RivNut

Bernie, It sounds like your dad and my dad went to the same old skool. I looked at a couple of "really cool cars" (or so I thought) until Dad pointed out various money pits to me. I was looking to purchase a '57 Chevy that someone had put a 327 4speed into with metaflake paint and a Tijuana tuck n' roll upholstery. It didn't take dad long to pick it apart. We did however find a '63 Dodge that once was a KS State Trooper car. Dad knew that it has been serviced well and because is had a lot of HD parts on it would serve me well. It did that all through college. When I got married, by wife wanted something with a/c and power brakes and found something "really cute." Don't remember what it was now. Dad had worked at the local Buick dealer and found us a really neat '64 Wildcat 2dr hardtop. Bucket seats, console, a/c etc. Nice car. Should have kept it, instead we traded it for a '68 Dodge Charger - no a/c. Then a new '73 Buick Regal and all sorts of other family cars. After the family was going strong I then bought a '57 Austin Healey 100-6 BN7, fixed it up, played with it for a while, and finally sold it for a pittance compared to what they're brining now. What a fun car to drive. Had to go around everything I saw in the road. It was so low I couldn't tell the difference between an asphalt patch and a pot hole. Then 30 years ago when I was 34, I bought the '63 Riviera that I now still have. Drove it for 17 years as my daily driver. 197,000 miles on the orginal engine and transmission. Wonderful memories. Thanks, Ed

That button is not exclusive to Rivieras. I found one on a Buick Special from the same era. Try all of the sources from the restoration link on the ROA's website, Classifieds for the Riview / Hemmings Motor News / BCA Bugle, etc. Good luck. Ed

The standard Riv shared the outside chrome mirrors with the Toronado. The S-Type used the GM sport mirrors from the era. Take a look at this evolution page from the ROA's website. The photos show a standard coupe, the flyer at the bottom of the page shows an S-Type. Riviera Owners Association When I built my Type_R, I had to find the upper door moldings from a '79 so I could mount the sport mirrors. Ed

Here's a link to a previous post in which Jim Cannon explains that VIN's are not exclusive to Rivieras, but cover all full sized cars that Buick built in '63; there were almost 400,000 units built that year. The FB # is the production sequence for Rivieras and it corresponds with the build date. Nothing fishy here. http://forums.aaca.org/f177/1963-riviera-vin-numbers-235883-2.html Ed

Rex, NO, the pads do not exhchange. The 63 has only a defroster vent whereas the 64/65 has the radio speaker grill AND the defroster vent. Be very cautioous of any seller when he/she says "fits 63/64/65" For example - the console tops for each year are unique. Different placement of HVAC controls and different shifter quadrants. Some parts of each are interchangeable, but not complete units. All three year shifters are different too. Ed

Even if the visors that Dave has access to are the wrong color, go ahead and get 'em while you can. The problem with droopy visors is the plastic "winged thing" on the shaft. If that "winged thing" cracks, it's too big to grip the support rod. Those support rods are interchangeable just by pulling them out. For the lighted mirrors, a 12V wire is fed through the mounting plate, and the ground strap is clipped to the end of the support rod. Once you tear into one, you can see how simply they are assembled. The 12V wired has a connector right inside the hole in the headliner.

