65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Projects & Restorations => Projects & Restorations => Topic started by: Psalm65 on March 07, 2018, 02:38:18 AM
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I'm going to start the a build thread on my car, 1965 Skylark. Please PM on how these things work. It's gonna be my 1st build, let alone my 1st build thread. Please have patience and understand it might take a year or two. I will be asking all my newbee question here on this thread. I'll be back in a week, but after March 15th I'll be back strong.
Take care and be good.
How I Got her
1965 Skylark Hard top.
No drivetrain.
Chevy 350 welded moter mounts.
What I have so far for her.
A 430 BBB
Th400.
B4B intake
750 Q Jet.
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Thanks for starting the build thread. And don't worry about how long it will take. My build thread is three years old and I'm not finished yet! No worries....we are patient here!
So ask away, post pictures as you go, and we'll enjoy the ride with you!
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Dear Ronnie, Chuck, and mid-60s Buick owners who can go the distance!
Don't worry about our patience! Make sure you've got plenty of patience of your own! These projects typically drag on for years and very few projects are every really finished. There is always some maintenance required and those frequently become an excuse for additional upgrades.
You might find some inspiration going through some of the current restorations threads:
http://65gs.com/board/index.php?board=9.0 (http://65gs.com/board/index.php?board=9.0)
That should certainly give you an idea of what to expect!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Looks like a great project. I'm looking forward to see your progress
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Edouard might be more but I hope less pal :thumbsup:
Thanks Georick. All the expert eyes on this is what's going to get her rolling.
I got some questions for you guys.
I would like to box my frame, and my thoughts were to use square stock from the metal supplier in town. Cut it accordingly and weld it. What's you thoughts on that ?
What could be used to refresh my leather seats?
I got the service and chassis manual coming soon in the mail.
And I've purchased the starter bolts to get the 430 running for evaluation.
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I think your 400 trans has the chevy bolt pattern. You will need one with a BOP pattern. It should be an easy trade/swap/sale with a Chevy guy. That will be a very nice combination in the 65. I had the same in a 65 four door Skylark and it surprised (passed) a lot of folks. Your rear end gear will be important. A 3.08 or slightly higher will really make it go.
I don't know that the boxed frame will make that big of a difference. The lower model GMs used the unboxed frames in all of their big block cars. You will be fine without unless you are planning a high horsepower 1/4 miler with unlimited grip. You will not be twisting the frame with the current 430.
Its a Buick, but the seats are not leather. They are vinyl. They usually clean up with a lot of scrubbing. You may also have some luck with plastic/vinyl dye/paint if they won't clean up. It may or may not hold up, but would look good for a while.
Hope that helps - Steve :hello:
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Dear Ronnie, Steve, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,
What could be used to refresh my leather seats?
Its a Buick, but the seats are not leather. They are vinyl. They usually clean up with a lot of scrubbing. You may also have some luck with plastic/vinyl dye/paint if they won't clean up. It may or may not hold up, but would look good for a while.
Are those the original seats? If so they are in amazingly good condition! After about 10 years we had cracks in the vinyl seats of my wagon. It was our only car, but we didn't drive her all that much even by the standards of the 1970s. If they are vinyl, after cleaning, you might try a protective treatment like 303:
https://www.goldeagle.com/brands/303-products/ (https://www.goldeagle.com/brands/303-products/)
I don't know if 303 protectant is appropriate for seats, but it works great on the vinyl of the dash board pad and it leaves a dry finish. Anything that would block the UV rays of the sun would be helpful. By now there must be a some sort of a product that absorbs UV and can be used on vinyl seats.
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Steve & Eduourd , thanks for your experienced advice. My 430 is stock and won't be wild for many years to come after I get my career going, so the boxed frame I guess won't be necessary. Thanks for the rear end tip, another confirmation i should be running a 3. series rear gear, was once told not to go above 3.55.
The vinyl looked so good I thought it was leather. I do have a small rip in one of my seats, can you guys recommend a solution?
I will look into 303, thank you for the link.
Why do you think that my th400 has Chevy mounts, it was from a 73 455 Pontiac car?
Another thing I forgot to tell everyone is that I had purchased a HD th400 out of a RV just for the strait cut gears, they are stronger but noisier, I got the trans for 25$ so I hopped on it. Most likely I'll be running those gears because I'll be pounding on the Skylark
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:blob7:
It came in mail today.
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Good move. You'll definitely make use of it!
Now get out there and get to work!!! :headbang:
:cheers2:
Chuck
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Thanks Chuck :occasion14:
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Dear Ronnie, Chuck, and mid-60s Buick users who have da' instructions and aren't afraid to use them!
It came in mail today.
Good move. You'll definitely make use of it!
I'll second that motion! My Dad brought a copy of the service manual directly from GM shortly after we bought our wagon in 1968. Since then I have lugged it to San Diego twice and Seattle once in my various job pursuits. Wherever my wagon and I ended up in the world, the manual would also be there!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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The angle on the ears look too severe and there is usually a lower flatish area between the ears. Maybe it is the angle of the picture, but just make sure it fits.
Steve
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I got a question. Will a 67 gs gas tank fit my 65 Skylark?
