View Full Version : Project Wheels and Stance
A couple months ago, I picked up a pristine 64 Buick Skylark and have been planning, drawing and ordering parts for phase one, the most important part; wheels and stance.
It will be way more than skin deep but since Summer is upon us and it doesn't last long in the NW, I'm doing a fast and super functional facelift with a big emphasis on style and function. After a bunch of research and calls and favors, etc, I ordered up a full TVS system from Hotchkis complete with front and rear tubular control arms, BIG sway bars, Bilstien shocks and everything to make it pound corners instead of dragging the door handles around them! Next is a set of Baer 2 piston brakes with the 2 piece rotors to get it stopped right instead of standing on the brick of a pedal and waiting for the worn out drums to haul it down safely. I actually watched an Explorer stuff a Focus into a clean 71 Charger right in front of me this morning so these brakes can't go on soon enough! To hold the corners and grab the road when i have to stop is a set of BF/Goodrich G-Force KDWs wrapped around a set of Rushforth Whiplashes with brushed centers and polished outers.
I've always had a thing for Skylarks because as a designer they have way more style and time and money invested from the factory and they're far less common than Chevelles and about half the price. No offense, my A-Body brothers! And we are brothers because the beauty of the GM A-Body is of course availability of parts and interchangeability.
The car was so nice when I saw it on craigslist, I only slept on it for 2 nights instead of my usual week before I went and looked at it and I struck a deal with the owner who has had it in a garage since 82 only driving it on weekends racking up 96,000 original miles! The only thing done to it other than loving care and oil changes was a repaint in the factory color about 15 years ago that's still in good condition but while I was waiting on parts, I've been detailing it in and out.
The point of this car is obviously to A) Have fun!, B) Promote my design and wheel businesses, C) Go to shows and autocrosses and hone some driving skills, and D) Show people what can be done to an affordable alternative bodystyle when you search with an open mind, use some creativity and some careful parts selection. Do what you can with what you've got! I jones for radical over the top cars but the reality is kids, mortgage, small business and little patience so I found a car in my budget that I could drive this summer which started Sunday so get out there!
If you got this far, thanks for reading!
So, before someone puts up a "This Thread Is Worthless Without Pictures" post, here are some pictures.
Exactly as it was when I found it.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/IMG_4820-1.jpg
Mocking up some wheels to check fit and clearance at Jared's www.J-RodandCustom.com
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/000_0007-2.jpg
And of course the rendering which wasn't too tough to come up with considering how nice this car is.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/sc0381d9e6-1.jpg
While we were waiting on parts, we were having great weather and I was itching to drive it so J-Rod and our good friend Howard hammered it for me so i didn't look like I carjacked Frank Sinatra and I've put a few hundred miles on it while the UPS man gets to know me even better bringing cool stuff everyday.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/100_0291-1.jpg
Remember what I said about more money being spent on Buicks? As an example, they had great designers that had to come up the ranks and they designed killer details like tucked bumpers that look like something from a high end shop. Alright, so not quite that tight of a fit but pretty damn cool from the factory! And check out how the bezels and taillight trim panel are castings not stampings. Same with the grille!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/100_0298-1.jpg
Dig the extra details like the roof trim and the flushed windshield trim that's also up front.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/100_0303-1.jpg
Can you tell I love this car?
The UPS man aka Santa brought me big white boxes with BAER written on them!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/100_0287-1.jpg
hechtrod
06-25-2009, 08:06 AM
Oh wow! Love this car! Thanks for pointing out those factory design details. Very cool indeed. This should turn out to be a very cool ride! What tire size? What engine/trans does it run? Can't wait!
buickfunnycar.com
06-25-2009, 08:10 AM
Damn Jason...that is one clean Skylark.:smoke:
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Buicks,my dad worked at Mid-County Buick/Opel in Brooklyn,NY and in the summer,I'd go to work with my dad and play in all the new cars,especially the GS Skylarks & Riviera's.
Can't wait to see it when you're done...:1st:
MrQuick
06-25-2009, 08:59 AM
ruuuahhhroooohhhh
I think I just heard Zbugger fall off his computer chair.
Very nice Jason.
Can't wait to see it on the rollers.
vince
ruuuahhhroooohhhh
I think I just heard Zbugger fall off his computer chair.
Very nice Jason.
