BulldogDriver
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Posts posted by BulldogDriver
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Or do what I’m going to do, dual Hi/Lo beams using Hella kits #002850871 off of relays and led bulbs.
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9 hours ago, RivNut said:
Or you could "settle" for a 63 or a 64. Subtle differences. Mechanically the 63, 64, and 65 are mainly different in their transmissions. The 63 has the Dynaflow; the 64 has the ST400, and the 65 has the ST400 with variable pitch torque converter. 63 and 64 share the same body whereas the 65 has the hidden headlights and the tail lights in the bumper. Others may chime in with the other little differences but most are cosmetic only. Once you're behind the wheel and on the road, there's little, if any, discernable differences.
The 63 that you pictured is a base model if I've ever seen one.. The only option shown on the data plate is the provision for a radio. Things like a tilt wheel, power windows and seats, air conditioning, and tinted glass make your ride a little more comfortable.
And a lot more fun to work on! -
Such a shame that we have become ‘color blind’ when it comes to cars. Though it is nice to see a car of color in the sea of monotones!
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Is there one for 1963? Never heard of this manual.
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On 2/2/2019 at 4:27 PM, RivNut said:
Here's a picture of a TH200-4r in a '65 Riviera chassis. Not mine, but it belongs to a friend.
Modified OE transmission cross member
Other than this, it's pretty much a bolt in.
Ed, any chance you could repost the photos?
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Mako is the kit I'm installing on my car. Also putting his sway bars front and back. New coil springs, Bilstein shocks and any other part out of spec on the suspension and brakes, and steering. Trying to eliminate the "Surprises".
Ray
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The disc conversion from Tony G works with stock 63 Rivi rims. Now that I know I have 3 good rims that look to be 6”, the hunt is on for 2 more. I want to keep the original covers on the car. I’ll check the eBay guy out. Thanks
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Thanks Ed. The lefthand lugs are going to be replaced with righthand ones front and back. I remember you did an article on the rims a while back. Did you post the outside dimensions on the rims? Cant remember seeing that in the post.
I ran the car back home on the Uniroyal Tigerpaws that were on it. They looked new and as the car sat inside the entire 17 years before I bought it, I took a chance with them. Checked them every gas stop and I’m going to replace all 5 with something in the 70 ratio profile. I don't want to mess with them till I take everything apart is why I’m looking for the measurement.
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If Tom passes on the service bulletins I’m in.
Ray
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I’m in the Raliegh NC area.
Doesn't matter were the rims are at as long as I can get them. I just drove up to Lake Superior to get a Positrac rearend for the car. Thank you Scott!
I need to verify but I’m fairly sure the two NOS on the front are 6” rims. Just went outside and checked, the spare rim is new. It has a new 215 tire mounted on it but the ones on the ground are 235’s. The rims on the rear are pretty bad so I was going off the assumption that the fronts were shot also. I’ve been waiting for new springs, shocks, etc to get delivered before making the effort of tearing everything down. My reason for not knowing everything about the everything.
Over the winter I’m going to go through all of the suspension, brakes, and drivetrain to take care of anything that needs to addressed. The brake lines are original and I’m replacing them along with an upgrade to dual circuit master and front discs. It looks like the previous owner did everything needed 20 years ago but I’ve noticed some rubber bits that have deteriorated over the years. All suspension parts will be brought back to ‘as new’ so I don’t need to do this again later. Getting too old to keep messing with this stuff!
Does anyone have a 6” rim that they can measure the distance from outer rim to outer rim? I know that is not the true measurement of the rim but it will give me a measurement without taking a tire off the rim.
Another thing I've noticed is the lug nuts on the front are new and the ones on the back are old. What it the correct type of lug nut for steel rims? From memory when I did the deglaze and adjustment of the rears on the trip from California, they seem to be ‘small’ compared to the fronts. I didn’t pull the wheel covers off to verify this, don’t want to keep pulling parts off, will do it all at one time.
Thanks for everyone’s help. I forgot how much fun it was to own one of these Gen 1’s! The two 65’s I had back in the late 70’s were my cars and I promised myself I’d get another one someday after losing them in a fire. My Dad and I always had a few old cars to mess around with. He was a Cadillac guy and I was a Buick guy. Got away from cars after the fire and went into airplanes. Bought a 36 Cadillac Fleetwood 4 years ago but it doesn't get the juices flowing for me. It’s for sale.
Ray
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So today I had some time to check the front wheel bearings and brakes after the trip cross country and was greatly surprised to find the rims on the front are NOS and in perfect shape! I was going to hunt down a newer set of rims from a Chevy Astro van but now would like to see if a pair of original rims in good shape can be sourced.
