1970 Buick Skylark Convertible Project

[70lslark]

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This is where the project started, I was only supposed to change the motor! When ever I tried to clean up one thing it led to cleaning up the next thing!

[70lslark]

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Freshly built rear end,new axles,bearings,seals and Eaton posi with 3:73 gears. Test fitting seats in these pics. Me and my friend Bryan trying to figure out how to get seats to sit lower. Ended up changing the shape of the floor boards to get them lower, also backed each bolt with a wide based 3/16" steel plate and now is secured with 1/2" bolts. I figured with these heavy seats better to over build than under.

[70lslark]

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Had the firewall painted,but I am redoing it now. I now floated my cowl smooth,no seam seal.

[ProTourGSX]

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Had the firewall painted,but I am redoing it now. I now floated my cowl smooth,no seam seal.

Attachments not working. Interesting project, so far. What are those seats from? They are HUGE (and probably heavy, too), but they look comfy!

[70lslark]

Thank you,yes the seats are heavy! Hahaha! They are out of a 05 Cadillac Deville. Needed it to be comfortable for the family when we go to shows or events. I'm gonna try to repost pics.

[70lslark]

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I was supposed to do start up last christmas, then ran into a hickup. Found my transmission bell housing pressed up against the trans tunnel where I didn't find until I was doing wiring for transmission. From this point I pulled engine back out,widened the trans tunnel. Also rework the cowl and firewall section, had some things I didn't like so I figured now is the time. And also decided to order up my Ridetech control arms,coil overs and Hotchkiss sway bars.

[mild2wildpaintngraphics]

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I was supposed to do start up last christmas, then ran into a hickup. Found my transmission bell housing pressed up against the trans tunnel where I didn't find until I was doing wiring for transmission. From this point I pulled engine back out,widened the trans tunnel. Also rework the cowl and firewall section, had some things I didn't like so I figured now is the time. And also decided to order up my Ridetech control arms,coil overs and Hotchkiss sway bars.

Lookin good. Good choice with the Ridetech suspension.

[70lslark]

Thank you, can't wait to get on the road again!

[70lslark]

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Had trouble posting these pics the other day, hopefully they show up?

[chuckd71]

This is where the project started, I was only supposed to change the motor! When ever I tried to clean up one thing it led to cleaning up the next thing!


Same thing happened to me, engine turned into brakes, suspension, etc etc. Waiting on my E46 convertible seats to get dropped off so I can try to get them in.
Your car looks good, I like the wheels.

[70lslark]

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When I test fit the motor and trans, later found that the bell housing was pressed up againts the trans tunnel. Ended up pulling it back out expanded the trans tunnel with some help from my friend Bryan. From this point is where I re-did the firewall and cowl.

[70lslark]

Removed seam seal,hammer and dollied the edge and used fibergalss filler to smooth it out.





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[70lslark]

Tell me about it!! My project went from a couple week project to a couple of years in no time. Nice car! Interior looks really clean. How do the E46 convertible seats look? What cam did you decide to go with?

[66larkgs]

i was just supposed to get my gs running to drive it in highschool... i just had my 10 year reunion and just getting ready to paint it. ... do it once and do it right and clearly it looks like you are doing it right. nice looking buick and good luck

[70lslark]

Thanks Paul! I'm doin' the best I can on a budget,haha! Your Lark must be crazy with that turbo!! My nephew has a nice 64 Rivi with a 401, I told him to check out your build that may be a route he goes for power! Looking forward to see paint on yours.

[66larkgs]

one thing i wish i would have done was the firewall like yours. I sandblasted it reseamed it and base and cleared but didnt smooth it all out but maybe one day. I am hoping to get it back together and road worthy hopefully by feb but i have been saying that for years. Have you started to as i do shoot for a date to get done yet? I really like how clean the install on the ls is in the lark.
Are those solid motor mounts and if so did you go solid on both sides??

[ProTourGSX]

Removed seam seal,hammer and dollied the edge and used fibergalss filler to smooth it out.





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LOVE this!

[ElCamino400]

Nice car, what type and size wheels are you running ?

[70lslark]

You know I was gonna let it go, but when I had to pull out the engine again...I said to myself if I don't fix it now I'm gonna regret it later. I'm hoping to get it running by the end of December. It probably wont be painted or have a top yet but just to start or drive it around the block at this stage would be a big deal!! Hahaha! Motor mounts have urethane bushings, got them from BRP. I saw your hole shot on Youtube, pretty cool! Was it difficult to turbo?