Can't wait to see it on the rollers.
vince
LMAO! Thanks Vince and everyone else!
I'll be running 18x8 with 235/40/18 and 19x8 with 245/40/19 BF/G KDWs. I know it seems conservative but I'm counting on the Hotchkis parts doing a lot of the work and the rear wheelwells are pretty narrow and the frame rail is flush with the well so any minitubs would require moving the frame rail so with an emphasis on time and budget at the moment, we're leaving them alone for now.
Right now, it has a 300" V8 with factory aluminum heads and intake that runs like a top and a powerglide, so again with the emphasis on time and budget, she's going to stay right there and the powerglide will stay in 1st gear out on the autocross! Next winter, I'm going to be on the lookout for an LS motor and an overdrive trans. Sorry Buick guys! I'd love to do an efi 455 like the one in Buwicked a few years back but that just isn't going to happen for less than a fortune so that's a no....
Anyone want to swap a set of wheels for an LS motor and trans??
oestek
06-25-2009, 10:19 AM
Jason, I'll have an extra Buick 430 I'd swap... give it a slight punch-over and it's a 468, same stroke as 455. Then drop a FAST EZ-EFI on it and you're there, and you won't get the Buick goons throwing rocks at you!
rockytopper
06-25-2009, 11:13 AM
Anyone want to swap a set of wheels for an LS motor and trans??
I'll swap my entire car that has a ls motor and trans for your buick with your awesome wheels on it of course. By the way the cutlass is even rarer than the buick I think. Nice ride looking fwd to seeing it progress.
srh3trinity
06-25-2009, 11:23 AM
Nice 'lark. I like early A-bodies and I agree, the Buicks have some nice lines and details that set them apart.
eric1967
06-25-2009, 02:40 PM
A friend of mine bought a 1965 Skylark a few years ago. He built a 455 for it. Just a mild pump gas hydrolic flat tappet cam. It has torque like nothing I have ever driven. These are killer motors to drive. I love the car. Good luck.
1badchevelle
06-25-2009, 02:54 PM
Glad to see a update,
so I take it you are not going with TTII......
BaddestBuick
06-25-2009, 03:55 PM
Wow that thing is clean
I'm really not sure why all the images seem to be various sizes since they're all off of my photobucket...
Check out Brett and Jared adding "ballast to the door sill to simulate what the car would look like back before it got lowered.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/000_0010-2.jpg
Check out the interior in it. All she needs is a carpet and some tunes! Oh, and I'll be ditching the Auto Zone gauges!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/100_0296-1.jpg
jackfrost
06-26-2009, 08:31 AM
i kinda like the white walls on the billet wheels. :razz:
nice car. I love to see the alternative A-bodies.
1971CHEVELLE
06-26-2009, 09:33 AM
Awesome car
Tony_SS
06-26-2009, 11:30 AM
Neat project - keep the updates coming!
nekkidhillbilly
06-28-2009, 08:59 PM
id take the 430 and 200-4r over the ls motor and whatever trans
Whose rims are those? LOL just kidding. The car looks great Jason and the rendering looks fantastic as well. I love Buicks but had no idea about those special factory features like the flush windshield molding and tucked bumpers. That is very cool indeed. Thanks for the history lesson. Good luck with it all.
Motown 454
06-29-2009, 07:12 PM
Sweet car Jay
While waiting on the last few parts to come along in the UPS truck, I clayed the rest of the car and I swear by that stuff! Look what it picked up off the paint right after I washed it! The paint was feeling a little dry and now it feels like it's freshly polished and I haven't even taken a towel to it yet.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/100_0334-1.jpg
Since the weatherstripping was old, cracked and generally dried all to hell, I replaced every seal with a complete kit from SoffSeal but not before the dried up trunk seal allowed enough moisture in to make the trunk floor a little scaly so I stripped the floor and painted it up with a quick coat of POR 15. This is supposed to be the rusty sheetmetal one-time-fix cure-all. Just keep it off your skin or anything else you don't want to be black forever! They even warn on the can to keep it out of the grooves of the can or the lid will go back on permanently.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/100_0330-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/100_0331-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/100_0333-1.jpg
A little carefully cut carpet and some sound deadener and this will be a distant memory!
We've been hard at it over at J-Rod and Custom and I have proof.
