1966 pro touring skylark -turbo Buick nailhead build

[66larkgs]

653536535465355i have been building this car for a little bit now and built a custom mid mount turbo setup with a garrett t67 turbo. car full spooled @ 3200rpms at 7psiand made TONS of torque!!! I wanted spool time a little sooner and the real neg part of the mid mount was the headers i had. they hung to low and would rub my concrete floor opening when driving out of the garage. I just got tired and decided to build a set of ss headers and put the turbo up front.. The car is pretty low and i dont want any clearance issues. The headers are not fully completed but everyday it is getting closer. I firgure while i put it up front i might as well make a custom serpintine belt setup.This car runs tubular upper control arms, qa1 coilover, detroit locker in a Quickstreet Perf 9" rear , c5 front and rear brakes, billet aluminum kore3 hubs, b body spindles,big sway bars and so on.. Here's a few updated pictures..:6gears:

Paul
66larkgs
turbo 401 nailhead
http://s917.photobucket.com/albums/ad19/66larkgs/66%20skylark%20turbo%20nailhead/

[MGCslugger33]

Sounds like a cool ride. I love buicks. Just got rid of my '72 skylark. I look forward to more updates.

[66larkgs]

hoping to get headers finished for both sides by next week and get it out for some more burnouts!!
http://youtu.be/dJCp9TsGe4E
paul
66larkgs
turbo nailhead

[Greasy63]

Sweeeet!

MORE pics PLEASE!

[nicke]

more pics please! Very nice so far!

[66larkgs]

i have about 90 pics on my photobuck but will be posting more of the headers this week. ss headers are coming out nice and just need some final fitmet and welding. planning on painting it torch red with a blk vinyl top, shaved chromed moldings. might paint the bumpers carbon fiber look with the grill and rear tail pan..not sure yet. http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad19/66larkgs/66%20skylark%20turbo%20nailhead/l.jpg

[66larkgs]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/l-1.jpg

[66larkgs]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC00461-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC00462-1.jpg

[66larkgs]

dont mind all the body filler dust.. needs a good wash!! i really wouldnt mind some input on vinyl top and the painted bumpers, let me know your thoughts..
thanks
Paul

[SRD art]

Great build! Love the turbo whine in the video, nice to see it coming from an early skylark.

JMO, I like the red and black top idea, but carbon fiber usually looks better on darker more aggressive colored cars. In my head I'm not seeing carbon bumpers going well together with red and black and polished wheels. But the important thing is do what you like.

Not throwing a sales pitch but have you considered doing a rendering yet? Having one done helps you visualize things like this before you do them so you get to say yeah or nay before you drop the cash on the mods.

Keep up the good work, looking forward to seeing it all come together.

[66larkgs]

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here's a few updated pictures with the turbo headers i am making. still got a lot of work left on them but could knock them out if i could get more Garage Time!!\

Paul
66larkgs
turbo nailhead

[66larkgs]

5088050879

worked in the garage tonight, Got the crossover done for the single turbo setup and welded up a vband on the drivers side collector just in case i want to swap it to a twin turbo setup.

[66buick]

that thing is sick ,i also have a 66 skylark that im building pro touring style.

[Fl Buick]

Buicks are so rare when it comes to anything but Buick parts. Fun stuff! I'll be watching this as I go through my build.

[66larkgs]

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update pictures, crossover, headers and fitment is done!! final tig welding is being done and now i have to find the right spot for the wastegate. thinking about doing it on the pass side t4 turbo flange and making a 3 inch adaptor with a t4 flange on each side and wastegate in the middle. do you think i should send headers and all hot side out for hotjet? silver ,blk or leave it all stainless??? i am going to send out all the cold side for powdercoating or i might just polish it depending if i hotjet the headers. i am thinking it would just look alot cleaner if it was all hotjet and powdercoated. thinking of painting the car gunmetal and than doing a dark cuda/ yenko strip down the side and dark tinted windows,the interior is all blk and all redone, i should take some pictures of the seats and dash pad that i have all recovered. looks great!!wouldnt mind hearing some suggestions..

thanks Paul
66larkgs
turbo 401 nailhead

[zombiekiller]

I'd coat them and get a turbo blanket too. you're most of the way there with the stainless, but you can't have too much heat suppression.

I'm itching to see your car done. My favorite car ever outside of 66 galaxies is the 65 riviera. I'd love to do a turbo nailhead when i eventually pick up a riv.

good luck and I'm sure that a turbo nailhead is a monster. Got any idea what kind of numbers that it's putting down?

[Mr. Anderson]

Killer project, love that you're upgrading the nailhead.

[66larkgs]

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i am exspecting around 650 tq and 500hp. I have a 550hp in a 53 international pickup and the buick felt just as powerful as the truck when i had the other turbo setup in it. i split the bellhousing on the turbo 400 with the old setup, tig it all back up and i am eager to see how the new setup. i am hoping with the new headgaskets, lower compression and arp studs i can bump boost from 7lbs to 10-12lbs boost. I dont think i will have any issue, i am using a 6btm and can pull timing out on the fly if needed.

Paul
66lark
turbo 401 nailhead

[66larkgs]

just ordered new power steering box, front end bolt kit , bumpstops, and eastwoods dual powder coating setup with the colors i need to due the rest of the suspension,intake, cylinder heades, ev carb hat ,pulleys, cold side tubing on the intake. scored a real nice oven for free so i am into everything for $300 with all the extra powder i bought.. i cant wait. i also bought some ceramic coating 2000 degree so i might play around with that and see how well it works. You spray it on with a touchup gun and then it air dries and bake @700 degrees.

Any one use either of these setups yet?

Thanks Paul

[seancarole]

OH SHAWZZAM thats one Old School cool ride ! I dig all that off the beatin path fun and fins just don't push it to hard you've gettin it right

[66larkgs]

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pulled the motor and trans out to final paint and detail engine compartment and just clean up everything.
Need some opinions.. should i paint the car a dark metalic grey/gunmetal, or torch red. i will be doing everthing in satin blk powdercoat.i due have blk chrome powdercoat, 99k blk, but i do not want any chrome at all,bumpers, grill, trim, moldings, everything will be carbon fiber or powder coated. thought of doing carbon fiber vinyle top also if i did it in red. either way i would like to due the hood in carbon fiber. wouldnt mind hearing some opinions..
thanks Paul
66lark turbo buick nailhead 401

[CTX-SLPR]

Slightly off the question you're asking but how hard was it to set up the surpentine with the LC2 balancer and what looks like PS pump?

[66larkgs]

Slightly off the question you're asking but how hard was it to set up the surpentine with the LC2 balancer and what looks like PS pump?

so easy a cave man could do it!!! the only issue i had was the water pump is standard rotation so we are building a billet grooved pulley. To make the crank pulley fit, i just had to drill a extra five holes. i clamped my nailhead pulley to the gn's and drilled iton the drill press. i used a chrysler 3.3 liter alt and shaved one of the ears off, and that powersteering pump is from a jeep tj. I had all the parts kicking around so i am into that whole setup for $38 and that what i paid for the gn pulley on ebay. i used a toyota idler pulley and a alt tenstioner bolt to make all the adjustments at the idler pulley. you can look up cv pumps pr krc and that is the same pump. you than you a remote resevoir and mount it any place you like. i can take closer pictures of serp setup for you if you like.

Paul
66larkgs
turbo buick 401 nailhead

[therobski]

Sweet I really like blending the old with the new. I do not much at all about turbos. Don't you have to build the bottom of the motor up on these old blocks-cranks-Buick Olds Pontiac to hold it all together with a turbo? You got me really thinking on my 64 F-85 post project.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/IMG_1191-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/IMG_1193-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/qtrpanel-1.jpg

[66larkgs]

[QUOTE=therobski;860108]Sweet I really like blending the old with the new. I do not much at all about turbos. Don't you have to build the bottom of the motor up on these old blocks-cranks-Buick Olds Pontiac to hold it all together with a turbo? You got me really thinking on my 64 F-85 post project.



I say go for it. why not be a little different and get alittle more power out of it. My motor is a forged rotating assemble but i wouldnt worry about that as long as you are running low boost. if you tune it right with the right timing controller, i use 6btm and pull 1* of timing per every pound of boost but can go up to 3* degrees if needed. i run a boost reference fuel pump and every pound of boost my fuel pressure goes up by one. i manage by a/f ratio with a fast setup and two wideband o2 sensors. i also run a csu carb and a ev hat that i love.
let it roll and have some fun.

[therobski]

I need to learn alot more about what all is involved, your message has alot of foreign language! Good to hear about the rotating assembly. The Olds early BB 400E's made in 65-66-67 have a short stroke, steel crank and are generally stronger blocks than the 68 on up. Stock they would turn 445 lbs. of torque.

[66larkgs]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuhMLP0TIAc
check out this vid. thier is a whole build on a olds turbo setup and how they did it.

[66larkgs]

went looking at cars today and think i am going to paint the car k50 2012 nissan dark slate. i will blk powdercoat all the moldings and chrome on the car and do the bumpers also in blk. been in the garage powdercoating suspension parts yesterday.
Has anyone ever powdercoated thier cylinder heads before? thinking of doing as much as possible in powdercoat to keep it clean and easy to clean up after driving..

[66larkgs]

well pulled the oil pan off to paint it and pulled the heads off to put arp studs in... Well what i treat i found!! cracked oil pickup tube and wasted main and rod bearings. did not damage the cam but while i got it apart might as well put a custom grind in it for the turbo. Ordering a set of ross forged pistons now and switching of to shockwaves front and rear. purchased the color of the car and will be 2011 bmw titanium grey metalic.. been a busy two weeks..

Paul
66larkgs

[66larkgs]

well pulled the oil pan off to paint it and pulled the heads off to put arp studs in... Well what i treat i found!! cracked oil pickup tube and wasted main and rod bearings. did not damage the cam but while i got it apart might as well put a custom grind in it for the turbo. Ordering a set of ross forged pistons now and switching of to shockwaves front and rear. purchased the color of the car and will be 2011 bmw titanium grey metalic.. been a busy two weeks..

Paul
66larkgs

didnt hurt the block but will need to machine the crank now.

[66larkgs]

been ordering parts and working on the body tring to get it ready so i can jam it. New vintage radio, speakers and waiting for my shockwaves to come in. hope to take some pictures to show the progress.. arp main studs came in so i can bolt up the mains tomorrow so i can measure for the new ross pistons.
cant wait to get it back together with the new cam, pistons and complete setup!!!

