JanZverina

Well mine, at least looking at the left rear, have 60 fins and they certainly look cast iron to me. So I'm assuming they were replaced at some time during the car's life. 99,221 miles on the odo and that doesn't mean it's not 199,221. So... - Should they be silver and if so what kind of paint? - Googling shows 'Buick style' iron finned drums are available if needed at some point - any vendor recommendations?

I'm in the middle of a deep cleaning and refresh of the entire underside of my Riv and have a few questions (for now) as I proceed: - Were the finned brake drums originally painted silver or was it some other kind of finish? Mine have the usual rust. - If painted, do they require a high-temp paint and do painting them make the drums run hotter? - Who do folks recommend as a good source for replacement finned drums for a '63? Thanks as always, -Jan

Thanks gents - always good to double-check before, not after!

Hi all, I'm in the middle of freshening up the underside of my very rust-free and pretty original '63 and wanted to double-check with all you experts about the lower pinch weld areas just ahead of the rear wheels. At that point my Riv's pinch welds are slightly bent outward on both sides. I suspect they have been bent by a jack or other item some time in its 60-year existence but before I do anything I want to make sure it didn't come that way from the factory for some reason. Thanks!

Once again, thanks everyone for your responses, collective knowledge, and of course an education! Onward! -Jan

Just curious what the 'JT515' stamping means on my 401, which is original to my '63 as the VIN and engine stamping are the same. Pix attached. Thanks!

Anyone know the torque specs for the thermostat housing? ('63, 401). The service manual lists one for the water manifold but not the therm housing. Previous experience tells me to be real gentle and go side to side a lot... Thanks! -Jan

Thanks everyone, much appreciated!

I agree, Ed. So about two gals or so of coolant and the rest of the fill with water? Do you recommend any other 'treatment' or additive?

With the coolant capacity in the factory Chassis Service Manual listed in Figure 1.1 at 18.5 quarts (4.65 gallons), what do folks recommend as far as the coolant to water ratio? O'Reilly's sells the 50/50 (coolant/water) gallons but what are some other recommendations?

Thanks everyone - some great tips as usual!!

I'm about to do some scheduled maintenance on my '63, which includes a coolant change and replacing a weeping thermostat housing gasket with Permatex 'The Right Stuff', thanks to earlier advice from ROA members. My question has to do with draining the coolant: Is there a preferred way to drain it other than opening the radiator petcock and hoping it will close properly? The radiator was re-cored in 2016 and is good shape, but any other tips/suggestions are certainly welcome.

Good sleuthing, EmTee -thanks!

Looks like 1362916, according to my brother. We also had a '66 LeSabre in the family many years ago.

My brother in NY came across these two parts in the family basement yesterday. One looks like a steering wheel center cap. Can anyone ID the year and model? We had a few Buicks in our family way back when - a '64 Skylark coupe, and '66 and '67 Wildcat sedans. Thanks!

Thanks, Ray. Also no update from CARS Inc. in months. They were looking into NORS filters as well for '63/4 but maybe they're all eyeing the same production house.

Hi Brian, I always tune in to your updates. Progress may be slow at times as everyday life goes on, but steady nonetheless. And you appear to take the time to do things well. Any update on the '58?

Already out of stock, but thanks for the tip.

Excellent initial post and thread! Thanks for reviving it, BuickSearcher. As a regular viewer of Bring A Trailer (BaT) online auctions, VIN attachment methods are a constant subject, especially regarding older vehicles. And there are too many of instances of let's just say "disingenuous" information provided by some sellers.

My '63 seems oddly optioned but that's likely because it was purchased new in WA state where it spent most of its life in the same family. No A/C, probably because A/C wasn't a popular option in the Northwest, and no power windows. But in addition to having a white leather 'custom' interior, it also has: J2: Power seats, four-way I6: Tinted windshield S7: Outside remote mirror Z4: Vacuum trunk release D1: Sonomatic AM radio I also know that the original owner was quite frugal, as the car came with a large stack of repair/service receipts. Most of them were from the local Midas muffler shop, and the paperwork shows that he held the shop to their lifetime no corrosion guarantee, with clamps and larger components changed almost every Spring.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1963-buick-riviera-31/?utm_source=dm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2023-04-11

Much appreciated, rapom. I left a msg with them to find out more.

You're correct, Ed, about the upper lip. That's the key to this part.

This just in from Rock Auto regarding my order through Amazon. Does anyone know of another source to find this air filter? 1963 BUICK RIVIERA 6.6L 401cid V8 Fuel & Air : Air Filter WIX Part # 42092 We are sorry to tell you that this part is still out of stock. We have also checked our catalog and determined that there are no alternative parts available. If you are still interested in receiving notifications on this part, please visit the link below and click 'Notify Me When Available'. WIX Part # 42092: https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/?carcode=1319598&parttype=6192&a=avl360142c1319598 RockAuto, LLC Madison, WI Any leads appreciated!

An update on Wix air filter 42092 for a '63 401 Riv w/the OEM air filter housing: Just checked my AMZ orders and still no ETA. I ordered it January 4 so I'm now well into 3-4 week window.