'65 4 door Skylark driver

[xcaddict]

This car spent most of its life out west and is fairly solid, but not nice enough to worry about cutting it up.

I have built this into a decent driver that has a little bit of power yet gets good mpg and handles ok. It gets used weekly and is a fun car.

 

[xcaddict]

I started by removing anything fabric and pressure washing the inside of all panels. The car was full of snake skins and rat crap. Nasty... I then installed some seats from a newer Chevy Trailblazer, made door/interior panels out of some 1/8" mdf, painted satin black with xo-rust. I removed as much headliner glue as possible and painted the ceiling with the same paint. Nothing fancy, but functional. The carpet is some used outdoor carpet that I had on hand. The shifter is from Winters, gauges are generic Summit.

 

[xcaddict]

The car had a v6/2 speed (switch pitch) auto. I sold those and after ordering Chevelle frame pads and mounts, installed a carb swapped low'ish mileage vortec 350 that I had. I then bought a 2wd 4l80e off of marketplace for cheap - wired it for manual shifting and installed.

 

[xcaddict]

The gas tank was shot. I removed and installed a Rhodes 20 gallon fuel cell, wahlbro pump and return style regulator. I used part of an old Chevy truck hood to build a rear firewall, hoping to protect against the fuel stuff in the trunk.

 

[xcaddict]

This car has a bit of rear damage from hitting something, and a little rust. I removed the center tail light chrome strips, popped most of the dents out, then made my own spacers (etc) to mount the lights without the busted chrome pieces. I also cleaned up any rust and put the xo-rust satin black on to slow it down a little.

 

[xcaddict]

I have skipped over a few steps, but most here probably know what it takes to make this old stuff work. Much cutting and welding. And the good parts are expensive, even the inexpensive good parts...

I have spent more than many people would on this car, for sure. It is nice to be able to build something your way and drive it though. If anything causes a problem, I've got nobody to blame but myself.

 

[MercuryMac]

Welcome. Congratulations, you have built an old car into driver. Good.
This may cause you to start looking around for the next project, though.
Carry on.

 

[xcaddict]

Welcome. Congratulations, you have built an old car into driver. Good.
This may cause you to start looking around for the next project, though.
Carry on.

Thanks. My bank account says that I need a break from projects.

 

[smallfoot]

Nice work on upgrading it to make it drivable and adding your own ideas!

 

[dmw56]

Sweet car!

 

[xcaddict]

Nice work on upgrading it to make it drivable and adding your own ideas!

Thank you.

 

[xcaddict]

Sweet car!

Thank you.

 

[xcaddict]

The stock rear had an open dif with 2.78 gears. With the 4l80e trans, I rarely ever used OD. I drove the car this way for about 6 months while trying to decide which way to go. I decided to buy a spare 8.2" rear end from a 1970 Pontiac for cheap locally. I then bought an inexpensive kit that included a new Yukon limited slip carrier, Dana svl 3.55 gears, install kit and new koho bearings.

I installed this stuff myself, also installing new wheel bearings/seals + a TA aluminum dif cover. My hope is that with the slightly stronger Pontiac housing and the TA cover, that it won't flex enough to break often. Using a mild 350 should help also. I hope.

Worrying about the old rubber bushings, I replaced the housing bushings with new rubber bushings, then replaced the upper and lower arms with Spohn with poly bushings. Now the gearing works much better, and the rear doesn't feel like it's moving around as much either.

 

[kenny c]

Nice ride. Welcome to the site.

 

[xcaddict]

Nice ride. Welcome to the site.

Thank you.

 

[earthman]

Allways liked these little Buicks. Good work on the upgrades and keeping the "as found" character.

 

[Old Iron]

These cars drive very well and with the upgrades it should be a pleasure.
Welcome aboard