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Flamma

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Posts posted by Flamma

  1. Back at it again today, working on power windows, vacuum door locks, and the insanity of the vacuum headlights.

     

    I got the passenger front and both rear windows working from the driver's door (wiring was suspect), got the passenger front window working from the front passenger panel, but the back 2 power toggles wouldn't do their thing.  I then pulled the front driver door panel off and found the window motor was missing.  It looks like all the other hardware is present, and the window had been zip-tied in the up position.  The power locks are vacuum - great.  What group of GM engineers thought vacuum was such a great idea in 68?  Well, at least I know why the driver door window doesn't work.  I decided to leave the window up for now - time to look for a window motor.

     

    Started in on the vacuum insanity.  I read and re-read the chassis manual, and dived in.  Replaced about 10-20 feet of old weak crappy vacuum lines, and tried to bring it back to what the manual shows.  There were lines all over the place, jerry-rigged, closed up, holes, and god knows what else previous people were thinking.  I get triggered now, just thinking about the thought-process of previous "mechanics", much less the engineers that thought this was all a good idea.  Needless to say, it is a work in progress.  Someone start a go fund me for my sanity.  LOL

     

    Parts to buy currently:  At least 1 window motor (driver's door), potentially 2 vacuum headlight canisters, vacuum actuator (near battery) and vacuum light switch.

     

    Question:  Can someone tell me (last picture) what the on/off switch on the right, that turns the little light green in the middle on - what is it's purpose? The one on the left is the power antenna - if I had to guess, I'd say it's my rear window defogger, but just a wild guess.

     

    Cheers!

    Driver door window motor missing.jpg

    Driver door panel off.jpg

    Driver door panel.jpg

    what is this green light.jpg

  2. 11 hours ago, RivNut said:

    This has to be the sharpest, best equipped 1968 Riviera I've seen. Enjoy it to the Max. Will you be bringing it to the Branson ROA meet in 2022?  You've got my vote. 

    Thanks Ed ~ I hope to make it.

     

    While it has a lot of factory options, it's got a loooong way to go before it wins anything :)  

     

    It runs, and I'm having a blast with it, while not being afraid of putting a beer on the paint :) 

     

    Cheers!

  3. Well, it was another beautiful day, and time for some more therapy.

     

    Today, I worked on the trunk lid, and started chasing the power windows and vacuum lines to get the headlights to go up/down.

     

    After applying my forehead to the wall several times on the trunk lid not opening, I was ready to work my way through the back seat.  Before that, I found the shiny red button in the glove box and pressed it several times (I had pressed it before, but not when the car was running).  On the 5th press, I heard a pop in the back!!  Holy shit it worked!  I opened it up and found a large box full of fuses and old parts, and a smaller box full of documents.  Documents from the original owner in California.  Pretty cool stuff.  Original 1968 stuff.  I will document those later.  I also found 4 carpet mats, although I don't think they are original.  They stink like old grandma's closets. 

     

    Then, I noticed a huge light under, directly center, the trunk lid.  What the heck is this? I popped it out, and the wire/light ran all the way to the front tire.  That is damn cool.  When the trunk lid gets past half way down, the light goes out.  Also found a cool old/torn tire change sticker under the trunk lid.  I took everything out and checked the spare.  It's there, full of air (4 ply white wall tire), but no claw or lug nut wrench.  Also noticed some wiring/box attached to the back of the rear seat.  Anyone know what this might be for? 

     

    Re-worked the trunk lid tumbler, re-aligned the latch, and the trunk lid seems to open/close now.  The red button in the glove box only seems to pop the latch about every 5-8 presses.

     

    It was a good day.

     

    Power windows and vacuum lines tomorrow...

     

     

    glove box red button.jpg

    trunk lid open!.jpg

    under trunk lid portable light.jpg

    trunk lid portable light.jpg

    under trunk lid sticker.jpg

    behind rear seat what is this.jpg

    • Like 3
  4. For the coil question, it became obsolete when someone put this HEI distributor in. 

     

    The battery power wire (red wire) to the distributor came loose.  I took the top lid off the distributor out of curiosity.

     

    Slightly re-crimped the red wire and plugged her back in - Problem solved.

    distributor.jpg

    distributor with cap off.jpg

    the gremlin.jpg

    where the gremlin should be.jpg

    the gremlin home.jpg

    • Like 1
  5. The coil...

     

    I'm thinking, where is the coil wire to the distributor?  I count the spark plug wires and look for the 9th wire.  How did that wire fall off both?  LOL

     

    Then I look more closely at the coil and notice the other wires are missing too.  LOL how was this car running?

     

    Who wants to guess the answer?

    Coil.jpg

  6. Earlier today, I started to run the traps.

     

    Popped the hood, removed the chrome lid, and the 150 lbs of cool antique air filter container.  That thing needs cleaned, and repainted (another day).  It could also go on a diet, might drop my 1/4 mile time a full second...

      

    Cleaned up the carb a bit with some Berryman, and started checking wires.  While leaning into the engine compartment, I blasted my head on what I thought was the hood.  Then I realized it was something hanging down.  What the heck?  Is that a horn attached to the bottom of the hood?  Anyone ever seen this?

     

    I then noticed the coil.  Hmmm...something not quite right here.

    Riviera GS chrome lid.jpg

    Under the chrome lid.jpg

    what the hell is that.jpg

  7. About 2 miles back down the Canyon, and I finally get a signal and text the War Department.  She picks me up and I order towing 😁

     

    Hagerty towing is a pretty good deal.  Dude flat bedded to my home with no issues.

     

    I'm thinking, tomorrow I get to trouble-shoot the gremlin.  Fuel pump?  Coil?  Fuel filter?  A wire pop loose?

    Phantom Canyon Road 5.jpg

  8. Yesterday, I decided to take a short, casual drive up Phantom Canyon Road.  Snap a few pics, check out the views, but not too far, as there's no phone signal.  About 1/2 mile into it, I'm noticing the washboard gravel road, much more in the Buick than my Ram.  Right about then, my engine shuts off, the GEN and OIL light come on and I shift it into N until it stops, then put it into Park.  Cool, no signal, no text, and I'm thinking I have no fuel or spark, but I don't have my tools with me and it's about to get dark in the canyon.  I pop the hood and look around for anything obvious, but no dice.  I'm walking out...

    Phantom Canyon Road 1.jpg

    Phantom Canyon Road 3.jpg

    Phantom Canyon Road 4.jpg

  9. Hello folks,

     

    I recently became the new owner of a 1968 Riviera GS.  Inca Silver with vinyl top.

     

    I'm guessing it has an original/aftermarket 8 track player?  Also, not sure what the "TISSUES" and "Delco Stereo" parts are for.

     

    It has some gremlins, but overall, it seems to be pretty solid, and I'm pretty pumped.

     

    This will be my home therapy and weekend cruiser. 🍻

     

    More pictures to come...

    1968 Buick Riviera GS passenger side.jpg

    1968 Buick Riviera GS rear passenger.jpg

    1969 Buick Riviera GS instrument cluster.jpg

    Rear speaker cloth_vinyl back seats.jpg

    passenger door panel.jpg

    1968 Buick Riviera GS tissues.jpg

    1968 Buick Riviera GS Delco Stereo.jpg

    1968 Buick Riviera GS AM FM radio.jpg

    8 track.jpg

    • Like 4
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