The Monroes are designed as a direct replacement. No mods to anything; they bolt right in. They fit like OE parts. If you look at the Monroe website and check applications, you'll see that the monroe 5759 (front) fits the following: (sorry about the font, it's what happens when you copy and paste. <TABLE id=treeViewMakes border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width=1></TD><TD>Buick</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD id=treeViewMakes*9770 vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(/catalogPart/config/treeLine.gif); BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-y" height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width=1></TD><TD>Invicta <TABLE id=treeViewMakes border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width=1></TD><TD>Buick</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> </TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD id=treeViewMakes*9770*171693 vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD width=1></TD><TD>1961 - 1963 Front</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(/catalogPart/config/treeLine.gif); BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-y" height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width=1></TD><TD>LeSabre</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD id=treeViewMakes*9770*171083 vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD width=1></TD><TD>1961 - 1964 Front</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(/catalogPart/config/treeLine.gif); BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-y" height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width=1></TD><TD>Riviera</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD id=treeViewMakes*9770*171088 vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD width=1></TD><TD>1963 - 1965 Front</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width=1></TD><TD>Wildcat</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD id=treeViewMakes*9770*171694 vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD width=1></TD><TD>1964 - 1964 Front </TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><IFRAME style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" id=treeFrame src="/catalogPart/treeview.do?iframe=iframe" name=treeFrame></IFRAME>The 5760 (rear) shows applications for : <TABLE id=treeViewMakes border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width=1></TD><TD>Buick</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD id=treeViewMakes*9770 vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(/catalogPart/config/treeLine.gif); BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-y" height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width=1></TD><TD>Invicta</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD id=treeViewMakes*9770*171693 vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD width=1></TD><TD>1961 - 1963 Rear</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(/catalogPart/config/treeLine.gif); BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-y" height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width=1></TD><TD>LeSabre</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD id=treeViewMakes*9770*171083 vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD width=1></TD><TD>1961 - 1964 Rear</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(/catalogPart/config/treeLine.gif); BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-y" height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width=1></TD><TD>Riviera</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD id=treeViewMakes*9770*171088 vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD width=1></TD><TD>1963 - 1965 Rear </TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width=1></TD><TD>Wildcat</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR><TR><TD id=treeViewMakes*9770*171694 vAlign=top colSpan=2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height="100%" vAlign=top width=16></TD><TD width=1></TD><TD>1964 - 1964 Rear</TD><TD noWrap align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><IFRAME style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" id=treeFrame src="/catalogPart/treeview.do?iframe=iframe" name=treeFrame></IFRAME> Don't let the Invicta / Wildcat applications fool you. They're the same car, just a new name in '64; the more powerful engine on the LeSabre chassis.

Go for the factory Chassis Service Manual first. 500 pages sounds about right. I'm taking a WAG* here that the 900 page two volume set is something that someone has copied from the original and it's only copied on one side of each sheet of paper. ?????? The Body Service Manual (at least the one I have for my '63) shows how to remove moldings, door panels, head liners, front and rear glass, align doors, and smaller things. From what I can tell, most of the stuff covered in the Body Service Manual is something I'd leave to a professional glass installer, upholsterer, or body man. Ed *Wild Assed Guess

It depends on how long the shock is to begin with. If the shock is original length, and it has a certain amount of built in travel, you might bottom out the shock before you fully compress the spring. That would ruin the shock. You need to take some measurements, then go to either the internet or a jobber and look through the specs of each shock to see if it will give you the travel you need before bottoming out or fully extending during travel. You don't want to be driving on a shock that you've bottomed out and doesn't work any more. You know how much your car has been lowered and what the spring travel is. You need to do the research to find out what will work. From whom did you get the lowering springs? What did they tell you? What KYB says will fit a '64 Riviera they also say will fit a 67 Buick Special (how many pounds lighter?) and a 79 Volvo??? Ed PS When I went to the KYB website and entered 1964 Buick Riviera, their catalog showed different part numbers than the ad on ebay shows. KYB does NOT show a listing for a rear shock for the '64 Riviera.

They're okay, but you don't say how you plan on driving your car or if it's been lowered. Monroe makes specific shocks for both the front and the back of the 63 - 65 Riviera and you can get them at your corner jobber - NAPA, Autozone, Pep Boys, Advance, O'Reilly, Car Quest, etc. and they're probably about half the price. I've got Monroe Sensa-Tracs on my '64 and like them just fine. http://www.monroe.com/catalog/e-Catalog Monroe show separate listings for shocks for the 63 - 65 Riviera and the 66-70 Riviera. You need to ask yourself "Why does one company show two separate applications, and the other company show one application for a larger range of years. Is the one application a universal item or a made to fit item?" The Monroe site has all the dimensions for each shock. Compare each to the same KYB and see what you find. Something is different somewhere. Ed

Metro fits well, but on a number of their items they're not reproduced to OEM quality. I but door seals on one of my cars and because Metro doesn't put any plastic / figerglass material inside their rubber where the windows have to run through a gap in the seal, the rubber will then pull away from screw holes, etc. Not a good experience for me.

If you're an ROA member and the vendor is advertising in the Riview, Ray Knott, director/editor, would appreciate knowing about this. He does not allow shady vendors to use the Riview for advertising. Ed

X2 what Tom says. Have your tanks recored. There are articles on heater core replacement in the Tech Tips section of the ROA's website.