What other options do I have for doner gas tanks? Gbody?
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Dear Ronnie and mid-60s Buick owners with "get up and go" in their tanks.
I got a question. Will a 67 gs gas tank fit my 65 Skylark?
What other options do I have for doner gas tanks? Gbody?
I don't know the answer to your question, but the A-body gas tanks interchange across all GM A-bodies (I believe - they do for the wagons.) If so there is stiff competition and so the price on the reproductions is competitive. I bought a Spectra Premium tank with a built-in EFI pump since I was going that way. However, a gas tank is a steel box and I would hope that quality control would remain high. A poorly made gas tank could generate a lawsuit that would put a company out of business.
The rest of the gang around here knows more than I do, but you might at least look into a reproduction tank. After all it is holding flammable gasoline. Perhaps this deserves a slightly more careful investment.
Cheers, Edouard
P.S. Another benefit to a new tank is no debris clogging up your carburetor.
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I got a question. Will a 67 gs gas tank fit my 65 Skylark?
What other options do I have for doner gas tanks? Gbody?
I think it will not fit because of the filler neck being shaped differently between years. As Edouard pointed out, there are aftermarket tanks available.
Spectra is one.
Loren
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I got a question. Will a 67 gs gas tank fit my 65 Skylark?
What other options do I have for doner gas tanks? Gbody?
What are you thinking of doing?
Spectra makes a repo 65 Skylark tank. Why use something else?
http://ecat.spectrapremium.com/vehicles/36493/products (http://ecat.spectrapremium.com/vehicles/36493/products)
Rockauto and Advance Auto have them for around $160:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/spectra+premium/cooling+depot,GM37J,fuel+tank,6268 (https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/spectra+premium/cooling+depot,GM37J,fuel+tank,6268)
If you can find a %20 off discount code, AA is an even better deal:
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/spectra-premium-fuel-tank-gm37j/18320682-P (https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/spectra-premium-fuel-tank-gm37j/18320682-P)
EDIT: This 20% discount code is good thru 3/25/18 at Advance Auto: EM208C.
Brings the price of the 65 gas tank down to $129.59 with free shipping!
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Thanks guys I'm glad I asked. Just saw a 67 gs gas tank in my local adds for 75$ that I got down to 50$ because the man was going the LS route. I'll definitely hold on to my horses and just go the new route.
Appriciate it Eduoard, Loren and Walt.
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This question has been on my mind for a while..
What oil pan sump configuration do i need to fit a 430 in a 65?
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Rear sump
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Definately better to go with a new tank.
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Definately better to go with a new tank.
:thumbsup:
Thank you
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Definately better to go with a new tank.
Your talking about the gas tank right???
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Yes I am.
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Got thanks, i wil do as you guys say.
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Fat Bird
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Love those CA black plate project cars. Here?s mine.
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Oh yeahhh. Love your GS. Are you in CA?
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MN, but following along on your project.
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Vikings fan here since Chris Carter.
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Dear Ronnie, Brian, Jim, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,
I see that all your questions have already been answered. When you get around to buying a gas tank you might check round for the best price. I assume you are planning to go with "vintage" mechanical fuel pump and carb - correct?
I assume you don't have any need for extra range, but a FYI you can put in the back of your head is that 25 gallon tanks are available for these cars:
https://www.aeromotiveinc.com/product/64-67-buick-skylark-fuel-tank/ (https://www.aeromotiveinc.com/product/64-67-buick-skylark-fuel-tank/)
Unfortunately these tanks are very expensive and apparently you can't just order a tank without the fuel pump.
Love those CA black plate project cars. Here?s mine.
The current generation of black California plates like the one on my trusty wagon are incredibly popular. Most of them are ending up on modern cars and a surprising number of them aren't personalized. People are paying extra for the look of these plates. It does make for a special look on a white or black car, but cars in many colors are getting these plates. Considering that most of the people getting these plate have probably never even seen the plates from the 1960-70, I'm surprised that they have become so fashionable.
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Edouard :occasion14:, yeah im going to be using a carb and a mechanical fuel pump. No efi for me. That gas tank was expensive. I do like the 25 gallon tank and wonder if that would balance the skylark out some after i install a heavier engine that was intended for it. Which takes me to another topic... Handling :dontknow:,,, Since the 430 is going to weight more what should I ne looking for to rectify my rides maneuverbility???
See I remember when I drove a car with a heavier engine swaped into it, and I had to watch myself turning. In a strait line it was very good.
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I personally like the blue and yellow plates from the 80's. But still a big fan of the black&gold.
Compared to other states CA has simple plates. Ive always noticed more effort in the art department in other states plates.
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Dear Ronnie and mid-60s Buick caregivers,
Edouard :occasion14:, yeah im going to be using a carb and a mechanical fuel pump. No efi for me. That gas tank was expensive. I do like the 25 gallon tank and wonder if that would balance the skylark out some after i install a heavier engine that was intended for it.
I agree that those tanks are very expensive. I'm only keeping an eye on them because my wagon is supposed to be pulling a heavy trailer so her gas mileage will be really poor. Extending a car's range is a lot more important when you are traveling and don't know where every gas station is located. I hope the Internet will make that problem less serious than in the past, but driving from gas station to station is a real drag.