Look at that pile of parts next to the soon to be molested Grandma car!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0337-1.jpg
Just like Christmas morning!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0342-1.jpg
Here's a funny comparison. The new rotors are a hair smaller than the original hubcaps!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0349-1.jpg
The Buick is in good company at J-Rod's! Dig the intake he fabbed and the soon to be fabbed headers for the TT BBC.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0346-1.jpg
You know about junkyard dogs, well Dozer is the shop dog. It took a little getting used to being on the ground with a handful of tools and having him walk up and lick your face but Doze' and I are cool!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0345-1.jpg
Check out the old meets new replacement parts comparison. The Hotchkis TVS system is so complete and so slick. I can't wait to get behind the wheel with the new parts. It won't even feel like the same car.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0355-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0356-1.jpg
So much cool stuff!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0354-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0353_face0-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0353-1.jpg
We were making good progress when we noticed sunlight going away but there wasn't a cloud in the sky so Chris looked out from the driveway and crapped his pants when he saw the cloud of smoke billowing into the sky from this 5 alarm fire a half mile down the street. Well, being boys, we had to go see it and it was the biggest fire I've ever seen. 5 story 120 unit apartment complex that had been under construction and was fully erected, sheeted and roofed and was ashes in an hour.
The heat was so intense, we couldn't stand closer than 4-500' away.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0358-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0359-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0360-1.jpg
mild2wild
07-01-2009, 04:54 PM
Jay, car's gonna be killer. Us 64 guys gotta stick together. Surround and drown time on that blaze! I know how hot they can get. Eighteen year veteran, currently captain on Eden Volunteer Fire Dept!
I love clay bars. That's great that the paint appears to be in such a good state.
So it's been a while since i posted because I was in Columbus for 4 days last weekend and doing 4th of July weekend with the fam the week before and trying to keep up with design client's projects and Jared moved into a bigger shop, blah blah, blah....
We still managed to get a lot done and I'm going to be ready for Good Guys next week and will be doing it right!
Here's what we've been up to since last time.
Putting it together up front is so easy with the Hotchkis stuff. It's like it was made for the car! Oh ya, it is! But seriously, they make the installation so complete and so easy. They even include new hardware and bump-stops.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0638-1.jpg
The directions are really complete but for men like me who don't read directions, the guys on the tech line are super helpful. What I learned from talking to them on the phone and at the Good Guys shows is that this cool little spacer gives you a 1/2" boost if you need it or you can remove it to drop 1/2" which I will because out of the box, the kit is only a 1" drop so the end-consumer can fine-tune it to your taste.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0640-1.jpg
There it is in it's original location below the cool formed rubber grommet that holds the spring in place in silence.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0639-1.jpg
Like I said, the out of the box 1" drop and the spacer aren't going to cut it since the name of this project is "Wheels and Stance" so we took 3/4 of a coil out which is a little more than an inch of coil which equals about double that because of the spring rate, per the good guys on the tech line.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0634-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0643-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0647-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0652-1.jpg
Looking a lot different after a hard night's work
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0663-1.jpg
PhillipM
07-16-2009, 08:00 PM
Nice work Jason! But how are you going to get that thing down like the Olds without bags? Haha Anywho, can't wait to see it all finished.
oestek
07-16-2009, 09:33 PM
Lookin' good Jason! I really dig that car!
As if I have spare time between finishing the car in time for Good Guys this weekend, enjoying the epic NW summer with my family and keeping up with wheel orders and design clients, I went ahead and stayed up until 1AM re-drawing the Buick Sunday night because the first rendering was bugging me. You know us creative types; our own worst critics.....
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/sc0381d9e6-1.jpg
In addition to late nights at the drawing board, we've had some late nights at Jared's shop and it's getting right down to the wire but Phase One is all coming together like we planned.
Look what the UPS man dropped off to wrap around the wheels! BF Goodrich G-Force T/A KDWs! in 235/40/18 for the front and 245/40/19s for the rear. I know the widths are a little conservative compared to some of the monster tires a lot of guys are running but mini-tubbing would require moving the framerails and it just wasn't in the summer time-frame and these will hold plenty of gs!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0667-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0665-1.jpg
There's no mistaking that tread pattern on the BF/Gs! Love the snakeskin/flame pattern on these tires that just adds to the whole style of the car!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0677-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0671-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0675-1.jpg
1offwizard
07-21-2009, 09:09 AM
Are they on yet? LOL Cool project J!
dmc69
07-21-2009, 02:52 PM
we need pics on the car... quickly!:)
PhillipM
07-21-2009, 02:53 PM
No 275's out back?? Is your wheel well smaller than our 65?
