie Dominator EFI) is $1500 at least.... Is a carb'd LSx a cheaper alternative.

Could I do a brake swap, engine swap for $3k?

[1989GTA]

Last time I checked there were brake kits out there for around that price. My 65 Skylark already came with the 11" front disc conversion that looks like the standard up grade that most are selling. I did up grade to the EBC red pads for the front. I also converted the rears to disc but you don't have to.

I doubt that you will be able to convert the motor over with the $2500 you have left. I guess it depends on which route you go. Luckily most of the Chevelle parts work on the mechanical end.

[EastEnder]

Last time I checked there were brake kits out there for around that price. My 65 Skylark already came with the 11" front disc conversion that looks like the standard up grade that most are selling. I did up grade to the EBC red pads for the front. I also converted the rears to disc but you don't have to.

I doubt that you will be able to convert the motor over with the $2500 you have left. I guess it depends on which route you go. Luckily most of the Chevelle parts work on the mechanical end.

Do you happen to remember who made those kits?

Silly question here too; were back seat, seat belts an option for A body cars in '64 or just not made? I have kids, so I would need something back there for my own piece of mind.

[octane speed shop]

A quick search on Google came up with "right stuff detailing". A front disc brake conversion is $595.00 for power brakes, and $525.00 for manual.

[1989GTA]

I don't recall who sold the brake kit for mine(I did have an invoice that came with the car) but places such as CPP sell them. As to the rear seat belts I don't think my car came with them either. They appear to have been added at a later date. By the way my kit came with a dual 8" master cylinder.

[Reckn8]

I'm pretty sure that rear seat belt plates were installed by the factory in 1964.

[EastEnder]

Okay I did a quick search and found the belts and brakes.

Would a swap with a running SBC cost less than an LS swap? It wont score points for originality, but its a good temporary fix.

[nekkidhillbilly]

cheapest swap is a buick 350 its direct bolt or big block buick wouldnt be much more. also if its a 64 and stock thats just a 2 speed trans. a gn motor would swap in pretty simple too but i dont see it being cheap.

you could swap in a high comp sbb and a stock 2004r trans from one of the hi po cars for next to nothing. most hi comp sbb make about 350 hp or more with nothing more than cam swap and over 400 ft of tq.

i paid 300 for two sbb that run one was a hi comp one was a low comp. you can shave heads on a low comp to get the comp up for not alot of money. i got another low comp for free that was apart but complete. v8buick is your friend if you want buick info btw.