Project Junkyard Dog
 

I was working on an 82 Grand Prix, 252, and while up at my local wrecking yard for trim parts, in rolled a 79 Lesabre Sport Coupe. This is 1 of 3582 built in 79, all with a turbo V6 with a q-jet. I got the car for $200. Inspired by Billy Nees' project, as well as a post wanting to build a car all off ebay, project Junkyard Dog is born.

The goal, hit the Q/SA index, and do it with nothing but junkyard and ebay parts.

So far the parts pile has drug up an electric fan from a Taurus, electric water pump drive(used once and removed), 3.73 gears and a posi from an 80's pickup, Holley blue pump and regulator(new), old hurst ratchet shifter, used 10", 3000 stall converter, K&N cone filter, Sunpro tach, boost, and air/fuel gauges (from my ill-fated turbo Mopar) and a pair of 26x8.5x15 slicks I bought for $175 with only 8 passes on them.

I'm bidding on a new carb and MSD 6BTM on ebay now, and the turbo buick forum drug up a rebuilt turbo.

Here's my "before" pic, taken last week. There's 3" of fresh powder out now.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

This sounds like a fun project, what is the Q index?

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

13.80. At my home track, if I can run that (4100ft), I'll be alright!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

At our alitiude (4165 ft), I'm shooting for a 14.37. If I add weight to fall to R, make it a 14.60.

I found out we're getting a Div. 6 National Open August 24th and 25th, so once it warms up outside a little I'll be digging hard. I'll have from May until then to get this barge dailed in...

If anyone else has turbo Buick experience, I'd sure love to hear what you have to say!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I love it ! we had one about 83 ran great until the turbo quit working.---Trevor

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Well, Junkyard Dog is still sitting, got all the mouse stuff and misc. cleaned out, including 2 8-track players and an extra 15x7 Buick Rally, and found an otherwise very clean, zero rust, 63K mile, 2 owner car, purchased new at my local Buick dealer in 1979. I did manage to cannibalize a turbo Riviera of its long block this weekend, but little else. I am currently at training for work, so I won't see it again until the end of the month, then it's time to get really dirty!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Update: scored a turbo, carb, and carb hat off the TurboBuick forums, as well as some more reading material. I plan to pull the motor from the car this weekend, and see what I have to work with. More pics to come...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

That's a good scrounge! Keep up the good work! You'll have to put the 2V on the car and we can have a U/SA, "Dime Rocket" match race!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Thanks Billy! You are my inspiration for this!

I wonder if I can even find a 2bbl plenum though...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

If I could even find a 2bbl, I'd have to make it a 78, and then it gets crappy heads, but since I mentioned I'm working on a V6, they're coming out of the woodwork! I now have an 80 Riv, 79 Turbo Riv motor, and a 78 Skyhawk 4spd, plus another 4.1 and 3.8!

Guess I should have started with a Buick all along!!!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Update: While I await my turbo and exhaust manifolds from the powdercoater (free from a buddy), I have started to clean the interior out. The seats are icky, but I'm torn between using a pair of aftermarket buckets up front, and putting in a 4pt bar and eliminating the back seat, even though it's a full frame car and it probably wouldn't help much at the power I'm making. Either that, or I need to reupholster or find replacements for my stock seats...

What the hell was I thinking?! nevermind, I'll rob a better set from another sedanin the wrecking yard!

Derailed by snow again this week though, so we'll try again next weekend!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

If I don't spend another dime on this car, I am at $1230 in parts/car. Of course, the paint still looks terrible, and the interior stinks. It's also on stock ralleys, with some wal-mart 195/75R15 front radials. I also need to do the screws to the rear bushings, and I did spring for a new pair of rear stock replacement shocks.

Another cheapie tip: want to upgrade your HEI, but you have an oddball car they don't offer one cheap for? Buy a cheapier performance one off ebay ($40) and raid the coil, module, and advance from it. I used a non-turbo HEI from a 79 V6 and a cheapie HEI to make my hi-po one.

I will post pics soon.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

If you want to save $$$ on the paint check out your local hardware store and look for some rustoleum in the quart sized cans. I think I paid less than $10 per quart. 2 would probably be enough if you use a dark color. I thinned it about 30% and used a cheap HVLP gun.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Thanks for the idea! I'll look around today!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Well, didn't work on the car, but I scored a front and rear seat from an 84 Lesabre 4dr in good shape for $20, and a gallon of silver paint from Ace that was dented, which was donated.

