1970 Skylark Garage Find

Discussion in 'Members Rides' started by moleary, Feb 24, 2013.

  1. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    6/26/16 Update:

    166 miles now register on the odometer since put back into service in May and I have been getting more confident getting deeper into the throttle. I am quite impressed with the performance and drivability. I have yet to dump the clutch and launch waiting to get more miles on the clutch and rear.

    Had an occasion to tangle with a new Mustang on the street both from a 30-40 MPH rolling go and twice head to head on on Fathers Day. Thoroughly embarrased that guy all three romps and his girl friend passenger was laughing her ass off!!!! This punishment was on the way home after a nice 70 mile drive on the highways around the peninsula with my oldest daughter riding along. Up at the next light where they decided to exit the highway, he asked the classic "What the hell do you got in that thing?" :af:

    I can't wait to get to the track. Shooting for taking Friday 7/8 off of work and test and tune at Bremerton raceway, maybe go back for some more if time allows Saturday 7/9.

    The carb and timing seems pretty tuned ripping around on the street, and as was tuned on the dyno. It has good A/F numbers at predictable events, i.e. @ idle, @WOT, @cruising rpm's, etc. Crispy throttle response, Don't have any sputter, bog, surge etc. Proform 950 is currently set up with 80/86 jets and 33/79 & 32/79 AB, 4.5 PV. Distributor timing locked out, set @ 36* which it preferred on the dyno over 34*. Plugs look ok too.

    I'll play with all that at the track TnT if it seems worth while.

    Got some parts together last week for the next couple of planned upgrades.

    I ordered Comp Cams Max Jet kit 72-87 and some 85 & 87's. Also grabbed Quick Fuel Air bleed kits 36-25 and 65-75 kits to have on hand for some test and tune at the track.

    I ordered a 8" dual diaphagm vac brake booster, brackets, rod extension and clevis from MBM Brakes. I want a smaller DIA booster since the KB valve cover is so close and want some added stopping assistance, but want to keep the iron master cyl and reservoir not plastic.

    I pulled the trigger on QA1 asjustable shocks for all four corners.

    Just relaxing today in the sun recovering from changing headers and down pipes out to CI headers from Paul at RA Restoration on my pals 68 Rag 4 speed Goat....

    Cheers!
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2016
  2. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    7/8/16 update for posterity:

    Installed the QA1 Stocker Star shocks all four corners last weekend. What an improvement that made!

    Hit the car show for the Grand Old Fourth on Bainbridge which was fun.

    Installed the Coruso drive shaft safety loop today. Been on the sheklf for aq couple years bought one opf the last ones he made of that style.

    Installed the AutoMeter Level 1 Cobalt Digital Pro Shift Light Gauge 6187. Works great.

    Weather permitting, taking her to the track tomorrow.

    Cheers!
     
  3. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    Excellent!! Update with times (AND MORE PICTURES!!!!)
     
  4. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Good luck with that! You know that every time you plan to take the car out, it rains. You just have to do it spur of the moment!
     
  5. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    I never updated this thread a couple weeks ago. Most of this is pasted from the other thread, I just want to keep this thread comprehensive for posterity.

    It was 1999 since I drove a car while drag racing, that was the BUICKAMINO and this was the first time with a stick car. Rowing gears down the track is quite a lot going on....WHATABLAST!

    Maybe a little carb tuning next time by changing the primary squirter to a 33 and secondary to a 35. I can not determine if I have too much fuel coming in as I get traction, or just FNG driver not workiing the throttle correctly. I will need to work on my launch since I was trying something new each time to compensate for what I was perceiving to be a fuel issue... again, with the symptoms I thought there is too much fuel getting in at hook time. Once going it is very strong and doesn't smoke anything but tires according to some on lookers.

    Here are the recaps of the five runs...

    I need to do better in the burn out box and get the tires spiining quicker so the Line lock can hold as it was slipping a bit, so I got out of it too soon and not getting tires sticky.

    Three sportsman time trials:
    1st run , dump clutch 3200rpm , 0.067 light, roasted 'em, 2.62 -60', let out of it about 200 feet from traps 13.68 @ 103 mph. Hit the rev limiter 2-3.

    2nd run, easy launch 1500 rpm maybe, 0.034 light, then mashed the throttle and roasted again, 2.42 -60', stayed in it, 13.13 @ 114 mph, got into the rev limiter 2-3 which slowed me down...nice MPH considering the rev limiter drag.

    3rd run, greedy, -0.044 red light, dump clutch 2000 rpm, seemed to nose over then launch as I mashed it, spun, 2.41 -60', , pedaled some, then stayed in it, 13.17 @ 107 mph. Bounced off rev limiter 1-2 and 2-3 which really drags the car down of coarse.

    Rev limiter is set at 5600 which is right on and the shift light is set at 5300, I just need to shift! I have bounced off the rev limitter all three runs which really drags the car down between shifts.