Paul
66larkgs turbo 401 nailhead

[66larkgs]

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[66larkgs]

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Just putting up some pictures of the ridetech lower a arms, kore3 hubs, The trans is a th400 for my buick nailhead that got split wide open during a holshot. tig it back together and install some 3/16 strapping. The picture of the lower quarter is a piece that was rotted and thier is no aftermarket patches available so we had to make our own.. thier are also some pictures of the seats that just got reupholstered..and the dash pad that got redone.

[66larkgs]

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[66larkgs]

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[66larkgs]

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been working on the car daily and tring to get it in primer and jammed ASAP!! just got my new shockwaves in for my skylark and finished wiring up the ride tech compressor and controller. i powdercoated the tank silver metalic which i will be doing alot of the suspension the same color. Hoping to get the car finished for the King of the Hills in New Jersey this year in arpil. we had to recreate the lower portion of the pass side quarter due to thier is no replacement panels plus i couldnt find a used gd quarter. The wheel wells were all done with a brake and a shrinking /strenching tool.

Paul
66larkgs
turbo 401 nailhead

[66larkgs]

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i installed the shockwaves today and just took some pictures of where i had to cut the frame and where i welded up some added bracing. i still have to once over the front end and put a dust boot on the pass side upper control arm but besides that the front and rear ridetech shockwaves should be wrapped up in a day or so.

Paul
66larkgs
turbo nailhead

[66larkgs]

The airride is fully functional now and is just amazing!! highly recommend it!! just powdercoated the calipers yesterday and will be rebuilding them tomorrow and will get some pictures up soon.
Update on the motor: motor is at JDS machine in tauton,mass and Joe is a great guy filled with tons of knowledge. Looking to hit the 600hp and 800tq but make it extremely streetable. looking into a electronic boost controller.. still have to do a little more research on it. shooting to have it in primer by the end of feb!!!

Paul
66 skylark gs
401 buick nailhead with garrett67 turbo

[mild2wildpaintngraphics]

The airride is fully functional now and is just amazing!! highly recommend it!! just powdercoated the calipers yesterday and will be rebuilding them tomorrow and will get some pictures up soon.
Update on the motor: motor is at JDS machine in tauton,mass and Joe is a great guy filled with tons of knowledge. Looking to hit the 600hp and 800tq but make it extremely streetable. looking into a electronic boost controller.. still have to do a little more research on it. shooting to have it in primer by the end of feb!!!

Paul
66 skylark gs
401 buick nailhead with garrett67 turbo

Nice to see another Buick project. I have Ridetech Street Challenge system on my 70 GSX replica. Ridetech is top notch all around. I've got a 66 Skylark convert from Arizona waiting it's turn tucked away in storage.

[BPDRacing]

What spindles and hubs are you using? Also, do you have more details on your serpentine/accessory drive setup? I am working on a 65 Skylark GS and would love to ditch the V-belts.

Nice build, good to see a Buick getting some PT treatment.

[Jeff70]

Are those Intro wheels? Did you run into any caliper to wheel clearance issues front & rear?

[66larkgs]

Are those Intro wheels? Did you run into any caliper to wheel clearance issues front & rear?
They are billet specialties and i did run into clearance with the front c5 calipers. i had to take the corvette word off of the front caliper to make them fit. the rear thier was no issues.

[66larkgs]

Nice to see another Buick project. I have Ridetech Street Challenge system on my 70 GSX replica. Ridetech is top notch all around. I've got a 66 Skylark convert from Arizona waiting it's turn tucked away in storage.
What did you run for the rear in your 70? coolride bags or shockwaves? if coolride did you use a strap to limit the amount of extend so when you put it on the lift and put it in the air thier isnt any weight tring to pull the bags apart? how do they ride and handle?? i cant wait to drive this but it will be atleast earlier april before it is back running and together.

[66larkgs]

What spindles and hubs are you using? Also, do you have more details on your serpentine/accessory drive setup? I am working on a 65 Skylark GS and would love to ditch the V-belts.

Nice build, good to see a Buick getting some PT treatment.http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad19/66larkgs/66%20skylark%20turbo%20nailhead/paulspictures096.jpg
here is a link to when i mocked up the serp belt setup. i used a gn crank pulley and just drilled the crank pulley. thier are pictures on that page or the next on my photobucket where you can see the old buick grand national crank pulley and than after i drilled it in the drill press. i used a chysler alt and a toyota idler pulley with a remote mount power steering pump. i mounted the alt and power steering pump off of the t stat crossover. i had to make our own billet grooved water pump pulley but i think you can buy one now from march. they did come out with a serp belt setup for the nailhead.

i used a b body spindle , kore3 hubs , ridetech shock waves with lower control arms, hotchkis upper arms, 1.250 sway bar c5 brakes gm rotors. a price list for the front end is:
$100 for the spindles but i smoothed and powdercoated myself, $300 for the hubs, like $400 for c5 calipers and rotors, $600 for lower arms, $400 for uppers, $855.00 for shockwaves, $65 pst tie rod sleeves, $200 for tie rods,idler and misc..$100 for sway bar. i tried to save on where i can and spend on what was important. i box a rebuilt steering box for $165 but flamming river column and adaptors. i am not like alot of these big time car builders with a unlimited wallet so i had to take some time to collect and buy parts. i consider myself a normal blue collar guy who wants to build a car that can compete with the big dogs, to bad parts are so exspesive or i would be running afx spindles and full tiger cage!!! one day, maybe if i sell some more toys i can buy them.

[Mingus]

Very nice car. Can't wait to see how it runs with the rebuilt engine.
I added double adjustable Shockwaves, lower arms, and a front Musclebar to my AFX spindles and SPC uppers and I love it. I would like to try the rear Shockwaves but I just added Coolride bags because I already had single adjustable Varishocks in the back.

[66larkgs]

Very nice car. Can't wait to see how it runs with the rebuilt engine.
I added double adjustable Shockwaves, lower arms, and a front Musclebar to my AFX spindles and SPC uppers and I love it. I would like to try the rear Shockwaves but I just added Coolride bags because I already had single adjustable Varishocks in the back.

do you take any precautions when putting your car on the lift? i was worried about ripping the rear coolride apart, it looks like they are at full extensions when the shocks stop them.

[Mingus]

My shocks fully extend before the Coolride bags. I still might put on some straps on. I usually let some of the air out so the bags aren't pushing with so much force when I lift it.

[66larkgs]

little update, rebuilt the front calipers and powdercoated them the other night at the house. Just installed them on the car and now am working on the c6 rear internal ebrake setup. should have some pictures up in a few days with the brackets i am going to fab up. eveything is comiing together nice and just got to keep crashing on it so i can get it done.. want to try to make it to run to the hills in NJ in april..

Paul
66larkgs
turbo Buick Nailhead

[mild2wildpaintngraphics]

What did you run for the rear in your 70? coolride bags or shockwaves? if coolride did you use a strap to limit the amount of extend so when you put it on the lift and put it in the air thier isnt any weight tring to pull the bags apart? how do they ride and handle?? i cant wait to drive this but it will be atleast earlier april before it is back running and together.

Ridetech includes info in their directions to totally deflate bags when using a lift. The shocks will limit also. I have CoolRide on my 70, and am still in the building stages. I decided on air ride after talking a few times to Frank at Prodigy about the ride it offers. I am also building a 67 C10 pickup that will run air suspension with a combination of Ridetech and Porterbuilt Fabrication components.

[66larkgs]

i have been declaring the bags but wasent sure if anyone runs straps. Ihave been working on the quarters and they are ready for primer. I am hoping to have the car in primer by the end of the month but things do come up. I will be posting pictures of the body work to keep you guys updated. Thank you for all the comments,it is inspiration to work on it after those 12hour work day's. Thanks again
Paul
66larkgs

[66larkgs]

Got my ebrake brackets finished up on the bridgeport so I can use my c5 ebrake/ c5 brake setup on my rear end. They act as the plate that the axle bearing retainer bolts to on one side and the ebrake backing plate bolts to the other side. Now I just have to get some ebrake cables

[66larkgs]

got three coats of select 2k primer on the rear quarters today and they do look good. this week has been school vacation so i have no students. I have been tring to put as much time on the car as possiable so hopefully tomorrow i will have the rest of the jams, roof, and drivers side door ready for primer. fenders and pass side door are already in primer. The metal work is all done but finishing chasing dents and getting this skylark pin straight. This car has'nt been on the road for 31 years but looks like it has been painted three times and three different colors before i got it plus it had a hidden damage from a old accident that had to be addressed. Next time i will send it to be soda blasted. local guy chargers $160 hour usally takes 4-6 hours and he goes to your place. thank god for good friends because without them this body would never get done. it is amazing how many hours is in this body alone.. i consider myself to be a blue collar guy and take great pride on doing almost everything myself even thou i couldnt afford to have a 10k paint job...

Paul
66larkgs
Turbo Buick 401 Nailhead
pro-touring

[66larkgs]

got the gaps on the doors done today. As my buddy walter says european gaps!! looking good but is def taking alot of time. Just bought a new computor and have to firgure out how to upload pictures to this computor. will have
Paul Estrella

1966 Buick Skylark gs ( project GS-X)( building it like buick should have!)
buick 401 nailhead with garret t67mm turbo,
serpintine belt conversion, c5 brakes, air ride shockwaves,
detroit locker, billet specialties wheels. some pictures of the car for some current updates.

[66larkgs]

57750
here is a a recent picture of the car. progress has been slow due to coaching but is picking back up. Finished the install with the radio and all of the new speakers.. sounds amazing, finished the remote mount battery, flamming river column is installed with a custom collaspable steering shaft i made. I fired the oven last night and started powdercoated engine parts, bumper brackets, engine plates and anything i could get my hands on that i could get sandblasted. Still dont have the engine back from the machine shop but i am hoping soon. tring to complete the car for my july wedding. Designed some custom billet GSX badges for the back,front and dash of the car to be in the same font as my 1966 ones but with the X on the end. and of corse be out of billet. I was hoping to already have them but i have to wait a few more weeks.. the drawing looks great!!

Paul
66larkgs
turbo 401 nailhead

[RIDES BY DESIGN]

hows the progress?