Ask Al Schmidt to post some pictures of his '64 Coral Mist with the A8 engine option. It won Best of show at the 2011 Riviera Owners Annual meet in Branson. Outwardly, the two cars appear similar. You can't see the wheels or interior color, so I won't comment on them. Ed

These will look nice in your A-body cars, Skylark, Special, and GS, but from the looks of what's posted in the pictures, the driver's side mat isn't correct for the larger series cars, Wildcat, Electra, LeSabre, and Riviera. Too bad they don't make them for the bigger cars; competition among vendors is always good for the consumer.

Thanks for letting us know how this went. So many times repairs / suggestions are revealed to the original poster, but no responses are written to say it did or did not work, or "thanks" Hopefully everything will continue to hold. Ed

Quote: "Engine serial # 7J1097087, production code # JT667" 7 is for a Riviera, J is for 1963 in the VIN. As for the engine code JT, once again J stands for 1963 and T stands for a 401. The location of the JT on the block is where you were hoping to find an LX. What makes this interesting/peculiar is that the '63 came with a dynaflow transmission and the '65 came with an ST400 transmission. Each transmission required a different crank hub and flexplate. Someone had to do something in order to mate the '63 engine to the '65 transmission. The OE '65 crank could have been installed in the '63 block, or an adapter hub could have replaced the original crank hub. Who knows. That's what makes this an intetesting hobby. Good luck with it and enjoy it. Ed

When I purchased my '63 from the original owner back in '82, it came with a set of original mats (there was a receipt for them in the paper work I got with the car.) They were white (looked funny on black carpet but they matched the seats and door panels) and had the Buick tri-shield emblem on them. I do not think that Buick made specific mats just for the Riviera. So it's my opinion that (at least for '63) any mat with a Riviera emblem would be something thought up by the aftermarket manufacturer. My '63 "Accessories Brochure" shows only Tri-shield mats available as well. The full length mat I had for the front of my '85 didn't have a Riviera symbol on it either. All it had was a "GM" logo stamped onto a piece of rubber. If Calvin Clark is offering something for sale as OE, chances are that he's done a lot of research on it before he made it. Ed

Log on to either the nailhead group @ Yahoo or check the nailhead forum on the V8Buick.com website. The engine gurus over there (Russ, Doc, Tom, et al) will tell you what I said earlier. 1) There's enough nickle content in the iron of the nailhead block so the valves won't recede. And 2) - what I didn't post - if a machinist is advising you to install hardened valve seats, "he's just padding his purse." If he does insist on installing the hardened seats, is he willing to purchase another head for you and do all the work on it for no extra charge when he gets into the water jacket of the original head? If for some reason you've destroyed a head that a valve job won't fix, then look for another head.

Rosewood is listed as code 192 for the cloth and 992 for the leather for interior colors for 1989. I've never seen one that I can recall. Ed

Jim, From whom are you getting 97 octane gas? The highest unleaded premium around here is 93 octane. Ed

The previous owner of my '63 had to do a valve job on it. BUT, he was pulling a very large Airstream trailer with it. Apparently lugging the engine under load will cause valves to recess. At the same time he did the valve job, he also installed a 3.91 rear in order to keep the rpm's at a higher level when he was towing at highway speeds. Luckily, a valve job did the trick - along with a couple of new valves, and he didn't need to have inserts installed. The inserts themselves are not the problem, it's the lack of room there is to work with. More often than not, the machinist will be in the water jacket before he knows it. Then you're looking for another head. Here's a website that shows where to find ethanol free gas. Luckily for me there's a station about 4 miles from me where the owner purchases ethanol free premium unleaded. I run it without any problems, and my hoses, fuel pump, and carburetor are still good to go. http://pure-gas.org/

Buick used a very high nickle content in the iron for their engines. In effect this means you don't need to use lead additives, nor should you ever have hardened seats installed (at least in a nailhead.) Use whichever octane level allows you to set the timing correctly without any detonation. Ed

Fenwick, What size and brand of tires are on your '70? Nice width whitewall for this era car. Ed

Randy, You are correct Here is a link to the ROA website that shows both the short and long skirts that were available in '70. Fenwick's car has the long skirts but they're missing the chrome piece you made reference to. Riviera Owners Association Ed