[Headliner pinchweld clips (64)]

Hello from Tampa,   is here a tutorial on headliner installation on this forum.  I searched "headliner" but only this thread popped up.  I do see some videos on youtube. Some of those videos kinda scared me, but looking at my 63 Riv headliner, it looks pretty straightforward. Any advice?

 

Rich

[No Spark in my '63 Riv]

Thanks Gary.

[No Spark in my '63 Riv]

Of course.  I removed the line from the gas tank going into the fuel pump, and attached a new line from there to the gas can.  I must seem like a real dummy...

[No Spark in my '63 Riv]

Thanks KongaMan,   yes, the cylinders were lubricated, fluids drained and replaced, and most ignition parts were replaced. Gas is being drawn from a can on the ground (though no draw as yet).   I have used some starting fluid, but no dice.  Jim C. is walking me through some diagnostic scenarios, so things are progressing.

[No Spark in my '63 Riv]

Thanks telriv.  I'll give the cables another look tomorrow.  They look pretty legit, but I'll make sure they're OK and if not, I'll swap them out.  Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.

 

Rich

[No Spark in my '63 Riv]

Thanks guys.  I'm trying to do things right.  That's why I had the starter rebuilt at a reputable local shop.  He tested it before I paid for the rebuild today, and it seemed to be running great.  The connections at the starter were thoroughly cleaned during installation, and the battery connections are clean, the battery is almost new.  I was definitely expecting a more robust  crank, but it's slow and as I stated, the cables get hot. It's hard to imagine that the starter is defective, after a rebuild and a bench test that shows it in perfect working order, right?    Is there any solenoid or relay between the battery and the starter, like on a Ford?   If so, perhaps this unit is defective, or connections at that unit might need cleaning?

 

   Tom, thanks for your comments.  I can't see the cam block in the distributor to see when it opens the points, and I sure can't see the points contact surface to get a feeler gauge on it to check the gap.   I will check the spark at the coil and report back.   Thanks again for the help.  Any of you guys located in Tampa?

 

Rich

[No Spark in my '63 Riv]

Thanks Jim,  I do have power to the coil with the key on.  I will need to wait until my wife gets home to test the coil wire for spark.  The new starter cranks slowly, and both the negative and positive battery terminals get hot.  Any ideas about that condition?  Thanks again Jim,  Rich

[No Spark in my '63 Riv]

Hello guys,  well, I had my starter rebuilt and got ready to attempt a start, but no luck.  The fresh starter seems to crank kinda slow.  There doesn't appear to be spark.   I changed the plugs and wires.  Coil was just recently changed by the previous owner who could not get the car started.  He also changed points, condenser, rotor, and cap. All ignition parts are new.

 

   I could not figure out how to set the points...with the weights on top of the distributor, there isn't any way to see the points and gap them.  There is the set screw for the points, but I am not familiar with how to use it.   Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.   Rich in Tampa

[Console question]

Hello Buick Riviera folks.   My car is coming along in it's first week, I'm probably gonna try to start it tomorrow after changing the oil and giving it a tune-up.  Cylinders are lubed and fingers are crossed.   Just waiting for the starter to come back from the re-builder. 

 

   Console question:  In my car, there was an aftermarket cassette player installed in the console, in the large opening below the AC vent.  The installer used some plywood to fill the space.  I yanked all that crap out, so now I'm wondering what was in there originally...a storage box?  Or just a blank plate covered with the black leatherette contact paper?  No metal plate that would fill the space was included with the car.  Also,   I see some aftermarket wood veneer kits for the console and doors....any experience with these kits?  I'm not seeing a color that I like, but I do likethe idea of veneering the console in place of the peeling black leatherette contact paper.    I was thinking that some regular countertop laminate (or "vertical grade" material, which is thinner) might work very well to dress up the console/doors, and given the very convincing laminates that are available nowadays, they would easily be as convincing and as durable as the original material.

 

   Thanks for any positive and useful replies, and more questions to come!

 

Rich

[My First Riviera!]

Thanks to all who replied and welcomed me to the forum.  I look forward to getting the car back on the road with your help.  Rich Reau in Tampa

[My First Riviera!]

Hi Steve, thanks for the post.  You should pop down here near the airport some Saturday.  I'm at  richardreau@hotmail.com.

 

 

[Possible new 64 Riviera owner here greetings everyone!]

Hi Hearse,   I'd trade in a heartbeat!  The Riv looks great, and I've never been much of a fan of the later Camaros.  I just got my first Riv yesterday, a '63 in Teal Mist.  

SPEAKING OF TRADING....I have a very nice set of wire/spinner wheels that I would trade straight-up for your hub caps!

 

Cheers from Tampa,   Rich

 

 

[My First Riviera!]

Hello from Tampa,

 

   Just yesterday, I bought my dream car, a '63 Riviera. It's a very solid and complete Florida car, Teal Mist with white interior.  Hasn't run in 20 years.  The engine does spin, so I am gonna see if I can get the car started over the next couple of days. 

 

   I am sure to be asking for help in the coming months, especially with regards to the AC system and engine mechanicals. And probably power windows an power seat and....