Engine rebuild for my 66 Riviera

I am interested in finding out the cost an engine rebuild on my 425 would be. Can anyone direct me to someone that is reputable and knows their stuff when it comes to the 425? I live in southern Colorado.

If I were you, the first thing I'd do is read the applicable tech articles on Russ Martin's website - link attached. Then I'd call him and ask him if he knows of anyone who might be a reputable nailhead engine builder in your area. He knows a lot of guys from selling hard to find parts.

http://nailheadbuick.com/

Your '66 Riviera has a unique carburetor setup from any other nailhead - including other non-Riviera '66's, and it's also the only year that Buick used valve seals on the intake valves; no other nailheads have any seals. This will at least give you a place to start.

T. Nuegent just finished rebuilding a nailhead and told me that he spend about $2,400 0n parts and about the same for machine work. Russ quoted him about $5,500 for a complete rebuild, plus the cost of freight to and from California in addition to everything else.

1) It ain't cheap

2) Very few people are qualified to rebuild one - read Russ's comments

3) parts are hard to find and expensive when you do find them

4) If you're buying parts of eBay, make sure you know exactly what you need - again read Russ's comments on the number of different configurations of nailheads over the years. eBay Sellers have a tendency to think that all nailheads are the same throughout the years from 1953 - 1966.

Ed

Thanks, I found a great deal of informaton on the website. I knew that a rebuild would be rather expensive and not everyone could pull it off but there is something about a Riv that totally makes it worth it. I will have to contact Russ to find out more concerning my 425. Thanks again for all the help!

Jake

The Riviera Owners Assn has a team of tech advisors who are also tech savvy who might have some ideas. Problem with that is that they're available to Riviera Owners Assn members. But the dues to join the ROA are measly at $30.00 per year. Their magazine is chocked full of tech tips and parts resources.

There's a link to the ROA website in my signature.

Let us on the forum know a little more about you, your car, and where you're from.

Ed

Be sure to find someone who knows your engine. I am redoing a motor know that had been rebuilt by someone who, knew modern cars ard Chevy 350 motors.

It took a couple of little "tells" while preparing the motor to go in to decide to treat it apart and check everything.

Lets start with a basic, timing gears were not lined up at TDC. They were though when using the front cylinder on the driver side.

Lots of other items similar that made me redo the assembly and balancing of the engine.

I hate having to pay twice for things but that is what happened this time.

Thanks Ed! I looked into the ROA and I will be joining shortly for sure. It's awesome to see so many Buick lovers out there. I am sure with a little help I will be able to get my Riv running and looking the way I want it to. My buick of course is a 1966 Riviera GS with with the wildcat 465 package, A/C, Power Seats, and Cruise Control . As far as I can tell given the information on the block it is the 425 nailhead. I purchased the car and received two engines the one inside the 66 now and the second on the side plus a ton of extra parts. The second engine on the side has matching numbers as the car so obviously the last owner swapped it but still saved it. I still need to check a couple other things to make sure it is what I think it is but so far it does look good. Thanks for the advice I am going to get some pictures soon and post them when I can. Thanks

Jake

Thanks Bill for the advice. I agree I hate paying twice for things as well but it happens. If I had to tear it apart to check everything again to be sure, I would've also. I think with help here and the ROA I will be able to find someone who knows what they are doing. Thanks again.

Jake

Jake,

Welcome to the forum! You are already ahead of the curve by coming here seeking advice. As stated, nailheads require specific knowledge vs the common Ford and chevy engine most shops are skilled at building. Its not that they are complicated, but rather have a few dos and don'ts to be aware of. Competant shops that rebuild more common engines can do a nailhead, they just need to be informed in certain areas and you can be the one to do that. So before entrusting a shop for a rebuild, it is good to educate yourself on nailhead rebuilding so you can become PART of the rebuild process helping guide the shop rather than assuming the shop knows what to do and giving them free will. Its always better to work with a local shop in the event there is a problem but if you don't have the time or desire to do this and if you aren't able to find a shop within driving distance that is familiar with nailheads, you may want to consider shipping it to one of the specialists. $600-800 in shipping may sound like a lot but can suddenly look cheap when a less than competent shop botches a rebuild.

You may also want to spend a couple hours and check out V8Buick.com "nailhead" forum. More info there in past posts than you can shake a stick at.

There is very little broken or worn stuff that I would take to a "professional", hand it to them, and just say "fix it". For an engine rebuild, study your own particular application, disassemble it yourself, buy replacement parts and farm out machining, and carefully reassemble reading the available information step by step. It will be very hard to find a person who will put the dedication and detail into your job that you can. Like the above comment about the timing marks, it is a long shot that the service provider would see that if you gave them a written instruction book.

If you need to buy an expensive tool that you will only use once in your life, you are still ahead. Be diligent and don't be cheap. You can equal or better the best "professional" out there.

Oh, I tried to help a guy out by sending a job to a guy a few weeks ago. My work truck needed an upper ball joint. I dropped it off at the alignment shop today. He may have bent the right front spring. Even "I" don't listen to myself ALL the time.

Bernie

Thanks JZRIV I reaqlly appreciate your advice and the link as well. I will certainly look into all aspects of my engine before figuring out to whom I will help me rebuild it. I have no resources where I live and I am unable to try to do it myself. It sounds like rebuilding a nailhead is far out of my league anyway. I am an hour and a half away from any big city so I will do some research first before making any decissions as well as joining the ROA for help. In the end I will probably send it out to be done right. thanks again for the help I certainly appreciate it

From what I have seen on a couple of occasions is that my RIV is a rare find. In other cases it seems not. Can anyone tell me what they think? 66 RIV GS 465 wildcat. It has the A/C, power seats, windows, locks, and cruise control. It does not have the bucket seats inside, it has a full size seat.

Unless you have one of the 179 rare MZ coded engines, all '66 Rivieras, Gran Sport and non-Gran Sport, came with the same 425 cubic inch engine. That engine is identified on the air cleaner decal with the torque rating of the engine - 465 - it was rated at 340 hp with the new Quadrajet carburetor. In '66 the GS came with a single snorkle chrome air cleaner, GS - not Gran Sport - fender and glove box door emblems, a 3.42 posi-trac rear end, and a BS coded Transmission.

Buick did not differentiate how many cars were equipped exactly as you describe. There is a series of article by Darwin Falk that were written for the Riview that tells the total number equipped with buckets, consoles, vinyl tops, cruise control, locks, etc, but not nothing exists showing combinations. There were also two styles of bench seats. Of the 45,348 Rivieras built in 1966, 5,718 were equipped with the GS option, about 12.6% or about one out of eight. So in summary, there's no way to tell how rare your car may be. To be honest, to me it sounds like a pretty typical '66 Gran Sport. But it's special to you and that's what's important.