Hey guys, i have a couple of questions for ya. First of all the skylark i bought has no gas tank in it and i need to find one. Should i just go searching the junk yards or buy one somewhere else? Or should i just buy a fuel cell to put in the car? I'm not sure how hard it will be to find a tank for it in the junk yards or how much one will cost. Any ideas? Also will a tank out of another GM car of the same year work, like a chevelle? And my last question is about what I believe the mechanic called "engine stands" I'm not sure what they are but he said he is looking for some in the junk yards because new they cost about $120. He said its not the mount but something to do with the mount. I'm really not sure what he is talking about so i'm not sure what to look for but i figured here would be the place to start. What he needs it for is the 455 he is putting in my Skylark, its out of a 70 electra but he said he couldn't use the ones in the electra and have the block sit right. Anyway if you can help me out in any way please let me know. Thanks.
Unless you want to buy gas constantly, get a tank. Any tank from an A-body 71 (I think 72 also) will fit. Your mechanic is talking about frame pads. They bolt to the frame, and the engine mounts bolt to them. Unique to Buick A-body 400/455 cars. They are available from T/A, Poston, etc., and I don't think that they are that expensive.
Gas tank is the way to go, but a junkyard oneuzzled: ..your taking your chances. Its better to get a new one...a junker tank may be corroded already and you may be doing some motor damage. A gas tank is one of those thing you DONT go cheap on....its better to spend the money on a good new tank then go pay to rebuild your motor BECAUSE of the tank....just my $0.02 :TU: Larry
GO with the gas tank dont get a fuel cell unless your making a race car. I made that mistake and now im putting in a new tank with a deep sump. need the trunk room for the stroller when we go to car shows.
Ok if he is talking about frame pads, i found them in the TA catalog for $60 and what is called the engine mount kit which is mounts and frame pads for $99. The mechanic said he could use the mounts from the electra and said he just needed the pads, does this sound right? I just want to save as much money as possible so should i just buy the frame pads or will he need the whole kit? And another thing is cast or aluminum? They are priced the same. Is there any reason i should choose one over the other? It says the aluminum ones are 4 pounds lighter so are they just as strong and everything? Any help would be great. Thanks in advance, C.J. Myers
frame pads I think if you are trying to get your #3800 Skylark into the 9"s or if you are building an all out points car then it might matter the type pad used, but it should not matter which type (aluminum, cast, or factory) for the average 455 all will be strong enough. The mounts are different between the 350 and 455, so if you are converting from a 350 to a 455 then you will need to change the mounter mounts also. Since my car is a street/strip, I think I am also going with a factory type gas tank with a sump to have the trunk space and weight transfer. Just my $.02