[66larkgs]

hows the progress?

comming along slow but still plucking away at it..the body is pretty much ready need another two good 8 hour days.
i got hurt and it has been a painfull few weeks..i have been working on the bumpers alot. I tucked and shortened the rear bumper and been working out the dents, the rear bumper looks real sharp but comes to find out i had the wrong brackets for the front so took me a little bit to find front bumper brackets but they are in the mail now.i had to do a little trimming to fit the intercooler.Got most of the wiring sorted out with the new flamming river column and got the rear battery My 401 nailhead shortblock was supposed to be comming back from the machine shop last week but now it is early this week. I already ported the heads and intake and now just waiting for the motor so i can do a final assemble on the stand. The nailhead has ARP head and main studs with ARP rod bolts. Had Ross make us a set of custom forged piston and with the 9:1 compression we are running i will be safe @15psi boost no problem. i get married on july 7 and we plan on ussing it in the wedding so i need to suck it up and get it done. Just sold my bike to come up with some more cash to finish the car. hopefully can have it earlier than july 7.. will post some updated pictures.

[Das Boot]

Cool project! hope ya get it sorted out in time for the wedding. :)

[705.0Merc]

Nice build. What size exhaust housing are you running? T67 seems on the small side for 400 cu inches. I have a t70 on my 302. Is your timing locked out?

[66larkgs]

thanks for the comments, sometimes I have no motivation and the website helps when I hit a wall with the build. I run a .81 ar. I will spool real quick, I want full tq @ 2500-2800 rpms. When I built the headers I have it set up so I can easily run twins if I need more turbo. I run a 6btm box and msd dist and locked it out at 32 with a start retard wired in also. Just fired up the oven to powder coat some engine brackets and pulleys. Hopefully have the motor back in the car by the end of the week if the machinest finishes the short block. Paul

[csouth]

That turbo should make that a really fun car. Love to see the Pro Touring Buick's

[Ratty 46]

Great little build you got going there ...

When I was in HS my girlfriends Mom had a GS400 that I was able to use on some dates. That thing would fly!!

You didn't buy that in the Woburn area did you???

R46

[RIDES BY DESIGN]

we'll keep posting with interest. if that keeps you motivated. you have a unique car

[66larkgs]

[/ATTACH]60578605796058060581[/ATTACH][QUOTE=RIDES BY DESIGNwe'll keep posting with interest. if that keeps you motivated. you have a unique car[/QUOTE]

i always appreciate the comments and it does help keep it going.

here are some updated pictures of the motor, just got it back from the machine shop. Arp head studs, main studs and rod bolts. i ported the heads and the intake and install a set of Ross forged piston,forged crank was cut and the rods where recond. i had the rotating assemble balanced now i am putting the motor back together.

[gribbs]

WOW Loving this thread! I have a 66 skylark as well and you are giving me lots of inspiration. What made you choose the nailhead engine?

[66larkgs]

Someone told me it couldn't be done and I could never make my 66 lark get out of the 12's. I figure I put chevy's in everything I have own and I wanted to due a REAl different car. This is my very first car I ever own so I wanted to due it right but being a normal blue collar guy it took a lot of side jobs and a lot of husteling to buy all the parts I wanted.This nailhead is what came in my car in 66 but was hurt when I bought it. It has never been on the road beside with a dealer plate and I am on my third rearend, second motor and only one trans rebuild and a reinforced case where it split! I am not easy on my toys so I figured I try to put the best parts in this car. I am so pleased with all the professionals I have dealt with like Ridetech,CSU carbs, Garret, Hotckis Billet Specialties,My interior guy Dom Cory( what a class act and such a great job) I am just looking forward to getting it done as soon as possible. I am getting married this weekend so as soon as I am back I will have the rest of the summer off to finish. If their is ever anything you need for you lark let me know, I have tos of chrome and all kinds of stuff kicking around that is extras.
Paul

[Glenn]

Very cool idea, job well done!

[66larkgs]

been working on the motor and the little things that take forever have been holding me up. started fabbing up a new style of motor mounts because factory ones are no longer made, a set of fabricated ones will be better than factory. i am in the process of tring to pick under hood colors. my firewall and radiator support is currently jet blk and in great shape but i am painted the buick a dark slate metalic. the bumpers are going to be powdercoated satin blk,with the grill and the rest of the chrome on the car. i am wondering if i should change the color of the firewall to a satin blk or keep it jet blk? i was thinking of painting the engine the color of the car also.i need to figure it all out before i install the engine. any suggestions????

Paul
1966 skylark gs
corvette c5/c6 brakes
Ridetech shockwaves
tubular controls arms front and rear
big swaybars, Big Billet wheels
and the best part a"Nailhead with a Turbo"

[66larkgs]

has anyone ssen this website?
http://paintit.cloudapp.net/Collision.aspx?Year=2011&Brand=ppgna

been looking at the lexus color 1go smokey grey. i have also been looking at gm's dark labyrinth grey and the g8 magnetic grey 18u color.
been on the paint it website for over a hour. i will be going to the paint shop tomorrow to pic out some colors.
any suggestions

[66larkgs]

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Just welded the 3/4 npt female pipe fitting into the oil pan today for my oil return line today for the turbo..bought the fitting at one of the very few left family parts store in my area for $9. will sand blast again and than powdercoat it in the garage.

[66larkgs]

what do you think of sparling graphite metalic a22 paint code bmw color62790

looking to do something like that color but matte blk molding/grill bumpers on this car62791

should i go alittle darker to match better with the matte blk?? any ideas

[66larkgs]

i will do a 30% tint all the way around also

[66larkgs]

628076280862809628106281162812

worked on the rear gap on the hood. had over half inch of a gap so i welded some rod in thier to help close it up. still have to finish grinding but wanted to shop the progress. here some pictures of the wheels with the gunmetal calipers. everything needs a good cleaning but the body dust takes over.

[66larkgs]

been jumping around on the car alot lately, spent a whole day cutting off the flanges on the custom headers and redoing them. i mocked them up and had a friend tig them, he did'nt back purge them or bolt them down to the table when welding.. wow they got warped.. wasnt a problem just a setback. they are looking good now and i learn from my mistakes.
looking to install a hydraulic ebrake because i was having issues with the c6 internal that i have been working on. not that i need more to do on my list of things to get done.

[66larkgs]

629846298562986
here's a few pictures of the headers.. i took a set of small block ford turbo headers, cut them & extended them, cut the flanges off to fit a Buick nailhead flange. as you can see the flanges are not welded yet due to i am still fine tuning the grinding and fitment. Thier was alot of fitment issues with the steering shaft and with the control arms. took alot of beer to get these things to fit and be funtional. I will then weld the flange side that goes to the head and mill them flat or hit them with the belt sander.

[66larkgs]

got the intake,oilpan and motor painted today.. also got the timing chain and gears installed. wish i would have got more done but a friends mom had a check engine light on, It had a coolant temp code and on data stream a ect temp of 401 degrees f. took some time to diag and find out the ecu crap the bed. unfortunitly that time got taken away from a Buick Nailhead... thursday i will put some time in it shut my phone off and hide my truck in the garage so noone knows i am thier. i am hoping and going to try to get the motor back in the car by this weekend. will post some pictures when i get the motor back in.

[66larkgs]

didnt touch the car today but did get the rest of the material for my solid motor mount on the drivers side. Thanks to some guys on the board i am changing my setup to one solid and one rubber motor mount with a rubber trans mount. got a bbc solid mount today in the mail and will modify it to fit on my nailhead.

[66larkgs]

632566325763258
I just showed some pictures of me finishing up and the grinding the rod to take up the gap on the back of the hood..

here is a picture of my attempt of powdercoating pot metal.. to be honest i did'nt think it came out that bad.. i am going to do all the trim on the car, bumpers, grill and headlight bezels all this satin

[66larkgs]

here is a few pictures of the rebuilt motor and trans back in the car. all the issues are worked out with the turbo headers and finished making the drivers side solid motor mount and used a rubber sbc mount that i modify for the pass side. Once i finish the exhaust for the turbo i will be sending it all out to be jet coated. i will be finishing up with the serpintine belt setup hopefully this weekend . 6337963380

[CruizinKev]

nice!!!

[66larkgs]

63490
nice!!!63491

started working out the bugs with the serpintine belt setup..tomorrow hopefully work it out and need to get the wastegate flange, and turbo exhaust welded up to get everything sent out to jethot.

[66larkgs]

should i powdercoat the pulleys black or aluminum finish..
Suggestions please

[compos mentis]

should i powdercoat the pulleys black or aluminum finish..
Suggestions please

Very cool project Paul... especially that you are going with a nailhead. My Dad was given a new '66 for a company car way back when. :)

Aluminum might blend in more...not sure if that matters to you though(?).

[66larkgs]

Very cool project Paul... especially that you are going with a nailhead. My Dad was given a new '66 for a company car way back when. :)

Aluminum might blend in more...not sure if that matters to you though(?).

I wanted to go aluminum but the power steering pulley is blk plastic, so i am looking for a metal one that will fit. shouldnt be a issue but i just havent removed it to compare it to other power steering pulleys i have laying around. That pump came off of a 3.3 chrysler engine. i will be finalizing the turbo oil drain, serpintine belt setup today so hopefully i can get everything broken down and powdercoated in the next few days.

[66larkgs]

it is like christmas, the turbo headers, crossover and exhaust was coated in two days @ d&t coating in pembrook mass. $500 for everything in black gd up too 2200*degress. i am waiting from summit for a -12an fitting for the turbo oil return but got the motor,trans, driveshaft and linkage back in the car. Once i have some time i will finalize the belt setup and start to get the intercooler back on with the radiator and get ready to fire it up. looking at some time next week if all goes well.

Has anyone ever used a hydraulic ebrake? they use they in drifting but i am thinking of making it to work with the factory ebrake pedal instead of tring to get the ebrake to work with the internal c5/c6 setup i run.

[66larkgs]

6372763728
here's two pictures from today. i installed the headers, dist and got the motor all timed. set the gap to .028 and got all the plugs installed.Ran the plugs wires nice and neat and just worked on alittle bit of everything today and hopefully tomorrow i can get thier and get some more done. would be nice to get the full exhaust built soon but it is on the things to due list

[66larkgs]

Little update. Just got all the turbo drain lines delivered with the ss power steering lines and all fittings. Summit delivered the new vbands so I can put the crossover back on. Turbo is mounted and will hopefully will get a lot done on Monday because I have the day off. Will post some pictures with it back together.

[compos mentis]

Good stuff Paul. :twothumbs

Looks great.

[66larkgs]

Good stuff Paul. :twothumbs

Looks great.

