EmTee

"A" looks like a brake bleeder to me...

Wonder Woman meets Apollo -- my favorite episode!

Thanks guys -- now I need to go out and check mine! Update: All is as it should be! Thanks again!

NTX - those are good words! Do you happen to have the GM P/N handy for that dipstick O-ring? I'd like to replace mine and eliminate that mess...

Recently the question of which wiper blade sits above the other when parked came up on another thread in this forum with regard to the 1st generation Riviera. The answer was driver's side blade below the passenger blade. Now, does anyone know whether the same is true for the 2nd generation (1967 in particular) Riviera? I did a quick internet photo survey and there appears to be no clear consensus (which tells me that about half of those cars have their wiper arms clocked incorrectly...) Thanks!

My golden 'Goldie' paying respects to an elder on the nailhead side of the family!

Based on my admittedly non-exhaustive internet research, I've concluded that having a smoking jacket in your closet and a few Meerschaum pipes increases one's "Gentleman Quotient'.

Too bad...

Actually, I prefer to use one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DISTRIBUTOR-POINT-WRENCH-1-8-HEX-FOR-GM-DELCO-WINDOW-DISTRIBUTORS-W-SCREW-ADAPT-/401114793514?hash=item5d644e062a:g:eYQAAOSw9KpW~pUd&item=401114793514&vxp=mtr

Yes, I'm familiar with that problem. That exact failure was the 'last straw' that killed my wife's 2001 Century. The symptoms described didn't sound exactly like what i experienced, but it could be an early manifestation. I couldn't tell at first whether it was engine or transmission in my Century, as driving along it felt like either an intermittent 'miss' like a cylinder dropping out, or a buck/surge like a transmission issue. Dropping the transmission pan and changing the filter led to the true cause. I opened the old filter and found brass shavings. I am told that the planetary set is the only place that brass is used. I wound-up disposing of the car at that point, as it would have cost as much (or more) to rebuild the transmission than the car was worth. I hope it's not that problem in your case...

Weird behavior approaching or accelerating away from a stop always make me suspicious of the torque converter. There are no other noticeable symptoms when driving along? How many miles are on the car?

Seems like someone with time on their hands and a little skill could fabricate a close facsimile using something like this: https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/NDP6151100/NDP6151100 .

I really like the April photo -- perfect for Spring!

"NO BRUSH MARKS" -- the enhanced ultra lead enriched formula ensures a smooooooth finish!

Nah -- not since the Geneva convention (Geneva, NY Shriner's Convention)... For some real excitement, try setting the dwell on your idling 430 using one of those little 'L' shaped allen wrenches as your hand sits inches from those fan blades! Even more exciting after a couple of egg nogs!

Yes Paul, I'd say so as long as there's no pinging under acceleration. Dwell angle was OK? Did you check vacuum advance operation while you had the timing light connected?

In my opinion, the system is generally very reliable and if working properly will not cause any performance issues. The charcoal canister should be fine, the system will periodically purge trapped vapors by pulling them into the intake manifold. As seen in one of the photos there is a small, round pressed-fiber air filter on the bottom of the canister. This filter is replaceable and keeps dirt out. My experience has been that the three biggest issues to look-out for are: 1. Cracked or broken vacuum hoses. On a car such as this, I would replace them all, since they can look OK on the outside while they are disintegrating internally. 2. Missing or incorrectly connected hoses. When addressing item (1), have a copy of the shop manual handy to verify proper hose routing. 3. There is usually a thermal vacuum switch located somewhere in the engine coolant path. I think you'll find it near the thermostat housing in the coolant crossover on the front of the intake manifold. The switch can be checked for leaks and proper operation with a hand-held vacuum pump. Given the simplicity of the system and the fact that it is managing potentially dangerous vapors, I'd find a copy of the shop manual for your car and try repairing the system before contemplating removal. Please keep us posted with your progress! Here's a link to a good introductory article: http://www.allpar.com/fix/fuel/evaporation-control.html

How 'bout a nice, shiny new one -- with metric threads!

Marcball wasn't concerned with originality, so my suggestion to add a clamp would allow the 'fingers' to be made from common mild-steel strips -- no need to use spring/bi-metal steel.

Steve - nice car and great story. Welcome to the Buick universe on the Interweb! I love seeing cars handed-down within the family of the original owner. My '56 Chevy was purchased new by my grandparents and came to me on my 15th birthday, after about 10 years of persistent hounding on my part...

Or, rather than relying on spring tension, one could simply form the 'fingers' and then install a large stainless steel worm-gear clamp around the circumference and snug the fingers between the clamp and the canister body.

Tri-5 Chevys with power steering used manual boxes with a hydraulic ram and control valve mounted on the center link. My '56 has the PS pump mounted 'piggyback' on the rear of the generator, which has a longer splined armature shaft to engage the pump.

...or a suitably sized screw. Also - if your distributor still uses breaker points, check the dwell (30 degrees) before checking/setting the ignition timing. Merry Christmas!

I have owned a '90 Bonneville and a '92 Le Sabre with the 3800. In a word: Bullitproof. The only issues were a failed crank sensor on the Pontiac (a common GM issue at the time) and I replaced the plastic heater hose outlet nipple on the Buick after the one on my father's '94 Bonneville popped and proceeded to empty the cooling system all over the highway. Both of my cars succumbed to multiple other issues while the engines continued to run flawlessly... P.S. I later inherited my mother-in-law's 2001 Century with the 3.4 (60-degree) V6 -- JUNK!

Yup, mine is not concours quality either, but I hope to participate in the cruise-in the day before (Saturday). I like to drive my cars, so I just want to get mine clean & tidy. It will be nice to see so many Rivieras in one place.