NHRA. - APPROVED
MODIFYING TOUCHES FOR
THE
GRAN
SPORT
SKYLARK
The
New Buick Sizzler ..................................................................................................................
A Howitzer with Windshield Wipers
..
400 Cu
IN
445 lb. ft. of
Torque
.
325 bhp
. .
Performance
and Economy Kits
.
The Track Mans -- Gran Sport H.
R.
BUICK SKYLARK GRAN
SPORT
COPY
From The Pits
by
Art Lauring
Buick v-8 inspired Gran Sport Skylark in street trim is hotter than the
proverbial two-dollar pistol. With a few, NHRA-Approved, modifying touches in engine,
suspension and the use of special tires, a coupe and convertible, fielded by
Southland dealers, are raking in drag trophies right and left.
Running according to established NHRA (National Hot Rod
Association) rules, the Buick Gran Sport is owned by
Reynolds Buick of West Covina and chauffeured by Lennie
Kennedy. The G. S. defeated a Class B field of 15 opponents which included a
Corvette, Pontiac GTOs, and Olds 442 Plymouths, a
brace of Fords and three Chevies.
The scene of action was the San Fernando Drag Strip. The
Reynolds Gran Sport coupe equipped with a
Super Turbine automatic transmission did the standing-quarter at 101.81 mph in
14.04 seconds. (On another strip this car turned 1024. mph in 13.24.2
seconds.)
Competition never knew what hit em.
And to prove that the Gran Sport convert, a heavier
machine which runs in Class C, is almost as agile - give or
take a few mph - the rag-top hustled by Ralph Bergeron for
Boulevard Buick of Long Beach turned the standing quarter in 14.56 seconds at
98.15 mph. (an another strip this car turned 101 mph in 13.7 seconds.)
Both machines use turbine transmissions. Their competition had
either three or four-cog syncros and automatic
transmissions. NHRA aficionados (plus sports car buffs) have always
insisted that manual shifting is the only way to fly. Now theyre not too sure.
In standard trip the Gran Sport
is a sizzler. With a few legal touches, permissible according to NHRA spec,
she becomes a land-bound missile.
The boys in the backroom who should
know, prepare these cars in the following manner:
-2-
The block of 11.00 cubic-inched, quad-carbed
OHV V-8 is machined to bring the engine up to NHRA specs with a deck clearance
of .028. Cylinder head volume can be compressed by machining each slab to .123
cubic centimeters per jug.
While hot enough, the four-barreled carb
can be made even more so by the use of special metering rods ranging from .050, .054
.056
.058, to .060 on the power step. The judicious use of these rods to control power
mixtures can compensate for the ambient day temperature when the car runs in
competition. Recommended rod sizes are .050 for brisk weather and .060 for a hot
day.
Another goodie to embellish carburetion is the use of
secondary jets one size richer for more instant go.
Intake manifold gaskets are available which further
increases competition drag performance. These babies are steel, minus exhaust ports
and neatly block off heat passages. And lest someone holler foul7
let it be known that the NHRA condones THIS as well as everything mentioned
elsewhere in this summary.
An off-set key, 2.5 to 4
degrees retarded, is recommended for high performance. It also should be
remembered that valve-spring tension tends to relax after the engine has been
run The tension-loss can be as much as 6 pounds.
Spring tensions can be returned to standard by the use
of valve spring shims of .606 thickness. Bear in mind that NHRA doesnt
permit tensions of over 52 pounds on outer springs and 31 pounds on inner
springs closed heights, respectively.
The basic objective of maintaining proper spring tension is to
prevent hydraulic lifter pump-up at high engine revs. This is a condition where
the valves float. And for serious leadfeet such a
situation is endsville insofar as scoring results go.
Proper preparation of a Gran Sport (or
any other car, for that matter) calls for attention to the ignition. The
distributor rib-advance on the initial
-3-
setting of two and one-half
degree, plus centrifugal, should not exceed 31 degrees total engine advance.
The vacuum unit is not in operation during full power.
The transmission also rates a second-look. To maintain the
proper shift curve relative to rpms on the automatic, one spring can be
removed from the governor weight without incurring NHRA wrath. And since the
rear-end cogs are of prime importance it can be noted that gears up to 3.73 can
be optioned by purchasers. For extra launch, ratios of 3.9 or 11.30 can be
either specially ordered from the factory or else installed, following
delivery, by the dealer. If a Gran Sport owner is
serious enough about competition to go this far, he should also consider
a positraction differential as a MUST.
Being able to tear down the chute in
trophy-gathering time can be materially assisted by proper suspension.
Super-Lift Delco shock absorbers are highly recommended and can be installed at
dealer level with separate valves and hoses. Those in the know recommend 50
pounds of air for the right side and seven to 10 pounds for portside.
Actually these shocks are comparatively inexpensive considering their extreme
value not only for competition but heavy loads imposed by trailers or
weightily-laden trunks. Be that as it may, the Gran
Sport should not be operated with super-lifts equipped with less than seven pounds
of air in each shock. This will prevent wear or damage to the rubber
boot on this fine equipment.
If youre in earnest, special tires are necessary: seven inch
tread with a maximum diameter of 28.8 inches.
Anything larger or smaller will change rear-end gear ratios. Extra size
tires or skins too small merely louses up rear-end ratios.
Headers on exhaust manifold can be hogged out which
could provide perhaps an additional 2 or 3 mile-per-hour
worth of performance.