    Fourth run, dumped clutch around 2200, jumped up really good, then like the prior run, really fell down like it stalled out ( i was getting ready to reach for ignition key) and my foot was still all in it then it jumped up again and flew... felt good through the traps, yikes - 3.08 60' !!!! bouncing off the rev limiter 1-2-3 - 3800 rpm in fourth through the trap 116 mph e.t. 13.1.

    Last run before the next rain squall was going to close it down for the day, left just like the fourth run, nosed over at launch then too off, but a better 2.20 60', and was feeling good gaining on the other car, ironically racing a 71 Skylark with a Chevy 350 (current Sportsman points leader) but I was reaching for third and grabbed 1st so I mashed in the clutch and just coasted down the track to avoid bad things happening. FNG

    That was enough for me having almost grenaded...

    All good all things considered. She drove highway to and from the track a 40 minute drive each way and always good to be back home in one piece and nothing broken, and back safely in the garage.

    September 17th I plan to head back. I anticipate the HRPartsNStuff rear bar will be on by then, doubtful I will have purchased slicks by then, but with some BUICK racing guys to help tune her and the FNG driver get some more practice, try to get it into the mid / low 11's where she belongs.

    Need 1.50 -1.60 - 60' times!!!

    Of coarse the nitrous was never ran yet...waiting until it is tuned and when I can drive the car...
     
  6. SubCool

    SubCool SubCooled

    I checked out your build thread from beginning to your last post.. very cool project and you did a great job on the car. sometimes building them is as much fun as actually driving them.
     
  7. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Thanks, I do love to build 'em, but "this is my last build".

    I Just went back and read post #1. It appears I stayed the coarse for some of the original plan, but, clearly have taken it to another level along the way...

    $hit happens :laugh:

    Worth every penny.
     
  8. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Posterity Update:

    I installed a HRpartsNStuff rear bar to complete the rear suspension and hopefully aid in achieving 1.5-1.6 sixty foot times. Next track date 9/17. I may have some slicks by then also.
    [​IMG]


    I like the insurance of the dependable locking of the hood and not just relying on a factory latch..at high speeds a hood flying up is no fun..been there, done that. I did not like the locking hood pins I had since they are very hard to unlock if in a hurry fumbling around with those crappy keys. I replaced those with some 1/2" black annodized pins with torsion clips. I removed the front OEM latch assembly and shelved that, so now with a quick pick of the two torsion clips hood open.
    [​IMG]

    I installed a CVR annodized throttle cable bracket and return spring to tidy up a bit.
    [​IMG]

    Later.
     
  9. Postsedan

    Postsedan 13427 L78

    Best of luck at the track..... I bet you run some impressive numbers.....keep us posted.
     
  10. poolshark1957

    poolshark1957 Member

    1965 Borg Warner T10 How hard are they to find?

    I have a T10 was thinking of selling out of a 65 GS. Are they worth alot? Dated March 25th 1965.
     
  11. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Re: 1965 Borg Warner T10 How hard are they to find?

    Your post does not belong in this thread. Maybe delete it and post on The Bench if you want information.

    Thanks.
     
  12. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    Looking good Mark! I'm using that same throttle cable bracket.
     
  13. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    I am not impressed with the return springs. My air cleaner base sits low and interferes with the return spring arm so I switched it to set inward and the springs are at an angle for now.
     
  14. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    Looks great!
     
  15. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    By the way, if you ever repaint this car you are an idiot!!!

    One of the top Buick A body cars I have seen.

    :grin:
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2016
  16. eganddg

    eganddg Well-Known Member

    Very nice ride....I have my eyes on a 1970 Skylark thats all original like yours.....Im seriously considering buying it and building a nice sleeper like yours. Great job!
     
  17. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    Hmmm, I've not had any issues as far as interference, but my air cleaner base doesn't drop much as I needed room to tuck the nitrous solenoids under it (and even then I had to tweak the solenoid brackets a bit).
     
  18. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    I run the k&n open filter - 4" tall X 14" diameter if I recall. My N2O solenoids fit under it also, slightly have bent the drivers side N2O fuel suply solenoid down to clear throttle cable too. I have a 2" spacer and the 3/4 juice plate under the Proform.

    I have read that the throttle return setup desktop play nice wth some drop down air cleaners, guess mine is one

    I plan to still play with it, but may need to open up the bottom of the base to allow the arm to clear and let the springs align as it is now the throttle is STIFF with the spring pressure.
     
  19. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    I forgot you were also running the spray Mark. (I forget how similar our cars setups are at times!) I think I was able to cheat as I used that funky airaid conical filter that protrudes up through the hood a bit easier being tapered at the top. If I recall, the base in my filter drops very very little.
     
  20. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Brotha from anotha mutha....:beer
     

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