66 Buick Skylark - Ruth

[Zoomin]

Oh? And why is that?

[screaminchevypickup]

I don't like hunting things down...

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Zoomin

Some updates...

The radiator support and the front of the right inner fender needed a small an=mount of rust repair because of the old battery leakage.

The speedometer on the Skylark is a long skinny rectangle which really limits the options for changing over to electronic. Dakota Digital makes a nice setup for the same year Chevelle, but it won't fit Ruth.

The smallest you can get most speedometers and tachs is 3-3/8. The height of Ruth's panel is 3-1/4 and I don't want to cut into the dash to rig something up.

Trying out some new gauges from Speed Hut. They have some gauges that are 2-5/8 that will fit, but of course the trade-off is that they are going to be harder to read. The neat thing about Speed Hut is they custom make the gauges stylistically - you can pick the face color, font, needle color, ring material, etc.

The speedometer is GPS based, so that's much easier than getting the typical feed from the harness to work.

The other alternative is to use a different transmission tailhousing which will drive the existing mechanical speedometer and still sends info via ESS to the computer. The tach and any other gauges will still require some head scratching. Ruth just has a gas gauge and idiot lights.

I really like the GPS speedometer I installed in the Green '67 Chevy, when I put the 5 speed overdrive trans in it. Works like a champ. And like one of the guys said "burnouts won't add miles"...

LockDoc

[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I really like the GPS speedometer I installed in the Green '67 Chevy, when I put the 5 speed overdrive trans in it. Works like a champ. And like one of the guys said "burnouts won't add miles"...

LockDoc

Great point!

[Zoomin]

Boy, these cars had a ton of stainless on them. I picked up a tip on this stuff called AutoSol which is pretty darn good stuff.







The ceiling of my shop is white insulation which makes those pieces look dull. Check out the squarish piece under the yellow cloth for a better idea.

[67c10rustbuket]

Wow Steve (& Kyle), You guys are killing it. Really awesome stuff coming together on this one.

[Zoomin]

Thanks Dan! Ready for Spring yet???

Kyle got the radiator support and inners sprayed. He did some cleanup work on the inners, smoothing and rounding the area where the splash guards attach.



I'll be delivering a ton of parts to the LBR shop complex sometime in the next few days. Watch this space for more progress soon.




Check out this 39 Lincoln Zephyr that Kyle is working on. It took 3rd at the Grand National Roadster Show.

[mcbassin]

Very nice work on the trim Steve! I'm gonna have to try that stuff. That 39 is insane!

Did you catch the 68 Skylark similar to yours except convertible ,on Rods and wheels discovery "reality" show the other day?

[Zoomin]

Didnt think there was a car show I missed. That's a new one on me, I'll check it out.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by Zoomin

Didnt think there was a car show I missed. That's a new one on me, I'll check it out.

I catch crap for having the DRV loaded with car shows. It's winter, I have to have something to fill my time.... The show is pretty weak and un realistic. It's just entertainment. This is the only pic I could find: HERE

Kyle is killing it on your car. I got to check it out up close the other day. The LS power plant looks like it should be there. Looking forward to hearing it run, I hear it has a few goodies installed.

[Stickman]

That is gonna be a nice ride when it's done. My vote is red on the interior and I think the LS swap is awesome. When I would take my Buick to the BOP show in Scottsdale and talk about swapping for an LS motor the purist would want to ban you from the show!

[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

I catch crap for having the DRV loaded with car shows. It's winter, I have to have something to fill my time.... The show is pretty weak and un realistic. It's just entertainment. This is the only pic I could find: HERE

Kyle is killing it on your car. I got to check it out up close the other day. The LS power plant looks like it should be there. Looking forward to hearing it run, I hear it has a few goodies installed.

Kyle always does top notch work. He works on it like it's his own and he always offers suggestions on things to consider. The fact his projects don't linger on forever is a huge plus.

Thanks for your opinion on the car too. Coming from a guy like you whose opinion I respect means a lot.

Originally Posted by Stickman

That is gonna be a nice ride when it's done. My vote is red on the interior and I think the LS swap is awesome. When I would take my Buick to the BOP show in Scottsdale and talk about swapping for an LS motor the purist would want to ban you from the show!

People over on the Buick board are not impressed with the LS1 for sure. The more open minded ones have suggested I disguise it to look like a nailhead. I can understand that to a point, but if Buick were to wake up and do a performance car today, it would no doubt have an LSX in it, just like Cadillac is doing with their V Series cars.

