Project Junkyard Dog

Joe Toller · 12-24-2012, 05:41 PM

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.

Glenn Hayes · 12-24-2012, 06:13 PM

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

Joe Toller · 12-24-2012, 07:20 PM

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

Joe Toller · 12-31-2012, 11:25 PM

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!

tj310 · 01-02-2013, 10:47 AM

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

Joe Toller · 01-08-2013, 07:53 PM

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!

Joe Toller · 02-11-2013, 08:22 PM

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...

Billy Nees · 02-12-2013, 08:58 AM

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!

Joe Toller · 02-12-2013, 09:12 PM

Thanks Billy! You are my inspiration for this!

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

Joe Toller · 02-16-2013, 07:35 PM

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!!!

12-24-2012, 05:41 PM	#1
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	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. Attached Thumbnails

12-24-2012, 06:13 PM	#2
Glenn Hayes Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 348 Likes: 416 Liked 18 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Project Junkyard Dog This sounds like a fun project, what is the Q index? __________________ "Real Race Cars Have Tailgates"

12-24-2012, 07:20 PM	#3
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Project Junkyard Dog 13.80. At my home track, if I can run that (4100ft), I'll be alright!

12-31-2012, 11:25 PM	#4
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	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!

01-02-2013, 10:47 AM	#5
tj310 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dresden On. Canada Posts: 460 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Project Junkyard Dog I love it ! we had one about 83 ran great until the turbo quit working.---Trevor

01-08-2013, 07:53 PM	#6
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	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!

02-11-2013, 08:22 PM	#7
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	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...

02-12-2013, 08:58 AM	#8
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,218 Likes: 3,091 Liked 6,772 Times in 1,519 Posts	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! __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS Make tech "TECH" again!

02-12-2013, 09:12 PM	#9
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Project Junkyard Dog Thanks Billy! You are my inspiration for this! I wonder if I can even find a 2bbl plenum though...

02-16-2013, 07:35 PM	#10
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	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!!!