[1968 Buick Riviera HELLLLPPPP!!]

Do you have the link to the club?

[1968 Buick Riviera HELLLLPPPP!!]

Thank you I am very appreciated to all that are responding. This is my first project car and I want to take it slow but I also don’t have any car guys around me to help out on things I get stuck on like if i should have it machined for more horse power what cam I should use etc. my plan right now because I don’t have a machine shop is to pull the motor and atleast get it cleaned up real nice and do a new gasket set from heads up. Probably timing chain and cover just cause I’m pulling the motor to clean. @kgreen I understand what you are saying completely. The guy wasn’t doing anything with it. But had been sitting in his garage for 20 years. 

[1968 Buick Riviera HELLLLPPPP!!]

When I said I stole it means I just got a great great dea. I did pay 100$ for it. 

[1968 Buick Riviera HELLLLPPPP!!]

I bought a 1968 Buick Riviera well more stole it with the price I paid. It had been sitting in a garage for 20 years and not moved. I bought it towed it to my house and had it running a few days later after I bought a new coil and new points. The old coil actually was probably fine but I changed it out anyways. It has the 430 motor in it, and I was wondering if anyone has a wire diagram for this car. I bought a repair manual at least i thought it was, turns out its for the body not the motor or electrical. I have found a page where the guy uploaded alot of information about a 64 riveira but im not sure how many things changed as it was the year for federal safety things. I drove the car around my yard and I started taking the motor apart now. Mainly because I want to put new gaskets on it from the heads up and clean the motor up to show worthy. I was going to go more HP but I am doing everything with my daughter and I don't really want to get into all of that a quick pull of the motor to clean it up and drop back in is ok with me. However, who ever worked on it before cut a lot of wires and spliced into them so i want to start there and make sure every wire is in the factory spot and nothing else added. Thanks everyone. 

[Rambler]

3 hours ago, ol' yeller said:

First thing you should do before spending a dime more is to get the title issue resolved.  Some states are easy and others are impossible.  If you can't get it titled/registered it is a parts car.  The good news is that you can probably get your $25 back.

I’m close enough to Vermont where they will register anything with a bill of sale and create a title done that 100 times with other vehicle 

[Rambler]

Yes I have read all of your post.. I am going to do what you say and I probably will tackle the job just cause of the rare find and the 25$ I spent I don’t mind spending a few years on it and taking my time to do so. It does have the straight 6 in it and also the transmission is there body is pretty solid few patches of rust but for being in New York And not being a complete loss I am definitely gonna take the time on it. I know most everyone is probably thinking I am crazy to do it but it breaks my heart to see such a beautiful car fading away to nothing and I don’t have the money to go buy a “decent” fixer upper because when you do find one around here it’s the frame and seats and they ask 20k for it. So all we have in life is time and memory’s so if I get 10 years keeping my daughter into working on it with me it will be worth every dime and time I put into it. 

   On a second note I will definitely take your advice and not just strip it cause that was my original thought was to strip the interior then the motor then the body and work ground up putting it back together. It did seem like everything was there on it with the exception of a few body parts like driver side head light. But motor seemed whole. Just trying to find someone here with a roll back that will get the car to my house so I can really begin to play with it.again thank you for everyone’s advice

[Rambler]

Just now, James1983 said:

I appreciate all of your advice and talk it makes it that much more fun for the drive to do this. Been a long time dream coming I guess 

I’d also love to see your restoration 

[Rambler]

1 minute ago, keiser31 said:

You might talk to these folks for sheet metal parts....http://www.frenchlakeautoparts.com/

I appreciate all of your advice and talk it makes it that much more fun for the drive to do this. Been a long time dream coming I guess 

[Rambler]

1 minute ago, keiser31 said:

I find it inspiring that you are taking on such a project. The enjoyment you will get out of learning and doing things to it is invaluable. I was lucky to have started out with a fairly rust-free car when I was 15 years old.