What cracks me up is the number of Cheby engines you see in fords. Putting a Chevy in a ford is far closer to blasphemy than a Chevy in a Buick, and I'm not a ford guy by any stretch.

This car had a 2bbl 301 and it would be easier to find Sasquatch than performance parts for it. The car was fun to drive but it was begging for more power after the suspension was fixed. I can't wait to drive it.

[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by Stickman

That is gonna be a nice ride when it's done. My vote is red on the interior and I think the LS swap is awesome. When I would take my Buick to the BOP show in Scottsdale and talk about swapping for an LS motor the purist would want to ban you from the show!

Thanks Stickman. Glad to get affirmation on the red, cuz I ordered it.

I got schooled again on how vehement the Buick purists can be. Get this - I'm surfing through ebay and see a set of valve covers that might work. I decide to send the seller a message that reads as follows:

Regarding the i Buick nailhead valve covers, can you give me the dimensions on those? The reason I ask is I am putting an LS1 in my Skylark and want to give it a Buick identity.

You also have a set of green nailhead valve covers that may work too, depending on size. If you have any others that would serve the purpose, please let me know.

Thanks for your assistance!

The instant after I press the send key, I wonder to myself if I should have included the bit about the LS. My concerns were sure enough justified as this response from the guy shows:

Are you serious?? Just keep the hood closed, better than deceiving others into thinking your running a Buick engine.. With all the excellent Buick engines available why down grade your car? If you want amazing power bolt in a 455 Buick, easy 500 fpt and 450 hp and then you won't have to put fake valve covers on it. I am sorry, it is your car and you can do what you want but this just strikes a nerve in Buick lovers and sounds like you are a chevy lover and don't feel like you are raping the car. .

Dayumm! Stepped right in a puddle of it, right there.

About an hour later (1:00 am) he sends another email with the dimensions.

Right about now, I'm thinking I better stand far away from my car any place the hood might be up.

[screaminchevypickup]

[russgoodman]

Coming along nicely! I've had to deal with some of those crazy Buick purists too. Alot of the idiots got mad and boycotted the Buick nationals in the late 80s since the turbo 6 cars were taking over (or so I've heard).

[Zoomin]

The headers came in today. Headman Huslers.




Kyle had to trim the Dirty Dingo mounts to move the engine a bit so he didn't have to dimple the headers to get them in. Still had to trim a bit off the control arm mount to get them to clear, but theyre on.






Now that those are in place, the front end can start coming together.

[Zoomin]

With the headers ad tranny lines in, it's time to hang the front end.

[Zoomin]

Got the Moser rear end last week. Eaton posi, 3.73's, narrowed 1-1/2" on each side.




Interior came in.




Rear brakes installed





Ride height is next to be worked on. It will settle some but it still high, so gonna fix that. Ordered a 255/35R19 to do some test fitting so the wheels can be ordered.

[mcbassin]

I got to check this puppy out the other day. Man, it is going to be the nicest Skylark ever. It should get up and go and stop on a dime with all those goodies.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Your Buick is looking really nice. I like what you have done so far!

[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

I got to check this puppy out the other day. Man, it is going to be the nicest Skylark ever. It should get up and go and stop on a dime with all those goodies.

Originally Posted by CAL 58 GMC

Your Buick is looking really nice. I like what you have done so far!

Thanks guys!

More suspension goodies showed up this week, so will be hoping to get Ruth dialed in.

[Roadhouse]

Amazing!!

[CAL 58 GMC]

What size wheels do you have on it now?

[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by Roadhouse

Amazing!!

Thank you sir!

Originally Posted by CAL 58 GMC

What size wheels do you have on it now?

Those are 17X7. I narrowed the rear 1-1/2" on each side to get some more dish on the the next set of wheels.

I was wanting to go 10's but don't want interference issues. As you can see, I've got some room to fill.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by Zoomin

Thank you sir!



Those are 17X7. I narrowed the rear 1-1/2" on each side to get some more dish on the the next set of wheels.

I was wanting to go 10's but don't want interference issues. As you can see, I've got some room to fill.

Okay, I'm not sure if the wheels I have on my Chevelle is something you like but I have 2 20X10 with a 5.0 back space from the first set of wheels that stuck out by an inch too far. If your interested in them I'll give you a good deal. They are new still in the box. If not, that's cool.