My current 65 Skylark project's progress

Discussion in 'Members Rides' started by mjkinga, Apr 13, 2010.

  1. mjkinga

    mjkinga Well-Known Member

    Hey guys I'm new to the forum and thought I'de tell you about myself and my current project. My name is Michael and I'm a full time Federal Officer for the Department of Justice. I've never restored a car before so this is my first one. My good friend Matt and his brother are Buick nuts so I purchased this 65 Skylark from them. I bought the car for $4500 and the body is straight and has no rot. I picked it up from Dave's house ( Matt's brother) in CT the end of April. While picking up the car I also drove to NY where I found the Buicks new drivetrain for a STEAL! The Buick has a built Buick 350 but I was once told "there's no replacement for displacement". The NY trip I picked up a Chevy 454 completely built with roller rockers, roller cam, .690 lift, mega cam Etc, Billet Aluminum distributor, wide pulley system, TH400 w/B&M Shift kit, 2500 stall converter and a 950 Demon carb everything with zero milage all for ................$3350! Yeah that's what I said! I took the car back and started shopping Ebay and everywhere else for parts. The hardest one to find was the Halo roof trim and I've only seen one on a car in a pic on the internet. Hopefully it's not because it's ugly. lol. I tried to put the motor in the other night but the Buick to Chevy motor mount and pad setup didn't work out. I think the frame pads were wrong so I ordered a new set through a different company that looked completely different. The other set had a 3/4" gap that allowed the mount to slide on the bolt. No way with the 550-600 hp motor. Now I started replacing the white interior over to new but I'm having a problem with an outside color. I'm between House of Kolor Candy Apple Red and Pagan Gold..... or maybe a Rootbeer. Ahhh! So that's about where I'm at so far. Thanks for listening.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2010
  2. MGCslugger33

    MGCslugger33 Back in Buick

    Nice score on that transmission! Too bad that guy made you take the 454 with it.....:laugh:

    Just kidding, sweet project. Love a '65
     
  3. Golden Oldie 65

    Golden Oldie 65 Well-Known Member

    Welcome to V8Buick :TU: To fit the big block Chevy in the Skylark properly you should use the big block frame brackets and motor mounts for a `65-`67 Chevelle. They will bolt right in and are available reproduction through a number of sources.
     
  4. mjkinga

    mjkinga Well-Known Member

    Awesome! I'll order them today.
     
  5. mjkinga

    mjkinga Well-Known Member

    Lol. I have the Buick 350 now and I have a Buick 455 but I went with the 454 because first of all the price on all of it and the parts are allot cheaper. I am going with a Weiand 871 over the winter and it's $1700 more if its a Buick motor.
     
  6. custum65GS

    custum65GS Well-Known Member

    Thats a nice straight looking car,,,,has it ever had any body work done on it ever???? Low miles!!!!
    Keep us updated with your progress!!!!:kodak:
     
  7. mjkinga

    mjkinga Well-Known Member

    Never any body work other than me just sandinging and primmimg. The car has 78,282 original miles. Hopefully I can get the motor in this weekend.
     
  8. 197064buickspec

    197064buickspec 1964 Special Post-455

    Halo molding hard to find? I don't think you were looking in the right place. I have at least 3 sets in my office closet. The moldings look good on the cars but i really like them when the have a vynil insert rather than just painted.

    Brian
     
  9. mjkinga

    mjkinga Well-Known Member

    Where were you weeks ago?! lol. I looked all over and everyone wanted big money until I found this set for $175 shipped but I haven't opened the box up yet and they have been just sitting there for weeks now. Soon I should start getting this together but waiting on the paint guy to get off his ass!
     
  10. mjkinga

    mjkinga Well-Known Member

    Here are some new engine pics of the progress. Will keep posting as it goes along. Trans is in but now need to shorten the driveshaft. Hopefully will be able to start it next weekend.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  11. 65specialconver

    65specialconver kennedy-bell MIA

    Cool!Welcome to the board.Heres a shot of the halo,i just sold this car a couple weeks ago:TU:
     

    Attached Files:

  12. mjkinga

    mjkinga Well-Known Member

    It looks exactly like my car with the white roof. Well I actually ordered my Candy Pagan Gold from House of Kolor and I know I'm copying from a guy in Cali but it's a great color and there is no guess work as to what the car will look like. I'm gonna paint the whole car that color including the roof. Just gonna use the halo trim to break it up a little bit. Thanks for the pic!
     
  13. 197064buickspec

    197064buickspec 1964 Special Post-455

    You may want to unwrap those moldings. I have not seen too many people that have removed them without damaging them. Also did you get the mounting tracks and the correct clips? The 64 and 65 are mounted differently to the roof. Just curious.

    Brian
     
  14. mjkinga

    mjkinga Well-Known Member

    Don't tell me that! I figured I would keep them in the box for protection until needed. The roof is covered in rivets as to how it mounts. I should check this weekend when I go down to the car because I need to know whether to cut the rivets off and fill the holes or not before paint.
     
  15. 197064buickspec

    197064buickspec 1964 Special Post-455

    I would suggest leaving the rivets on. If you don't have the right ones for a 65 I would suggest you find them. It's a better verion in my opinion. Especially if you ever have to take them back off. 64's had holes drilled with a rubber style nut sert. Sometimes they spin. If you ever had to take them off you may have to take down the headliner to get to the backside to hold them. I'm not much for drilling holes in roofs. Perfect opportunity for leaks.


    Brian
     
  16. mjkinga

    mjkinga Well-Known Member

    Sounds good. I keep going back and forth about cutting off the rivets and filling the holes but I think I'll keep them but need to get to the garage to check the trim. I changed the color from copying that guys House of Kolor Pagan Gold to something similar but by PPG I believe. The only thing is that it's $260 more than House of Kolor. It better be worth it! Waiting for the paint to come in so I can jam the fenders. Then hood and trunk are next followed by doors. Stick it all together and get the darn car done so I can tear up the roads, well atleast until I get it out of my system. Would like to post my own kill story. I did fill the antenna hole in the fender though since I won't be able to hear the radio anyway's but that's why we have MP3 players. I'd rather hear the pavement tearing under the tires anyway's.
     
  17. Freakazoid

    Freakazoid Gold Level Contributor

    [​IMG][/QUOTE]

    LOL, Looks like you guys are having a great time. Nice car, And you all are doing a great job.
     
  18. rdirks

    rdirks Well-Known Member

    Car looks great. Brings back memories.
    As for the halo trim - I was never a big fan. I removed mine before it was pained. Cleaner look IMHO.

    Good luck.
     
  19. mjkinga

    mjkinga Well-Known Member

    And that's what I keep toying with. I haven't seen one with it on other than a few bad pictures. I just need to decide before I paint it.

    On a good note I went to my local Auto Zone and with my discount bought the complete 69 Chevelle front disc set up for $282. I now need to look into the rear but they said the Chevelle had drums in the rear so to figure out another rear set up.
     
  20. 197064buickspec

    197064buickspec 1964 Special Post-455

    Here are some pics. You kind of see the halo moldings on my 65 in the pics.
     

    Attached Files:

Share This Page