That is awesome I want to do this with my baby girl she’s a tinkerer also

[Rambler]

1 hour ago, keiser31 said:

Oh....the floors are gone? That will make it way out of proportion money-wise. Do not ever expect to recoup any money put into it if you do a full restoration.

I can do a lot of the metal work myself welding etc

[Rambler]

[Rambler]

14 hours ago, Rusty_OToole said:

It would help to know where you are, at least what state you live in. Someone may be able to advise on how to get a title. At least get a bill of sale from the seller. Ask about the previous owner, this info may come in handy later.

I live in upstate ny and body pretty sound. Floors are gone found a lot of info when I went to see it today. It is a 66 has the straight 6 my plan is to get it to my house then just strip it apart starting with body and motor work on frame and go from there back yard project but like I said 25$ 

[Rambler]

[Rambler]

5 hours ago, Rusty_OToole said:

Is this your car?

 

 

Rambler Classic 770 was a medium size, medium price family sedan made by American Motors. They are a well made, durable car popular among drivers who wanted a practical, comfortable and economical car.

 

Suggest you start by cleaning the car out and washing it. Do not throw away any parts or anything of metal or rubber or plastic you can't identify, they always turn out to be some irreplaceable part. If you find parts in the trunk like brake shoes, spark plugs etc that may be a clue why they took the car off the road. Those parts may come in handy. You can throw out the dried up ballpoint pens, old cigarette packs and McDonald's wrappers lol.

 

Don't go nuts tearing things apart. If you go to get it running start by looking things over under the hood, check oil and coolant, see if there are any missing parts, broken wires etc. Then you can put a battery in and see if it turns over. If it has been off the road for several years there is a good chance the gas has gone bad so before you begin, check the gas. You can do this by blowing compressed air into the tank and smelling what comes out. If it smells like gas ok. If it smells like old stinky varnish STOP do not use that gas, it will ruin your motor. To be on the safe side you can disconnect the fuel line at the fuel pump and hook up a motorboat gas tank or gas can with fresh gas.

If the motor turns over you can check for spark.  If you have spark a shot of gas down the carb should make it fire up.

If you have any questions come back and ask. Don't go tearing anything apart until you diagnose it and know what needs fixing. Do one thing at a time. If you tear everything up you make it impossible to diagnose and fix it without going back to first principles and redoing everything.

Thank you for all the info not just you but everyone here I will post pics soon as I can

[Rambler]

4 hours ago, Rusty_OToole said:

The 770 was the top of the line of Classic models. It had the nicest trim and upholstery, nicer than the cheaper 550 model.

 

The Classic was their mid range model, larger than the Rambler American but smaller than the luxury Ambassador. It had the same basic body shell as the Ambassador on a shorter wheelbase, meaning it had just as much room inside. When new they were selling against cars like Chevrolet's Chevelle, Olds Cutlass, Ford Fairlane, and Dodge Coronet.

 

You are in luck as far as engines go, by having a 1966 model. That was the first year of AMC's new V8, and the second year of their new 6 cylinder. They were an excellent, durable long lived engine. The V8s continued in production up to 1992, and they kept making an updated version of the six cylinder for Jeeps until 2003.

I’ve not been in the motor yet but my father in law says the original motor is still in it

[Rambler]

5 hours ago, keiser31 said:

What does the title say as far as the year? Got photos of the car?

I don’t have photos yet but will post when I go get it here and no title

[Rambler]

5 hours ago, keiser31 said:

Is it a two door, four door, convertible or wagon?

It is two door and the is a 66 on tail light. I haven’t been to see it yet just bought it drove past it for about 2 months some guy had it in a pile of scrap metal. My father in law was telling me the things he saw when he stopped to give guy money. Bought it for 25$ lol figured it’s worth that

[Rambler]

I just purchased a rambler to restore I think 66 but not 100% sure. Haven’t been able to search for date but my father in law says it has classic 777 on fender what does the 777 mean please?