My 72 Buick Skylark Ls conversion build
Thread Starter
Teching In
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From: Oregon
My 72 Buick Skylark Ls conversion build Well guys my Skylark has been in the family since new. My grandfather bought it just a few months before I was born. The 350 is tired, so I've opted to bring it up to modern power and better MPG. bought a 05 5.3L/4L60E out of a truck and will be performing my first LS swap into the car. I look forward to learning a lot from you guys during this build, and I hope you enjoy mine. Here is a pic of my car and the donor engine.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1370987312
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1370987357
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1370987359
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1370987312
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1370987357
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1370987359
Last edited by Anythinggm; Jun 11, 2013 at 04:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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From: Oregon
I have parts coming in daily.. I went with the BRP swap kit crossmember, mounts, CTS oil pan, girdle plate, and mid-length headers. I went with Tanks Inc for their EFI tank and pump. I just sent out the harness and ECM to get reworked/reprogrammed. I hope to get started with tear down/removal of old motor next week. Of coarse I will post pics. 
Thread Starter
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From: Oregon
Not to much new to report unfortunately, But I have been cleaning up the new motor and making it look a little more like it belongs in a muscle car. Repainted the block, installed the new oil pan, painted the valve covers in Buick red and hung one exhaust header on for photo op teaser.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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From: Oregon
Well I was able to get the old motor out, So I'm still moving forward.. I do have a question for you guys that have done these conversions in A-bodies. This is a truck motor with the tall intake. IF I have to change it out to a car style what year and model series will work? Will my truck throttle body work? I read that I will have to get or modify alternator clearance brackets.
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Brett Foote Thread Starter
Teching In
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From: Oregon
Thread Starter
Teching In
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From: Oregon
Couple more updates, nothing to exciting. I've been pretty busy on a couple of other projects, one being I bought my wife a car she has wanted for a long time a 1965 Impala 2dr Hardtop. Its a project and with most projects the excitement of something new has had me occupied off my skylark project. So the Intake is looking good for clearance as well as the power steering pump pulley has plenty of clearance which I was pleasantly surprised to find out.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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From: Oregon
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2013
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From: Oregon
So here are some updates. The expanded Trans tunnel is stitched up, seam sealed and undercoated. I cut down and reformed the DBW gas pedal to fit comfortably and has a really nice feeling range of motion. Most all the engine wire harness is routed and plugged in. Radiator is back in and radiator hose are installed. I'm using the original radiator with a flex-a-lite 480 dual electric fans. I got my high pressure power steering hose made at my local hose shop. Currently working on trying to come up with a cold air intake.
Thread Starter
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From: Oregon
Some more pics, and a note that may help others installing a truck motor lm7 the truck's stock radiator hoses worked perfectly with my stock radiator.
Last edited by Anythinggm; Mar 18, 2014 at 10:41 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: Oregon
Some updates. I was working on a cold air intake to route over to the drivers side fender pocket but did not like the interference of the upper radiator hose. So I ditched the stock radiator for a LS swap radiator from Griffin that puts inlet and outlet on the passenger side plus a steam port fitting just under the upper hose. That gave me free rain access to run my intake tube where I wanted it.
I also got the exhaust system done with the o2 sensor installed and a H-pipe. Than I moved onto the fuel system. New tank, fuel filter/regulator and hoses. here are some pics for your enjoyment.
I also got the exhaust system done with the o2 sensor installed and a H-pipe. Than I moved onto the fuel system. New tank, fuel filter/regulator and hoses. here are some pics for your enjoyment.