bob71GS

This is not the correct dipstick-tube. This tube would be for the inline 6 cyl engine where it has a tube coming out of the block for the tube to down into the block. The 430-455 engines used a tube that has a small metal piece like a flat washer that acts as a stop as the dipstick goes into a hole directly in the block. I've checked my Buick master parts catalogs and it shows the same dipstick for the 67 430 engines and the 455 engines. If you need me to take a picture of the dipstick from my 71, let me know. Bob Bonto

Is this what you are looking for? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-1966-Buick-Riviera-Wildcat-Electra-LeSabre-Brake-Pad-Brake-Pedal-Black-/331720928194?fits=Make%3ABuick%7CModel%3ARiviera&hash=item4d3c1babc2:g:rBsAAOSwo0JWMGRz&vxp=mtr There is also a washer jug listed .. If you keep checking Ebay, you might be surprised as to what you will find. All it takes is patience & pertinacious. Bob Bonto

No one is reproducing the bumper strips. You will have to try & find used. Bob Bonto

I sent you a PM. The correct part #1243121 Bob Bonto

The GS option in 73 was a handling package which consisted of steel belted HR70-15 tires on heavy duty steel wheels or the chrome plated rally wheels if also ordered;HD front & rear springs along with HD front & rear shocks;rear stabilizer bar (front was standard); added acoustical insulation and the GS emblem. Bob Bonto

Since you confirmed the "XA" on the block, I would not be worrying about vin numbers. I hate to say this, but this subject has been beat to death. We can only thank the people who produced the Corvette Bloomington Gold for all the hyperbole over numbers matching everything and this is my own opinion. Now don't get wrong, if I were buying a used Stage 1, I would make sure it had the correct engine code, but I certainly would not get anal over checking vin numbers. In answer to your question about the Stage 1 emblem, Original Parts Group sells them, but you will have to look under the Skylark as Buick used the same one for both. Bob Bonto

Radial tires were not offered in 71. I ordered my 71 GS new in late March of 71. With the GS option, the standard tire was the H-78-15 with the dual white strips or option F8 H-70 wide oval with a red stripe or F9 wide oval in white. I choose the standard H-78 dual white stripe. My spare tire is the original H-78 which has never been out of the trunk. The wholesale order form in 71 did not have any options for radial tires. In 1973 radials were becoming more popular and that is when I went over to them. I am now running P225-75 radials. Any tire store or web site can tell you what radial size is equal to the H-78 or H-70 tire. All it takes is doing the research. Bob Bonto

There is no way to determine how many were made in this exact color combination. I can give you the following information: Only 2522 71's were made with the Pearl Beige code 70 exterior Paint which was only 7.46% of the total production. 6,859 had the Dark Brown vinyl top which was 20.3% of total production. 2,146 had the custom vinyl buckets in Rosewood trim #697 which was 6.3% of total production. Pearl Beige was the 5th most popular color, the rarest is Tealmist Gray #16 which only 11 were made. Bob Bonto ROA #277 Technical Advisor 71-73

I happen to believe that the factory shop manual gives very in depth info if you are mechanically inclined. They do have pictures showing the installation of the timing chain and sprocket, it clearly shows the timing marks lining up. You stated that you bought a Cloyes timing set. Both the factory original and Cloyes will have a chain, the only difference will be the camshaft sprocket. The factory has plastic gears which is noted for wearing, where the Cloyes will be all metal. Last fall I replaced the cover in my 71GS as I thought it had a crack in the housing, I also replaced the timing chain set since the plastic gear had worn down and there was quite a bit of play in it. Also put a new water pump on. Turned out the housing was fine but the gasket failed. If you need a cover, I have an excellent used that has been bead blasted and inspected that came off my 71 with only 20,000 original miles as I did install the new one. Bob Bonto ROA #277 Technical Advisor 71-73

Jason, You are correct that that you can change the dessicant in the drier/receiver. Rock Auto carries AC Delco part #15-32871, $24.89. Bob Bonto #277

Jason, Ouch, that sure put an end to you charging the system. In checking my master Buick parts catalog, original part #1252651 AC Delco 15-3404, don't know if AC Delco is still making them. Did a search for NOS, nothing available. Bob Bonto #277

You may try contacting Counting Cars who is located in Vegas. His shop may have done the original paint job since that is what they are noted for. Bob Bonto #227 Technical Advisor 71-73

