lrlforfun
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Posts posted by lrlforfun
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OK Riviera People: It's now 10K. Mitch
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OK Buick People: For mechanical work I had no mentor. I ground out everything, made mistakes you wouldn't believe and at 64 I'm just starting to correct many of my bad habits. Body work? For some reason I couldn't get my head wrapped around that trade although I've done my share of it.
My trade? Finish Auto detailer. I started a car wash route in the neighborhood when I was 11 and it was take no prisoners when it came to finding out the best and quickest methods using the very best equipment and supplies. Doing a fantastic job? I was my own harshest critic. Wholesale to the trade/retail to the public, I seemed to have a knack for it.
The most important thing? Ya gotta like that kind of work!!!!! Mitch
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OK Riviera People: I'm almost finished with one. Problems? For me who's not a mechanic , everything was a problem.
I removed all the bolts on the cover, cut off a few that I couldn't get a wrench on. I broke the cover trying to nudge it off due to 3 of the bolts were snapped in the cover and rusted solid.
I cleaned the daylights out of the replacement cover and made sure the holes were open. I used a tap and die on all threads and bolts which were also cleaned well.
I cleaned the used cover and used 3-M 90 to keep the lower gasket that fits between the cover and oil pan in place, red Permatex elsewhere. Chain and gears were fresh as was the concentric and fuel pump rod. I also used 180 grit with a block to smooth the edges of the cover and goose neck/water manifold. So close to firing it up and ....I got the wrong thermostat gasket.
I've done this job many times with new covers from Buick but that was a long time ago and as I've mentioned....Father Time doesn't miss a trick! Mitch
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OK 39: Personally I would just bite the bullet and go through it. On 1960 and older the torque tube presents a tedious and expensive removal/replacement process. Not as bad with a 63 Riv. Never the less, if you can seal it and chance it because there's no labor costs involved you may consider that route. Most tranny shops don't like to do an install because if the trans is bad there's often a misunderstanding with a customer. They want to do the job from beginning to end and assume all the liability. Machine shops are no different.
Mitch
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OK Bill: Your advise for any Nailhead?
OK All you Riviera People:
LISTEN TO BILL!!!!!!
DODGE A MAJOR BULLET!!!!!!!
This is a serious problem that when done BEFORE THE FACT in the safe confines of a shop or proper work area can save so much grief. Back in the day the auto parts store had a pump in stock and installation was quick and uneventful.
Today? Father Time has not missed a trick and while a pump is somewhat available, the proper installation process has been dramatically slowed down by frozen and broken bolts.
Mitch
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OK Winston: I recently did my 65 and used the original stv system. My a/c guy checked the temperature at 38. Out of curiosity, what is your temp and is there a factory recommended/suggested temperature?
BTW, these cars are really nice when repaired to the stock specs. A few tweaks like yours on the a/c or a perhaps a dual master....no prob but....when people do things such as replacing carbs with the Edlebrock (not that Edlebrock is bad) because they don't understand that when working correctly stock it is excellent....that's when a whole-lotta things start going South and I don't mean the Southern part of the country either!
Mitch
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OK Riviera People: I believe GM 's first year for AM-FM was 64. Am I correct? Mitch
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OK Riviera People: So valuable? I've had a set of driver quality 66 Riv Turbine caps on Craig's list for 3 weeks now.... pick 'em up at my place (94552) for $100. Nobody wants them. Mitch
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OK Riviera People: This ridiculous watermark is going to ruin things all the way down the food chain.
Little known, and I don't ever mention this is that I was a 63-67 Corvette guy for many years from the 60s to the mid 80s. Then the perfection came along with the matching numbers mythology. Yuuuk. The kind of car Buzz and Todd adventured in was now this prissy......and expensive trophy.
If this is happening to the 65 Riviera, especially the GS models it's a dark day for us all. And, BTW, lots of the buyers that pay stupid money for these type cars are looking for more bling than quality. You may also notice that I left out correctness and authenticity.
Sour grapes all the way, Mitch
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OK CR: I posted this on the 1960 Buick Universe Facebook Page. Hopefully a local will have one kickin' around. I have several but all on the West Coast. Mitch
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OK Riviera People: It is always how one enjoys what they have. Me? Just dreaming about my parts cars is fun fun fun.....and if you ain't havin' fun.......y'all are in the wrong place. Mitch
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OK Huntz: Is there a replacement grommet for the bottom of the distributor? Mitch
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OK Buick People: Come on now....EVERYBODY has a spot for that car at the right price! If it were cleaner, better color, gobs of equipment....maybe. Mitch
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OK Riviera People: Anyone here been to this year's dog and pony show? Any sharp First-Gens crossing the block worth discussing?
These cars , as we already know are skyrocketing in popularity. How high do you think they'll get? I think the Chev and Rod crowd is enchanted with them too.
Mitch
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OK Buick People: I have a friend who procured an open chambered 427 Chev Rat motor....from an original L-88 Corvette. This was early 80s. The late 80s came along and I kept pestering him to find the car it came out of and buy it because it would be....at that time a hundred grand, easy! He had it in his 55, then his Anglia, then a 40 Chev and who knows what racer he's got it in today.
Today? He could conceivably go into minor debt to at least hunt down and possibly procure the body the engine came from because it's at least a couple-a mil.
Other than a cheap fun treasure hunt with not much energy spent I believe it to be a fool's errand.
Mitch
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OK Riviera People: Now we're on track how about this....A retro front seat mounting bracket so the front seat goes back further is a great idea. On that note what other suggestions might one have (besides getting things in top condition) for making a First-gen better? Mitch
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OK Corey: I 1000000% agree with Lapham... Mitch
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OK Dick: When they're on the money they don't stick around too darn long. (Hint for those selling and not getting results). Mitch
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OK Ed: NOW you're cookin' with gas! The seat adjustment is one I sorely miss. I'm 5-11 and have long legs. The only First-Gen I've ever felt really comfortable driving was a 65 Custom interior one with the power seat. I think if one had a retro kit for putting the seat back a few inches they could probably sell a ton of them!
The passenger's side mirror is also a good one. For some reason a convex mirror is what's used on the passenger's side for a long time now. The original was flat. Mitch
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OK Ed: Just for fun.....that's all
Mitch
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OK Riviera People: I'm bootin' this one up again. For fun now...... We have eight more years experience from the original post with these cars.
With out changing the basic style and engineering what would you do to improve the First-Gen Rivs to 1. Give them a bigger edge against Father Time (make 'em last longer) and 2. How what would you do to improve the drive-ability?
Mitch
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OK Buick People: Not too awful bad. The only thing I really dis-like is that the car is wet in the picture. At the right price this might be a great opportunity. Remember, a 66 Wildcat 4 door ht is a nice looking car when all dolled up. Custom bench and a/c are a pair of very big attributes (along with condition). Mitch
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OK Buick people: I watched most of them. Just make sure you write down the titles and episode numbers so y'all don't get confused. haha. Fun? Oh yeah! Mitch
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OK Ed: Topper? I dyed many a V-T with it over the years. Today? I have NO cars with a vinyl top and I haven't even seen a vinyl top on a car in the flesh in a very long time...even here in the Bay Area. Good tip on the leather. It's worth a try on a ragged out 63 Riv. Mitch
Customized Riviera- Not Mine
in Buick Riviera
Posted · Edited by lrlforfun (see edit history)
OK Bernie: With that builder's talent, skill set and customer's money.....how many First-gens could 'a been made road worthy with all the energy spent on this? Mitch