"3 IS A CHARM " The Retro GS

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by Ryans-GSX, Nov 17, 2018.

  1. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    Jim,
    I am not sure. If I had to guess I would say its a strong possibility. I think Dave and I will be able to get the car road ready fairly fast but I have been very sick lately and so has everyone in my house (Taking my daughter to doc tomorrow for possible flu ). Dave is now also very sick as well. I have a lot of work to do to the car to get it where I want it to be but if we get close I will push off some stuff and just take it without being perfect. My plan right now is to do the first two legs then drive home. No plan to do the whole thing any longer. You were right its nearly impossible to get rooms.

    The engine situation is pushing me back more than anything right now. Trans will be done soon and Dave is helping me decide on what all to do with the suspension of the car. Going to look into my parts stash and see what I can pull out this week. Looking for a few things I just know I have but cant put my hand on them.


     
  2. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    Dave worked some magic and was able to get the pistons out of the engine today. The look to be TRW 30 over pistons. The Cam is odd in that it says Crower but Dave talked to Crower today and the man he spoke to says he has never seen a non stamped cam. This one looks to be scribed into.

    Dave also found where the Block was stamped "D A SANTUCCI" IMG_6212.jpg

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    Last edited: Feb 8, 2019
    FirstBuickNut likes this.
  3. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    D. A. Santucci was a Funny Car driver.
     
    1972Mach1 likes this.
  4. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    Yes Jim he was and he built this motor for Bill back in the late 70's

     
  5. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

  6. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Kewl
     
    70skylark350 likes this.
  7. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Looks like Crower, not Crowler?
     
    Ryans-GSX and 1972Mach1 like this.
  8. bignastyGS

    bignastyGS Maggot pilot

    And...The plot thickens...
     
  9. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    Took a little time to check the rear axle out today and it looks to be a Chevy 12 bolt out of a 1969 Chevelle (3959038) with a date code of March 25th from McKinnon Industries (K code) I did a roll check just to get an idea of the gearing. Bill said it was 4:56 gears and from what I see that looks correct to me. I am going to pull the cover later to see what all was done inside.

    Dave is all about the archaeology of this car and its really cool to see all the different things about it as we take it apart. I just hope we can get it back together soon.
     
  10. Duane

    Duane Member

    Pretty neat stuff there Ryan. Figuring out the history is half the fun. Every car is a quiz!
    Duane
     
  11. Daves69

    Daves69 Too many cars too work on

    Got the motor disassembled and here are my findings.
    70 350 bored .030 over with TRW forged pistons with 9cc dish.
    Decked .008 and .010 resulting in a .050" deck height.
    .040" thick head gaskets
    Heads were not cut and have 58cc chambers. There has been some port wok done.
    Cam was the Crower 201 HB. Still looking for the specs on it.

    This resulted in a 9.65:1 compression. If the .020" gaskets had been used this would have resulted in a 10 to 1 compression.
     
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  12. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    Dug out some parts from my stash today. I am looking forward to putting these on for sure.

    Hotchkis Sport Suspension Anti-Sway Bars
    Front Sway Bar Diameter 1.375 inch
    Rear Sway Bar Diameter 1.000 inch

    After reading a lot about the Lakewood latterbars and talking to Bill the orig owner I have decided for the amount of driving I want to do putting Boxed lower control arms and large swaybars on will get this car to handle great.

    Dave has a little something up he sleeve for this cars drivability also but I will let him tell about that later on. :)


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    OHC JOE likes this.
  13. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Yea those ladder bars are brutal on the frame
     
    1972Mach1 likes this.
  14. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Oh well, So much for the sign with the advertised 11.5 to 1

    Much more decking needed to reach that number.
     
  15. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    F23D3614-2B6A-4F9A-9302-EEC295A93A4F.jpeg 27880413-6FC9-4BA5-B5B2-A0FF0B4E0011.jpeg E11FEDF5-5F3A-47C4-87A5-AC9DC02D0076.jpeg 5C2A1DD6-C447-4724-B1AC-1873A4FCBD43.jpeg 9E9A8B3A-CED4-4D38-9BB6-4EFD76EB6B50.jpeg 826AE07A-A015-438B-8077-2D3993AAF6E4.jpeg

    Thanks to Dave Tumas and some good weather. Made some progress today. Painted factory GM Blue and Cast Aluminum colors. I was shocked how much nicer the intake looks painted vs raw aluminum finish. Can’t wait to see this all put together.
     
  16. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    I’m sorry I won’t be able to see your car this summer, looks like it’s coming along fine!
     
  17. breakinbuick11

    breakinbuick11 Platinum Level Contributor

    Ryan,

    Nice progress. What did you use to paint the intake?
     
  18. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    I painted it in Duplicolor cast aluminum. I like it so much better than the raw aluminum look. Has a nice shine to it and just looks way better. I almost decided not to paint it but I am really glad I did after seeing how much better it now looks.


     
    OHC JOE likes this.
  19. OHC JOE

    OHC JOE Mullet Mafia since 2020

    Yes it does look good on intakes.
    Just got to prep it before
     
  20. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    It's really important to paint it something. Aluminum intakes as delivered are porous. Unless you polish them or paint them, the aluminum will oxidize and stain. Eventually, they look terrible. I painted mine Buick Red, but if you like them natural, paint them that way. Aluminum dissipates heat so much quicker so the paint lasts forever.
     
    Ryans-GSX likes this.

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