PleaseNoSteve
07-22-2009, 05:21 AM
Very cool stuff guys!
No 275's out back?? Is your wheel well smaller than our 65?
Yep, 275s would be SNUG as that bodyline cuts into the space just a little. It might have fit but rub every time the suspension articulated for a driveway, etc. I know, waaaaaa
twosaturns
07-22-2009, 09:43 AM
back in the day ('90), I ran 205/60 15 front and 225/60 15 rear on a '70 nova; it all fit up in there easy. I used the same sizes that I saw on a 911, so I figured, good enough for Porsche, good enough for me! but now, man they would be considered small!
I think the sizes you chose will look good. some of these big sizes look too cartoony.
Blitz
07-22-2009, 11:01 AM
That's gonna look so nice. Might be the start of something big.
PhillipM
07-23-2009, 12:58 PM
Yep, 275s would be SNUG as that bodyline cuts into the space just a little. It might have fit but rub every time the suspension articulated for a driveway, etc. I know, waaaaaa
Dang thats a bummer. I won't lie, ours rubbs pretty hard now that the car is 3" lower. I will be cutting the back sides of the wheel wells to create more room in there. Will send pics when finished.
1offwizard
07-27-2009, 08:55 AM
Pics?!?!?!?!
Hotchkis
07-28-2009, 10:20 PM
Looking good so far! Can't wait to see the Buick on the Autocross!
Sorry for the delay, Guys! We were slamming on the car doing very late nights and then catching up on work by day.
I'm flattered by everyone watch this project come together!
Here's what happened since the last post.
Did I mention the Hotchkis kit is COMPLETE! It even come with Bilstein shocks made to their specs to perfectly compliment the suspension.
If you know shock technology, you know Bilsteins built to your specific application are about as good as it gets!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_06891-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_06881-1.jpg
Got it on the ground with all the new parts and took some careful measurements all the way around to determine what it would take to nail the stance.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_07301-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0723_face01-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_07251-1.jpg
Once we determined how much I wanted it to come down, we pulled the springs and started carefully cutting a little at a time using Hotchkis' formula; one inch of spring height equals two inches of drop.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_07271-1.jpg
After cutting and reinstalling them a few times, this is what ended up on the floor. 1.25" coils.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_07311-1.jpg
I dig these little stamped factory spring holders. A quick coat of semi-gloss black and some new hardware and they're right back where they were placed 45 years ago.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_07321-1.jpg
Check the cool tie-rod connectors that come with the kit. These are a little more confidence inspiring than the crappy originals!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0743-1.jpg
There's Howard hard at work
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0744-1.jpg
Remember how original this car was when I bought it a few months ago?
Look what came with it! The original Owner's Manual and "Owner's Protection Plan" booklet complete with the Protect-O-Plate still in it with the original owner's name and address still there and they lived about a half mile from my front door!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0737-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0738-1.jpg
Dig the cool artwork in the Owner's Manual
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0739-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0740-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0741-1.jpg
In all the thrashing, I almost forgot to mention the Lee quick-ratio steering box from Mark at SC&C. I would be a bit numb to all the suspension upgrades done without this key part!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_07331-1.jpg
And one month later with the help from my friends, Jared, Howard, Chris and Dave in our spare time with basic tools, here's what you can do with a clean craigslist find and parts available from the amazing aftermarket we have at our fingertips.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_06831-1.jpg
The target completion date of this exercise was last weekend to have a cool car to drive at the local Good Guys show in Puyallup that I've gone to every year on foot because my cars were too new for the cut off year that used to be 64 and then recently bumped to 72. That all changed this year and I rocked the Buick all weekend!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_07941-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0810-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0803-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0823-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0792-1.jpg
Driving it feels familiar because of the seating, pedals and steering wheel location but EVERYTHING else feels so different from the cornering prowess, the ride quality, the stopping distance, driving hard with confidence and no body lean. I'm still getting used to it and feeling it out and this project is far from over but it's going to be getting driven a lot this summer and any mod that takes place between now and October is only going to take a day or less because I'm not missing any more fun!
