Not today exactly but over the last few days got the heads bolted onto the bastard'd 455 and started gathering other stuff I'd need to get it together. Those heads had sat up on the shelf for close to a yr and every hole was filled up with mud dobber nest. took about an hour to clean all the dirt out and chase the threads before bolting em on the block. Really didnt wanna pull parts off other complete engines but thats whats happening. It started with 3 head bolts. Now I've swiped the rocker shafts off another then scouted brackets that might be needed on a 3rd. Decided to break down and order new rocker buttons from TA before I mount these. Yesterday got the tractor fired up and dragged the 4 door Regal with its bad V6 off into the woods to await another day when I start feeling the love for it. V6 just does not do it for me and a 350 may be in its future. After that was done I started cleaning the boxes and accumulated junk off the top of the LeSabre. Figured it sat for 2 years in that spot I'd at the very least have to charge the battery. Slid in, turned the key and it cranked!. Filled the bowl with fuel n it fired right off and idled. Now Im feeling bad about pulling it but a guys gotta do what he has to do , Right?
My custom plates finally arrived so I registered them this morning a d put them on. Got a set for my TRX TOO
I fired up the Buick and moved it out of the garage yesterday. This was so I could put Halloween/Fall decorations in the attic and get the Christmas stuff down. When that transfer was done, I put the Buick back in the garage. I was too tired to go anywhere with it.
Went out for a last drive in the GN , fresh 93 and Lucas ethanol fuel stabilizer , and up on 4 post lift for winter .
put my street motor on the Dyno this week. Discovered a few interesting things. First pull at 34 degrees of timing was 572 hp with 614 torque. Dropped back to 32 degrees of timing and picked up 12 horsepower. After a few pulls on the dyno, you could place your hand on the intake runner under the carburetor, and get frost bite. We were using VP110 for fuel. When we rich’en up the fuel to make the motor fat and happy, horsepower went up, torque went down and I realized I would never be able to drive past a gas station without stopping for fuel. We changed jets a few times for horsepower gains and then pulled the power valve plugs out of the carburetors and installed power valves in the race carburetors, jetted down for drivability as this motor is going in my 4-speed GS street car. Final results were 575 horsepower at 5400 rpm with 600 torque at 3200 rpm. Cam is TA-284-86F solid and Harland-Sharp 1.65 roller rockers for lift. A bigger cam would give me more power and less drivability on the street. Oil pressure ranged from 28 up to 69 psi at 6200 rpm with 5W30 oil. Mains are at .002 for clearance. Molnar rods are at .0023 clearance. All bearings are Clevite brand bearings with oil mods to block and a halo attached to the main caps. I will fab a set of 2-1/8” stainless steel headers for the motor next before putting it in the ‘70 GS.
Went to a black friday sale and got 3 cars. Buy one get 2 free! These cars will never see the road again and are in very poor condition but there is a wealth of 2nd generation Riviera parts to be had. 2 68's and one 69. The 69 has a shorty console and the 2 68's are both bucket seat / console cars. The guy has around 200 more cars to liquidate.
I put the new Wilwood front brake lines on the fender with the spark plug wires and oil catch can...lol
I prepped my Wildcat for winter by adding Stabil to the fuel and then fired her up just long enough to get fresh gas through the entire system. I also checked the oil and coolant levels, disconnected the battery, and then put the cover on her after brushing off any dust. Ironically the weather was 65 and sunny, but, with my mom arriving in a week to spend the month of December with us I just won't have time after this weekend.
I helped my son remove the horrible 2 bbl and swap a 4 bbl intake and carb onto his new to him 70 Skylark convertible. Run great now.
The problem with having more one Buick is theres always something or several somethings that need my attn. This is what got done today
That is going to suit your stock appearing project nicely. I bet it sounds killer with that cam. How is your piston to valve clearance? It was good chatting with you the other day.
At this point I have no idea! LOL. waiting on TA to send me a set of buttons for the rocker bar I'll be using. Guess I could just set a couple on there and tighten it down to see where Im at. The pistons have valve reliefs cut into them. Its a 0 decked block. Will give me something to do while I wait.
After reading this and thinking about it a bit decided to pull a set of 430 shafts off the shelf, clean them up and install on the block. I dont like the looks of the worn rockers that I was going to use and TA is getting close to 300$ for a new set. Anyway put it together and rotated the engine several times. looking in with a bore scope and theres no interference. Primed the oil system and dropped in the HEI dist. Can start making up plug wires next
It's been a busy and mildly stressful couple days at work. So I wanted to mess with the GS400 tonight, and kind-of decompress. Instead of tinkering with it or fixing something, I decided I was just going to drive it. The weather is amazing tonight, 70 degrees and crystal clear. Had a really nice 30-minute drive around the area, with some WFO blasts, but mostly just cruising. I love driving this thing and feel much better now!