Thanks skip! Been busy with my new automotive shop class so haven't worked to much but the last two days I have got a lot of work done. Even had one of my students ask to stay after school to work on the car.I was very surprised but we made a deal every wends we stay late to work on it. We got the turbo lines worked out , rad support had to be cut to move the radiator forward away from the turbo and got the inter cooler mounted. Also we had to cut the upper radiator inlet and put it on a angle will need to tig it up tomorrow. Need to trim the new bumper brackets to clear the inter cooler pipes but slowly but surely getting done. Will post some pictures soon

[66larkgs]

6517465175

here is a few updated pictures, motor is ready to be started, trans is filled, radiator is getting some welding because i had to put alittle angle on the upper inlet. i still have powdercoat the intercooler tubing. going to change the couples from blue to black. really hate the blue.. besides that boost gauge needs hooking up, and get a serpintine belt setup finished.

[66larkgs]

65176
also replaced the master with a c5 master to match the front and rear brakes

[compos mentis]

Very clean install Paul.

Are you working on it at school?

If so, what do you students think about it?

[66larkgs]

Very clean install Paul.

Are you working on it at school?

If so, what do you students think about it?

Yea i have been working on it with the kids this year and they are doing a great job. I did my 53 r110 build with my students but I always was so paranoid about the car i never wanted to bring it in. But i have some Great students and they understand how much work i have put in it and i exsplained to them how it was my first car so they take to it. In a way it is a really great learning tool, they learn hotrod/car show etiquete. Dont lean on old cars, look dont touch,dont write your name in dust on the car and asked good questions. It is funny but noone has ever told most of my students the damage writing in dust will do to paint. Last week i had one of my female students with help, run all the MSD 6btm wireing behind the box and into the inside of the car and behind the dash to connect onto a circuit breaker box under the dash. We mounted a ford style starter relay in the trunk so the 00gauge wire is only hot under crank. With guidance and sometimes a few redo's we can do some real nice work. My favorite part with having the kids involved is when we are a car show and they sit around what we built, last time was the 53 and tell people thier part of the build.. nothing is better.
The Funny part is they always want to race thier honda's against it.. or are like "are you going to put a yellow intake on it? heard it is worth 20hp">
"heard you run 20's, are they DUBS" we have alot of great laughs.. but they learn from it
I promised all of them rides in it and a chair next to it at car shows..

[66larkgs]

She's Alive! Fired it up today for a short period. Need to finish up loose ends so I can break it in.

[66larkgs]

6535265351here's a picture from today. went and bought push in quick connects and going to fit all steel lines for vacuum line and boost gauge. going to mock them up on monday and hope to powdercoat all the lines to keep everything looking clean. Also going to hard line the oil pressure gauge since i had a line melt and leak all over the place today. Powdercoated all the inlet turbo lines a silver metalic and started reassembling them. Starting to come together..

I put a picture of two of the kids working on it today. I showed them the website and they got all excited that i was going to post up a picture of them with the car . i promised i would.. I will get some nice pictures once it is alittle more complete and alittle neater under the hood.

[Mingus]

Great to hear it's running again. Really looking forward to seeing it back on the road. Cool to see the kids involved in the build.

[compos mentis]

6535265351here's a picture from today. went and bought push in quick connects and going to fit all steel lines for vacuum line and boost gauge. going to mock them up on monday and hope to powdercoat all the lines to keep everything looking clean. Also going to hard line the oil pressure gauge since i had a line melt and leak all over the place today. Powdercoated all the inlet turbo lines a silver metalic and started reassembling them. Starting to come together..

I put a picture of two of the kids working on it today. I showed them the website and they got all excited that i was going to post up a picture of them with the car . i promised i would.. I will get some nice pictures once it is alittle more complete and alittle neater under the hood.

Congrats on the fire-up Paul.

Great pic of those helping you too. :twothumbs

[66larkgs]

hopefully by the next week i am hoping to have alot of the bugs worked out of the motor. waiting for the radiator to come back from welding and then i can get some coolant in it and start it and run it for a while. I am hoping to make some time tomorrow to get to the shop to run alot of the vacuum lines so i can powdercoat all the lines before the kids get back on monday. I was even thinking about powdercoating the new brake lines from the master to the prop valve and T for the front lines. Just thinking it would clean up the engine compartment just alittle more.

[marine1944]

hey mr estrella i hope the car is doing great

[66larkgs]

hey mr estrella i hope the car is doing great

Hey Tyler , went shopping yesterday and I started collecting new push-in style connectors with steel tubing instead of that 1/8 clear line. I made a diagram for all the lines so it will be easy to install. I can't wait to get some vids up of it running. Went to the shop today and that bolt that you resealed didn't look like it leaked again.Nice work kid!

[marine1944]

Thank you Mr Estrella Im looking forward to working on it tomorrow

[66larkgs]

Got all the vacuum lines done and rad is back in the car. I am currently fabricating metal heater core lines instead of the rubber. Hopefully get them finished up tomorrow so I can get them powder coated. Progress has been slow but have a carbon fiber wrap and looking into doing the bumpers.

[compos mentis]

Sounds good Paul...

BTW-have you thought about have the bumper mods photoshopped first?

[66larkgs]

Sounds good Paul...

BTW-have you thought about have the bumper mods photoshopped first?

no never thought of that.. the rear is already cut and tucked in. should i take a few side and rear pictures and post it in the media section?

[compos mentis]

Paul,

Yes.

I've had good success posting there requesting minor 'chop work help. :)

[66larkgs]

66249
worked on the heater hoses today. had to find a molded hose that comes out of the t-stat housing, makes a hard 90 and than u around the valve cover. took some stainless coolant lines from a saab and cut them up for the ends. Just zip tied them while we are fabricating some brackets from the steel coolant hoses to the top of the valve cover. tomorrow should have the brackets made so we can powdercoat

[Amatouring]

That engine is so cool that it makes me wish I had a Buick!!

[compos mentis]

Gonna be a beast! :twothumbs

[66larkgs]

That engine is so cool that it makes me wish I had a Buick!!

i wish thier was a little more aftermarket support for these engines but i guess that is what makes them rare to build up. These are actually Buicks version of the HEMI and it was produce in 1958-1966. These motors build a tons of tq from the factory with ratings from 445-465 ftlb tq. hp was low from 325-340. They have extremely small exhaust valves and poor flowing heads. with the turbo and a mild 7 psi this motor should be over 500hp and around 700tq. The engine builder said it will handle 15 psi no problem with the parts that are in it.. i guess time will tell with some dyno tuning and real life driving. Full tq should be in @ under 4k with peak hp between 5500-6k.
Skip, i am thinking it is going to be a fun monster to drive with so much tq at such a low rpm. Like riding a hopped up Vtwin. i was going over everything with my buddy who is helping with body work and laied down some carbon fiber over some panels today for that sinester look... who knows what it will look like but it is comming around. On another note i did finish welding the tubes and making the brackets but have a little grinding to do and needed a little more time today to get it done but tomorrow is the wife bday so i will sneak some powdercoating before dinner plans..

Santa showed up and dropped off my
SEMA tickets came in today!! street car challenge tickets are on my fridge and can't wait for the PT dinner..

[compos mentis]

...but tomorrow is the wife bday so i will sneak some powdercoating before dinner plans..



You just gave us gearheads here another idea of what can be accomplished on a wife's birthday.

lol

[66larkgs]

Didn't get to take any pictures this weekend but got the nose back off it again and hoping to get this thing jammed soon. Finishing the drivers side door and decklid with a long board and than we will be reprimeing and blocking again. once that's done we will break it down again and squirt it. I am very lucky and have some great help lately with the body work and we are having a lot of progress. I have a busy weekend coming up and heading out to SEMA next week, I am sure it will not be jammed before I leave but I will be doing my best

[70lslark]

Hey Paul, just read through your post,didn't realize there was much more updates to your build..haha! Still trying to figure out how to navigate around the sight being its the first time I've been on any forum! Very nice and extremely unique build! Love the front suspension mods and especially the engine. Do you intend to do any bracket racing to see what it will do 1/4 mile wise? As far as color on mine I'm going with a metallic green exterior,grey interior, bone or white top. Removing all the badging, the only one will be the buick emblem on the rear bumper. Was thinking bout air brushing LSx or LS Lark possibly some where on the body. Car is at the body shop now.

[66larkgs]

QUOTE=70lslark;945653]Hey Paul, just read through your post,didn't realize there was much more updates to your build..haha! Still trying to figure out how to navigate around the sight being its the first time I've been on any forum! Very nice and extremely unique build! Love the front suspension mods and especially the engine. Do you intend to do any bracket racing to see what it will do 1/4 mile wise? As far as color on mine I'm going with a metallic green exterior,grey inter'ior, bone or white top. Removing all the badging, the only one will be the buick emblem on the rear bumper. Was thinking bout air brushing LSx or LS Lark possibly some where on the body. Car is at the body shop now.[/QUOTE]

Its funny sometimes i look back and read some of the orginal post and laugh.. i wish i would have done alot of things different so i didnt have to redo them but i did and do what funds and talent allows and as they both grow so does this Build.

I will take it to the drags when all said and done but it isnt a racecar. I just wanted to build a nice street car with TONS or Torque. I will def autocross it but i want to drive it hard and be reliable so this is why i have spent so much time to plan and perfect everthing we do so we wont have issues later.. we all know it doesnt always work that way and i have battled a few things but i do my best.
The motor has been a alot of fun fabricating all the parts to get this together but i think it is what will set it off different from alot of others. I love the ls engines and will run one in my next build and am throwing it around about putting one in my wrangler instead of the 360 i put in it but i just wanted to take orginal and make it better.
i really like your 70 and the metalic green with the white will look sharp. I like the ls lark and lsx would be nice.
with the badging i was throwing out the same thing with maybe a turbo8 like the turbo 6 for the gn. I was in the middle last year of having the rear emblem cnc and instead of saying "Gran Sport" i was Looking at -Turbo GS- -- Turbo Nailhead-- "By Buick" -Nailhead Powered- -- By Buick----- But it got put on the back burner so it is just another thing to get done on the list.
As far as getting things done it is all the little things that take a while. i spent two hours on a alternator bracket the other day just metal finishing it. Hasnt even been powdered coated yet but i have a big bunch of things to powder coat so i think i will take tomorrow in the garage to get all the parts coated.
I had a little to much play in the pinion on the rear so i decided to pull it apart and i found the gears are wiped. They Have maybe 15 holeshots on them. I paid a very well known ford racer to set up the third member because i have only did gm rears so i spent $200 to have him do it but something went bad. Looks like it was low oil but i had two quarts in it but the ring and pinion are wiped out. i still need to pull apart the locker to make sure their is no damage. I guess four steps forward, two steps back should be the name of this build but it could be worse. This time i will be setting them up, looks like the ring gear was over to much.
I will be posting some pictures up soon but with just getting back from sema it is taking we this week just to get caught up on sleep.

