CaliRivin

All good EmTee....I appreciate the concern and questions. Motor is top notch man, really. One of the best old schools I've ever driven/owned. Just gets up and goes or cruises low and slow. She's beautifully built, as I know you know. The front suspension is the wobble wobble. It's not horrible, because I've got on her quite a few times on different smooth straightaways, but enough to know when enough speed is enough speed lol. And im working towards her being a functioning daily driver for years to come. So figure I better start her right from the bottom up. On a side note, things I will need to address motor wise are the thermostat housing and water neck (they are just getting old and pitted) and a small/slow leak around the power steering pump near the outlets that I'm just now cleaning up and trying to dial in. Thought the best route may be to get new hoses/lines. But again, just starting to address these issues before they turn to problems. Again, much appreciated for the engagement here and much love from Cali always.

I put the carb on, found the nailhead 401 specific MSD plug and play from summit, dropped it in, and fired it up. Haven't had a misfire, no crazy lean or rich issues, and timing and all that jazz was started from TDC so it all just fell in to place. My main nailhead guy made a house call and double checked things. My guages all look good too...fuel pressure, temp, oil pressure all that. Vacuum hoses hooked and flowing where need be... So no bad news yet, but there's still time. Lol

Just thought I'd check in and say hey. I drive my gal to work almost every Saturday, weather permitting, and start her multiple times a week to keep her active. New carb and billet plug and play distributor seems to be jammin'. No vacuum issues, added fuel consumption or hiccups... Lucky so far. Keep yall posted still though. I opened her up on a straight away, buckin' around 70...front suspension is next in line cuz the wobbles got a lil scary at one point lol. Got all the parts. Just gotta find the time. But she's doin' just fine motor wise, especially for her 60th bday this month and looking mostly original if not all when I got her. Interior has been fully disassembled and my thoughts are to have my body and paint guy get after that portion of the vehicle, get it all painted, matted and buttoned up, and I'll put her back together electrically and physically so I can put the race car push button and dangling wires to rest finally. As always, to those who care and read this babble I appreciate you. Hope to report back with progress and more pics. Until then, any and all thoughts or questions are welcomed and hope yall have a great day. With love from beautiful Cali.

Thanks so much! Feels good to have her humming again. And you know ill keep ya posted on the performance, driveability, and overall assessment of the new parts based on my few months with the stock parts previously....cant wait...good or bad lol Jeremy

So I've been busy with life but I finally got around to getting my carb replacement on (edelbrock 750), and the MSD plug and play made for the 401 nailhead specifically. Lemme tell you, I am pleased beyond expression with the ease to start her (even at 35 degrees this morning) and the power behind the 750. World of difference. Next steps for me personally will be getting the sanding inside finished, get the seats dialed in where i want them and the wiring completed. As for a shop visit, all my front suspension, including sway bar and bilsteins are in and ready to apply. Happy holidays yall. Til next we meet.

Yo, Turb'....those are wires you designed and sell? Those are dope man if so! I knew ya repaired them and whatnot, but didnt know of these if in deed they are a sale item. And I ask cuz ill be getting wires when I swoop up new rims and flip these old American racing rims that came with her. I'm an old school low and slow wire rim kinda guy Let me know man. Message me if ya wanna even too to move off feed. Peace yall have a great weekend, Jeremy p.s rims for sale one day

Logically, makes perfect sense Thank you as always for the info, understanding and contribution to my gal

Well shoot...I definitely read that wrong throughout the forums lmao. Much appreciated, RivNut (Ed I believe), I know you are a walking book of Riv Knowledge 👍

Thanks, Jim, for the heads up. I appreciate the info on the vacuum port. I was guessing in some ways and planned to check for air/pressure/etc... My riser valve does move freely still. And I also blocked the exhaust/manifold ports to cut down on any issues with heat (I think that's why ya do it anyway). I did use the plate and the gasket, though I put the metal to the manifold and the gasket on top.

Yes sir it is. And thanks for noticing and stopping in. Gonna work on her here and there today and tomorrow. Hoping to take the carb for its maiden voyage, celebrating the 4th with a trip around the block in Riv style

She's in And she fired up first turn! Didnt miss a beat. Gonna button up lose ends, loom wires, properly place them actually, and redo the thermostat housing. P.S...any unwanted unpitted 63 housing (and ill need a crossover too sooner than later), anyone have one I'm in need. Mines about to be old school classroom pencil sharpener thin if I'm not diligent in getting on it. Anywho, much love from Cali always. Thanks for stopping by and until the kinks get kicked, see ya then. Jeremy

Pretty well on my way with the interior. Put the buckets back in for my usual stroll and after starting her and running her, just wouldn't get up and go again. Pulled the carb and manifold and it was a 60 year old mess in there. Cleaned the manifold up and had a buddy of mine bathe her, touch her up, and paint her the original 63 Silver. The carb is in need if a solid rebuild, so for now I have been gifted a newer edlebrock to hold me over. I have the piece to adapt the linkage/dynaflow to the new 750. I also purchased matching hardware from Valley Fastners here in Chico, Ca. A solid recommendation from all the old school mechanics here in town. Had the funky size intake bolt and carb bolts and washers no problem...got plugged by the attendant for $3.55 otd. Also decided to start replacing some easy things that need done, like hoses, filters, thermostat, temp/oil sensors, etc....got a bunch from CARS/old buick parts and my local Napa is clutch. Gonna touch up parts while I got things undone and get her put back together and on the road. waiting on front suspension back ordered parts and a few more things, but she will have a front end freshen up here soon and be road ready til the next installment. Have a great day yall Jeremy

Though I'm only six months a Rivee owner and member, I'm already missing being unable to attend. I'm still working away on my gal...im planning to have her out for her 60th Bday next year....no matter the destination. Enjoy the time yall. Can't wait to see some pics.

Hey, newbie here too, so just a warning....but I ended up removing my entire center console and dash on my newly acquired 63 since I was planning on sanding the inside. So for me, everything was moving anyways. But I will say that in the process of rewiring now and seeing where it all comes and goes, besides the manual and laminated wiring schematic, it sure gives you confidence and piece of mind knowing where everything is and done right (or at least screwed up by the only person that matters lol). Just an opinion from a mechanically declined individual...But for the trouble of removing dash and console and what have you, seems really worth it to get in as close as possible. Jeremy

Hey, I slang batteries for Interstate and I always recommend the easy fix first... Start with the battery. Sounds like surface charge is there but it's failing internally/specific gravity and such. And I know these guys all rock the 27F...but I like a group 65, either lead acid or AGM... or a 34 in an Optima. Reason being is they're squaty instead of tall, and you pull 850 CCA/1000+CA. Posts will still have the positive away from the body metal. And weight is all the same within 5 to 7 lbs. AGM, like a deep cycle(same tech) may be less CCA to start, but is meant to hold its true CCA longer. As with lead, you usually find that the CCA over time diminish. AGM/Gel should not really. But I do like that lead acid you can beat up a lil and get them back and their charge spicy. If ya look in the chassis manual, it's got a really good section on lead acid battery care/maintenance. Check it out. Good luck and I hope your troubles end with the battery. P.S. could buy a blem/used battery from a local Interstate for 45$ and up to check first if need be ever. Just an option. Jeremy