Riviera63

Thanks for the kind words. How far from central WI to Winnipeg? Bill

You are using a different part to do the job of the old part. The old part is no longer made and so you have to improvise in order to get the same result. Yes the new part has 2 ports but, works differently than the old part. The new part needs vacuum at both ports to work. If you look at my pictures I have the same diaphragm with the 2 ports. The other line that plugged into the old part is plugged off. You can see in the second picture that I have a single line that is split into 2 lines and plugs into the new style diaphragm. Bill

You will need to hook things up with the new diaphragm a little differently. The old one was a 2 cannister with a vacuum line going to each cannister. The new one is a single canister. You will need to plug one of the old lines and then put a "tee" in the other to split the line into 2. These 2 lines will plug into the 2 ports of the new cannister. Choosing one line will give you the door 1/2 open and choosing the other line will give you the door full open. Either way will work. Just a choice you will have to make. Bill

There is no coolant involved. It is the same on AC and non-AC cars. You remove the blower motor and its casing from the heater box. The heater box removes from the firewall. The diaphragm is attached to the bottom of the heater box. The heater box is just a cavity for the blower to force air through and direct it to the interior of the car. Bill

Or remove the barn spike that was holding the door open as it was in my case. Bill

I was not worried about that. I just wanted an original look with minimal expense. Fake is fake either way. Bill

I have done this on my car. I removed the blower motor and the heater box. The old diaphragm is bolted to the inside of the heater box. To reinstall the new diaphragm would take 2 people if you left the heater box in place. Much easier to work on it with it on the bench. Chances are it will need cleaning and the spring that assists the flapper door will need replacing. Bill

My battery is a group 27. They can be used on any flat top battery as they are not a topper. They are individual stick on caps and decals. Bill

Here is what is in the 1963 Chassis Manual. I would guess the same for 1965. I have used a battery dress up kit that you can use on any flat top battery. Stick on caps and decals. Very inexpensive. Just peel off the original stickers and put these on. https://www.ebay.com/itm/312523457203?hash=item48c3d982b3:g:xxEAAOSwu-Fhf96E&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4DAX3hVrp2B%2FnmDWdDljLAlsV05cWG6rcfQ2EmJpA9PwfLIN5IFonIvg%2FmzMmj%2FzF5ue%2FXA6flaEE1VayluXBElEXQB1hlkpIMeXFFRy1NdiS7MFD%2FJB6i1SApN%2FtRrx8uq4npzkQtbcqfDalAcRDADOvql4LROMkXBVXxjTC71xcHEHy1RO%2BUiq%2F7XndTOJ8SNKnew1tQ%2BaCGtvZhBQ290nF1cb3Cuz7O8t8Zmayj0sFGCl9NLhSJg9eW3ifAZLbrHfihdXRZmYSG6RgnxpW646ioKdqavWpoK%2FJ7GZOgBQ|tkp%3ABk9SR8Tsr7LRYg Bill

Continuation

Made it back from the show yesterday safe and sound but, with a much dirtier car than when I left as we hit rain for a good share of the ride home. The Riviera was well represented at the show. Nine very beautiful examples were present. The first generation cars swept the awards. Ken Reed took the top spot with his gorgeous 1965 GS. Al Schmidt took second place with his stunning Coral Mist 1964 and my 1963 took third place. All of the cars there were fine examples and certainly could have won an award. I was very humbled and honored to have had my car chosen as one of 4 cars to be a part of a program held the night before the show. The cars were chosen because of their special place in automotive design history. The cars chosen were: 1902 Haynes-Apperson Runabout, 1922 Duesenberg Model A, 1953 Chevrolet Corvette and 1963 Buick Riviera. This was a well run, wonderful show held in a great venue. The many people that ran the show should be commended on the job they did. They were welcoming, friendly and raising money for a great cause. Bill

The car is clean and ready to roll. Leaving at 5:30 tomorrow morning for the Des Moines Concours d'Elegance with my brother. Looking forward to reconnecting with Ken Reed. He will have 2 of his beautiful Rivieras there as well. Bill

One has been found.

I will second Jan on this. I have one of Tom's boxes in my car. An improvement I made that I do not regret. Bill

I agree with Tom and have seen both blue and green. I found my washer bottle at an antique store several years ago. It was all original including the green concentrated fluid which is still in it. The original Opti-Kleen label was a little rough so I took that off and replaced it with the Buick version of the washer bottle label. I personally like the green as it less common. Bill

I had a similar problem 2 years ago. My car would start fine multiple times and then for no reason I would go to start it and nothing. Completely dead. The first couple of times I put the battery charger on it thinking I had left a light on or not turned the key completely off and the next time it would start. I took the battery to be tested and it tested good. I swapped out the ignition switch and all was good. A month later my brother and I took my car to a BCA event in Saint Louis. All was good until we stopped at my mother's house to see her and let my brother off to pick up his truck. When I came out to drive home, completely dead. I thought at that time it has to be the battery. We were fortunate to be able to find a battery on a Sunday. That same battery is still in the car and no problems since. I asked the shop where I have my car worked on about this. They said that they have seen this happen at the shop with increasing frequency. The battery tests good but, the battery is bad and is the culprit. May or may not be your problem but, worth a try. Bill

Thank you John.

Thank you Jim.

Thank you Steve. No rush, because I am not sure I am going to do the cut outs. When you have some time if you could take some measurements that would be great. I am sure there are others that would be interested as well. Bill

Thank you Jan.

The coolant decal in my engine compartment needs replacing. I am not sure the one that I have is the correct one. I have found 2 different decals. Is either of them correct? Thanks for any help. BIll

I understand that. That looks to me to be the area I have circled. Yes or no? Two cuts have to be made. One horizontal and one vertical. At right angles to which edge? How many inches down? How many inches left and right? Need more specifics. Bill

Hi Tom, Thanks for that. Would the cut out be where I have circled on the picture? Does your car have the original so that I could see what it looks like? Or if someone else could share a picture of what the original cutout(s) looked like that would be great. Bill

Thank you. I never have driven the car without it. I am sure it is there for a reason. It is very inexpensive . Only $39.50 with free shipping from CARS, Inc. Old Buick Parts. https://www.ebay.com/itm/182540406515?fits=Year%3A1963|Model%3ARiviera&hash=item2a80418ef3:g:cj8AAOSwW7FdPXCN&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0ILuTXYwqSmFc%2FLGGSRCzYFPDjvoJn83ZrZTIYZqbEhBIJYtw3sN38CBj8IegN%2BK%2FonwmlvjfyiseRwsVbO%2BNuW10qQRN30VXmyWYyUH%2B8QsxZaQ4Si8j70bbjc0RelnDBcqUUzb%2BOEf89WPEVCKEw8QLexUcTUVLFEoCD%2FK%2BMuspeCaVmCS4PcjOLOon2ObL8ky9I9OaxCzWIve9NBpCpXyue1qF69JI4Zo%2FF5THyebY8gMX0Qpp4pdrwHLrqRR6vIPdBsl9uVI%2BWYpISOefcM%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6rGx6jKYg Bill

Just picked up the Riviera from the body shop this morning. I had the underside of the hood repainted and the driver's fender repainted as well. Very happy with the results. I take my car to a young man in a small town 20 miles south of me which coincidentally was where I used to teach. I had 3 of his cousins as students. Young is relative of course, as I am old enough where everyone seems young. He was only in his 20's when I first went to him 4 or 5 years ago. Very conscientious and he likes working on the vintage cars. I also had new hood insulation put in and put in correctly this time around. Thanks Tom. Bill