[66larkgs]

Got three hours In on the car tonight and made some nice progress. I Have some great help lately and while my buddy nick was finishing blocking out the decklid i was blocking the roof. got a nice skim coat of puddy on the roof and it is looking pretty nice!! looking forward to getting some pictures. I brought the camera today too but left it in the truck.. After seeing all the cars on this website in person this last week it def gave me some needed motivation.

[Zoomin]

Just joined today and did a search on "1966" and found your thread. I purchased a 66 'lark a few months ago and was looking for some ideas and hit the jackpot here!

Awesome job!

[66larkgs]

Just joined today and did a search on "1966" and found your thread. I purchased a 66 'lark a few months ago and was looking for some ideas and hit the jackpot here!

Awesome job!

Thanks alot!! it is nice to see another 66 lark here. Feel free to ask all the questions because i have been thier.
here is a few updated pictures of the Buick.
i had to notch the radiator support to recess the radiator so i could get it further away of the turbo.i started to make the cover for over the grill. kinda like a air dam but to keep the air down and make it go through the radiator. i got the heater core lines powdercoated and installed, serpintine belt setup is done. powder coated the third member for my 9" rear. made and powdercoated the brackets for the intercooler.i have been tring to fine tune the rear bumper. i tucked it and reshaped it to match the quarter a little better. been just plucking away alittle at a time. with coaching hockey i only get a few nights a week to work on it now. 68510685116851268513685146851568516685176851868519 6852068521

[ryeguy2006a]

Sounds like it will be a beast on the road.

[gearheads78]

Very cool build. I love everything about it!!!

[vette427-sbc]

68521

Is that going to be the ride height up front? If so... Very cool! :smoke::cheers:

[66larkgs]

Chris, that is the where it sits and the rear is just as low. its sits on a ridetech setup and when aired down it is low. i have the back on stand because i had to replace the last set of gears so i firgured i might as well powdercoat the third member. Hopefully tomorrow i will have the center section back together and finish up on the power steering resivoir.
Got to say your vette is comming alot very nicely and would be nice to see it in person at some of the upcomming events. I am hoping to have mine all buttoned up for some of the upcomming events in the new year.

[66larkgs]

Sounds like it will be a beast on the road.
i think it will be a beast a hopefully turn some heads while at it. It is def different and not the normal for a pro-touring build and i am tring to do the Nailhead justice with the turbo. Buick did it in the sixties with a exsperimental engine with a draw thru turbo so i am just tring to build it like they should have.

[66larkgs]

Chopped the hood up today for the carb hat, finished setting up the third member. Also started cutting up the power steering resivoir return line and setting it up for -10 an return line. Hoping to have some running videos this week. Pumped all the old fuel out of the tank today.

[marine1944]

i still dont like that you cut the hood it made me cringe

[66larkgs]

Hey Tyler,
good job on making the power steering lines today but wait til that hood is done!! it will fit the look of the car.

To the guys on the board, tyler is one of my students in my 10th grade automotive shop class who follows the build on line but he works on the car in shop class when time allows. Customer cars come first ofcourse. Tring to teach him the slow and steady theory. Do it once, do it right.. As a car guy it is great to have young students like these kids as into cars as they are.
tomorrow with some luck we should have the car fired up to tune it. we haved already ran the new setup but havent tuned it yet.

[compos mentis]

Hey Tyler,
good job on making the power steering lines today but wait til that hood is done!! it will fit the look of the car.

To the guys on the board, tyler is one of my students in my 10th grade automotive shop class who follows the build on line but he works on the car in shop class when time allows. Customer cars come first ofcourse. Tring to teach him the slow and steady theory. Do it once, do it right.. As a car guy it is great to have young students like these kids as into cars as they are.
tomorrow with some luck we should have the car fired up to tune it. we haved already ran the new setup but havent tuned it yet.

Paul,

It sounds like you have a very rewarding job teaching your students valuable skills. :twothumbs

Look forward to a vid of your beast running. :D

[robbie9999]

wow paul !! your out of control your build makes mine look like im just changing one tire ! brilliant !!!

[nekkidhillbilly]

i still dont like that you cut the hood it made me cringe

i sold him that hood it was ok but wasnt a ultra rare hood and had a little filler. plus it had 2 holes from hood pins. also it looks like he made the cuts that the gs had in the hood from the factory. there are 2 inserts that go in that opening. you can see them in the picture i posted. a stock gs had those cuts from the factory.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/1966_Buick_Skylark_GS_Gran_Sport_Coupe_F-1.jpg

[marine1944]

If he can make it look good ill be ok i just saw a rough cut so it freaked me out

[66larkgs]

i sold him that hood it was ok but wasnt a ultra rare hood and had a little filler. plus it had 2 holes from hood pins. also it looks like he made the cuts that the gs had in the hood from the factory. there are 2 inserts that go in that opening. you can see them in the picture i posted. a stock gs had those cuts from the factory.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/1966_Buick_Skylark_GS_Gran_Sport_Coupe_F-1.jpg

.. i didnt use the one i bought from you. i cut up my original GS hood... the hood i bought from you i am only going to use parts of it. i am going to buy a 67 chevelle 2" steel cowl hood and mutate the two hoods together to get a all metal 66 skylark hood.

[marine1944]

does that mean im ganna make more templets?

[66larkgs]

Not sure what I am going to due yet with the hood. Need to finish setting all the gaps on the front clip and doors before I finalize the hood. I have a few pictures in my head what I want to see but just have to put it to metal

[66larkgs]

Was working on tuning the motor on friday after work and it is comming along nicely.I brought the timing up from 30-to 32 but still need to put the o2's on it to see what my a/f ratios are. i am using a FAST a/f sensor setup and looking to hopefully have the bugs worked out of it this week. I had to pull the carb apart because of the old fuel sitting in it for the last year and also had to pump all the fuel out of the tank. I had a few little leaks that we had to take care of and it just has been one thing after another. We had to take another .080 off of the bracket for the alternator to get the alt pulley close to being lined up so it wouldnt chew the serpintine belt up. Been alot of baby steps tring to get everything to work together but everyday i get one thing done is one less thing i have to do tomorrow.

[E.rodz]

nice job on doing something out of the normal. looks like you making progress and thank you for getting the youth of today involved with something cool! your taking the time and teaching about doing it slow and steady the difference in just doing it and doing it well are two different stories once you get the motor finshed in the mock up form pull it back out out and get rid of the uglies on the firewall the devil is in the details trust me on this one you will not regret it. keep up the great work and keep the updates coming!

[ramlinman]

nice build

[66larkgs]

70204702057020670207
here's a few updated pictures,
got the hood bacck on and had a little hood clearence issues with the radiator cap so did a little trimming on the inside of the hood to get everything to fit a little nicer. slowly but getting thier

[66larkgs]

Been working on the hood lately and hoping to have it glued and all the body work done by the end of the week. I cut up the new metal cowl scoop I bought because I needed to get rid of the crease that was I the middle and I need to make more radius to match the front of the hood and the side profile of the fenders. We started by cutting the center out of the metal scoop followed by cutting a piece do 20x60 18 gauge sheet metal. We made our radius for the front of the scoop and than followed that up with the bead roller. We wanted to create a divot on the middle like the factory so we rolled two tappered lines on each side of the centerline of the hood to create the factory look. It is coming along nicely but unfortunately for my Buick, I am sitting on the beach in Aruba and not able to work on it or shovel snow back at home or be able to post any updated pictures from my iPad. If anyone knows a way I would greatly appreciate it. I normally send them to me pc than load them from their.

[66larkgs]

71710717117171271713717147171571716
Here is some pictures as i progress with the hood. i ended up buying a metal scoop and due to the length of my hood and radius i was unhappy with how it looked. i ended up only on using the sides of the cowl i bought and remade the center section of the cowl hood scoop to be about 10 inches longer so i can blend the scoop into the front of the hood. the inside of the hood i took a piece of 1" flat bar and filled in the shield shape portion of the inside of the hood. the rest of the under side of the hood will also get those other cutouts covered with sheet metal and metal finished.

[66larkgs]

Turning 30 years old in 15 days and the only thing i want is get the car in paint.. been working long and hard and it might even happen. Blocked sanded tonight for three hours have the next three nights to really get some work done so we will see!!Havent updated pictures and i should be but been busy with renovating a basement, coaching and tring to get the bodywork finished..
looking to run at the goodguys event in mass and atleast a long haul in july.. have all june 18 -aug 25 off and would love to take it cross country.. East coast to West coast would be a hell of trip that i would love to do... any ideas??

[rod cole]

Super neat build. Just a FYI power or holeshot did not break the tranny. Solid rear mount will break trans,excessive body flex as in twisted up 1foot or more, balance on driveshaft, driveshaft to long,binding on body,ect. Mine has been 9.90 at 130 on a stockcase leaving at 4000rpm. Rod

[robbie9999]

Happy B Day Paul ! great work, post the pics of the paint ... end of day you live a busy life with all those commitments lol !! I know what its like just trying to buy time ...

[66larkgs]

Super neat build. Just a FYI power or holeshot did not break the tranny. Solid rear mount will break trans,excessive body flex as in twisted up 1foot or more, balance on driveshaft, driveshaft to long,binding on body,ect. Mine has been 9.90 at 130 on a stockcase leaving at 4000rpm. Rod

Rod, i appreciate the tip, but i ran rubber engine mounts and rubber trans mounts at the time. I have been back and forth with why it happened and to be honest i have no answer. i have a friend who runs a nailhead in his dragster and had simiular issue.. i did what he did, tig it all up and put some 1/4 aluminum strapping and welded it all in. no issues yet but it was all new under thier at the time, new driveshaft, new mounts, no twisting of the body, correct length, one thing i changed after it broke was the trans crossmember. it wasnt a stock one so i made a tubular one and it looked like the trans mount may have been hitting the crossmemeber no allowing it to flex. So i would say it was that but nothing for sure...

Robbie ,
cant wait to get it shot in some color and have it come alltogether. long road when you do the paint and body work also.. i just got done eating supper so i am going to hit the garage again tonight and hopefully get some updating when we start squirting some color.. i did get some of the exhaust routing worked out today so that is always one thing more off the list.

[robbie9999]

HI Paul any progress of late ? what colour you doing ?