Art, Is is possible that your manifold has been switched out? The 71 Buick Service Manual is online: http://www.buick-riviera.com/servicemanual.html Click on Engine section and go to page 60-59. It has a picture of the manifold for installing the bolts. On the left where they have numbers 5 &9 is where the vacuum port goes. On the right where numbers 6& 10 are, is where the temperature sending unit screws in. I think what you may have found is the cylinder head metal temperature switch. No coolant goes through the head. In 71 they had two temperature lights, one for the coolant temperature and the other would be a "STOP" light in the dash next to the GEN light. That was tied into the switch on the back of the head on the left head. Bob Bonto #277 ROA Technical Advisor 71-73

What you are describing is not the temperature sensor. It is the vacuum ported switch that is located directly behind the distributor. The temperature switch will be to the right. It is screwed into the intake and will have 1 green wire. I strongly suggest that you get yourself a service manual. They are available on CD. Bob Bonto #277 ROA Technical Advisor 71-73

Welcome aboard..Congrats on your purchase, it sure looks very nice. Finding the 1st gen Riv's in this condition are like finding a needle in a hay stack. The best advise i can give your is to join the Riviera Owners Assoc. It will be the best $30 a year you will spend. We have Technical Advisors for every year and most of the 1st gen experts frequent this forum. Check out the ROA website http://rivowners.org/ Bob Bonto #277 ROA Technical Advisor 71-73 Charter Member Former President Board of Trustees

Mike, I have no idea what you are referring to (73 GS on CL would have a Stage 1 decal on the air cleaner)??? Once again, too clarify this for you, the GS handling option in 73 was a separate option, it only consisted of HD shocks front & rear, HD springs front & rear with a rear stabilizer bar. The Stage 1 engine was also a separate option and it would include the Stage 1 engine with chrome cover air cleaner with the decal.. In 71Buick did bring out the Max Trac option. Bob Bonto # 277 ROA Technical Advisor 71-73 Charter Member

If you want to know, go to the ROA website http://rivowners.org/feature.html Read the article . Bob Bonto # 277 ROA Technical Advisor 71-73 Charter Member

It looks like nice 72. Since it is not a GS, the going price is around $10 for a nice driver. How much is he asking? Just to give you some quick info, it appears the color is crystal blue which paint code 21 on the data plate. If it is crystal blue, only 2,203 72 Rivs. had this color for 6.53% of total production. If you need any other help or info, just send me a PM. Bob Bonto # 277 ROA :cool: 71-73 Technical Advisor Charter Member

In checking one of my three Buick master parts catalogs, it lists the sending unit is for 1969 & 1970 only. Also doing a search on Parts Voice, there are no listings for any NOS units. Your best solution is to get yours rebuilt. Bob's Speedometer www.bobsspeedometer.com or John Wolfe & Co. www.johnwolfco.com Bob Bonto #277 ROA Technical Advisor 71-73 Charter Member

It's called "Static Balancing" Been doing it for years on my 71 with the rally wheels. Makes the wheels look real nice on the outside without the weights. Bob Bonto #277 ROA 71-73 Technical Advisor Charter Member

Go with a 160 and while your at it replace the radiator cap with a 10 pound one. Last year I had a small leak in the top neck and took it to the radiator shop for repair. When i picked it up, the shop said if you want your top & bottom hoses to last, go with 10 cap. Have not had no overheating and it runs cooler. If you are like me, I do not drive my 71 in the winter, so a 190 or 195 would be a total waste. Robert Bonto #277 ROA Technical Advisor 71-73 Charter Member

All trim codes would be a 3 digit number. A picture of data plate may help. But I suspect it may be vinyl top code. Bob Bonto ROA # 277 Technical Advisor 71-73 Charter Member

Ed, I went through my archives and found the distributor ID list. I will attempt to attach it. If it does not appear, I will send it by email. Bob Bonto#277 Technical Advisor 71-73 Charter MemberDist ID.pdf

Darren, Since I am the orginial owner of my 71GS, I have my protect-o-plate. It would have the name, address, delivery date of original owner, vin#, interior trim #,body paint #, engine/year code # & build date,transmission type/build date & select option codes. That is what the 71's had. I would think that the 1st gen Riv's would be similiar. I remember that the dealers had this "credit card" type gadget they used anytime you would bring the car in for service, they would place the protect-o-plate in the gadget and then take a blank service order and then slide it over the plate. All the info was printed on the service order. Bob Bonto # 277 Technical Advisor 71-73

I checked the ROA membership roster, it appears that he is no longer a member as his ROA # is no longer listed. I always liked giving my business first to any ROA member like Cars or Classic Buick. It looks like you will have to do business with Classic Auto Air in Florida. Bob Bonto # 277 Technical Advisor 71-73