1967 Skylark Project

[xs650shawn]

Figured I should start a build thread. Hoping this build picks up some steam soon. Anyway, a little background. Some may have seen it on V8Buick.com. I have always been into Buicks, Olds, and Pontiacs more so than Chevy, Ford or Mopar. In November 2011 I was looking for a new project after selling my motorcycle. Specifically, I was looking for a '63-'65 Riviera. Wasn't having much luck, then this popped up on Craigslist. Was supposedly sitting in a barn for 20 years. Overall, the car was about 99% complete, missing a few trim pieces which I don't plan on reusing anyway. Front of the car is solid, but the rear is where most of the work will be needed. Right rear quarter was replaced a long time ago, as it is brazed together on the top. Trunk floor rusted, needs replacing. Rust also around the rear window and trunk opening and lid. 340 4 barrel runs, I recently put new plugs/wires/cap/rotor/points/condenser in it. 140-160 psi compression in all cylinders. I rebuilt the drum brakes for the time so that I can at least move it in/out of the garage under it's own power. I have also patched up some of the holes in the trunklid, but now think it may just need to be replaced due to the rust on the inside. Car originally had a vinyl top, and seller included a brand new one with the car. Not sure if I am going to use it, I kinda like the look of a vinyl top on some cars. But the roof has rust pitting and a couple of holes to patch, overall feels solid. The Plan: Upgrade suspension with new control arms, springs, sway bars and disc brakes front and rear. Probably will install a unisteer kit. For the powertrain, I would like to keep it Buick powered, but research has turned up little for the 340. It can be done, but 340's are expensive to build, and require some modified parts, but I am leaning towards this route, as a 455 or turbo 3.8 has yet to show up in my garage. Some have said the stock cast crank and rods should be good for about 6-8 psi with turbos. SBC swap is out of the question. Wouldn't be opposed to an LS swap, as I view this as a corporate engine anyways. ST300 will be swapped out for a TH350 (pretty much direct bolt-in). Fix all bodywork, and redo the interior. Would like to keep the car semi- stock looking, but lower with larger wheels. No radical body mods. Some questions I have: Anybody familiar with suspension components from UMI Performance, BMR, Jegster(Jegs House brand), Global West, or Right Stuff Detailing? The Jegster, Global West, and Right Stuff Detailing front control arms look identical, but have a significant price difference. Opinions on Jegs products in general? Prices seem good, and I am building this car on a shoestring budget. Would love a Hotchkis suspension, but just not in the budget. Summit also has good prices. Any opinions on the house branded disc brake conversions from both Jegs and Summit? Also, please share opinions on any aspects of this build, as I have a lot of details to decide on yet.

[gribbs]

Welcome man....I have a 66 skylark I have been building on a budget too. Great work on the trunk there! INterior looks good too. I have the 300ci and an st300 tranny, and I hear ya on wanting to swap out the tranny. I am debating a 5 speed Tremec swap at the moment, though it seems more cost effective to just find an LS with a T-56 maybe and go the full monty, the first time around. I can't help much with those companies you mentioned - I am in Canada and local parts places (Napa) got my cash. Good luck on the bodywork, a little bit at a time...

[Zoomin]

I recently got a 66 Skylark. I ordered the Hotchkis 1" springs, shocks and sway bars. After reading on V8Buick and here, I decided to keep the stock spindles, but went with UMI tubular arms with tall ball joint spindles. I looked at all the brands you mentioned, but my research lead me to the conclusion UMI was the bang for the buck I was looking for.

I've not decided what to do with the engine. It stil has the original 300 2 bbl in it which runs great for what it is, no smoke or drips, so I'm not real enthusiastic about ripping it out for now. Probably LS1 when the right deal comes along, we'll see.

Anyway, I'm subbed for your build.