Tom here is an overview of my car.
This 1965 Buick Riviera that is numbers matching and while it needed a paint job the interior and the body are in great shape.
I really wanted to have a pseudo-esc, "Pro Touring Car" with it, but I do not want to destroy the originality of it.
My Grand Parents Bought this car new in Oklahoma City in 1965. When my Grand Father passed, I inherited it from him.
I would love to get it Dynoed
425 c.i. Nailhead (LX Code)
Rebuilt and Bored .030 over back in the early 70's as advised by Buick to do so, as harder Valve Seats were thought to need to be installed.
Stock Block De-burred and repainted, "Riviera Green"
Original Forged crankshaft
Original Forged Rods
Stock Cast Pistons
Engine Balanced and Blue Printed
New Rings and Bearing throughout
Cam W-30, 233/233 Duration @.050, .474/.474 Lift at a true 1.6:1 Ratio, LSA 112* (Sources through Carman Faso)
Heads - intake and exhaust port matched, Bowls, Chambers, and Ports Cleaned up
New guides and seats (Sourced through Carman Faso)
New Stainless, Swirl Polished Valves with 5 way grind
T/A Performance Roller Rockers (Inside Valve Covers have been relieved were there is any touching)
Original Cast Aluminum Buick Valve Covers
High Volume Oil Pump
Original Buick 2X4 intake port matched
Original Carbs rebuilt, and re-jetted
Original Air Intake Re-Chromed
Distributor turned, HEI and Tuned (Carman Faso)
T/A Shorty Ceramic Coated Headers, 2.5 inch minimum ID exhaust all the way back using 26 inch 2.5 ID Power Sticks, and "Classic" Chambered Resonators 2.5 inch ID.
Transmission
Original Matching Numbers TS 400
High Performance Valve Body
Reworked Governor Installed
Rest of Transmission gone through for quality
Re-worked 300 (12 inch?) Switch Pitch Torque Convertor. Stalls at 1600 rpm's at the low stall, and 2800 - 3200 rpm's at the high Stall
Case repainted
Seals, Gaskets, and Drive Shaft Joints replaced or serviced
Rear End
3.23 Posi Serviced and installed, replacing Original Peg leg Carrier, and 3.23 Gears.
Suspension
KYB Gas Adjustable Shocks
Stock Springs
1.25 Front Sway Bar
1.0 Rear sway Bar
Poly Urethane Bushings everywhere (The Black ones not the Red ones)
11.00 Inch Front Disc Brakes, with a twin Master cylinder and proportioning valve.
New Master Cylinder and Power Booster
Lee Engineering 12.7:1 Steering Box (This is what I'm having problems with, my turning radius is terrible, I need a country mile to make a U-Turn. Thought it might be a short Pitman Arm but since I can't find one and the smaller boxes can be used, I'm confused.)
New Tires, 225-75-R15 all around
Re-Chromed Stock Buick Rallye Wheels (1965) (I still have the Wire spinner hub caps that came with it) I don't use them because I'm afraid they will get stolen.
(For those who might be wondering, Where anything was machined or permanently changed, I bought other parts so the original parts would stay in original condition, lubbed wrapped up, and labeled, so Nothing would get lost, and it could always be 100% original if Need be)
I think this is a sensible Pro-touring build, where a original car can be updated in places, but with a little bit of work, be turn back into a completely original car.
I'm guessing maybe up to 400 hp maybe 500 ft pounds of Torque?????
Anybody have a god idea?
The interior of the car is completely original from 1965. The only thing that does not function as intended is the clock, and the AM Radio.
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I do have a beautiful optional Dealer added Nailhead Tachometer that I will put in the car as soon as I can. It is a beautiful example.
When I ordered an extra Walnut Vainer Package I notice a cutout option from the back where a Buick Tach could be mounted. It would replace the Ash Tray in the console. Has any one seen this done? Or have any pictures of it when it is done? I think it would be very cool.
When I was a young boy in the late 60's and early 70's I remember riding in the backseat of this car while my Grandmother Drag raced from light to light. This is something we did a number of summers when we went to visit.
I have all the paperwork on this car, when new, it was about $5500 if I remember right.
Riviera.
I refer to this car as, "Chester" as that was my Grandfathers name. He was an engineer and like a father to me. He had worked for North American during the War, and I guess that is why I have both the single, and duel intake and carb set ups. He was a Stealthy Hot Rodder as much as he could afford to be. He said he had whatever was the 3/4 race cam in it at the time.
1) if I could get my steering box issues figured out
2) My Radio Issues resolved
3) and my Tach installed in the Ashtray, I would be tickled.
4) I need to source about a 6 inch longer Tube and Dipstick for the engine. I went to check the oil and burned my hand on the headers.
5) and Lastly Set up a deliberate switch to change the stall on the converter to help driving around town easier, and making sure I can get maximum take off torque when I want to get ornery.
If anyone could help me resolve/walk me through these issues I'd really appreciate it. I have had my right shoulder replaced twice, and my left ones needed it 12 years ago. My Back had a 3 level fusion during this time so being able to wrench on my car unfortunately is a think of the past at least for now.
Have a very good friend that is extremely talented who will be doing this for me. He had his own repair shop for many year and does excellent work.
Anyway, it is nice to meet everyone, and I'm very glad to have found this forum.
Thanks in advance,
Sincerely,
Ty O.
