1970 Buick Skylark Convertible Project

[70lslark]

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]

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]

Attachment 66576Attachment 66577Attachment 66578



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

[ProTourGSX]

Attachment 66576Attachment 66577Attachment 66578

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]

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]

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]

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

[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.

[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]

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?

[70lslark]

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.

[ProTourGSX]

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

LOVE this!

[70lslark]

Thank you sir!

[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??

[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?

[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??