What's up everyone. Super happy with what I just picked up. It's a 66 Skylark factory black on black. Everything is cherry. Interior, body, chassis and disc brakes. No air conditioner which doesn't really bother me, but the v6 Fireball does. I plan on swapping the engine out really soon. I see 350 and tranny combos for sale in the $500 range. Was originally going to do a LS swap, but I want to do the more simpler swap. Can anyone lead me to some good reads or info?
Congrats. I picked up a really clean 66' GS a couple weeks ago and can't wait to start it. Its a one owner car the original owner put in a 455 after he blew up the 401 in it. Said it wasn't hard and he enjoyed doing it. I would go for that
Congrats on the 66 Skylark. Welcome to the group. Fill out the remainder of your profile so we know where you are from. And add some pictures of the car. If your going to change the engine out(I wouldn't) I'd find a running driving unit that you can remove and reinstall in the Skylark as a whole. One with a/c and all already on it. That way you get as many of the pieces as you can.
Now that's a nice 66. Keep in mind this is not a factory ac car so you will have to either change the dash pieces out to a ac dash or use a aftermarket air unit.
Welcome aboard!:beer That's a very nice 66 you've got. I see the steering wheel is one of the rare few that hasn't cracked in several places. :TU: If I remember correctly, a Buick 350 should bolt up right into your engine bay. I think the TH350 trans is also a direct swap for your current ST300, but I'll defer to those who know for sure. Going to a Buick 455 would require changing frame pads, but those can be obtained.
how can I tell for sure what the transmission is? I would love an easy swap. A 350 would be a good one for now while I search everywhere for a 455. Also, just put on my 18x9.5 wheels with 4.5"BS and the the thing rubs like crazy. Even after I cut notches and folded it back. Do disc brakes really push wheels out that far compared to drum?
What size tires? A 7 inch wide wheel needs 4.5 to 5 inches backspacing to center the tire in the wheelwell. (for the rear) A 9.5 inch wide wheel should have 5-3/4" to 6-1/4" backspacing. Cutting the fenders up to make the wrong wheels fit is not the proper solution!
im going all out here. fixing this project up really quick. lol. already shopping around for an engine swap. im having a hard time finding 455's. so i think ill go 350 just for cruising and to make the car sound nice and throaty. just so im understanding this clearly, all i need is a Buick 350, TH350/400 short shaft drive train and gears? any specific type of gears and year motor that i should be looking for to make this a simple bolt on? my current frame and motor mounts are fine to use, correct?
getting that wheel treatment i had the toughest time going thru some bullsht wheel companies and i finally got some wheels from a comapany thats just walking distance from my house. lol. everyone else wanted to sell junk and these guys treated me well. RIDLERS 18X8 rear and 17x7 front. a little rubbing in the rear, but a few magazines tucked it in just enough to avoid rubbing. next, ill be installing 2" drop springs and front tubular control arms while my 455 gets assembled.
heres an update of the tubular control arms I got from eBay came out to $299 shipped, front shocks are monroe and 2" lowering springs for $99 shipped also from ebay. Wheels are Ridlers 188 rears and 177 up front Both 0 offsets. I'll post up the tires later. the driver side is 1" higher than the other,so i got to get back in there and make adjustments.
We like pictures and descriptions of upgrades as you are doing them so it may help someone else one day with there ride. Just saying! Love that stance.