Gran Sport buyers are generally
in the 20 to 30 year bracket. They could not care less for power-assists but do
go for the following:
Chrome wheels; positraction
differentials with 3.73, 3.9, or 4.30 ratios; automatic transmissions (although
the cars can be ordered with all syncoed H.D.
three or four-speed manual stick-shifts); two-toned exterior paint jobs and
chromed or aluminum rocker-arm covers and chromed air cleaners.
Like the man sez; the street Gran Sport is a sizzler. To convert it into a trophy-gleaning block-buster,
factory-available items such as we have listed here can be acquired at minimal
cost. The Hot Rod Set is the In Group (Crowd), automotively
speaking. And the 65 Skylark Gran Sport,
particularly with the preparations mentioned, is rapidly becoming Number One on
their hit parade.
BUICK GRAN
SPORT SKYLARK
PERFORMANCE
AND ECONOMY
KITS
GROUP
CONSISTS OF 3
KITS
KIT #1
This kit gives the most outstanding performance increase at a
minimum of expense.
The car can be ordered with this equipment on it, or installed
at a dealer level by the use of the following part numbers:
1. Gear set 3.73, part
number 13961417.
2. Gear set 3.9, part
number 13961116.
3. Gear set 4.30, part
number 1396415.
Positraction unit
assembly to match gear set is a must. Case number 1396430.
NOTE: It is recommended
that tires with a 6.5 to 7 cheater slick
tread be used
for maximum traction. They may be purchased from Goodyear Store.
BUICK GRAN
SPORT SKYLARK
PERFORMANCE
MID ECONOMY
KITS
GROUP
CONSISTS OF 3
KITS
KIT #2
NOTE: It
is suggested that all parts recommended in Kit #1 be used in conjunction with
Kit #2.
1. Camshaft
1173318 for better RPM performance.
Camshaft (65 2x4 cam)
Camshaft ___________
2. Intake
manifold gasket #1173705. To increase volumetric efficiency.
NOTE: The
above items will increase H. P. and performance 3 H. P. at 4400 RPM.
BUICK GRAN
SPORT SKYLARK
PERFORMANCE
MID ECONOMY
KITS
GROUP
CONSISTS OF 3
KITS
KIT #3
NOTE: It
is suggested that all parts, using Kit #1 and #2, be used in Kit #3 in order to
achieve maximum performance in economy.
1. Pistons # installed
with Kit #1 and #2 will result in a H. P. increase at 4400 RPM of 15 H.P.
This will increase the 325 H. P. engine to a 340 H. P. engine.
2. Dual
four-barrel carburetor linkage, gaskets, fittings, air cleaner, and manifold
will increase H. P. at 4400 RPM to 13 H. P. This will increase the 325 H. P.
engine to 338 H. P. total.
The
result total increase with all units installed as suggested is (28 H. P.) or an
increase from 325 H. P. to 353 H. P.
Letter
from Lenny Kennedy
Related parts that can be used in order to achieve maximum performance
and economy:
1. Exhaust
headers and draft tubes available through Reynolds Buick in West Covina, Calif. for
Buick Gran Sport Skylark.
2. Valve
springs shims .060 thick, Reynolds Buick or any large auto parts supplier.
3. Cheater-slick
tires on 6 wide rims is necessary for maximum traction a
14" tire 28 diameter x 7 wide will give the desired results. Specia1 Goodyear Tires available from Barnes and Delaney Tire Co.,
Long Beach, Calif.
4. It
will be necessary to remove 1 governor spring and drill two 1/4" holes in
the two large governor flyweights in order to have the automatic transmission
shift out of low at 5500 RPM.
5. In
order to improve shift speed drill the hi-clutch feed passage in the valve body
plate to .125 (it is now approx., .098).
6. Distributor
advance should be start 350 RPM and 130 at 1700 RPM (distributor test lab.) speed, and go to 3000 RPM without indicating point
float on Strobelight in lab.
7. Carburetor
jetting AFB Carter at sea level 8o deg temperature should be .o86 secondary
main jets, and .050 to .050 on power step of primary
metering rods. (.056 or .058 can be used during warmer weather or higher
altitude). The needle seats can be changed to Rochester .125 (needle and seat
if 2 gaskets are used. on each seat and the floats re-calibrated to factory
recommendation).
The camshaft, gear ratios, altitude, and type of exhaust headers will
influence fuel mixtures. If the car speed increases when the air cleaner is
installed this indicates the fuel mixture is on the lean side.
8. Super
lift shocks are also recommended on rear. Inflate right side to
50 lbs. and left side to 7 lbs. for best traction on rapid performance
weight transfer.
In order to level the car, use 2 rubber spacers between coils of each
front spring. Reset caster, camber and toe-in.
9. The
standard exhaust manifold are very good if they are
ported at the head location and matched to the head parts. The heat valve
should be removed and shaft holes plugged approx., 4' long x 2 1/8 draft tubes
seem to give best top-end performance and exhaust scavenging.
10. A
speedo gear adapter is necessary in order to correct speedo readings.
11. A
1368091 cam with 2.5 deg retarded key is good for top-end.
12. A
1963 Wildcat tachometer mounted on the mass jacket is also desireable.
13. The shipping weights are 4427=3395lbs., 4437=3407 lbs., and
4467=3449 lbs.
14. Standard
H. P.-325. The Dual Quad carburetion, pistons and camshaft=353 HP total.
NOTE: Above
all else when everything is done to perfection, but a little more improvement
is necessary, always have a good prayer or two on hand. Horse sense and
experience will also help to overcome obstacles.
p. 
.