texdave

Thanks all. I dusted off the old 1983 Buick Chassis Service Manual and found the -- unfortunate for me -- answer there. I'm attaching the page for anyone else with Buick transmissions of this era that want to know what is and isn't serviceable. It's a sunny weekend day cruiser for me so I'll put in some additive to help try recover the seal. It's not much of a leak so not worried about it.

I've noticed a small transmission oil leak coming from the transmission area of my 83 Riviera. I took it to my local shop and they think it's due to the shift shaft seal. Since they believe it requires dropping the transmission to change the seal, they're quoting a hefty price to fix it. On my other GM car's transmissions (700R4 and 4L60E) the shift shaft seal can be replaced without dropping the transmission (or pan) by way of a special GM seal remover tool. I'm not familiar with the FWD transmission though so not sure if something similar would work. Does anyone know if changing that seal is something that can be done w/o dropping the transmission?

@sosuzguy sorry to revive an old topic but apparently I don't have permission yet to send a direct message. Any chance you still have two of these relays to sell? Need a couple for my 83 Riviera.

Selling my Riviera after addressing all the small issues I found. In great shape, with all features working, and excellent condition. More details and photos here: https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d/cypress-1983-buick-riviera-7000-miles/7662854058.html. Asking $22,500 or best offer. Happy to answer any questions.

Hi all, just posted my 1982 slicktop Riviera yesterday. Listing is here: https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d/cypress-1983-buick-riviera-7000-miles/7662854058.html.

Here's some pictures of my "new to me" 1983 coupe with 6,600 original miles.

I found myself having to refer to my physical manual quite often, sometimes when it wasn't easily reachable, so I decided to scan it. It took some time but am sharing it here in case it can be of use or help to anyone else. I looked online to see if one already existed but couldn't fine one for any 6th generation Riviera. https://www.mediafire.com/file/8z2nigegho7ottr/1983-buick-riviera-owners-manual.pdf/file

@Jolly_John thanks for checking, do let me know. Appreciate it!

Any tips on where I can find a black/dark grey spare tire cover for the one I have in my trunk? Couldn't find much on ebay other than this one that's in the wrong color: https://www.ebay.com/itm/275929675928.

Have fun across the pond!

Thanks for this info. Glad to hear that there's a good chance that the two-tone paint and stripes are as they came from the factory. I'll be taking the care to a good paint shop to validate it and to look over some minor paint/rock chips to see what my options are for restoring it as best as possible.

Hey Tom. I did replace the speakers, which were indeed pretty shot, but the static noise is still there which leads to either the wiring or the head unit being the source of that. The car has 4 speakers (2 in the front and 2 in the rear). Is it safe to assume that any non-Bose AC Delco stereo head unit for this generation will work as a replacement?

@RivNut, apparently my account is too new so I can't send a PM but saw in a 3yr old thread that you mentioned you had a few 83-85 Riv/GM car stereos. Is that still true? The AC Delco AM/FM/Cassette stereo in my 83 produces static/noise from the right speakers and wondering if it'll be cheaper to replace it than fix it.

Indeed, the tan over brown paint scheme is the same but the car doesn't have the other XX details like the anniversary badges or gold touches. However, this anniversary photo that's in the Riviera wikipedia page has the same type of pin stripes as my car that go all the way to the bumper and they also look like decals. Maybe they did come standard as decals when new? )

I recently bought a 1983 Riviera coupe in a two tone (light brown over brown) paint configuration. It has less than 10k miles that I'm pretty sure are original. My question is around the brown pin stripes it currently sports, namely that they seem to be on as a decal. They are 3 stripes that run all the way front to back from chrome bumper to chrome bumper, similar to this car on BAT: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1984-buick-riviera-10/. From those photos, they also seem to be on as part of a decal. This eBay listing, for example, states that they are NOS GM. Other 6th gen Rivieras have different types of pin stripes of different designs and lengths -- some run only on the side fenders while others extend to the panel just before the bumper fillers. Most seem to be painted on but can't really tell sometimes. Did 6th gen Rivieras only come with paint pin stripes or did they also come as decals?