I don't think the extra weight of the larger gas tank will make a big difference in the car's handling. Assuming the tank itself weighs about the same, the extra gas is only about 30 pounds. Depending on the configuration, your engine will weigh as much as 50% more then the stock engine: 400 lbs. vs. 600 lbs.
Which takes me to another topic... Handling :dontknow:,,, Since the 430 is going to weight more what should I ne looking for to rectify my rides maneuverbility???
See I remember when I drove a car with a heavier engine swaped into it, and I had to watch myself turning. In a strait line it was very good.
My wagon's engine has a lot of aluminum so it is probably closer to 550 lbs., but that's still much more than the standard Buick 300. I'm no performance freak but I think she handles very well with her suspension upgrades. There is some description of the upgrades on the Biquette thread starting here:
http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,2610.msg28763.html#msg28763 (http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,2610.msg28763.html#msg28763)
Certainly feel free to ask for any additional details.
I personally like the blue and yellow plates from the 80's. But still a big fan of the black&gold.
Compared to other states CA has simple plates. Ive always noticed more effort in the art department in other states plates.
Biquette ended up with blue and gold plates after she was stolen in 1986. She had them until a few year ago when I got her the black plates with her name on them. I also liked the blue and gold plates (after all I am a graduate Cal Berkeley and those are our school colors!)
I'm just about certain that the DMV had released a recent batch of blue and gold plates. There is a vanity plate in the neighborhood that is too new to date back to the 1980s. However, it isn't listed on this Wikipedia article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_California (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_California)
However, this could be the case where Wikipedia is out of date. At the moment, The CA DMV has a wide variety of vanity plates, but the only one that isn't a reflective white background is the retro black plates.
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Gotta get that Nanny Goat to run on GRASS :overthetop: ws
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How many of you guys can assist with putting my 430 back to running conditions with pictures I post? I have been doing alot of work on the house and I'm getting to the point were I can finally put work in on my Buicks.
Was wondering who's on board???!?!?!
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(http://www.wootmonkey.com/upload/2019/07/03/20190703110640-19591b57.gif)
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alright :rocker:.
Gime me some time but check up on here every two days. I'm going to start it up soon. Just hope my pictures dont come in sideways like always :protest:
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(http://www.wootmonkey.com/_data/i/upload/2019/07/03/20190703120113-0a14dcfa-me.jpg)
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Dear Ronnie, Michael, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,
How many of you guys can assist with putting my 430 back to running conditions with pictures I post?
The forum is a bit quiet because of the mid-week holiday, so might take a while for everyone else to show up. One character to check-in on is yachtsmanbill (http://65gs.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=1088). He is getting a 1964 Special "supersized" with a 455 as described in this thread:
http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,4251.0.html (http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,4251.0.html)
(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink_smile_triangle.gif) . . . . . Just be a bit careful. After all, yachtsmanbill is a sailor. If you follow too closely you might get seasick! . . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/Laughing_LOL.gif)
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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YUP... Me 'n Ronnie go way back! That 455 +.040" is now a 465 CID monster that's shedding its gosling feathers and getting ready to fly, So I said look out boys I gotta a license to fly and that ol' 430 pulled over and let me by! :whip2: Bill
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:occasion14: :occasion14: :occasion14:
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Ronnie,
I have all my 430 block work done and all my parts needed to assemble.
Have been busy with my '64 putting in a TKO after trashing my old BW T-10, so if you have any questions or need pics and such while the 430 is in "Illustrated Parts Breakdown" condition, let me know.
I also have several OEM parts from the 430 if you need anything. Let me know. You have "first rights" to anything if you may need/want before I list them elsewhere.
:)
Michael
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I appreciate that Micahel, soon we will figure out if I'm missing anything. I'm glad Eduoard pulled my ear to post back on here.
So now that I can post pictures here a picture of the Skylark
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Cool car!
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Thanks Jim
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Let's start with some detective work :icon_scratch:
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Which side is Left and which is right?
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:icon_scratch:
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:icon_scratch:
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:icon_scratch:
Does this look like the stock distributor to you?
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Does this look like the stock flexplate?
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What bolts do I need to slap that flexplate on. Do i really need arp bolts.
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These came with the engine. Does the 430 have 2 belts. Can anybody give me info on my 2 belts. What's the big one for? And the small one?
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:icon_scratch:
Not any experience with a 430, but the manifold on the left should be for the driver side. I think you can then deduce which side the other one goes on . lol
Loren
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Let's start with some detective work :icon_scratch:
#1 looks to be the upper alternator bracket, #2 looks to be a power steering pump pulley and #3 looks to be the pulley for the smog pump pictured in post 49.
Loren
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These came with the engine. Does the 430 have 2 belts. Can anybody give me info on my 2 belts. What's the big one for? And the small one?
The number of belts is going to depend upon the accessories on the engine. You definitely have an alternator and the smog pump. Is there power steering ?
Loren
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Thanks Loren that helped me alot. When I get home I'll label everything. :thumbsup: