Dusted grandmas Skylark off. Trying to build a cruiser out of it

Ok good It just had that look to it,..but yes it is ,..unfortunately

 

Look'n good!

 

X2 !!!

 

She's coming along. Obviously needs the rear bumper aligned. Just fixed a couple flow indicators and burned a few nubs out of the paint.


Tires and wheels are next



Super happy with it for a garage job. I either had the primer suck in a bit or I really suck at sanding out guide coat. There are a few 80 grit scratches that are barely noticable but it's a decent looking car for 80-100 hours of my time (maybe it's not worth it?) And about $1800-2500 in cash? I likely barely met my goal of having a solid 10' paint job. Looks great up to 10'. 5' you can tell it could have used another primer layer and/or a better painter to make it a 1-2' car.

I'm pretty happy with it.

 

Had to get some groceries




LOTS of trim to still clean up and go on. Obviously a front bumper and interior as well

 

Took a 10-12 mile cruise in the car on the way from getting groceries. The 3.50 gears OR the T400 needs to head on down the road. I don't think I went over 50-55 mph but my ear tachometer is hitting above 2200-2300 rpm (not sure how calibrated my ear is to be honest). Conclusion of drive is if I'm trying to run 70-75 on the freeway, I'm going to be turning some RPM with the 1:1 3rd gear.


I do plan to install a Holley Sniper in the near future for the car. That should clean up some carb issues I have and give slightly better fuel mileage than the toilet (Holley) that's currrently on the car.

Best options to decrease RPM?

1) 3.00 gear for 9"

2) 200r4 or ???

3) 4l80E


I'm inclined to go with the trans swap but curious what opinions are.

 

4l80 If budget allows,...BUT a 3.50 with a 28in tire is not terrible on the highway,...but overdrive is of course better,....I would stay away from the 200r u less you want to drop big bucks in it to build it

 

Looking like a car again. Needs some more work aligning front bumper but it's on there and I didn't scratch the fender.

Interior work coming up

Pretty damn happy with how it's turning out

 

Looking good!

 

Just ordered headliner yesterday and carpet this morning. Sounds like that stuff is out there a ways. I'm going to "test fit" the rest of my interior over the next few evenings, possibly using the old carpet just for some sound deadening and comfort. (my floor boards get HOT from the 3" exhaust-I also get a nice blast of hot air from the engine compartment pretty regularly right on my right foot. I need to poke around and figure out what's cooking my foot)

I haven't seen any drip rail trim. I guess I'll have to throw down on that? The Parts Place has the trim but does it fit ok? $200 if I remember correctly

 

Just went for a 30 minute cruise. Have yet to take it on the freeway




Walk around with exterior mostly complete. Still waiting on a few things to show up.

Carpet and headliner are a few weeks out but I'll put in a bit of interior over this next week

 

Holley carb is being kind of a Holley carb (I've never had awesome luck with Holley stuff...yet I want a Sniper... Hrrrrmmmm). Car wont idle well all of a sudden. Stumbles a bit and seems to be running REALLY rich.


Found a leak at the rear accelerator pump. Grabbed a new gasket/plunger at the local O'Reilly's along with a fresh fuel bowl gasket and put everything back together.

It's better but still won't idle. Trying to figure out if I am ready to buy the fuel injection or buy another double pumper. I live at 4500' and will likely drive over passes at 8000'. Usually I'd have to rejet a carb to make things "right". I haven't messed with a carb for well over two decades. Not sure what to do. Sleep on it would be a wise thing for sure

 

Check for a clogged idle bleed hole

 

Check the float levels and clean or replace the needle and seat assemblies,...9 out 10x it's a float or seat issue

 

Got a little time on this dawg tonight. Swapped the carb for an Edelbrock AVS2 800 cfm. Seems a good thing so far. Got the idle set and will probably run it around a little tomorrow evening chasing Jeep parts? Jeep chased Buick parts so it's only fair, right?

I received my headliner and need to get that put in. Carpet showed up as well.


Tasks left before I turn full attention back to Jeep.
-wiper and linkage install
-figure out slight fuel regulator leak (probably just buy a new regulator with a guage?)
-headliner
-sound deadener and carpet
-door fuzzies (when will those be in stock?)
-door windows and weather stripping
- speakers in the rear deck
-minor engine compartment/cowl detailing
-run through the brakes pretty good
-strategize on the front seal oil leak




....oh, and I sorted about 20ish 3/8" bolts from the magic bolt bucket of my grandfather in law... Lots of cool stuff in there.

 

Good work

 

This is SUCH a fun car. Mostly dry roads today and 40* temps. Had to take a burn. Good for the mental health

40* air is LOVED by this engine

I knew moisture under the tires was to be avoided. Even when you think you're "dry" you're not.

I need to get the headliner in and the side windows in. Heater wouldn't be a bad thing either

 

Worked on Gma the bulk of the day yesterday. Windows and weather stripping in. Headliner trim in.


List of dids:

-quarter window glass
-quarter window weatherstrip
-side window trim/weatherstrip
-side window installation and adjustment
-headliner trim/windlace install
-rear speaker install
-headliner install
-electric choke wired up
-electric fan wired with relays and installed sensor
-door fuzzies installed


List of to dos:

-master cylinder
-front calipers
- springs and shocks
-kick panels
-refurbished grille install
-emblems
-tidy up fan and relay wiring once verified functional as intended
-wiper arms and motor install
-install under windshield stainless trim
-80s tach install
-turn signal cam replacement
-figure out what headliner sail panel pieces were sent and get ones that fit better (maybe that's an installation/installer issue)

Things to hash out I my head.
-3.0 or similar 9" dropout purchase/install OR 4L80
-over head gauges oil pressure, coolant temp, volts
-80s looking stereo

 

Very Nice !
Keep up the good work !!