cbrodine

Howdy all! I thought I would share my build with you of my 1969 Buick Skylark convertible w/ a LQ4/4L80E set up. I'll start posting pics soon and get you all caught up where I am at with the build.

1967BuickGS400

Looking foward to the build. Im going to start mine later this winter. Im installing a LQ4 into my 67 GS400. I was looking into the 4l80e earlier this year and was told the 90's had a heavier duty overdrive. The only thing is i think you will have to get an aftermarket controller. If you went with a later model you should be able to use the ecm you have.

BobKovacs

They'll all bolt up. The older units have the trans cooler lines both up front, which makes it a little easier to access the trans lines. I believe some of the early models didn't have the top bolt on the bellhousing (at the center of the engine), but that's not a big deal. You'll probably find lower miles on the newer ones, which is a plus.

cbrodine

Thanks guys...I just found one out of a '99 2wd 3500 truck that I am picking up on Sunday. I wasn't too concerned with mileage since I plan on having the tranny rebuilt before use anyway. I got it for $200 which I didn't think was bad. The tranny works and has 136k on it FWIW. Now I can bolt the tranny to the LQ4 and get some things mocked up and check fitment after I get mounts.

I'll be watching for your build if you post it...Ive read some of the others on here on the early A Bodies.

oldgoat69

Looking forward to another ragtop A-body build. I have an LQ4/4L60E in the GTO. Any assistance I can provide, don't hesitate to ask.

cbrodine

Thanks a lot oldgoat69...I appreciate the help, I'm sure I'll need it.!

oldgoat69

How about some pictures of the subject!

1967BuickGS400

Any updates. X2 on pics.

cbrodine

Ok..time for pics and to get you all caught up to where I am. I started driving in the mid 80's and my first car was a 1969 Buick GS 350 and I bought it for $500. It was a very strong runner for a 350 small block Buick and I had all kinds of fun in that car. Less than a year after I got it, a head gasket blew and the car sat. It sat long enough that my parents gave it away to a fellow co-worker of theirs, to say I was pissed is an understatment, but I always told myself I'd get another 69 GS.
On August 26, 2011 I brought home a 1969 Buick Skylark convertible that I found on Craigslist. The seller wanted $2000 which was a joke considering the shape the car was in. I traded a nice set of wheels/tires for the car
Anyway, heres a few pics of when I brought it home...

cbrodine

Alot, if not most people would have passed this car up. It needed ALOT of work and I knew that. To be honest it's what I wanted, I wanted to bring back a basket case, I wanted a car that would require alot of work, something that would keep me busy for awhile. And it has and does...
From day one I had no plans of making this an all original restoration. This will be my car built the way I want with what I want on it takeing my ideas and those of others to create a badass little street car. Sounds simple enough!

I tore into the car the day after I got it and havent looked back yet. I completely disassembled it and took it down to the frame. I sent the frame off to be media blasted, when I got it back I layed down epoxy primer sealer and some base/clear coat. The frame color is Gun Metal Grey metalic. Its a cool color, something a little different the the normal satin black. Here are some before and after pics...

cbrodine

On to the front suspension...
I bought a set of upper/lower tubular control arms, a UMI front sway bar, a completely new steering linkage set from PST, and a nice set of QA1 shocks. I also installed a set of 2" lowering springs from BellTech. When I got the car the PO already had a disc brake conversion kit one it, so I cleaned/painted a few things and put it back on.
All the new steering componets come unfinished, I hit em with epoxy primer and Eastwood's Ceramic Chassis Black...damn that stuff is nice. I sent my steering gear box off to Chip @ Power Steering Services and had him work his magic. I had him rebuild it with a 12:7.1 fast ratio conversion,a new rag joint and I also had him do what he calls his Extreme Detailing. The gearbox looks great. I could have used something else or bought one cheaper, but I wanted to keep the original to the car.

oldgoat69

Looks great so far, I used the UMI as well. I am very satisfied with the way the car drives. Just wait till you do the convertible top. I can share some tips with you, I replaced my original top last summer. This is not a job for the faint of heart.

psiconversion

iTrader: (5)

Very nice.

Jon
PSI

cbrodine

Thanks for the compliments...
Now on to the rear. I used all UMI Performance components on the rear too. UMI upper and lower tubular control arms and rear sway bar. QA1 Stocker Star shocks and BellTech 2" lowering coil springs, just like in on the front. Originally I had planned on useing the GM 8.2" posi rear end that is original to the car, but have since scrapped that plan. I am now going to use a 9" A body rear from Quick Performance. I can get a complete ready to bolt in houseing w/Moser 31 sline axels, new bearings & etc. shipped to my door for $880.00, I already have a 3.50 posi center section for a 9" rear, so its a no brainer for me. The rear will also have disc brakes, but I havent gotten that far yet. Enjoy the pics...

cbrodine

With the frame and suspension pretty much done it was time to move on to body work. Lets take a look at the floor boards first. The driver and passanger side were shot, as was the driver/passanger floor pan sections under the rear seat.
The trunk was also shot. The trunk floors, gas tank support brackets and the frame mount brackets all had to be replaced. This was alot of work and took alot of time. I also replaced the lower weatherstrip/gutter channel section, it too was rusted out and beat to hell.

cbrodine

New floor pan sections in...

cbrodine

Alot of work done in the trunk...

cbrodine

The rear inner/outter wheel wells needed a little love too, as did the driver side trunk floor drop off. The inner/outter wheel wells were easy, I just ordered some replacements and cut out what I needed. The trunk floor drop off required a little more creativity. Nobody makes a replacement for the 68/69 Buick Skylarks...BUT... a replacement is made for the 70-72 Skylarks, I caught a break and was able to just cut off most off the bottom section as seen in the pics and use it. Lucky for me that was the only rotten part of the trunk floor drop I had to replace.

cbrodine

I've decided to use the BPR Muscle Rods LS swap stuff. I called and talked to Jeff today and ordered what I needed. I'll be using the 64-72 engine mount kit with their transmission cross member for the 4L80E

http://www.brphotrods.com/mm5/mercha...gory_Code=CNV4
I also ordered the headers from them.

http://www.brphotrods.com/mm5/mercha...gory_Code=CNV4


They headers will be here in about 2 weeks and I should have the engine/tranny mount kit next week.


No more pics tonight, I have to work in the morning so my *** is off to bed.

chuckd71

iTrader: (23)

Then after that you get to adjust the windows which is also super fun.

Car looks good, the more the merrier.