Noobie with a 65

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by 65 Lark n Roll, Nov 30, 2017.

  1. 65 Lark n Roll

    65 Lark n Roll Active Member

    Greetings everyone.....I recently came across this site and glad I did, as I have quite a bit to learn about Buicks. Always been a Chevy guy, but actually found myself looking at the more obscure cars when at shows and decided on a Skylark. I just did not do enough research on the overall availability of parts!
    Obviously I prefer the protouring look (which annoys you purists), but that is one reason I did not choose a numbers matching GS for my build. I look forward to learning more from you guys...
     
  2. elagache

    elagache Platinum Level Contributor

    Dear 65 Lark n Roll and fans of more mature V-8 Buicks,

    Welcome to V-8 Buick! [​IMG]

    You'll find that the majority of Buick owners on this board have cars closer to the zenith of the muscle car era. Still there a very loyal following for the 1964-67 Buicks and we hang together since we really have to.

    Unfortunately, indeed the reproduction parts situation for the 64-67 Buick A-bodies, is among the weakest. Although the full-sized Buicks and pre-1964 Buicks have just about zero reproduction parts. Still, there are still plenty of parts out there. You can get reproduction interiors and many parts interchange with other GM A-bodies.

    This forum has all kinds, but it is after all a Buick forum. So gutting a Buick and tossing in a Chevy crate drive-train is definitely frowned upon. If you take the time to buy a Buick, it is worth taking the time to understand what Buick developed for under the hood during the 1960s. For many of us (myself included) it is far better to put a Buick engine from a later model year than to toss in any engine and call that good enough.

    Cheers, Edouard :)
     
    TorqueMonster1 likes this.
  3. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Welcome aboard! I think we’re all pretty open minded about what owners do to enjoy their cars. Non Buick engine swaps are about the only sin, the severity of which varies depending upon engine and reason for choosing it.
    Patrick
     
    TorqueMonster1 likes this.
  4. Donuts & Peelouts

    Donuts & Peelouts Life's 2 Short. Live like it.

    Welcome to the site
     
  5. Donuts & Peelouts

    Donuts & Peelouts Life's 2 Short. Live like it.

    What are your plans?
     
  6. Golden Oldie 65

    Golden Oldie 65 Well-Known Member

    Whatever you do, don't do this to your Buick :)
     

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  7. TorqueMonster1

    TorqueMonster1 Making My GS Great Again!

    Welcome to V8Buick!! This forum will more than likely become your go to source for Buick info. There is an absolute wealth of knowledge among it’s members. A lot of what you may want to know is already on here so doing a “search” will give you answers. If you can’t find the information you need then post your questions. As mentioned earlier, really the only sin is running a non Buick engine. It’s just not necessary, especially with all of the knowledge and experience that’s on this forum. And post pictures when you can, we love seeing what you’re working on and how it’s coming along. Mark
     
  8. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    Welcome aboard from NY.
    Fred
     
  9. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    You ALSO have another forum to join, 65GS.com
    All they talk about is '64-'65-'66 Skylarks & GS's.
     
    TorqueMonster1 likes this.
  10. 65 Lark n Roll

    65 Lark n Roll Active Member

    Thanks everybody for your responses. I see there is a passion about not having a non Buick powerplant so I won't say anything about thinking about an LS.

    I am going to have to research the 401, as that could be pretty cool as well. I am sure I will have plenty of questions as I move along and I know where to go to get the answers....along with Golden Oldie 65 living in the same town. He can show me "what not to do"! Lol
     
  11. GS Kubisch

    GS Kubisch THE "CUT-UP" BUICK

    I always look at what's for sale in the 64/65 market. I've admired the car in your avatar when it popped up this past summer. Nice purchase. Have fun with it.
     
  12. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    Its your car, put whatever engine you want to put in it!

    Just as long as you realize that anyone of the Buick engine platforms can do whatever almost any other engine platform that can be swapped in a Buick car can do. Be careful if you do choose one of the Buick engines though because that off idle torque is addicting!

    The LS stuff runs good but those just don't have that low RPM torque the Buick's have. A ported factory headed sbb stroker can be built to run better than just about any factory cam swap LS engine and the sbb platform doesn't have any aftermarket heads available for it yet. If the white whale sbb 350 heads ever become available then it would REALLY be game on!

    The sbb 300 that may be in your car now can be built to run pretty darn good as well! That platform the TA Performance aftermarket performance aluminum Rover heads would bolt right onto a sbb 300. Also a stroked sbb 350 crank can be altered to fit in a sbb 300 for an additional 64 to 101 more cubes depending on how good the block sonic tests. The only bad part about the sbb 300 is there really isn't a good aftermarket intake for that engine. Its either adapt an Hufftaker I think its called or make a custom one.

    To sum it up, if you like to paint by numbers, then the me too(you swap in a LS in your car? Me too!) LS swap may be for you. Or if you like to color outside the lines, like to dare to be different, then one of the Buick engine platforms may be for you. If you race the car and you beat another me too car that has an me too LS swapped in it that would be no big deal, an LS engine beat an LS engine. If you beat the guy that swapped in an LS with a Buick engine, that would be COOL and embarrass the guy that did all that work to swap in an LS engine in his car!

    Either way, this site can help you with just about any engine platform swap in your car that you may want to do so do what you want. And welcome from Michigan!
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2017
  13. elagache

    elagache Platinum Level Contributor

    Dear 65 Lark n Roll, Derek, and V-8 Buick power-plant advocates,

    If you are new to Buick engines, the Wikipedia article on what Buick had done is a very good start to understanding how Buick V-8s evolved.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V8_engine

    You are in an odd situation because the Buick engines for the Skylark and Special were of a more modern design than the Nailhead which was being eclipsed. As a result, it is much easier for you to fit a later Buick engine than the Nailhead. The Buick 300 V-8 was a descendant of the all aluminum 215 V-8 which ultimately lead to the Buick 350 and the Buick big-block. So putting one of these later engines is less trouble because things like the transmission will hook up without modification.

    Upgrading to a Buick 350 is a relatively easy swap. The 350 was manufactured for a very long period of time and is easy to come by. It has a similar footprint to the 300 or V-6 that you car originally came with. You can then keep the original transmission or upgrade to a TH350 or even a TH2004R overdrive transmission without changing your drive shaft.

    Upgrading to a Buick big-block is much more of a problem because the engine bay wasn't designed for that engine. However, if you pay attention to those who came before you, it can be done.

    If you want a nailhead it can be done, but it is the most difficult swap to do technically speaking.

    As Derek mentions, even the 300 V-8 can be upgraded to give a lot more spirited performance. Alas it has the poorest support of speed parts. I finally went with a Buick big-block because I want to use my wagon to pull a vintage travel trailer and I needed the extra torque of a big-block engine. Choosing a post 1968 big-block allowed for a much more efficient engine to be built.

    So you have a lot of choices! Do take some time to savor the options!

    Cheers, Edouard :)
     
    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.
  14. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    Welcome! Sounds like a good car for the Power Tour, maybe see you there! Good luck!
     
  15. 65 Lark n Roll

    65 Lark n Roll Active Member

    Thanks.....I would love to participate in the Power Tour. I have been curbside two times and it really was an experience. Who knows.....
     
  16. white72gs455

    white72gs455 Going Fast With Class!!!

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