Just wondering what the best mods are out there for a stock 310. My 1966 doesn't have duel exhaust so That's probably one of the first things I'll do. It has a two barell but I understand finding an intake can be hard. Any suggestions as to where I should start. 310 stock, with a two barrel.
Healthy tune up Recurve the ignition timing for performance Good true dual exhaust are good starters Crower makes healthy cams for the 300/340 engine also
Thanks for that. The plugs look really old so a tune up is a good idea, maybe a K&N Filter to go with that. Then I'll do the duel exhaust. Would love to get a four barrel on there. Isn't there a manifold adaptor plate so I can change the carb from 2 to 4 barrel?
Don't Monkey with it, tune it up and put some duals on it. 2 1/4 inch exhaust WITHOUT flowmasters. Use some 67 Electra stock dual mufflers. It would have a nice sound at idle and would be hardly noticeable at freeway speeds. Your not going to get any real improvements trying to pump up that 300. If your looking to upgrade something do the brakes, like 4 wheel disc... Leave it stock and it will last another 50yrs. Nice Car John
For better performance, change trans to 200R4 and change rear gear to 3.42:1 or numerically higher. Doing those 2 mods will make it feel like a different car that can actually get out of its own way! Not much aftermarket parts for the what you actually have, a sbb 300, the 310 designation is for the torque it makes. So if you want to upgrade to a 4bbl you will need to find an used factory 4bbl intake to swap on. If you do this mod, while things are apart anyway you might as well change to a better cam better suited for a 4bbl and the better gearing with the trans and rear gear you have before the 4bbl mod. If you plan to go with a 4bbl eventually, when you swap the trans get a torque converter matched to the cam you plan to change to if any of these mods interest you? GL Derek
for your app a standard 14 x 3 air filter setup will be plenty , can save a few bucks there . and do not try and adapt a 4bbl to your 2bbl intake . maximize your 2bbl situation . if trying to adapt a larger 2bbl to your intake ( for example check trans dapt #2086 adapter ) avoid neckdowns and bends or modify a little as needed . i used a similar adapter to mount a holley 500 2bbl onto my 64 special wagon with a 300 . ran good . a little port matching intake to heads couldn't hurt . in the meantime keep an eye out for a decent price on a 4bbl intake - good luck . yep - tires , brakes , shocks , steering etc . make 'er nice to drive n safe .
I would go to an HEI distributor ($150) with a curve kit and make sure your timing chain is in good condition.
Thanks again for all your responses. I've always had 80's mustangs, corvettes and trans am, this carb thing is going to take some to learn but so far I'm enjoying it. The car sat for 20 years and everything is original including the paint. I need to get the car safetied so I did pick up drums and shoes for the front. But once it's safetied I'll convert to front disc. The shocks and spring are original and the back sags a bit. Once it's safetied I'm replacing all. I found a duel set of exhaust system used off a 66 I might buy. Looks good in the picture s but we will see. I'm from Ontario Canada, there are some used parts here and there and I'm hoping to find more.
First thing that went out on mine was the stock timing chain, and that was at least 27 yrs ago. Mine bent valves when it spun. If yours still has the factory plastic toothed timing chain in it, you'd best do that first before you do anything else. Do not run it hard until you do. Nice looking 66.
Surprised no one link this thread, http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/a-guide-to-building-the-lil-guy-the-mighty-300.191151/
I had a 67 skylark 300. Swapped out the engine for a 340 with 4 barrel intake with original AFB carter 4 barrel carb.. Swapped 300 tranny for a th400 switch pitch to get that lower gear and 3 speeds and used the small 300 (2800 stall) converter to get more get- up and go. You have to shorten the drive shaft and slide the crossmember back a little. The non boxed skylark frame already had holes drilled if I remember correctly. Even a non switch pitch th400 is fine, just add a stall converter. ENGINE. my 300 and 340 engines all had nylon gear teeth pieces stuck on the pickup screen of the oil pump and a bunch in the oil pan. Cleaned it all up and bought an all steel chain. Also installed a fresh oil pump. If you hear a little bearing rattle on cold starts, put some new bearings in the bottom end also. This was all backyard shade tree mechanics. No micrometers or plastigauge. But it all worked and I beat the snot out of those little engines. Never blew one up. Those soft skylark springs would rock when I hammered the throttle. Fun and pretty car.... till the wife destroyed the whole right side of the car.
Dump the 300 as soon as possible for a good running 350. You will spend more money trying to get performance out of the 300 than it's worth Distributor upgrade = $150 True four barrel iron manifold = $300+ Four barrel carb = $350 You can find a good 350 for that kind of money. But it's your car and your money. A good running 300 will bring you hours of cruising pleasure in stock form and deliver good has mileage to boot. Get a really good tuneup on it, maybe go the duals route and just enjoy the little guy. I know from costly experimentation.
Here's my vote - as has been suggested in some posts here already. I already had dual exhaust, nice throaty tone - makes the 300 sound great. The 2004r conversion made a huge difference for me, but if you do that you have to do gears or you will have a really low rpm on the highway. 3:42's are ideal, I have 3:36's posi and made my combo just right. A full tune up and carb rebuild on the 300 is a good start, then do rear gears and see how you like it. While you are enjoying it, find a 340-4 hi comp engine and freshen it up, match it with a 2004r and do that swap together. Or find a 350-4 as there are much better upgrades for those engines now. I wouldn't throw too much money at the 300 for now, eventually you will come across an engine which will give you more options long term. The 300 gives you great mileage by the way, I pulled low 20's with it on easy highway trips, my 340 is much thirstier. I have all my swaps and upgrades posted here: http://v8buick.com/index.php?threads/1967-skylark-nearing-completion.228896/page-4#post-2699277
Just an FYI on the brakes and rear springs - replacing the springs with the exact replacement will not "lift" the rear end and get it level or higher. You will need taller springs or 2" spacers. I have the 4 wheel drums and added a power booster, car stops perfectly fine with them set up correctly. Front disc would of course be a bit better.
Thanks for sharing. With regards to the 2004r conversion. I can use my powerglide but have a conversion kit installed? Or did you mean swap out what I have for a 2004r tranny? Thanks.
Ok, the suspension shop here in my city said that I could go with a heavy duty spring and good set of shocks and that would get me some lift. But I didn't see how unless, like you said the springs were larger. I'll probably just set a set of spacers.
He means swap the whole trans out for the 2004R.. The stiffer spring will not sink down as much under load giving a taller right height but also a rougher ride.
The 2004r is a direct fit but will require some tinkering to get it all working properly. The ST300 you have now is a good transmission but leaves some fun on the table compared to the 2004r. The tv cable hookup is the hardest thing to adapt. Also, much easier to do this swap if you don't have dual exhaust to contend with - or make it come apart, or make sure the cross over isn't in the way. You can always do some gears first if you want a little more kick in the pants.
