The Project Continues:
Update: 5/19/2007
Well five and a half years went fast. Hard to believe racing
went on hold that long. Kid's are older now so Dad can get out and play again.
So the first order of business was to get the carb looked at because it was
running so rough at idle, and it wasn't just the snotty cam. Took it over to Warren's
Car Doctor to have it looked at. They were able to work on the old Rochester
carb and got it running real good. Car also starts much better now. No need to
pump the heck out of the throttle to get it to start. Can't wait to get to the
track this year and ring it out.
Update: 11-17-2001
 Got
to Byron Raceway October 28th. Arrived later than we had planned. Was only able
to get 2 runs in before the days events started. Can't complain though. First
pass was a 13.16 @ 100 mph. Nice hard launch by just dropping the throttle.
Shifted at 5,200 RPM. Second pass a 13.8 @ 100 mph. Bad launch, loaded the
converter a little to flash the RPM's up using the converters stall speed.
Chassis not ready for that move. 60' time was bad because of a lot of wheel spin
even with the slicks. Shifted at the engine builders recommended 5,500 RPM. MPH
was the same on pass 2 so were guessing the higher shift point brought about
more horsepower. Very strong head winds that day up to 20 mph. The '72 Skylark
isn't known for aerodynamics! The wind probably took away a tenth or two. 12's
are definitely on the horizon. Lack of wind and more passes to jet the carb
would have got us there. Still very happy with the 13.16 on a fresh motor
just off the dyno. Carb was jetted in 80 degree temperatures and this race day
was 45 degrees. I'm sure richening the carb would have made for more horses.
Looking forward to next season and the quest for the 12's in a fully optioned
4,000 lb. Buick! Not to mention one that is driven to the track. (While
consuming large amounts of fuel!)
Update: 10-21-2001
 Wow.
Two years of grunge sure take their toll. Time to break out the pressure washer
and prepare the engine compartment for the fresh motor. We found that Krylon
semi flat black spray paint from the local hardware store looks nice on the
engine brackets, etc. We used Eastwood products "Under Hood Black" for
all the radiator core support areas and under the hood. The factory used many
different levels of gloss in their black under hood paint for the various
items.
 The
motor on the hoist ready and waiting for installation. We removed the motor
"race style" leaving the transmission in place, headers hooked up to
the exhaust and wired to the side of the engine compartment. When you have an
optioned out car it makes it difficult to install the motor. Getting the motor
to line up with the transmission bell housing locating pins was tough to say the
least. The valve covers also had to come off because they hit the power brake
booster and the Harrison box for the A/C. After much finagling, the motor was
in.
  The
whole family got involved in installing the motor. Even the kids. Their little
hands come in handy installing those header bolts! A neighbor and my wife helped
drop the motor on it's mounts. She was a big help. I think I'll keep her! The
motor is in and the car is on the street now. I have to take some finished pics
and get them on the site. October 28th I'm going to try to run her at the strip.
Can't wait. Car feels very strong! Well worth the effort.
The Buick Project
The Buick Images
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