My first Buick, 1964 Skylark, has 300 2bbl. Thinking about swapping to 4bbl. Found an original manifold. How hard is it to find the correct Rochester 4 with water choke? Also, what gains can I expect? Would like to keep car streetable on gas we have available. One guy told me to keep lower compression add 4bbl and get better HP and gas mileage. Any comments or advice appreciated. I am new to both Buick and and this board, got car 5 months ago, joined board 3 days ago. Help! Michael
I think I still have the correct 1964 Rochester 4GC from several years ago. It would need to be gone through, just in case, as I never used it. I'll try to check when I get home a couple of days.
Amazing!! I am impressed how fast some body picked up my post and replied. I am VERY new here. Thanks in advance. Please let me know what you find. Also, is there a lot of other parts I would have to find to make this happen? I have noticed your replies several times since I started checking out the forums. Thanks Again Michael
4 barrel , dual exhaust , good tune up and go from there - shocks , brakes n good tires . after that take your time , ask questions and outline your game plan for the car - direction , skill level , budget - be realistic in those areas .
I suggest having a carb built by either Everyday Performance or Mark "Carmantx", they both do great work. I would use an electric choke it is the most reliable form of choke out there. Yes you will gain a good amount of full throttle power with the 4 barrel carb. The part throttle and off idle performance might actually be a little worse than with the 2 barrel. I agree with keeping the compression low, otherwise you need to use premium fuel and still risk detonation. No low compression will not help you gain HP though that is false. All things being equal, higher compression gives higher HP. More likely what you want is good torque in the low to mid RPM range... If I was building a 300 I would have the heads lightly ported, use an RV type cam with an RPM range of idle to 4800 RPM, top it off with a stock 4 barrel with the dock's modification (in the FAQ section dock has a thread) and I bet it would drive nice driving car. If I was to get more serious about power I would find a 340 to swap in place of the 300, the extra cubes would give extra torque down low in the RPM. If I was really serious about power I would swap in a Buick 350, have the heads ported on that and use a roller cam.
That's because it's to cold for most of us to be out driving :TU: I've got a 340-2V in my Skylark and asked pretty much the same question as you, and got the same answers. -4bbl intake -dual exhausts -mild cam -head porting all depends on your budget/skill like Del and Sean said. Previous owner had installed dual exhausts (with cutouts) and she runs pretty well as is.
Thanks Michael, we just try to help everyone who asks for it. I am by no means an expert on these cars, except I used to own one. :laugh: I happen to be at home tonight, but for the life of me, cannot remember where that carb is located. I moved since buying it, so there's a small chance it went into the dumpster. ray: Feel free to pursue Bill's carb, if it works for you. I won't be offended.
Thanks for the advice. Like most people, I do have to watch the budget. And I am a builder by trade, so my mechanic skills aren't "certified" ou: But I am familiar with a lot of basic stuff and not afraid to learn and try. Hoping to make it run well enough to have fun. It runs as it is, but we always want more, I guess! You hit on a lot of things I was thinking would be good to do before I hit the road very much. Thanks Again, Michael
Tom, Thanks for checking and replying again. I am bound to be a lot less expert than any of you guys, I've never had a Buick before, and this 64 I have is the only one I have even seen in person. How's that for a "going out on a limb" purchase? :Brow: I'll check into the lead on Bill's listing. Thanks again, look forward to getting to know some of you guys. Michael
Thanks for reply and advice. I think I worded part of my post wrong, I think it should have been keep low compression and gain performance and gas mileage instead of HP. I read about a cam in one of the forums under "building the little guy" or something like that,made by Crower I think. Is this the RV cam you are thinking about? By stock 4 barrel, do you mean the Rochester that Buick used in '64? I have read about porting heads, but have no experience. Do you send this out or is it something that can be done at home? I have thought about swapping to a Buick 350 and turbo 350 down the line. I understand this is a straight forward swap? Us newbies have LOTS of questions!! Appreciate your help. Michael
i have swaped more than 10 350/350 buick combos into the same car easy as pie and way better than the 300, ( now all you 300 lovers dont get upset i have a 300 car as well haha ) but dollar for dollar the 350 is best and more parts as well. virtually a direct fit as well Ken here is a 350 with a 2004R and 3.31 at speed hehehehe
Yep, too cold to work on it too,with no garage! Do I understand you have duals, cam, and head porting, but still have 2 barrel? Thanks for reply. All advice is appreciated. Michael
Yep, too cold to work on it too with no garage! Then you have duals, cam, head porting, and kept 2 barrel? Thanks for reply, all advice is appreciated. Michael
Thanks for reply. Checked out pics, looks like it came that way, NICE!! Swap will have to be down the line a ways, but probably my goal project. My brother in law has several Buicks (got me hooked after a ride in his 1970 GS 455 STAGE ONE-real) wants me to put in a 455 and turbo 400. That would really be something! Looking at affordable upgrade since 300 seems to run decent and enjoy driving a while. Direct fit include drive shaft and rear end? Thanks Again, Michael
Michael, Here's the link: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?244296-Rochester-4GC-carb-500CFM&highlight=4gc I had a previous inquiry so you're next in line if that falls through.
No worries. Yes, low compression ans a really mild cam will help fuel mileage. The cam from crower is too aggressive for good fuel mileage. The specs for the cams list an rpm range, look for a cam with a range from about 1500-4800 rpm. In all honesty it is a good idea to do the cam ans lifters at the same time as the intake although I see little value in a cam swap for you as the stock cam will be fine. I do suggest the 4 bb intake swap, and yes the stock carb I refer to is the rochester. Head porting is best done by the pros and costs some good cash...I would not recommend it for a budget upgrade. Yes, the 350/350 swap is easy, basically a bolt in. In short, keep it simple: 1. Get a dual 2.5" exhaust on the car, then it will flow enough for any engine later on. 2, swap on the 4bb intake 3. have the 4 bb carb rebuilt by Ken at Everyday Performance 4. Follow the timing thread in the FAQ section 5. Have some fun!