Next weekend, pics.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

One of NHRAs quirky rules is that you can't use a 4 door seat in a 2 door car! It has to be a split seat.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Crap! I'll use the front seat to rebuild the foam in mine I guess?

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

With the new rules, I would use a cheap set of racing seats. A lot of times you can find them from the old dirt trackers for pennies on the dollar.

If you cant find any let me know and I will see what I can find.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I had given that some thought, but ultimately decided I should clean up what's there and save the money. I'm going to replace the old rear with this one and use the foam from the front to fix mine stock seats, then throw some cheapy covers on it and call it good.

I gave myself a $1500 cap on this beast.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

It might be cheaper to get the seats. I found some here locally for $25 a piece. I know shipping them there might be a little pricey, but I would definitely give it a look!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

The problem with a racing seat in a lower class Stocker is that you have no roll bar to mount the seat to. How are you going to support the seat back?

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I was assuming that he was going to install his own roll bar. In a lower class car are you not able to mount the seat to the floor? I see it at my local tracks all the time.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

General Regulations-6:2

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

My wife thinks she can fix the seat cover, and I'll cut the foam from the 4dr seat to suit my driver's bottom cushion and firm it up, and I'll use the rear bottom I just got, and should be ok. But thanks for the heads up!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Seat is fixed, but that's all I've done thus far. I did score a set of 15x7 centerlines for $80 though. I also weeded my mess out, except for enough pieces to build another 3.8 turbo longblock and 2 Metric 200s. Made a little cash, and a LOT of room!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Does anyone have some old Nitro Joe stats, to see if anyone has ever run this combo before, and if so, how fast they got?

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Sent a PM to Nitro Joe maybe he can help you out.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Just ask...

No....only in a Regal , about 30 years ago

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Thanks Mark. I was curious.

I should add to this project, that not only am I doing it on a budget, except for the small shop attached to my house (which is only big enough to do engine and trans work inside), the rest of this car is being built in a carport, in Montana. Mother Nature decided my weekend should be spent indoors, 35mph winds and rain/snow are no fun to work in.

So, if I can make this happen with no shop and this budget, ANYONE can!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Good luck with it keep us posted.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Not much to report, except I came a across an MSD 6-BTM and 2-step off craigslist for $160, and since this thing can shift itself, I sold my ratchet shifter for $100. It's still snowing, so I am at a mild standstill.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

That was your best investment so far...

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Well I got a little done today before Mother Nature revolted, the engine compartment is ready for the pressure washer and some rattle can flat black. I threw in a couple newer pics, how about that patina? I kinda wanna keep it...

I also made a run to the wrecking yard, and scored a couple pieces I need, which lead to my cheap tips of the day:
Need a high output coil? Check out a TFI coil on a fuel injected 5.0 Ford. They're 40,000 volts and fairly compact. I got one for $5
Need a cheap GM mini starter? Try a 94-98 GM pickup 350, 96-98 S-10 or Blazer 4.3, or 97-98 Astro. Compact, gear-reduction, and in my case, $10!
I also threw in a pic of my 95 Cougar electric fan, fits a GM radiator perfectly.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Good Buzzard!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Well, the Dog is plumbed and wired, suspension is all done, and the short block is awaiting a cam (HUGE thanks to Bob Shaw). Heads are almost ready to pick up too. I went through the th350 with a new seal kit, filter, and B&M shift kit. When the motor goes in I will update next.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I would like to thank Tony Massari and Bob Shaw for all of their help with info and parts in this build, I would be WAY off without their advice! I especially need to thank you Billy Nees for your inspiration and guidance. Without it I doubt I would have ever seriously tackled this project. Our season opens in June and I can't wait for the payoff!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Hey, with those two involved you're probably going to have to figure out how to slow it down to keep from getting HP!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I dig it!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Mike, check your PM's

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Just a quick update on the 'Dog, car is all plumbed and wired, and the interior shampooed and I recovered the headliner ($1 worth of fabric from a yard sale), but then I hit a snag: the posi I got, is 30 spline, not 28. Time to choose, find a 28 spline 8.5" posi on the super cheap, or just use an airbag in the RR. That, and getting the drivetrain in, and its payoff time!