Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

wrong post.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Well, I found a way around my posi dilemma, turns out the 91-96 GM sedans had the same length axles, but in 30 spline, so $25 scored me a pair of axles from a 92 Caddy. The rearend is now done!

This weekend, hopefully I can wrap up the engine and be ready to drop it in.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I don't see where you mentioned the transmission. Did I miss it?

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

For now its the original TH350, non lockup, with a rebuild and B&M shift kit. I plan on having it shift itself around 5500 with governor tweaking. The converter is a 10". Hughes part #GM40, which should hopefully stall around 3400 or so.
I am all ears for suggestions though...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

You may not need the 2.74 200 so much with the torque of the turbo motor, but the overall loss of et with the bigger trans, would be measurable. I'm sure the B&M kit will slow it down even more LOL
No comment on your current converter..

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

So the shift kit was a bad idea? There is time to correct this, so assuming I keep the 350, what would you do, converter also? Mind you I'm on a budget...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

As much as I like to be helpful , I do this stuff for a living so I have to be cautious here.
I WILL say that there are other ways to firm up the shifts on a T350, rather than leaving out the check balls and jacking up the line pressure.
I DO need some GM interior parts from a Northern car, so maybe we can work a trade.
I wouldn't have to check with the boss to do that.

The converter is easy. Just ask Neil Smedley about our turbo converters.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Pm me with what parts you need and let's see what we can do! Thanks Mark!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I set the Super Stock / MA record @ 11.15 with a stock T350 and B&M Shift Improver Kit. Tried 1500$ lite weight - low gear- low drag - etc.... 11.20's :)

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Well, things will get pushed back to August, so I might as well do things right within reason. Going to make the switch to a 200 probably, thanks Mark! Also, since I have a great machine shop sponsor and time, going to have the block bored .040 over (bought a legal set of pistons for $60!) and have the crank worked over as well. Things will be at an idle, but maybe some good deals will come my way and I can make some upgrades. If I find a cheap pair of 15x4 front wheels, I will switch to those and front runners, even if I have to change rotors (I have a 5x5 pattern now). Otherwise I am pretty much just waiting on motor and a final decision on trans work.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

The new budget: $2013.

Engine will go .040 over, .013 offset on the crank, balanced and decked.
Trans will be a TH200.
Turbo will be unmodified, exhaust manifolds will get a little work.

The target date for its debut is August 9th, a test and tune at the local track. Then i have two weeks to brainstorm, cuss, fix things, or who knows what before the National Open!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Dog update: work has been nuts so progress is spotty, early morning and late nights mostly. I do finally have pretty much all the parts I need thanks to ebay and the salvage yard.

I swapped to steel wheels, for two reasons, 1) I needed a narrower front and wider rear wheel (The wheels on it were 15x7), and 2) I sold them for $250 (I had 80 in them). I sold the aluminum wheels on craigslist, and went scrounging and got 2 steel 15x6 front and 2 15x8 white spoke wheels from the salvage yard, mounted, for $20. All that's left there is do I keep them white, or go black, or silver? I know, big decisions!

Engine will be assembled on some late nights this weekend, and trans next, then we install and button it up!

Back to work! Thunderstorms with heavy rain and sewer plants don't get along...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Billy Nees - Thanks for the heads up on the front seat rule, you can't use a bench from a 4 door sedan. Tha's what i was looking to do with my 65 impala. Oh well, might as well use the buckets or find a split 2 door seats.

Will Lamprecht
65 Impala

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Engine is back from the machine shop. I am headed to pick it up now. Cleaning and reassembly begin! Hopefully I will be assembling my TH200 next week, and then we hit the home stretch!

Thanks again for everyone's help and encouragement!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Had a fantastic chat with Neil Smedley...got a ton of info...need to make a couple changes, so I'm at a slight delay while getting some different parts and moving some old ones, but this will all be WELL worth it!

Still shooting for an August 9th debut though...