I'll keep the thread going with driving reviews, action shots, updates, parts swaps, etc so stay tuned and look for me in Western, WA this summer!
Krazed
07-31-2009, 08:44 AM
Excellent! THe car looks awesome! Job well done I'd say.
Next up... Twin Turbo LS7?
eric1967
07-31-2009, 09:24 AM
Jason the car looks killer. Great stance. Thanks Eric
68400BIRD
07-31-2009, 09:29 AM
Looks great, I love the stance. I really appreciate people who can envision what something is going to look like in the end. It's not always easy but you sure nailed it on this car. Now the last thing you need to do is go look up the original owners and pay them a visit.
Looks great, I love the stance. I really appreciate people who can envision what something is going to look like in the end. It's not always easy but you sure nailed it on this car. Now the last thing you need to do is go look up the original owners and pay them a visit.
Thanks for that! I definitely knew how it would look but it wasn't easy convincing everyone who thinks Chevelles are the only A-Body that matters. If you go back to my original post in this thread made barely a month ago, it will hopefully serve to remind what I set out to do in the first place; Take a clean car and utilize the great offerings from today's aftermarket and have fun with a not quite mainstream car that happens to use all the parts readily available for A-Bodies. There's lots of not quite as popular models that will take all the aftermarket offerings from their popular sister cars so check your local craigslist with an open mind and get wrenchin'!
I looked up the original owners and found a bunch of people in the area who share the last name but not the husband and wife who bought the car and considering they could afford a Buick 45 years ago, they probably didn't age as well as their car so they may not be around anymore. Through a series of coincidences including leaving the Protect-O-Plate in their manual and selling the car to someone who cared, they will always be remembered and their car well taken care of for years to come. Thanks Bart and Jane!
89cobraysi
08-02-2009, 11:32 AM
Thats nice. Very unique car, and the wheels look killer.... Nice project, looking forward to reading about it more.
Blitz
08-04-2009, 03:24 PM
If you could hear me yelling, "Daaaanng!" Stance NAILED! That's nice as hell if I may say so myself. Like I said, may be the start of something big. I can not express how gorgeous that car is. Big ol' thumbs up!
jackfrost
08-05-2009, 09:36 AM
Like I said, may be the start of something big. I can not express how gorgeous that car is. Big ol' thumbs up!
definitely. nicely done, Jason. I would love to have a car like this as a summer DD.
twosaturns
08-05-2009, 11:09 AM
IMO, this is just how a PT car should be- keep the great stuff and get rid of the chrappy stuff . nice job.
Blitz
08-12-2009, 02:37 PM
I've been studying this and I'm somewhat surprised noone's mentioned it yet but the spokes on the wheels somewhat emulate the three accent pieces in the side trim on the car. Coincidence? Hmmmm.
marc_b
08-14-2009, 10:56 PM
very nice. :1st:
I've been studying this and I'm somewhat surprised noone's mentioned it yet but the spokes on the wheels somewhat emulate the three accent pieces in the side trim on the car. Coincidence? Hmmmm.
Very observant, Blitz. A lot of people have noticed it and commented on it in person. The Buick Port-a-Vents certainly had nothing to do with the Whiplash when I designed them but it was definitely a happy accident when I was deciding which one of my wheels to run after I bought it. I decided on the Whiplash before I left the seller's driveway.
This car is so much fun! It's not exactly a daily driver but we've been putting some miles on it and the combination of aftermarket parts and pieces is just an amazing transformation from the driving, braking and cornering on a pillow feel of the car I drove home a few months ago. Support your aftermarket! They are making old cars great!
I'll update the post with some driving shots and plan to register for the next local auto-cross which is in September. Wish me luck!
muthstryker
08-15-2009, 01:10 PM
Car looks good jason, Where would this auto-cross take place at? Would be fun to get out of the house and go watch.
Blitz
08-15-2009, 06:50 PM
This car is so much fun! It's not exactly a daily driver but we've been putting some miles on it and the combination of aftermarket parts and pieces is just an amazing transformation from the driving, braking and cornering on a pillow feel of the car I drove home a few months ago. Support your aftermarket! They are making old cars great!
I'm jealous in SO many ways. I've been waiting on something "in the mail". (you've got a PM)
I'll update the post with some driving shots and plan to register for the next local auto-cross which is in September. Wish me luck!