Who would be a good contact to talk to? I have read the trouble others have had looking for good rims.
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I am selling my 1936 Cadillac Fleetwood 70 series 5 passenger touring sedan with dual side mount wheels. Number 1669 of 2000 built. Car was shipped to Hawaii in 1936 from Don Lee Cadillac. (San Francisco). This is a numbers matching car. Chassis is restored with new clutch, flywheel, pressure plate. Front end rebuilt, as well as rear end (new axle bearings and seals), new brakes and wheel cylinders. Engine rebuilt (have build sheet on engine, $9200) Body in very good condition. Media blasted and primed. New glass and rubber products. All printed references comes with the car including a Full set of service/parts manuals and the CLC Authenticity guide. Selling price is less than cost of services completed. $12,500 RiviCarNut@gmail.com
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Tired of trying to find when the first year disc brakes were standard on Rivieras.
Little help please.
Ray
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It was in this discussion that the rotors are referenced. My concern was whether there is a reason to not use the rotors specified for a 65 car on my 63. I would think the rotor difference pertains to the rim’s hub diameter between 63-64 and 65. I would also think that choice of rims are greater for 65 and later to replace the ones on my car. Lug nut holes are worn on my rims. I believe the spindles are the same on 63 - 65 cars. That being the case, and if 63 wheel covers are able to be used on 65 and later rims, for my usage the 65 kit is a better fit.
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1. 65 rotors referred to the ones listed in the instructions from Scarebird. The ones used on 71-76 Rivieras.Napa #85537.
2. Spacers question was because when I had to deglaze rear brakes in Arkansas on the trip home. Rim’s center hole fitted tight to the axles.
3. I know about the M/C. Was asking about upgrading to a later booster and is it necessary or worth worrying about. Thought I read something about doing this in one of the many posts I have read researching on the conversion.
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As my nature is to improve a “driver” I’m looking at doing the disc conversion using Scarebird. Questions:
1. Any reason not to use the 65 rotors if I go to later model 15x6 rims?
2. Will later model rims allow me to use my original wire wheel covers? My rims are worn rather badly at the lug nut holes.
3. Have spacers on the rear rims been a problem? I plan on driving this car all over the country at highway speeds and want it to be reliable.
4. Would using a later model brake booster be a wise decision?
Thanks
Ray
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The marshmallow ride car made the 2900 mile trip in 6 days. The things that cropped up during the trip was replace the battery; too low CCA for the starter, bypass the heater; control quadrant or diaphragms not working properly, and de-glaze/adjust the rear brakes.
Added one quart of oil, one quart of antifreeze, and copious amounts of premium gas for the 2900 mile trip; 12 miles per gallon. She saw the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and lots of gawkers along the route. Only saw one other classic car, a 30’s Plymouth about 300 miles from home in North Carolina.
The car sat on a Buick dealer’s showroom floor for 17 years and other than a brake booster that was replaced before the trip, ran flawlessly the whole way at 75 - 80 mph all day in 110 degree temperatures.
No trouble, no worries.
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If we worried about everything that could happen in life, what fun would that be?
All of the old stuff I’ve had over the years has done me right no matter if it was a 10 mile trip or 1000 miles. I’ve flown airplanes built in the 50’s and other than a quick tightning on a fitting I’m still here after 40 years of flying. Planning and a though preflight is the key.
The guys I got this old girl from are going over her and as it is coming from one of their friends, they what to make sure it makes it to it’s new home safely. I’ve had worst condition stuff make it and with a little luck this will be a fun bucket list check off!
The trip starts next Thursday.
Ray
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I’m north of Wake Forest. Already a member of ROA and intend to meet ‘at the park’.
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Hello all,
Names Ray and after 40 years have another first gen. Had two 65 Rivieras back in early 80’s that were one owner and I knew both of them. Lost them together in a fire that also got a 41 Lincoln Mark 1, and a very rare Chris Craft speed boat with twin Cadillac V8’s from the factory. All were in my airplane hanger for the winter season and the plane was at another airport. Would have been ok losing the plane, sold it shortly after that.
Got lucky and picked up a 63 Desert Sand with Baronet cloth in Sandalwood, Custom trim, A/C, electric windows, cruise, and a fair amount of other options. Restored by a Buick dealership owner and sat on the showroom floor. Not a bad find for a couple weeks of looking. Plan is to drive her back from California to home in North Carolina. It’s a bucket list thing for me.
Ray Morrison
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Wiring help - installed halo lights, but trying to get them to work with both the parking lights and low/high beams.
in Buick Riviera
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Yep