Guest Martys LA Auto Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Hey guys, does anyone know if the fuel sending unit for a 68' Riviera is unique to this vehicle - or if it was shared with other 68' era Buicks or GMs? I'm not seeing a listing for an aftermarket unit anywhere online at the standard restorations sites. If it is unique, why? What makes this year / unit so proprietary? I do see that it has a plug which I am not seeing for other after market sending units for the Skylark for example. Any information would be very helpful, thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Mckenzie Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Is there any way to show a picture to compare ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Martys LA Auto Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Hey Scott, thanks for jumping in - I'll take a picture of the unit next time I'm at the shop and post - but an expert I met on here that I purchased parts from who is a real wizard has some old Buick parts books / shop manuals and checked the part number - it seems to be 100% unique to this vehicle / year. I'm still not clear on what makes it different than the sending unit in the Skylark for example, but there is something about it that makes it special to this year / make model. Really blows my mind how specific they got on some of this stuff on this car - figure they could have saved money using a unit that was interchangeable with a handful of models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 The tank shape (primarily the depth) on the 66-70s were unique to the Riviera model so that narrows the application significantly. 69 and 70 used an in-tank fuel pump so those units would likely be different. As far as the difference between the 66/67 and 68. Not sure. The 66-67 units were 90 ohm. The difference could be minor not affecting interchangeability. But still, you won't find a new replacement for the 66-67 either. Are you sure yours is bad? Often they can be repaired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Martys LA Auto Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Hey JZRIV! Thanks for joining in on this - what you are describing does make a lot of sense regarding tank size / shape. I'm not sure my sending unit is bad, but I dropped the tank to clean it and figured since the vehicle had stood at least 6-7 years, that it would probably be best to start fresh with a new component.. But nope! Doesn't look like that is in the cards, lol. I'll have to bench test it and keep my fingers crossed, happy this mystery is solved though - I'm still half tempted to buy a aftermarket unit for a Skylark and line them up to see what the psychical difference is. I knew before buying the vehicle that parts were harder to come by, but wow - I guess I have to approach everything from this point on with the assumption that it'll be near impossible to find replacement parts, if at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 If your original is working, it will be better quality than ANY aftermarket. I have taken these units apart and successfully cleaned the variable resistor portion. I operate it one extreme to the other 50-100 times while watching the ohmmeter to make sure its consistent. Don't want to have to pull it back out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Martys LA Auto Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Makes 100% sense JZ, thanks for the advice - I guess at the end of the day these units aren't overly complicated mechanically and can be worked with to restore. Let me ask, does your Riv have what I would describe as an aluminum loop of pipe that is located in the right hand trunk area under the hinges? The two ends come out near the tank / near the sending unit. Is this part of the venting system would you know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Yes that's the tank vent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 He's not mentioned often but have you contacted Doug at The Buick Farm? He deals only in NOS Buick parts. https://www.buickfarm.net Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Martys LA Auto Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Gotcha, thanks for the info my man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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