Please do! I think that's real cool about the auto-cross. I've had more and more interest on this lately. GOOD LUCK!
coxy-ben
08-16-2009, 05:02 AM
so I stripped the floor and painted it up with a quick coat of POR 15. This is supposed to be the rusty sheetmetal one-time-fix cure-all.
what type of product is the POR15 ??
is it a rust killer ?
Benoit.
what type of product is the POR15 ??
is it a rust killer ?
Benoit.
Yes, the directions say to clean up the metal as much as you can but that you can literally paint it right over rust. The trunk was a little scaly and cleaned right up with a wire wheel so I used the POR 15 for cheap insurance that it never comes back. As crazy as it sounds, I hear it leeches into the metal and actually makes it difficult to weld even after being completely stripped.
Car looks good jason, Where would this auto-cross take place at? Would be fun to get out of the house and go watch.
Bremerton Raceway on Labor Day. Let's represent with some musclecars!
Blitz
08-17-2009, 08:37 AM
Not good at this sort of thing yet. I know you posted the tire sizes but what are the wheel specs?
I'm trying to figure out where I want to be on an 18x8 and 20x9(ish) combo tire size wise. It helps to use cars already badass to help you envision where you want to be.:twothumbs LMK
JT_67Tempest
11-29-2009, 08:49 PM
Wow Jason I don't know how I missed this thread after so long!! I love the Buick. Actually my grandfather had one of those cars and we have some old Super8 movies of me helping him wash it.
As you said the body style and lines of the Buick are so cool and different. GM really put some thought into the cars they built back in the day.
So do you have any updated pictures? Awesome looking car!!
Blitz, Sorry for the late reply, I haven't checked my thread in a while. They're 18x8 and 19x8 but I'll have to double check my backspace. Off the top of my head, I think it's 5.875" in front and 4.875" in back but keep in mind the Baers in front add almost an inch to the track width.
Wow Jason I don't know how I missed this thread after so long!! I love the Buick. Actually my grandfather had one of those cars and we have some old Super8 movies of me helping him wash it.
As you said the body style and lines of the Buick are so cool and different. GM really put some thought into the cars they built back in the day.
So do you have any updated pictures? Awesome looking car!!
Thanks Johnny, Glad you like it! Very cool about the Super 8 movies with you and Grandpa! Your current A-Body sure isn't shabby either!
Here's one of my favorite recent pics of the car but as far as updates, Phase 2.0 which includes an LS2 and a Keisler 6 speed is going to start after Christmas as soon as I get done gathering the last few parts. Stay tuned!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/IMG_2498-1.jpg
68byrd
12-02-2009, 08:07 PM
You nailed the stance. Wow the car looks perfect with the wheels and stance. I'll be watching for updates on the new engine and trans install. What are you running for a rear end? LSD? Keep up the good work.
Blitz
12-02-2009, 09:04 PM
Never realized the rears were 19's. Lookin gooood.
You nailed the stance. Wow the car looks perfect with the wheels and stance. I'll be watching for updates on the new engine and trans install. What are you running for a rear end? LSD? Keep up the good work.
Thanks! It has a BOP 10 bolt which doesn't have c-clips like Chev rears and Eaton makes posi units for them so that's the plan with a set of 3.73s.
PhillipM
12-02-2009, 10:18 PM
Thanks! It has a BOP 10 bolt which doesn't have c-clips like Chev rears and Eaton makes posi units for them so that's the plan with a set of 3.73s.
Were sittin on two more of those rears at the shop if you get crazy with it and hear a big boom :)
Car looks great Jay, nice work.
mild2wildpaint
12-03-2009, 04:51 AM
Looks great Jay!
68byrd
12-03-2009, 05:41 AM
The axle in the byrd is a BOP 10 bolt with bolt in axles. We just put the Eaton posi unit in with some fresh 3.55's. Everything works great. Two days at and the drag strip and many burn-outs with the sticky Nitto 275's out back with not problems. Your car will be so fun to drive with new running gear! Again, sweet ride.
Were sittin on two more of those rears at the shop if you get crazy with it and hear a big boom :)
Car looks great Jay, nice work.
I'd prefer your Moser 12 bolt, Phillip!
JT_67Tempest
12-03-2009, 09:53 PM
Wow the car is gorgeous Jay!!! I like that color too!! So were you doing some autox in that picture?
