izo369

CSS said GS springs same ride height as non GS springs which didn't sound right to me. So I reached out to the forum for additional feedback. Cheers

Thanks for all your replies. Have a collapsed spring up front that rides inch lower then the opposite side, so they need to be replaced. Was going to order GS springs from coil spring specialties with 1 inch raise in the rear and 1/4 inch drop in the front as looking for a forward rake along with Bilstein's all around. Had the car for 9 years and time to start replacing things.

I am putting GS 30%+ tension rated springs from coil spring specialties into my 1965 401ci. and would like to determine if ride height/trim level will be affected. Would you happen to know this answer? Thanks

Do the GS springs have a lower trim level as compared to stock non gs springs? Upgrading my 401 stock springs to the GS Ride and Handle. Thank you

Any suggestions on a shop that specializes in restorations for a 65 Riv? Car is located in NJ but, I'd be willing to ship it

Would like to install an overflow reservoir for the radiator. Has anyone done this? It seems straight forward, run the overflow hose from the radiator that drains onto the street and hook it up to a reservoir. Any suggested mounting locations or suggested vehicle the reservoir should be sourced from. Thanks for your thoughts.

Hello, <o:p> </o:p> This holiday weekend I am hoping to install these items. My car was stripped of the motor and linkage, so the setup is uncertain to me.<o:p></o:p> A rebuilt motor and (was told from seller) a complete linkage set was obtained <o:p></o:p> Can you offer any “specific” suggestions regarding instillation or trouble spots?<o:p> </o:p> - What is the best way to access the installation area? remove the grill? Fenders?<o:p></o:p> - If the motor doesn't activate, should I be checking a relay, or something else thats obvious?<o:p></o:p> - What needs to be greased/oil, the bell crank?<o:p></o:p> - Is there a trick to adjusting the armature linkages?<o:p> </o:p> Thanks for your help<o:p> </o:p> P.S., I am not mechanically inclined<o:p></o:p>

Ok, my prior post might not have come out the way I wanted here goes 2nd try... I have a base 65 and am planning to install coil springs described to me as "ride and handling package" set offered as an option back in 1965. These will be ordered from from Coil Spring Specialties. I plan to ask CSS to further modify the coils so that resting height of my car is further reduced. I can not calculate the additional height reduction because I do not know the stock height of a 1965 Riviera. After 48 years my current shocks and coils do not accurately reflect the height of my car with new stock shocks and springs. So, I am asking what the height of a base set up and ride and handling set up would be, 24 inches versus 25 inches is what I have been told. Why? because I need to communicate to CSS what the desired ride height will be so they can modify the coils as per the CSS tech I spoke to. Does anyone know the ride height of a 65 Riv with ride and handling coil springs installed? I do not want to have the car lowered too much to create wheel rum on turns or bottoming out. I also need to know if the replacement shocks can handle the height reduction and continue to operate within design specifications.

What is stock ride height is for a 65, as measured from the bottom of the wheel well (fender or quarter panel) to the ground? I have been told it is 25 inches for non GS and 24 inches for GS with ride and handling package. <o:p></o:p> Can anyone confirm this?<o:p></o:p> Trying to determine how much room I have to play with if I want to lower the car.<o:p></o:p> My intention is to install modified GS ride and handling springs on a non GS car. If the above is measurements are correct, I’m thinking GS springs shortened further by one inch.<o:p></o:p> That would put me at a ride height of 23 inches. Has anyone done this? If yes, have you experienced the car bottoming out or tires hitting the interior of the wheel wells during turning?<o:p></o:p> Thank you,<o:p></o:p> Izo369<o:p></o:p>

Thanks for the advice, I found a local ROA member 10 miles away through the membership list and shot him an email. Izo

Hi David, Not a One, no 65's at the local car shows here and only saw one 68 at Carlisie this Spring...