Mother Nature says I should stay inside today and watch the World Footbrake Challenge instead...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Trans is apart and cleaned; just waiting on a new sprag, shortblock is assembled, made some alterations to the ignition and carb per Neil Smedley, gauges and wiring are done, all that's left is finish trans, bolt to motor, and put it in.

But, the budget is running thin (my budget number and the family budget number had to meet in the middle) , and work is keeping me running. Will I finish it? One way or another. Will it get all I need/want for it? Probably not. Such is life...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

By the way, make sure when working on a project such as this, that you hit Mark Yacavone up at Blue Streak Torque Converters. Great guy, will help you out on setup as well as the converter. Thanks to Mark the 'Dog will see the track in optimal form!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

But, in that span of time, I have been able to continue to work with Mark on my converter, as well as make some money selling some of the items I got for my car on ebay, even after buying replacements for them. So, except for the converter, I have all the parts I need in my possession, except for maybe a 29 or 30" tall pair of slicks, which would be better suited to my combo. I can worry about that later. I will have one race left at my home track in late September, and I'd love to see what the car is capable of before winter...unless I pull a miracle out!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Lesson number 1 for the newbie stocker builder: It will not get done as soon as you hope, especially if you are on a tight budget!

That being said, I won't be racing at National Open, but getting to announce the whole weekend and see what it's about will be well worth it. I can't wait to get back to work on my beast!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Well, the Open has passed, and work is slowing down, so I can safely say: The 'Dog will attempt to run, Sept. 28-29th, last race of the season. I am going to sneak in some time-only passes. I will have total cost and times the following week, good or bad! Just need to square up on my converter and slide the trans in!

Thanks for all the support and advice, especially, Billy Nees, Neil Smedley, Mark Yacavone, and Bob Shaw!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Question, how picky are they on appearance? Is something like a broken rf turn signal lens a deal-breaker, or bad paint (I love my patina) even if the car is straight and rust-free?
How about Grilles? I need a 78 anyway...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Where do you find someone that will grind a crank that way ? ....

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

You will have to send it to someone that specializes in cranks. Someone like Mile High, Lunati, I am sure there are several more.

Sean

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Theres a pretty good shop about 100 miles north of me, where my maching shop farms out their crank work. Automotive Machine is their name.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Good point..
Boom for the Buck you are correct, get only 1 or 2 more cu in.

However it will provide extra compression.
An improvement differential of .026 in
Like putting on a thinner gasket.

Dan

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

True, and odds are as I put more boost to it, I will hurt it. There's not alot of meat in a Buick V6 crank to begin with. Looking back I probably could have done without it, but I also expect, as this is a learning experience, that this motor may not last anyway. That's why I have enough parts to build 2 more lol...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I have decided it will be best to make this car a 78, better HP break that way. I scored a correct 78 intake and new turbo (to keep as a spare) off Craigslist for $300. The heads are at the machine shop now. It will make a neat comparo, as the car is currently set up as a 79. As long as the weatherman is wrong and it doesn't snow tonight (yep), I should have numbers this weekend!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

My guy in Lynden will offset grind one for you.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Well, this has been a frustrating journey to say the least. Finally get ready to go racing...and mother nature wins. Moisture (snow) on Friday meant cool wet Saturday and no racing for me, Sunday meant 50mph crosswinds. So, being that was the last race in Montana for 2013, I wait for next year. I will put it in indoor storage, and hope for the best.

Unless someone wants to buy it? I think this car, or at least the racing gods, hate me...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

You need to move out of Montana don't sell it hang in there.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I'm just really bummed I didn't get to run it. It seemed like nothing would go my way once I got done collecting parts and started building!