Blitz, Sorry for the late reply, I haven't checked my thread in a while. They're 18x8 and 19x8 but I'll have to double check my backspace. Off the top of my head, I think it's 5.875" in front and 4.875" in back but keep in mind the Baers in front add almost an inch to the track width.
Thanks Johnny, Glad you like it! Very cool about the Super 8 movies with you and Grandpa! Your current A-Body sure isn't shabby either!
Here's one of my favorite recent pics of the car but as far as updates, Phase 2.0 which includes an LS2 and a Keisler 6 speed is going to start after Christmas as soon as I get done gathering the last few parts. Stay tuned!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/IMG_2498-1.jpg
T_Raven
12-04-2009, 05:49 AM
This buick is SWEEEET!! It's refreshing to see something other than an a chevy, or even my beloved Pontiacs lol. That Buick is just a killer body style and looks amazing with the wheels and stance.
GRNOVA
12-04-2009, 09:06 AM
Very well executed Jay! Love the stance and everything about the car very classy-yet down to business looking all in one. Looks like it is a blast to drive. Again great job. Glad everything is going great for you, You deserve it!
Very well executed Jay! Love the stance and everything about the car very classy-yet down to business looking all in one. Looks like it is a blast to drive. Again great job. Glad everything is going great for you, You deserve it!
Thanks a bunch, everyone!
Yep Johnny, that was one of 3 different auto-crosses I entered this Fall and had a great time and the car worked great in the corners but now I need to get the LS2 in there so I can get from one section to the next a little quicker!
oestek
12-04-2009, 04:16 PM
Jay looks great, man. Did you cut the rear coils?
Thanks Kevin! Yep, I took a couple inches out of the Hotchkis springs to get it down and once the stereo and Dynamat goes in, I'm going to see where it's sitting and trim them up just a little more so it sits level with a full tank of gas.
The WidowMaker
12-04-2009, 06:40 PM
looks sweet! are you going to drive it down to the costa mesa good guys this year? id love to see it in action on the autocross.
Tim
Blitz
12-05-2009, 06:03 PM
Sounds like we need a video. Something up close and personal!
tyoneal
12-06-2009, 03:50 AM
LMAO! Thanks Vince and everyone else!
I'll be running 18x8 with 235/40/18 and 19x8 with 245/40/19 BF/G KDWs. I know it seems conservative but I'm counting on the Hotchkis parts doing a lot of the work and the rear wheelwells are pretty narrow and the frame rail is flush with the well so any minitubs would require moving the frame rail so with an emphasis on time and budget at the moment, we're leaving them alone for now.
Right now, it has a 300" V8 with factory aluminum heads and intake that runs like a top and a powerglide, so again with the emphasis on time and budget, she's going to stay right there and the powerglide will stay in 1st gear out on the autocross! Next winter, I'm going to be on the lookout for an LS motor and an overdrive trans. Sorry Buick guys! I'd love to do an efi 455 like the one in Buwicked a few years back but that just isn't going to happen for less than a fortune so that's a no....
Anyone want to swap a set of wheels for an LS motor and trans??
=======================
Have you thoughts about running a 401 Buick Nailhead? They make about 450 Foot Pounds of Torque at 2800 RPM. I think with a decent cam you can get about 360 hp and up the torque to 480 or so. That would really wake up the car, AND you would still have a Buick.
I have a 65 Riviera that I Bought an extra engine to play with. You can get them for $500-$1000 depending on completeness. Also, With the Switch Pitch 400 Transmissions you can make it stall at 1800 rpm or 2800 RPMs just by flipping a switch. Coming off the line you can Bake your tires. It's a real Blast to blow people off the line at stop light with a 45 year old car and engine.
Wouldn't You Really like to have a Buick? ;-)
Check out the Nailhead sites on Yahoo, and the Buick sites on Google, there are many people that make performance parts or just stock parts.
Focus on Nailhead Parts and or engines. Email me if you have problems.
Give me your thoughts. If you plan to run autocross, a 401 Nailhead would be more than enough to get you around the cones.
Take Care and good luck.