[66larkgs]

Been busy with the car but haven't made it in paint yet. I am looking at dark grey metallic with satin blk bumpers , trim and a carbon fiber treatment to the cowl hood. Had a issue with serpintine belt alignment so been working that out. Also having a issue with no rear brake pressure. I did finish all the gaps for the doors and femders and Ground down and rewelded some door edges but found a soft spot on the fender. so I ended up cutting it all out and remaking a patch panel. Set me back a few days because i didnt have much free time this week at night. Did get it done but need to finish the body work now on that fender. I am about 5 hours out from reprime. I ended buying a REALLY nice splined DSE swaybar but unfortunately where the sway bar bolts up to the frame it is off a hair on the frame horns.Instead of making it work and machining a slot on one mount to let it move forward I decided to make 3/16 plate ,tap it to the 3/8-16 to accept the bolts and than weld them up neatly on the bottom of the frame horns.the sway bar was really close to the pitman arm anyways so I am going to move it forward about 3/8 of a inch. Doesn't sound like a lot but it created a lot of work because I just didn't have enough room to drill further up the frame horn because of the bend up. I wanted to have it in paint by tues but it is looking like primer and sealer hopefully by next week sometime.

[robbie9999]

WOW ! Paul its the little things that are the killers, its usually fitment as well that just hurts for time. The word Universal when buying parts is a lie !! Barely any company test fits there products before hand to ensure it actually works on the application you need it too. Thus incurring cost and time. Post some pics really want to see it soon ! !

[robbie9999]

Just seen these USMAGS Wheels from another thread they look brilliant I have no miles on my ridler wheels and am looking to sell now ... for these

[66larkgs]

7353373534735357353673524Had a few of the kids installing the new DSE sway bar, what a high quality piece of work. I know it isnt a picture of the buick but i put a picture of another project i am doing. I am putting a newer FI 4.0 in my 88yj so had them making the harness so it is a 4 wire hookup. cool little jeep with dana44 front and rear, high steer steering,35" tires and the best part its for the wife. I love hearing are you working on my jeep tonight!! Tonight i was able to weld up the plates for the DSE swaybar, and i ended up installing another idler pulley for my serpintine belt setup that i made. i was having a issue with the serp belt and hoping this will take care of it. i will get some pictures tomorrow of todays work.

[66larkgs]

7385073851
heres a few updated pictures. i shaved the antenna hole, we got the putty pretty much finished on one fender and metal work on the other done. hammer and dolly took care a ton of the mess.

[compos mentis]

Good stuff Paul. :twothumbs:

[66larkgs]

73854 here is the finish antenna hole

[66larkgs]

Little update on the car. Been trying to get as much time working on the car as possible but a lot is going on right now so I am doing my best. . Going to put the front clip back on the car to finish a little glaze work with the hood on so I jamm and finally prime the rest of the car.

[66larkgs]

Look with the hood on

[66larkgs]

Here is a video of it running after I set the a/f ratio using the fast o2 sensors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgdbKJJuS-E&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[66larkgs]

Finishing up on the back of the hood

[66larkgs]

little update... Life got in the way of getting the car done for the last few years and A lot of the time it was more important to renovate the house, get married, work ,college and just life than for the car. it is always the first thing to get put on the back burner. I have MANY hours in the car and love working on it but I have to finish it instead of just plucking away like I have for the last five or six years. After loosing a very close uncle who I received the car from and someone that always said finish it and drive it.. two weeks ago he passed away from a heart attack and things kinda changed. He was a Car Guy, a builder, and a collector. So the last two weeks their has been many late nights and my priority has change from finishing my basement, building a shed, my wifes lifted wrangler too instead breakfeast with my dad on sundays with a cruise in the hotrod. Big step tomorrow and I am moving the car to the prep station tomorrow to get it masked off and ready for its final stretch. we will be hopefully priming the whole car Friday, touchups on Monday and reprime and hopefully in paint at the end of the week. didn't mean to ramble but been a long road since I have had the car for 15 years and I am only 30.. guess it is time to finish it and not everything else.

[66larkgs]

All ready to be mask.. worked all day on touchups and just finishing touches. Ready to start squirting some primer and paint.

[66larkgs]

Got three coats of primer today on the complete car plus got it guide coated. going to hit it with 320 tomorrow with a long board and reprime and jam it on wends or thurs. Looking to have in completed in paint by sat. it is amazing how many hours in scuffing, cleaning, pinholes, putty work but in the end it will be worth it. Looking forward to cruising it and bringing it to some events. Just got a ticket for the car at lake George so already looking forward to that.

[66larkgs]

busted butt tonight and we got the whole guide coat blocked out.. I am very excited but I am exhausted tonight. I have been taking a ton of photos as we go but need to delete some due to I have to many. Tomorrow we will reprime and jam the rest of parts that have not. It is only me and my friend nick so we only work after our full time jobs and I could tell today all the constant late nights are catching up.

[csouth]

Nice work there Paul. It's good that you teach this to the younger generation so the love of rebauilding cars is not lost to Samrtphones and video games.

[66larkgs]

During the first coat of primer

[66larkgs]

Sanding the guide coat ..

[66larkgs]

bought a gallon of the Carbon Black Metalic today, paint code 501q. really like the color and think it will sharp with the carbon fiber accents in the inside and the satin black trim throughout the whole car including bumpers, grill and headlight bezels.

[66larkgs]

Today I applied seam sealer and masked it off to make the lines look nice. After masking I applied the seam sealer and used a brush to apply it. I than went over it with paint thinner to make it real smooth. Work out real well. Letting it dry for a few hours so I can prime and jam.

[66larkgs]

Didn't realize I posted a picture of the seam sealer out of the gun and not smoothed out. Got that all finished up this afternoon. I will post better pictures done. We were able to get the last and final coats of primer on the complete car tonight. We originally started with 150 grit to all the finished body work, primed the whole car with 3 coats and guide coated. Blocked sanded that with 150 and reprimed with another 3 coats. om sat we have to Reblock the car again with 320 and than wet sand complete car with 600 grit. it took me and my friend Nick 3-4 hours just to block the complete guide coat so with wet sanding I bet we have 6 hours of sanding on sat. wanted to Paint on sat but it isn't going to happen. We are a day behind but will get it done Monday night as long as the booth is empty. Still have to finish body work on the bumper and moldings that are not powdercoated. Looking to make it to the BPG meet to show it to some friends out that way..

[66larkgs]

Nick is laying down the clear here.. color really pops. .

[compos mentis]

Been following along...congrats Paul on all the progress you've been making recently. :twothumbs

[66larkgs]

Been following along...congrats Paul on all the progress you've been making recently. :twothumbs

Thanks skip.. I didn't realize I didn't flip the picture.. been a long night. I was like a little kid against the glass when nick was shooting it tonight. Its been a lot of long nights and we are extremely excited to get it completed. I am hoping to make it to ohio in end of july but we will see. we have a spot at Lake George in Sept. I Have to call my upholstery guy to put the headliner in and than I can go balls to the wall. Interior is ready to be reinstalled with everything redone or new so I am pretty pumped up. been messing around with a decal for under the hood and some carbon fiber accents we will be doing in the interior. tomorrow is my last day of work for 10 weeks so I will have time to get it done. . Thanks for all the replys skip and hopefully one day you can come for a beat ride with me in it.

[66larkgs]

The blue is the glare but will be using this on my fan shroud.

[66larkgs]

Just a little slogan for under the hood

[66larkgs]

well did it wrong twice.. thought I flipped it but I was wrong..

[66larkgs]

77682
their we go

[compos mentis]

Thanks skip.. I didn't realize I didn't flip the picture.. been a long night. I was like a little kid against the glass when nick was shooting it tonight. Its been a lot of long nights and we are extremely excited to get it completed. I am hoping to make it to ohio in end of july but we will see. we have a spot at Lake George in Sept. I Have to call my upholstery guy to put the headliner in and than I can go balls to the wall. Interior is ready to be reinstalled with everything redone or new so I am pretty pumped up. been messing around with a decal for under the hood and some carbon fiber accents we will be doing in the interior. tomorrow is my last day of work for 10 weeks so I will have time to get it done. . Thanks for all the replys skip and hopefully one day you can come for a beat ride with me in it.

You're welcome Paul. :)
Lookin' good.
That's great...10 weeks off soon with the end in site.
Always liked riding in my Dad's '66 and thanks for the offer of a ride in your beast.

[66larkgs]

Brought the buick home to get some more time sanding in my garage . I had a issue with pass side door gap and tonight I finally got it worked out and now I can finish up. Looking to have it shot in paint asap but I want it to be perfect and that takes time.

[66larkgs]

Quarters and roof are finally done with wet 400 and now time for the doors and fenders. . Yea more sandinh

[66larkgs]

looking to drop the car off for the headliner on Monday to get done, car is pretty much ready for paint minus the hood but unfortunitly due to the holiday I do not have access to the booth until Monday. Was looking to paint it on Sat so it sets us back another week. Really shouldn't matter because I am leaving on tues for four days to go to Ohio tech for a instructors seminar on high performance and racing. I really want to make it to BPG event at the end of the month but don't know if I will have enough time to get it together. I will hopefully be posting some pictures of it finally together soon.

[compos mentis]

Paul,

I look forward to seeing your hard work come to fruition. :twothumbs

[66larkgs]

Got two coats of sealer, three coats of base and three of clear on the car today. Started working at 6am and just finish at 10pm.. felt like it flew bye.. Going to wet sand it tomorrow and reapply two or three more coats of clear. Felt like a million bucks to see color on it. We used GM color called carbon flash metalic.. going to look nice with the carbon fiber accents and satin black front end and satin trim

[66larkgs]

A couple more pictures

[compos mentis]

A couple more pictures

Looks awesome Paul, congrats!

That's a days' work...wow.

[66larkgs]

Going to head to the garage tonight and wet sand the whole car and reclearon wends. . Looking forward to assemble

[66larkgs]

Wet sanded almost all of the car tonight with just 800 and will finish a few small spots in the morning. We also used a grey scuff pad after with a scuff reducer and I will finish up the other side of the car that didn't get finished withe the scuff . Tomorrow after I am done I will give it a gd bath, Air dry it with the leaf blower or compressed air and body wash it with prep all. Thier was one small spot under the fender where we will dust a little color on and than reclear the whole car with three coats of clear. Ever day is one step closer. I am fortunate enough to be able to use a paint booth but give so much credit to the guys who are painting at home and are coming out with great paint jobs. The humidity is so bad here the tape doent even want to stick nomatter the clear no getting hazy.