[70lslark]

Thank you, didn't have money for Intros so I got Eagle Alloys 20x10 rear and 18x8 front. I have 275/30/20 rears but felt the side wall was pretty thin and didn't fill the well like I would like. A friend of mine works at a Porsche dealership and got me some take off 295/35/20 which I like better but I am still gonna try to see if i can get 305 back there. Fronts are 245/40/18

[70lslark]

Thank you sir!

[66larkgs]

You know I was gonna let it go, but when I had to pull out the engine again...I said to myself if I don't fix it now I'm gonna regret it later. I'm hoping to get it running by the end of December. It probably wont be painted or have a top yet but just to start or drive it around the block at this stage would be a big deal!! Hahaha! Motor mounts have urethane bushings, got them from BRP. I saw your hole shot on Youtube, pretty cool! Was it difficult to turbo?

Dec is def a good goal. I did the same thing you talked about with pulling it out of the garage, take it out around the block... it gave me alot of motivation(thats where that video came from). Unfortunitly i ended up having a bad oil pickup and i wiped that motor out that was in the video. I first had a rear mount which was very to set up and worked good. Currently i fabbed up a set of ss headers that i bought a cnc flange for my heads and went from thier. i run the turbo in the front now. The next time i do it to a project it wont be so bad. I learned from a bunch of my mishaps during my build. With the ls1 in yours, putting a turbo would be a cake walk. noone makes turbo headers for a nailhead so you got to get creative.
But, your lark is going to look sick with the wheels and stance. Are you shaving any of the emblems or is the exterior staying all stock?
any colors yet??

[70lslark]

668026680366804668056680666807Just wanted to add more updated pics of suspension stuff....can't seem to find the updated front suspension pics,but I will add it when I find them. Still saving up for my Ridetech rear coil over conversions, hope to have them soon.

[ProTourGSX]

Looking good, so far!

[70lslark]

Haven't posted any updates in a while been busy with kids and work. But got refocused and I am determined to get the project done. Had it at my friend Chris's shop(Summit Autobody) to straighten the frame,replace tail section of the car,they finished my quarter panels. Randy did a great job 3 penny gaps on trunk and doors. Had my dash repainted also.

[70lslark]

After I got it back from the body shop,was curious how the bumper fit, was pretty happy with it!

[RaiderLSX]

This thread is great I hope to be getting my build to this stage soon! I'm working on a 68 cutlass vert and I'm going in the same direction, budgeting around the family but you seem to be getting it done, awesome job

[70lslark]

Thank you,I have two kids myself that play 3 sports! Hahaha! And a very...,very patient wife. I'm 2 1/2 years into the lark project and sometimes feel like I'm so far but i figure if i can do something every week I'll get closer,lol! When did you pick up the Cuttlass?

[RaiderLSX]

I've had it for about 6 months now and just started to tinker with it a couple weeks ago. It's a bit much more work than expected so I'll take my time an try to do it right without spending money twice.

[70lslark]

Yeah,i was only supposed to put the engine and tranny then go,hahaha! A couple years later here i am trying to PT it. I've had a lot of cars in the past but would either rebuild the engine put it in and go. Or just bolt ons,maybe a sway bar and just drive. This is my first one to this extent and i know its not even close to the really nice builds on this forum but im enjoying the build and my kids and wife help every once in a while thats the fun part! I tried my best not to do things twice,but not knowing how to do certain things i had to,hahaha! Good luck on your build and I'll be checking out the progress

[MrQuick]

After I got it back from the body shop,was curious how the bumper fit, was pretty happy with it!

I don't know, I think you could add a 6" strip back there to close up that gap a bit. :fingersx:

[ent72olds]

Awesome! I love the rear bumper on the '70-'72 Skylark....have you decided on a color yet?

[70lslark]

I don't know, I think you could add a 6" strip back there to close up that gap a bit. :fingersx:

Hahaha! you mean 6" gaps aren't acceptable?! What's up brutha..gotta stop by your shop this week. You don't have a 315 tire I can borrow for a mock up would you?

Marcell

[70lslark]

[QUOTE=ent72olds;979428]Awesome! I love the rear bumper on the '70-'72 Skylark....have you decided on a color yet?[/QUOT Thank you, yes I'm going with a dark green metallic and white or bone color top. still haven't decided on any type of stripes i might do. Gotta decide soon though..scheduled to be at the body shop in May.

[G4CERAT]

Hurry up and finish this thing!!!

[70lslark]

Hurry up and finish this thing!!!




Hahaha!! I'm tryin', I'm tryin!! What's up Dan! Can't wait to see your current pics of your build on this site...I'd like to see the mods you did to the frame.

[ed1le]

Any updates? Pics of final product? Moved over the summer and hoping to finally pull my '70 'lark convertible out of storage soon to start on again. Seeking motivation! :)
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