rodneybeauchamp

And this photo too

Hi, refurbishing the RHR backing plate on 63 Riviera and thought I may have an oil leak at the gasket where it joins the axle housing. Had washed the plate with water and some detergent to remove brake dust, then used wet and dry rub with water to remove some surface rust. When drying the plate with a clean rag, noticed a small fluid leak at bottom of axle plate, wiped with finger but unable to work out if oil or water, wiped again, still a small weep, gasket edge going dark and shiny ( moist). Fluid seemed clear and flowed easily ( like water does). Tightened 4 retaining bolts just a tad ( technical term) and wiped entire plate and edge with a solvent twice. Left for 24 hours and seems dry ( as per photos). Was the fluid just water from cleaning or is it diff oil is what I am unsure of. 63 Has the positive traction limited slip differential and don't know what colour the oil would be. Have included photos of backing plate before I did anything as well as the same, 24 hours after my discovery.

Hi, I had problems with intermittent operation of the RHF window and vent switches on 63. I dismantled the switches and cleaned all contacts with a Dremel with wire wheel, re-assembled and all working fine. Have used same process for horn and headlamp wiring connections that had oxidised through age. Worth a try, good luck!

Am having the brakes reclined with bonded linings on 63 Riviera and read somewhere they used a special lining material with the aluminium drums to give good brake performance. What do I advise my shop here in Australia to use?

Any chance you could post a picture of Cragar SS on your Riviera. I'm contemplating this conversion myself on an Arctic White 1963 with white wall tyres but have seen very few pictures of the conversion. As much as I like the 65 sport wheels, so has every second Riviera owner, so looking for something different. Want to stay period look so would be a 6 inch rim, rather than 7 but might be swayed by others. Any thoughts. Rodney

Hi, thank you for some sound advice. I have just got my 63 Riviera, purchased from GR Auto and " posted out" to me in Australia. While under the car, noticed that several rear frame body mounts are squished and perished. So I'm thinking it's only money, replace them. Can you advise which brand of mount will replace the OEM units with the best result, that is they give the same ride and look as the originals. I am not doing a frame off resto, but want to replace the bad ones and some of the easier ones to start with, then the rest later. Do I need to undo all body bolts to change just the rear bad ones or what? Many thanks Rodney Encounter Bay South Australia 1963 Riviera