[66larkgs]

Got great day of work done on the car today and spent most of the morning wet sanding and washing and getting ready for another few coats of clear.. well ran into a little problem while reclearing. Laid down the first coat and bammm, Fisheyes!! looks like we must have had some sort of contamination with the prep-all and the wipes. we used all new wipes, DuPont tack cloths but I did use a open containerof prep-all that I used yesterday. We did bump up spray pressure from 20psi to 25 psi and notice a difference. laid the second coat down as med wet and let each coat flash real good and laid it heavy on coat three. The fish eyes really laid down and only have two nips on the whole car. I was very happy with the results. We did not bake it but let it airdry with the booth open so it can breath and hopefully we do not have any solvent popping. Looking to bring it home the next few day and really start making some big progress soon. will keep posting some progress

[66larkgs]

First light since painted

[vette427-sbc]

Awesome!

[66larkgs]

[QUOTE=vette427-sbc;1006953]Awesome![/QUOT

Thanks Chris, means a lot to see other car guys giving thumbs up to the build. Now that you have that new trans once Thompson speedways 1.7 mile road course is done would be nice to get some Pro-touring guys out their for a fun day of using the cars the way they are supposed to be.. Looking forward to finishing and just enjoying a nice drive in it.

[70lslark]

Car is looking great! Haven't been online for a bit and was nice to see the progress on your car! Keep up the good work!

Marcell

[66larkgs]

Thanks a lot Marcell. I have been plugging along every night and just tring to get the list done. I had the front windshield installed today and had the wrong molding clips for the rear so they couldn't do the rear glass. I was able to score clips in RI from a guy call Captain Clip. His shop is in the basement and he has everything you could imagine. Great People to deal with. Moved the car today on its own power and I felt like a little kid on Christmas..


Car is looking great! Haven't been online for a bit and was nice to see the progress on your car! Keep up the good work!

Marcell

[cactuss4]

Can't wait for some running, moving vid's.. Great build, TURBO!!!

[66larkgs]

once I get the break in oil dumped , and get the interior and bumpers on it I plan on short little trips.. need to due a alighnment when I bring it back to work but don't plan on that until I am ready to drive it. Installed the package tray and speakers tonight and started working on the chrome around the bucket seats. doing a little carbon fiber accents that when everything is done I will post some pictures.. going to look pretty trick.. My buddy Nick who is working with me brings a really good eye for details and we just bounce ideas off each other and just works out so well.. Wouldn't have brought my car to the build level I am if it wasn't for him and the other builders on the site that are always stepping it up a notch.. love it and enjoy tring to build a car up to the quality and function as some of you other guys.

[66larkgs]

ordered a new electric fan today from derale and looking forward to installing it so I can get a nice test drive in. spent a lot of time preparing the front and rear windshield moldings to be installed.We sanded the stainless steel with 150 grit and a hard block to give that brushed aluminum look. looks great but takes along time to get done. picked and filed any marks or dents we had in the molding so I have spent the last two night working on the dinning room table in the ac. Spent the morning in the garage priming the chrome moldings with epoxy primmer and than regular primmer before I paint them satin hopefully tomorrow

[66larkgs]

A few oictures of the treatment on th doors and seat and how it looks with brushed moldings. Need more lighting in the garage

[66larkgs]

80260
had to flip the picture

[66larkgs]

Started cutting up the bumper and wanted to get a cleaner look. Been looking at different chin spoilers that I would like to make functional for getting some air threw the intercooler. Hopefully tomorrow all fab work will be completed

[66larkgs]

At the cruise the other day

[compos mentis]

Congrats Paul. :twothumbs

Post a cruisin' vid/flyby when you get a chance.

[66larkgs]

just put some miles on it and running into a problem with crankcase pressure. I have a valley pan underneath my intake that is already tapped for a 3/8 barb fitting . was thinking of running a line from the valley pan to the filter air intake piping on the turbo. Hoping that would create a vacuum . Looking on running a line from the pcv on the valve cover and run it to manifold vacuum. I was looking into the mike Norris catch can but it has only 1/4 npt and wasn't sure if that will be big enough. any help or advice is appreciated. I have been reading for hours and I think this is the way I am supposed to go but want to make sure. Thanks Guys &Gals

[instro84]

Nice looking buick!

[JTz442]

The car came out great.... Love the Turbos!

[66larkgs]

Thanks guys!! it is getting their. I have been trying to work out the bugs and it going well. First problem was I installed a robbmc fuel sending pickup with a 1/2 pickup and -10 bungs. they were two close and would hit when tring to tighten. I unglued and repositioned. Found the pickup on the sending unit is to short and with a half tank and a hard acceleration I would get a shortage of fuel.

[66larkgs]

Going to extend it tomorrow.. It was kind of funny that I am an electrical teacher and none of my lights worked. I found I had an internal short from the light blue and dk blue wire on the inside of the directional switch in the new flaming river column. just loosened the directional sw and moved the dk blue wire and took care of the short.
Was bringing the car into the garage and heard a hissing and new something wasn't good. Thought I had a bag leaking. Thank god it was only the 1/4 push in fitting that is going into the bag. on the cool bags the top move around and it rubbed the top of the spring pocket. Went to the plumbing supply house, bought 1/4male-1/4female *90 brass fitting and purchased brass push in fitting for the air lines. no more plastic fittings and made a little if I blew a line repair kit.

[66larkgs]

One thing that I didn't have was a tach on the inside of the car. Had a nice one and got stolen along time ago and never replace it. Decided to continue with the real clean look on the interior and purchased a AutoMeter 3-3/16 8k silver ultra tach. installed it in the center console where the clock would have been. Going to get it wire up tomorrow so I will have it for the next time I take it out. Looking forward to Lake George and just trying to get everything finished in time. Anyone else attending lake George?

[66larkgs]

At Lake George enjoying the car.. have had a small breakdown with a high pressure power steering line blowing a oring while cruising.. looking forward to bumping up the boost and seeing what it can do

[csouth]

This turned out really nice. Goof to see some old iron still out there.

[66larkgs]

This turned out really nice. Goof to see some old iron still out there.

Csouth,
Thanks for the nice words. Spent the long weekend at Lake George and the cars their were great!! The cruising( Nonstop hole shots and smoke shows) was a blast to be in and watch. Waiting for a intake gasket to arrive to stop a leak I had creating some smoke from sucking in alittle oil from a valve cover leak. looking forward to getting it back together this week and taking it to new england dragway to see what it will do in a straight line next sunday. will be pulling the engine out this winter to make a new radiator support to try to get the intercooler from blocking the radiator so much. looking to build a chin spoiler to help get air up around the radiator and intercooler also. thinking of doing 1 or 1.25 tubing for the rad support.

[Buryingthesun]

car looks great! Nice to see a nail head build

[66larkgs]

car looks great! Nice to see a nail head build
Thanks.. it has been a long road to get the motor to this point. Pretty excited to see how it does with some new parts in it this week and really cant wait for next weekend to how it runs at new England dragway. Will be nice for us when Thompson opens up next summer and we can have somewhere close to really use the cars for what they are built for.

[Buryingthesun]

Thanks.. it has been a long road to get the motor to this point. Pretty excited to see how it does with some new parts in it this week and really cant wait for next weekend to how it runs at new England dragway. Will be nice for us when Thompson opens up next summer and we can have somewhere close to really use the cars for what they are built for.

Well mines far away from being done, but I should have the suspension and brakes properly set-up from some track time (slow times but still track time )

How far are you from Thompson? I live like 15-20min away

[66larkgs]

well been driving the car and putting some miles on. Took the car out for a fun little ride on the highway to just have some fun and had alittle tinging noise when I got back to the garage. figured I would deal with it another day so I went out their last night and found my bearings on the turbo shot. had the turbine wheel hitting the housing. Well guess it is time to upgrade!! looking for some turbo maps but when on some of the websites like precision they don't have them availably. I am thinking I should be between 76mm-80mm and with a ar around .96 -1.1.. would like to plot my compressor needs and really pick the right turbo. any tips or people I should talk to??
Thanks
Paul

[66larkgs]

New borg warner s475 just showed up after patient wait!!! Excited to start fab to fit it.

[66larkgs]

Just sanding and polishing the new turbo housing.. s475 Borg warner

[compos mentis]

Just sanding and polishing the new turbo housing.. s475 Borg warner

Lookin good Paul. :twothumbs

[Typhoon1015]

looks great! that turbo will be a monster! Keep us updated

[E.rodz]

Great to see the progress you have made! car looks great I hope to see some videos coming on this one! keep up the great work!

[66larkgs]

Car is going well and working on the front end and trying to get the chin spoiler made and the air dam made.

[66larkgs]

Been working on the car lately but it has been cold!!! Got the new turbo mocked up and had to build a offset t4 to t4 adaptor from the t4 header flange to the exhaust housing on the turbo. The turbo was to close to the radiator support with the old mounting location and fit a air filter on it. I Have to relocate the wastegate still and fabricate the larger exhaust but hoping to make the Buick Bash on april 13 at New England Dragway. Will take some pictures and update soon.

[66larkgs]

Just finished with the adaptor to move the turbo back 3 inches and now have to start fabbing up the exhaust.

[66larkgs]

Just found these two of the interior with the 1962 seats and carbon fiber accent. Tried to keep a clean factory look. The v-band came in wrong for the exhaust so the right one came in yesterday so I will start Fabrication tonight on that and waiting for air filter to come in to finish the 5" air intake.
Just a fyi thier is a 4.62 v-band for a t4 s400 borg warner and a 5.0". @$70 each dont make the same mistake as me.

[compos mentis]

Paul,

Those seats look slick. :twothumbs

[66larkgs]

Paul,

Those seats look slick. :twothumbs

Thanks Skip,
Dom Corey my interior guy did a great job making seat covers for the front and rear so everything match and I stripped the dash pad and he did a great job recovering the dash pad.. I wanted the side profile of the interior to have nice low buckets. always been a fan of low buckets since my jeep cj5 days.

[66larkgs]

Started working on the exhaust for the new turbo. Been trying to save some cash so I cut up some bends from a diesel exhaust I had kicking around. Will be doing g all of my own ceramic coating with my oven and than baking the rest of the way on the car.

[67_poncho518]

great build! Met you in lake george and talked a good while about your car. you told me to get on this site, i finally got around to it haha

Nate

[64G-lark]

Nice Buick Paul. Enjoy following your build.

[66larkgs]

Just fired it up for the first time since the nice weather and installing of the new larger turbo. Would like to make buick bash at New England driveway this sunday if it is ready.

[compos mentis]

Congrats Paul. :twothumbs

Looking forward to seeing/hearing more of it.

I would think it's very motivating for your students to get to be there as it came together so nicely right in front of their eyes.

[robbie9999]

Congrats Paul. :twothumbs

Looking forward to seeing/hearing more of it.

I would think it's very motivating for your students to get to be there as it came together so nicely right in front of their eyes.


