Performance parts for a Buick 300?

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by comwiz00, Jun 30, 2002.

  1. comwiz00

    comwiz00 Deadly Skylark

    Does anyone know were I could get some performance engine parts for my Buick 300? Im not looking along the lines of cams and heads, just headers and intakes. Ive checked in Summit and Jegs and they have nothing for headers or intakes that could fit my car. If anyone knows any place that makes headers please let me know. Thanks
     
  2. John Chapman

    John Chapman Well-Known Member

    Unfortunately, the things you aren't interested in... they make.

    The things you want, they don't. Postons made headers for a while, but they've exhausted (no pun intended) the stock and apparently won't be making any soon, if ever again. There hasn't been an aftermarket intake made since Nixon was in office.

    The bright side of it is that the four barrel intake and the stock exhaust headers are pretty good in themselves. The intake is not too hard to find. There's one for sale on the BCA site right now, complete with carb and linkages

    There's lots that can be done with this little motor, so don't be discouraged.

    Cheers,
    JMC
     
  3. comwiz00

    comwiz00 Deadly Skylark

    Well thanks anyway, what would u recomend doing to my little 300? I don't want to rebuild the thing and anything to do with taking the engine out is not in the picture. I'm kind of out of ideas, I do know that the new muffler system will be installed, and maybe since Headers seem out of the question I'll be able to afford a new 4bbl carb! What do you think?
    Thanks man
     
  4. John Chapman

    John Chapman Well-Known Member

    Does it need a rebuild? If the engine is basically sound, you can do a lot to improve the performance by just doing a major tune up. No particular order except for the first two.

    1. Buy a 1965 Buick Special/Skylark Chassis Manual
    2. Buy a 1965-68 Motor Manual
    3. Check the compression to make sure it's as it should be
    4. Fix external leaks (valve covers, oil pan, front cover, intake manifold); rear seal, transmission pan gasket and seals
    5. Replace hoses, including all the vacuum lines
    6. Replace filters
    7. Replace PCV valve
    8. Repair/Replace the choke stove riser. These are frequently rotted out at or near the exhaust manifold. Without continuity in the choke heater circuit, the choke will always be on and mileage/performace will stink... like unburned fuel.
    9. Go thru the ignition system and make sure it's healthy (cap, rotor, wires, coil, points, everthing... or skip the points and install a Pertronix unit
    10. Check the cooling system and install a coolant recovery bottle
    11. Check exhaust manifolds (prone to cracking) and gaskets. HEED the torque values for the manifold bolts... that's how a lot of them get cracked. Remove/clean or replace manifold bolts. Use antisieze compound
    12. Check the exhaust manifold on the right side to make sure the manifold heat valve is opening as it should
    13. Install a four barrel manifold and carb (good time to switch to an electric choke)
    14. Check that the transmission control switch and low pitch micro switch are working (ST300 auto only) correctly.
    15. Check fuel pump output
    16. Dual exhaust
    17. K&N intake filter

    Have fun!

    JMC
     
  5. comwiz00

    comwiz00 Deadly Skylark

    Hey thanks a lot, I have a manual for the car....well I have 2 of them. One was in the car and I found one under the back seat! I'll check all that stuff out, I'm not into the engine stuff so a few things I don't know what they are but my uncle is a pro so he can help me out. As for the 4bbl intake, I just cleaned up my 4bbl carb and stuff today....it came with one which is nice hehe. I'll probably give the carb a rebuild, and replace most of the easy stuff, since my Monte Carlo just decided to give up parts on it about everyday for a week. I ended up putting in a new fuel pump, starter, water pump, and thermostat in under 4 days! It was restored 5 days before and that was the first week I drove it fixed up, then I ended up towing it home every time I drove it! So those will be replaced with new and better ones. No it doesn't need a rebuild its a strong runner and starts every time. I just mentioned that because most people when I ask them about it thats the first thing they tell me. Thanks again man this should really help!
     

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