Hey i'm new to this whole site and i am loving all this wealth of information you guys have around here that can help me out with my 72 skylark 350 2bbl. i've got a 3speed th350 for the tranny and the whole car is almost exactly stock except for the alternator and the water pump i've had to replace and the exaust i had put on. I have just finished the body work this summer and had it painted about a month ago. i'm looking to get some more power out of it but i'm on a very limited budget because i'm still in high school. But even though i want too, i know i'll never have the money or time to convert my car into a badass street machine like what some of you guys have. I'm just looking to get a few more horses from under the hood and whip some ricers everyonce in a while.
Welcome! Welcome to the boards Polefrog. Whatever you need to know about your Skylark can be found on these boards. This is a great group of guys and gals who share a common interest - our Buicks. :grin: If you have been browsing already, you already know the resources that are available here. Use them as needed. As far as your Skylark, sounds like a nice ride. Try to get some pictures up if you can. Be aware, you have what is considered to be a classic. the "A" body cars from the early 70's are a hot item. Take very good care of your car and you will enjoy it for many years to come. Don't be in a hurry to muscle the car, the time and money will come eventually with a little effort on your part. Be parient.:Smarty: While you are browsing these boards, check out the link for the "BPG" (Buick Performance Group) it may be of interest to you. One more thing, when you post on the boards include your first name so we will know to whom we are speaking.:TU:
Welcome aboard Polefrog. You might want to check out the small block forum of this BB. You might get some great ideas on ways to extract som rice rippin' horsepower secrets from your 350. First thing I would do is an easy intake manifold swap and a 4bbl carb. Don't forget to check out TA Performance or PAE Enterprises. Dave at TA & Jim at PAE have forgoten more about Buick performance than a lot of us here will ever know.
Welcome to the party!!:beer Im over in Topeka so if you get this way I can help out on the power part. I also have a few extra parts around here!!:TU:
Polefrog-- Quick tips on a budget huh? OK: If you don't have dual exhaust yet save for one. Flip the air cleaner lid over, re-install nut. You may need to loosen or replace the stud that holds the lid so that it's longer. (you'll see when you do it.) Play with the timing. Adjust it in small increments clockwise (advance). Go until the engine pings under full throttle, then turn back a hair. Test, adjust, test, adjust. You get the idea. Other items: Don't worry about a four barrel yet. If the car runs fine now leave it. Money is better spent above. Besides the fuel bill will eat ya' up. If you can locate a slightly lower geared rearend, say 3.08 would be great. It doesn't have to be a posi either. 350's on 14" tires love that gear. Finally a good shift kit is a wise investment. It tends to lengthen a trannies life and give crisp shifts. Hope this helps. Been there done that. Jerry
Thanks guys Hey everybody thanks for all your wise advice :TU: . I guess I should say a couple of more things about the history of my cherished buick. I bought the car off of my dad in the spring of '01 and have done some minor work. I have just replaced a rusted brake line, water pump (twice! i used a remanufactered one the first time and it broke with in 6 months), alternator, radiatior, and I redid the heads. I didn't port them, mostly because i didn't have the time to do them (as this car is my daily driver) nor the money either. I should clairfy that I did put on Dual exaust when my pipe just about rusted off and i will try to have some pictures up as soon as possible. I've been told by the previous owner (before my dad) that the 2bbl Rochester that is on top of the engine now is a "beefed up" carb and not the original. But I don't belive everything this guy tells me. When i try to lean out the mixture, the engine wants to die and i know that is not good for those cold mornings trying to get to school. It does run preety rich and I only get about 11-12mpg, so i know that i should be able to get either more economy or power outta this small block, hopefullyo No: Anyway i'll try to get back to the site as much as possible in the future. Once again thanks for all the info:TU: -Tim D. KCK
aha.....the name polefrog is just a stupid nick name that some friends gave me back in middle school that kinda stuck for a while. I just use it because it's a pretty unique name. I like it because then i don't have 50 different e-mail or Log-in names on the internet, they can all be just one. As for the story behind the name, don't ask. You really don't want to know.:Brow: ~tim kck
Tim (aka Polefrog) I understand about silly nicknames received in high school. One of my best friends still calls me 'Schnauzer'. Almoast rhymes, but it beats 'Alkasmeltzer'. Also, don't ask the origins of either. I used to drink alot and don't want to reveal too much about the women I used to date!!:ball: ou: :beer
Re: Tim (aka Polefrog) Now everyone knows where that discusting joke came from. HEHEHE:grin: :grin: :grin:
HEY POLEFROG WELCOME..YOUR GOING TO LIKE ALL ON BOARD HERE... LIKE THE SOUNDS OF YOUR RIDE...US BIG BLOCK GUYS LIKE SMALL BLOCKS TO ... YOU MAKE US LOOK BIGGER .....YOU WILL GET SOME GREAT ADVICE HERE ...AS I HAVE SEEN ....GIVE SOME OF US A BIT OF TIME SOMETIMES FOR A RESPONSE...WE ARE A BIT SLOWER WHEN NOT BEHIND 2TON OF BUICK...WILL HELP IF CAN GLAD YOUR HERE ..PAT IN KANSAS.
