RIVNIK

Hey Doug! Google "Riviera floor mats images" to see your range of options. In fact I Google images of everything before I do anything. Great for reference on interiors, engine bays, etc.

Google Buick 401 rebuild. There is a wealth of info (including vids) available.

For Pete's sake, unless you have an exhaust leak don't mess w those manifold bolts! They are baked in & ready to twist right off in the head. Then the real fun begins! (voice of experience). BTW I have a '73 rear bumper in nice driver condition. It has been gathering dust in my shed for 24 yrs & deserves a good home. Bumper can be yours for a song, however shipping from Orlando to Chi could be a bit steep. Drew

After reading multiple descriptions of this job 20 yrs ago I blocked the heater off & forgot about it. Granted I live in sunny Fl, where on the coldest day the ambient heat from the engine provides enough. But this latest thread raises a question for me. Why is it that for decades the firewall had to be butchered to remove the thing, but Konga comes along, swears at it, & out it pops w no cutting. I don't get it!

listen to Seafoam

I have also had this problem on my '65. My leaks were coming through the holes from the trim strip below the rear glass. They are a bit of a pain to access, but after removing the trim piece & applying a generous blob of silicone to each hole & stud the problem was solved.

Don't know if it will help with this particular problem, but Classiccarwiring makes a beautiful laminated & color-coded wiring schematic for the '65 Riv, which I have found very helpful over the years. Can be purchased on eBay. Everyone should have one as it is a work of art. check it out!

Congrats Lil! I will forever rue the day I sold my '73. Although I love my '65, it has nowhere near the drivability of the '73. Its been years, so I don't quite remember the battery placement, but if it's anything like the '65, correct battery size is very important because of hood clearance problems. I use Amsoil Zrod motor oil in my old cars. It is formulated for hot rods & classic car engines. & if you're ever in need of one I have a very nice driver quality rear bumper for your '73 that is gathering dust in my shed. Good Luck, Drew

thanks Rivman, As can be seen in the pics, those look like two different products. Verrrry interesting!

Maybe Rivman knows something we don't, but I can't find it in the post he mentioned. In my opinion that trim was custom made. If you google '73 Riviera images you will not find it on any of the pics of hundreds of '73s. if so, whoever fabricated the trim knew what they were doing. Frankly, in my opinion, the car will look better w/out the trim pieces & the two tone paint. The body styling on the '73 is so distinct & well defined it doesn't need anything extra to enhance it. &BTW, if you are restoring this car I have a rear bumper in very good driver condition you may want. It can be had for a song (but shipping from Fla may be a little pricey).Anyhoo, good luck w your project! Drew

Thanks for the reply Rivman, gonna try something like that one of these days.

hey Rivman! Q: How do those speakers sound behind the seats? And can I presume you've found an equally clever way to mount two in the front? If so, this could solve a problem Ive pondered over for a long time!

I agree you should keep the trim. & (not to seem like the opportunist) I have a nice driver quality '73 rear bumper if you ever need one. Good chrome, no dents, only some minor scratches on the corners. It can be had for a song, however shipping from Orlando could be expensive. Drew

Which handles much better on winding mountain roads.

Ed! Why'd you have to go and spoil the mood w that pic! Actual babies don't belong here! Ugh!

Wow! I thought I hit the wrong button for a sec! Can anyone make out what it says on her right rear fender?

Hey Gene & Ed! If you will send me your wive's contact info I will make sure they are well cared for after you're gone. Let them know I'm financially secure, relatively good-looking (at least compared to you two), live in sunny Fla.(which is where they're heading anyway), & still have a few good yrs ahead of me. I hope this will bring you both peace of mind about their future. Of course they will have to help figure out what to do about my wife. She's a good one but not a great source for Riv parts. One must have priorities, you know. I anxiously await your response, Drew

I replaced mine w LEDs, including the console lights. Most are accessible without much trouble, the instrument cluster bulbs being reached through the access panels on either side of the column(although its a tight squeeze). If you have Homer Simpson hands they are more easily reached from the top by removing the dash-pad, but that can be a risky procedure for a 50yr+old pad. Bulbs are available on eBay in a variety of colors & intensities.Go with the brightest white & I think you will be satisfied w the results. One unfortunate side effect is they make the stock radio lights & shift indicator lens look yellow in comparison. I replaced the shift indicator bulb by wiring in an LED strip. The result was only a slight improvement due to the decrepit nature of my PRNDL. One of my biggest Riviera related regrets is not buying a shift indicator lens from Clarks before they discontinued carrying them. (I call on someone out there, maybe our good friend Schmiddy, to figure out how to restore this item, as they seem to be made of Unobtanium.) As for the clock, Im not sure if the bulb is replaceable. I replaced my clock years ago w an oil pressure gauge, which I highly recommend. I usually disconnect the battery when not driving so It was only right twice a day, & having an oil pressure gauge right in front of me is pure peace of mind. Anyhoo good luck. Drew

Man, you guys are on it! thanks for the info.

I'm considering adding a set of trumpets to my '65. Anyone sitting on a set they want to sell? Price could be an obstacle as my CFO(wife) has me on a short leash, but I'd like to at least get a idea of what kind of request I need to submit for approval. Ideally a working set that needs cosmetic restoration. Thanks. Drew

I've had great success over many years with ABandG. Gene's ad can always be found in the back of the Review. We Riv owners like to" keep it in the family", as they say, but you'll also occasionally find parts on eBay Motors, if you don't mind scrolling through tons of junk to get to them. In fact some of the sellers listed in the mag also have on-line stores on eBay, so you can see pics of their merchandise. Good luck! Drew p.s. I have a nice driver quality rear bumper for a '73 if anyone needs. It can be had for a song.

The glove box assembly is practically identical on the '65. It was poorly designed & shouldn't have gone into production for three years. I repaired mine more than once over the years in a similar manner w braces from the local hardware store & JB, but it will always be a weak spot so take care when using from now on. On my '65, part of the problem was the excessive spring strength in the glove box light switch, which is right at the repair sight. It is far greater than needed to pop the door, & exerts excess pressure on the weak spot. I either replaced the spring with a weaker one or I dreamed I did, I can't remember cause Im old, & also too lazy to get up & go look. But it's some thing to consider. NIK

Hey Ed! Is the '63 mirror close enough in appearance to the '65 that one would not notice any difference ?

HEY ROCKIN! Are those '63 mirrors that your buddy installed on his '65s? I don't have my '65 in front of me to compare, but they appear to be identical in appearance to mine. Telriv says they are reversible but my '65 mirror definitely is not. If the earlier year mirrors are truly reversible I may add one to my '65. Although I hate to second guess one of history's greatest designers, I think the car looks much better with a passenger side mirror. (Aside from the fact that they are not fully functional) Drew

Firestone P-225/75 R15s w 3/4" whitewalls look & drive like a dream. & they're relatively inexpensive. They do rub a little at full turn...I just don't go there