Regards,
Ty O'Neal
WEAVER
12-08-2009, 05:39 AM
Looks good J
64G-lark
02-06-2010, 09:13 PM
Love the car Jason. Please keep a Buick Powertrain! You do realize the 64 300 is light in weight thanks to the aluminum heads and intake and makes nice torque. Keep it and add the new T/A Rover heads. There is a growing aftermarket of parts since many parts interchange with the popular Rover engines. See this message board when you have time.
v8buick.com
Check out these threads
http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=191151
http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=172229
turbofish
02-07-2010, 11:14 AM
On page three of this thread there is either a 68-69 GTO or lemans. Does anybody know any details on that car?
tazzz25906112
02-07-2010, 11:55 AM
Looks Great Jay..... So I guess we'll be seeing a lot of you at all the events this year buddy ^5.....
jro183
02-07-2010, 12:03 PM
Looks good.
J.R.O
On page three of this thread there is either a 68-69 GTO or lemans. Does anybody know any details on that car?
That's my friend, Wade's car. I think it's for sale. what do you want to know about it?
As for the 300 mentioned above, here's a little foreshadowing about Phase 2.0 that is about to commence here.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/02/100_1318-1.jpg
Blitz
02-07-2010, 03:27 PM
I like the look of that!
phenometron
02-07-2010, 03:44 PM
A friend of mine bought a 1965 Skylark a few years ago. He built a 455 for it. Just a mild pump gas hydrolic flat tappet cam. It has torque like nothing I have ever driven. These are killer motors to drive. I love the car. Good luck.
I'm with you on the 455 tip. My Riv is just over 2 tons, but she'll still snap your neck! I can only imagine dropping that into an older Skylark! Nice looking car, by the way! Can't wait to see it done! :seizure:
Bad94
02-07-2010, 04:34 PM
Doing a LS swap?
turbofish
02-07-2010, 05:26 PM
Wondering if there was a build thread on it. Do you know what he is asking?
Motown 454
02-07-2010, 07:07 PM
you got some nice partsthere Jay.
I totally respect Buick's musclecar legacy and know they had great motors but without mini-tubs, I really don't need 500 ft lbs much less the added weight over the nose of a big block Buick. As it is, the LS2 with a cam and a Keisler 6 speed is going to get 25 mpg and be able to light the tires up all day.
Don't think of it as cross breeding because I'm not the kind of guy to just drop an SBC in anything with an open engine compartment. Instead, think of it as a corporate GM motor that would be in Buicks today if they weren't still selling wrong wheel drive V6s to blue hairs.
With the aluminum block and heads, the corrected geometry of the L&H billet spindles and new Hotchkis UCAs, I'll be shaving hours off my autocross e.t.s!
The GTO doesn't have a build thread and I think he was asking around $40k. LMK if you need his contact info.
Jeffrotech
02-08-2010, 01:52 PM
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/100_0803-1.jpg
Love the Buick! But... x2 on the GTO! Can you give some specifics on his tire/wheel combo??? Looks like he filled the rear wells out nicely - not easy to do!
A link to his car would be cool. And, what the heck, some info on the selling of it, too!
Love the Buick! But... x2 on the GTO! Can you give some specifics on his tire/wheel combo??? Looks like he filled the rear wells out nicely - not easy to do!
A link to his car would be cool. And, what the heck, some info on the selling of it, too!
He's running Rushforth Whiplashes in 19x8 up front and 20x10 out back and Air Ride to get it laid out. No link as he's not really an internet guy and he isn't pushing it hard but if you guys can't live without it for around $40k, it could be yours!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/02/100_0799-1.jpg
65BuickGS
03-09-2010, 04:54 AM
Awesome build!!!! Looking forward to more posts on your LS2 and 6 Speed,,,
Ive already done the Nailhead/200R4 thing,,(and im happy enough with it) always kinda had the itch to do the LS with a manual trans thing!!!!
Jeffrotech
03-09-2010, 07:25 AM
He's running Rushforth Whiplashes in 19x8 up front and 20x10 out back and Air Ride to get it laid out. No link as he's not really an internet guy and he isn't pushing it hard but if you guys can't live without it for around $40k, it could be yours!
Tire sizes? Please...:)
Tire sizes? Please...:)
235/40/18 up front and 245/40/19 in back but it could handle a 255 or 265.
66fasty
03-19-2010, 11:20 PM
definitely Going to be watching for the ls swap. I have a 65 Buick with a built up 300, but the 14mpg isn't worth it for power its putting out. And built 455's will get 12mpg on a good day. I'm trying to find a gm 6.0 iron block,but Ill be going Auto(on a small budget haha)
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