Nice work Paul !! Want to see a video of it pounding the road soon ? Great job on the work been following thread closely !!

getting mine dyno after the tune today will post

[66larkgs]

Nice work Paul !! Want to see a video of it pounding the road soon ? Great job on the work been following thread closely !!

getting mine dyno after the tune today will post

http://youtu.be/9UmEon7FeC4here is a video.. no exhaust yet because it is drying .. just finished coating it

[ekmxryda]

Wow looking good!

[66larkgs]

been a while since a update but been driving the car and tring to chase down little issues. Have a oil consumption issue and I do not run a pcv setup. I am leading to this may be the problem. I have a breather in each valve cover but I have a valley pan under the intake that is tapped and have a barb on it and pushing some oil through that. seems like I am building crankcase pressure. I am thinking about going from the base off the carb to a one way check valve than to the valley pan. I will have a tee screwed into valley pan so I can run another line to the intake tube on the turbo. That should take care off pulling vapor under boost. I have 23inches of vacuum at idle which leads me to believe that I have very good ring sealing. 150psi cranking compression. I know that the oil control rings could be the culprit but this motor has alittle over 200 miles and I am still puffing blue smoke. all cylinders are wet on the top of the pistons also. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Paul

[66larkgs]

well motor is back out of the car and found out why I was sucking down oil. Machine shop that did the bottom end did not file fit the rings correctly and had some extremely tight rings and some ring with .035 plus end gap. Must have been 5'oclock when doing the rings. it has been all taken care of with the proper hone done this time and a new set of rings. I pulled the heads apart and just freshen them up while off the car. While out I bumped the wastegate spring to a big blue which is 13-14 psi boost instead of the 7 psi it was set to. I am applying base/ clearcoat that is the color of the car for the firewall and the engine. to clean it up. Relocating the msd to the inside of the car. I spent the other night welding and smoothing out the firewall and planning on redoing the powdercoat on the charge pipes. Also making a shroud from the grill to the radiator support to channel more air in the radiator. No more plastic vacuum lines but doing everything in metal to give a cleaner look. Looking to make the trip to BPG nationals in Ohio at the end of july so I have to get this all done within the next few weeks. Huge list and not even a month til we have to BPG.

[vette427-sbc]

13-14psi! :yum:
Nice progress!

[66larkgs]

Cleaning up the firewall.. hiding some wireing and basecoat clearcoat the engine amd firewall.

[66larkgs]

Pulled the heads last month and found the cylinders were glazed up. I was burning a bunch of oil . Rehoned it, new rings and some bearing. Already reassembling it now and just painting it up nice. Whats nice is I found a few small problems that we took care of now before they became big problems.

[lucky13firebird]

Alright! So you going to run a vacuum pump or something? Or just an oil air seperator and use vacuum from the intake side of the turbo? Btw I think a buick powered buick turbo a body is a bad ass concept... ;-)

Btw I can't watch the video for some reason

[66larkgs]

Alright! So you going to run a vacuum pump or something? Or just an oil air seperator and use vacuum from the intake side of the turbo? Btw I think a buick powered buick turbo a body is a bad ass concept... ;-)

Btw I can't watch the video for some reason

I love the turbo buicks and I just wanted to do something different.. I am going to be running a oil air separator off the intake on the turbo side. I clicked on the video and it worked so I would say try it again. its about 12:30am and I just finished base coat and clear coat on the engine and firewall.. nothing like a severe thunderstorms and power flickering when shooting the clear coat. tomorrow I will get some pictures posted of the fresh paint.
Paul

[66larkgs]

Finished painting at about 12:30am.. just woke up ran out to see how it looks. I am pretty happy and going to start on reassembling the engine today. Anyone do thier vacuum line out of 1/4 steel tubing?

[66larkgs]

Alright! So you going to run a vacuum pump or something? Or just an oil air seperator and use vacuum from the intake side of the turbo? Btw I think a buick powered buick turbo a body is a bad ass concept... ;-)

Btw I can't watch the video for some reason

http://vid917.photobucket.com/albums/ad19/66larkgs/66%20skylark%20turbo%20nailhead/20140411_192426_zpscmnpejh6.mp4

here is a different short clip of it running. this was before all the additional paint work

[lucky13firebird]

Yup, videos work. BTW love the black.

[66larkgs]

Yup, videos work. BTW love the black.

Thanks!! I really like the way it came out and right now I am waiting for the powdercoat on my brackets to finish baking. I decided to gloss blk all the brackets and bolts on the front of the motor for a cleaner look. I did'nt coat the aluminum pullys but did powdercoat all the intercooler piping and carb hat a white aluminum and a gloss clear powdercoat. I use the eastwood kit and love it! highly rec it to anyone who is building a car and likes everything powdercoated.

[66larkgs]

been a while since I have posted but wanted to give a few updates. Car no longer smokes and I run a air to oil separator that pulls from the air filter on the turbo. Installed a new camshaft and really woke the car up. I am now shopping for a torque convertor and was looking at ptc convertors. It is just to tight and I don't build boost fast enough for a tight convertor. want a 2800-3000 and think it will help. I have put about 700 miles on the car this summer which doesn't seem like a lot but I only live under a mile from work so I really only drive it on the weekends. I do live south of boston and currently have 8 ft snow mounds outside of my house so it doesn't look like the car will be leaving the garage for the next two months. I have decided to make a few changes. I have been putting a list of things I don't like about the car..
#1 thing... I hate my Detroit locker!!! love how it works but people literally point at the car because it is so loud. looking into a new posi setup.. any suggestions..
#2 want to go to a AFX spindle, cpp or a ridetech. I run c5 brakes currently but have to run a .250 wheel spacer and hate it. I use b body spindles and Kore3 hubs with a adaptor. I think with the b body spindle it makes the track width wider and I could really use the .250 because of fender clearance. I did just pickup a full set of 4 piston brembo calipers off of a cts-v first gen. thought about a Corvette zo6 14" rotor and those caliper with some new spindles. any suggestions?
#3 wheel hop like no tomorrow!! rattle your teeth !! I want to go with a adjustable upper control arm and a different set of tires. they are a old hard set of pilots.
#4 exhaust needs some love. I used magnaflow sleeves but going to v bands to stop the exhaust slipping undone on full runs at the track.
Did bring it to New England dragway and def didn't blow the doors off. I only made four passes and never a clean pass. could not run lower than a 2.2 60ft .. I had a mph of 104 but blew the intercooler piping off at 1000 ft mark.

been buying and selling some trucks during the winter so I got about 3k to make some modification. I did buy another 55 international r160 pickup to haul my farmall cub and some toys. who knows might hot rod this 2 ton monster.

[slacker1965]

WOW! just stumbled on your post..... I really like your car..... I have a soft spot in my heart for nails.... I have a '65 riv, but it's way down on the project list.... anyways thanks for taking all the time to document your build, I really enjoyed it....

[driveit]

Man this is a beautiful car. I can't wait to see it complete. I would love to do a rendering of one of these. If you ever want one let me know! Keep up the good work, oh and I wanted to say I love the carbon fiber touches. I hope to incorporate some in my chevelle later on as well.

[66larkgs]

WOW! just stumbled on your post..... I really like your car..... I have a soft spot in my heart for nails.... I have a '65 riv, but it's way down on the project list.... anyways thanks for taking all the time to document your build, I really enjoyed it....


Man this is a beautiful car. I can't wait to see it complete. I would love to do a rendering of one of these. If you ever want one let me know! Keep up the good work, oh and I wanted to say I love the carbon fiber touches. I hope to incorporate some in my chevelle later on as well.

Thanks guys for the compliments.. Really nice to know people enjoy it like I do. I wanted to build something fun and different on a realistic budget.. I am making a few changes this winter and just added a few more parts to the list. Ridetech upper control arm and spindles. May design a bracket to use the cts-v 4 piston brembo calipers I just bought with 14"rotors. Instead of the 13" setup I have. I am looking forward to tring to get some track time and rack the miles up.

[66larkgs]

well, I ended up ordering all kinds of goodies the other night.. swapping out my Hotchkis upper control arms and b body spindles for a set of ridetech UCA and spindles. I run shockwaves in it now with ridetech LCA . I am Going to keep my C5 brake setup and had to rebuy a set of kore3 hubs for short spindle. Custom Ordered a new PTC convertor which should see in 4-6 weeks. Guys over their where great to deal with and it was the easiest transaction ever. answered ever question I had and felt good about spending that much money on a convertor. Thank god for record snow here in boston area. I do private snow removal and without it wouldn't been able to make these mods. I just received my ridetech spindles and they are some nice pieces. Looking forward to powdercoating them this weekend and start with getting some new pictures up.

Thanks for reading..

[66larkgs]

110696[HR]110697
just posting some updated pics. Nothing like coming home on your b-day and having a ptc convertor waiting for you. Got my new Ridetech upper control arms and spindles to match the whole setup.. got rid of the intercooler and going to run a meth kit instead. I turned the boost down to 7psi..

[66larkgs]

110698110699110699

here is one picture on the way to lake George and the other sitting at my work

[nitroracer]

That Buick looks sinister. Great work.

[inda_bebe]

what size you wheels you using? i tried a set of 18x9.5 with 5.25" backspacing at the rear and they didnt fit at all.

[66larkgs]

That Buick looks sinister. Great work.

Thanks.. I want it to look simple and clean. The old buick saying is going fast with class..


what size you wheels you using? i tried a set of 18x9.5 with 5.25" backspacing at the rear and they didnt fit at all. 18x8 in the front and 20x9 with a 275 tire and a 4.25 b/s. I can double check but I did narrow the rear end by 3 inches just so if I decided to mini tub down the road.

[66larkgs]

its been a few months and really haven't touched the car until yesterday. I have been waiting for my backordered Kore3 hubs that has held me back and couldn't get any motivation. had a few Sam Summer beers last night and a little country music on and went to town in the garage. was nice for it not to be 40* in their either. Got my update that I should be seeing my hubs on Friday so I been in the garage the last two nights finishing up some odds and ends. I got the new Ridetech upper control arms on and powder coated the spindles all nice for install. reworked some turbo and bov piping and ready to be tig welded up after work in the next day or two. Have to install the new oil pressure gauge due to the last one always leaking and went to an electric gauge. Looking forward to driving it this weekend and putting some miles on.

[cactuss4]

Man that's a mean machine.. love it...

[Sean Cooke]

great build, can't wait to see some videos! !!

[Matthewjhigg]

I love the car. What are the size of your wheels and tires. What is the back spacing of your wheels. I want mine to set up like your car. It looks so mean. I love the black.