2014 is a LOOONNGGG ways away for me!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

This car hates me, or is cursed! Went to put it away for the year, broke the windshield. Between all the hold-ups during the build, then hustling to finally get it done only to lose to the weather, I swear either this car doesn't want to be a race car or some higher power doesn't want me racing it!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Well, if you ever want to build one of these carb turbo Buicks as a "dime rocket" or a budget build...don't. They can be done, but not cheaply. I should have known better; the wife said this car had bad juju. The parts are just not out there. I can also tell you, do NOT offset grind a Buick V6 crank, they will try to come apart. I am lucky mine didn't. I am aborting this project, it's been nothing but bad luck and over budget and honestly, not fun anymore. I am working with a U/SA Ford for now, I will not give up on a budget build, but I think I will stay V8 and naturally aspirated. Thanks for all the replies and support on this adventure. The body is headed off to be restored to a fresh car, the rest, not sure yet...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Sorry to hear you've given up on this project, but I understand. I was going to get back into Stock 4 years ago - had a 66 Chevelle 300 4 door. Bought a 69 Camaro to run instead because I could use a 4 speed, but when NHRA lowered the indexes I got discouraged. Camaro was becoming a money pit so I sold it and got almost all my money back. Glad to hear you're pursuing another one.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I am bound and determined to run Stock; I need to quit trying to reinvent the wheel and have something no one else has, and stick to the basics that work and do them well. I will stick to a simple, light chassis with moderate parts availability, a small V8 I can find replacement parts for, and keep it simple and fun! I don't want a record, I just wanna qualify and race!

I need to remind myself of this as I get into a project, I am my own worst enemy...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

YOU need to focus and stick to one thing. If you think that a Maverick is easier than a Buick then you're in for quite a learning experience. You're going to find that the hardest part of doing a Ford is finding specific part numbers that are 40+ years old. At least a V6 Buick is a V6 Buick except for maybe the intakeand heads and they're quite common. Good luck and I hope you're new project gets finished and works well for you.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

You are 200% correct Billy, I have to work on my focus. I am my own worst enemy. I need to fix that first before turning another wrench.

One odd thing though, 70s-8os Ford 302 parts are very easy to find in this area. At one time in my demo derby days (which fit my car ADD since I had to build a new one all the time), I had a huge 302 stash, which my local junkyard has now. Buick V6 is not bad either, except for Turbo parts; they are almost non-existent. The 79 heads and the 78 and 79 intakes are one-year only, that was my worst hold up, and frustrating parts. Nobody had them, and if they did they wanted a mint for them. If I am ever gonna do this I do need, and want, to keep it on a tight budget. I don't expect it to be any easier, I don't want to be a #1 qualifier, but I do want some challenge and to make something that shouldn't go quick do just that, I just need to remove my head from my butt!

I have some reflecting to do before I build, maybe I am not cut out for this...I hope I didn't waste too much of anyones time with advice...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Mods, if you want to spare folks you could delete this thread.

I am clearing out the yard and garage and walking away for awhile.

Thanks for everyone's help, it has meant alot.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

IMHO, a late '70s 305 2-bbl would be an easy combination. Lots of bodies; heads and intakes will be the hardest parts to find, but the 450 heads were used on everything and for several years.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Round #2 of fatherly advice, you haven't wasted our time as we'd be talking about all of this stuff between ourselves anyway.
What you DO need to do is, while you're reflecting, pick ONE thing, ONE car that runs NOW. Get it to a racetrack and make it go up and down the track. Throw some Hot-Rod tricks at it and find out what it likes and dis-likes If that ONE car is your buddies Maverick then, fine. DON'T drag home a project that you know nothing about that doesn't run and try resurrecting it. Stock/SS racers are a very helpful bunch when it comes to others trying our combos but we're not going to come to your shop and put it together for you and we're not going to pay you to do it. You're still going to have a learning curve.
Dwight just gave you a very good,simple, easy to find combo if the Maverick isn't a runner. Realistically, ANY 2V 305 Chevy or 2V 302 Ford is a very simple combo to make run well BUT get one that already runs, take it to a track and drive it. Good things are worth waiting for.