When I plugged in the 65 Riviera under vehicle type on the Bilstein home page. It said they don't make shocks for this vehicle. Where did you purchase yours and what was the model #. Thanks Dan

Can anyone provide me with Trim Measurments of their 65 Riv's (base or GS) and what coils they have? What is the gap from 12 o'clock on the tire tred to 12 o'clock at the base of the fender opening? I'm trying to determine what the gap is for tire travel incase I modify the coils. Those GS coils should have less of a trim gap because of the lower profile they create and the coil rate is 500 pounds per inch vs. the non GS springs 380. Thanks Izo

Hello, Looking to replace original coil springs this winter and was wondering if the members could provide feedback on what their using. Have checked several parts sites and have only found one manufacturer of springs for the 65, Moog. Can anyone tell me if there are additional parts makers for springs? I would prefer a stiffer ride but, stock load is also fine. <o:p></o:p> I am also interested in lowering the front of the car between 1-2 inches. Or raising the back 1-2 inches. Has anyone done this? <o:p></o:p> On my other cars this was done by buying lowering springs specific to the task or installing adjustable struts. Since I can’t seem to find these for the 65 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Riviera</st1:State></st1:place> is it simply a matter of cutting off a section of the spring?<o:p></o:p> Can anyone speak to this? Thank you Izo<o:p></o:p>

Hello, Looking to replace original shocks this winter and was wondering if the members could provide feedback on what their using. Have found several manufactures of Shocks for the 65, Gabriel, Bilstein, KYB, Monroe, Rare Parts ranging from 19.99 to 190 per shock. I would prefer stiffer than stock shock but original load is fine too. Are Rare Parts $190 really 9 times better then the Gabriels $19.99? Thank you Izo

and if the center cap hole is 2 1/8, what does that mean? a different year, a reproduction......?

Thank you, appreciate your help!

Hello, Can anyone tell me what are the correct center caps for a 1965 (401ci) with chrome wheels? My 65 came with smooth simple chrome center caps with the Riv emblem in the middle. I have also seen 65's with a longer/deeper fluted chrome center cap. Is one more corrrect then the other? Not sure how but I lost a cap last weekend and am looking for replacements and was wondering which is technically correct. Thanks Dan ROA 14283

Trying to track down a restored 65. Have been to a few local car shows here in NJ looking for a restored 65. Went out to Carlisle, PA this Spring and only saw one 66. There were lots of MOPAR's and Chevys not many Buicks. Was hoping to make a comparison of a restored model versus my restoration. Thanks Izo

Would like to say thank you for hooking me up with Waldron's. I ordered the parts and should have them in a couple of weeks. Cheers

Would some please share their thoughts regarding headlight motors and motor assembly parts? I purchased my first <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Riviera</st1:place></st1:State> this Spring and have begun to repair/restore it. The car has no headlight motor, motor cover, or passenger side motor arm assembly. I could be missing more parts but can not tell. 1. Is there a source or document that can tell me what the total headlight system assembly is comprised of? (switches, relays, wires, etc.) I need to identify what I am missing first, so I can then try and locate the parts. 2. Is it more economical to buy a rebuilt motor from a stranger ($500 on ebay) or buy a non working motor ($150) and bring it to a shop for a rebuild? I called a few local DC current motor shops in my state and one wouldn't touch the job sighting hard to find parts for the rebuild and the other shop charges $130 per hour labor. I would prefer to keep the car oringinal and not purchase a modern alternative. 3. If the answer to #2 is try my luck at having the motor rebuilt, does anyone specialize in doing this? I found a link to a post on this forum from 2007 about a rebuild shop out west. But the email provided was no longer active. Thanks for reading this. You guys have been great with other questions I've had about locating chrome and exhaust pipes. Izo

Hello, Would you please help me track down exhaust pipes for my 65? I have tried; Advanced Auto Parts Walker Exhaust Manufacturer O'Reilly Auto JC Whitney OPGI Just looking for the pair of new pipes that run over the axle from resonator to muffler. Does anyone sell new exhaust pipes for Riv's Thank you Izo

Any thoughts from the veteran Riviera owners? I recently purchased my first 65 and have been driving it gently until I could understand its capabilities. This weekend I decided to punch the accelerator, floor it and see what would happen. 40 to 70 in about 3 seconds. The problem is that once I started to come up on the car in front of me and took my foot off the pedal, she kept goin full throttle. With a Jersey Wall on my left and a car on my right, I had to reach down and and pull the throttle linkage behind the accelerator pedal backwards. I escaped with out a scratch but pulled my back out... lol... Lesson Learned. I know this is a hard question to answer with such little information. What should I be looking at to fix this problem? My first thought was the Throttle cable bracket and spring should be replaced. or maybe theres something else I should be looking into. Has this happened to anyone on the board? Many Thanks Izo

Looking for an OEM horn relay

Hello, I'm not looking for NOS parts, just something better then average. I would like to restore, drive and enjoy the car. Where did you locate the parts you spoke of? another member, car show, ebay...Thanks Dan