kdml Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Anyone ever use OPG's body mount kit for a '65 Riviera? Any opinions?I was noticing Cars, Inc listed individual body mount parts, but no kit and out of pure laziness I thought I would go with OPG's kit instead of ordering individual partsThanksDoug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Give Glenn a call and ask him why he doesn't sell the kit. He's an easy guy to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gee_Rydes Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Doug,Classic Buicks will supply you with a kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTX-SLPR Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Think they are all the same basic manufacturer or do you think they come from different manufacturers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdml Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 Not sure if they were the same manufacturer or different - just trying to get some opinions before purchasing, as I only want to replace these once. I have not purchased anything from OPG so I have no experience on the quality of their partsThanks Gee Rydes - I will contact Classic Buicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdml Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Anyone know if the classic buicks kit is exactly like original. I just pulled my body mounts and noticed the steel sleeve for the rear most mount is oval and the mounts over the rear springs are larger in diameter. I tried emailing classic buicks with my question, but keep getting an errorThanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gee_Rydes Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Hey Doug, I simply cut 2 opposite side off to create the oval shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nickdaytona Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Rubber the Right Way in Cali has body mounts - worth a look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdml Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Thanks Dave - I can handle that modificationNick - I had downloaded the 63-65 Riviera catalog for Rubber the Right Way and did not see body mounts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nickdaytona Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I checked and the body mounts say 63-64 . The '65's are different ? Part # 03-112H 03-113H Their motor mounts are $30 / pr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdml Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 I just received the body mount kit from Classic Buicks.2 of the mounts are different (lower height and wider diameter). The originals I removed from the car all all the same diameter except for the 2 above the rear tires (which are larger), but they all appear to be the same height. Any thoughts?In addition, my rear most mounts have oval holes. I was going to do as Gee Rydes suggested and oval the mount, but since the metal insert in the mount is one piece (sleeve and washer) it appears I need to round out the hole in the frame - that sound right?ThanksDoug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gee_Rydes Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 If you cut just the rubber part in 2 straight parallel lines one on either side of the metal sleeve, you end up with an oval shape. Basically the metal sleeve wall is the small diameter of an oval and the uncut rubber makes for the larger diameter of the oval. Then it will fit into the frame with any mod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdml Posted March 4, 2011 Author Share Posted March 4, 2011 Thanks - I will modify the mountWhat about the 2 different upper mounts. Where do the shorter/wider mounts go? There are only 2 of them so I figured under the radiator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gee_Rydes Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I don't remember. I called Marc Smiley at Classic and he gave me direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdml Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 I sent an email to Classic and Marc responded that the wider/thinner mounts are for the rear-most mounts. I was able to trim the rubber down so they fit in the oval holes.Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1Badlad Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Just an FYI, I recently purchased the OPG kit for the 65 Bucik Riv. Quality seems to be good but kits is far from complete. The website is very misleading and the 10 pc kit is just that with no lower bushing when it clearly stated both upper and lower. Has anyone finished installing a classic Buick kit and was it complete enough to cover all 14 mounting locations?ROA#2742 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob J Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 What are you guys doing about bolts? Are you just matching the old ones with new ones from the hardware store?Most of my bolts (the few that actually came out in one piece) are junk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1Badlad Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Most of the bolts that came off mine were junk as well. I am matching them up with bolts from my local parts source. I am using all grade 8 bolts which may be overkill but since they come zinc coated I figured they wont rust as quick.Any body know of a source that makes the body mount molding for the rear trunk pan? The replacment trunk sheet metal available does not produce or incorporate in to pan. ROA#2742<!-- google_ad_section_end --> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTX-SLPR Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 By "body mount moulding" do you mean the stamped channel that the mounts bold onto below the trunk pan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1Badlad Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Well that channel if made would be nice if it was available, I will have to replace part of that but I can fabricate it easily enough. The molded part I speak of is located in the trunk area just behind the wheel, directly in the corners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdml Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 I installed the kit from Classic Buicks. It covered all mounting locations with both upper and lower bushings. The only thing not included in the kit was the bolts. Mine were in good shape so I re-used them. The only bolts I replaced were the 4 for the front mounts as my original bolts where just slightly too short to reach the cage nuts to reinstall. I too, grabbed new grade 8 bolts at the local parts store.The only modification I needed to make to the mounts was for the rear mounts as the original hole in the frame cross member was oval, but the mounts were round. I just cut down the rubber that drops into the frame member to make it oval. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobravii Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 What do you guys do when the bolt breaks off in the cage nut?? Can you get at it to replace the nut? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 What do you guys do when the bolt breaks off in the cage nut?? Can you get at it to replace the nut?It would depend on the location. If the nut is inaccessible, transplant surgery must performed by cutting open the steel channel its in making an access hole large enough to replace the nut. Not a fun job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobravii Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 It would depend on the location. If the nut is inaccessible, transplant surgery must performed by cutting open the steel channel its in making an access hole large enough to replace the nut. Not a fun job.Ugggghhhh....... OK. Hopefully I can keep the breakage to a minimum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelman Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 What are you guys doing about bolts? Are you just matching the old ones with new ones from the hardware store?Most of my bolts (the few that actually came out in one piece) are junk.Interesting that new bolts are not available as a part of a body mount kit from somebody. I remember when I did my 55 Chevy, in the Classic Chevy Int. catalog, in the same group as new body mounts was an item for new body mount bolts. Just pick sedan, hardtop, wagon or convertible. All the new bolts you needed to do the job could be ordered at the same time you ordered the rubbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 Interesting that new bolts are not available as a part of a body mount kit from somebody. I remember when I did my 55 Chevy, in the Classic Chevy Int. catalog, in the same group as new body mounts was an item for new body mount bolts. Just pick sedan, hardtop, wagon or convertible. All the new bolts you needed to do the job could be ordered at the same time you ordered the rubbers.Steve,The key word is "CHEVY". I've checked the major fastener companies websites and can't find the flange head reduced shank bolts in 7/16 that were used on older Rivs. Apparently the Chevy people have reproduced them along with every other part on a 55 Chevy. Its not a stock or standard type bolt used in other industries.Correct body mount Bolt/washer kits would be a great opportunity for someone to reproduce. At this point I have to try and find good used ones to replace 3-4 that aren't reusable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelman Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 Steve,I've checked the major fastener companies websites and can't find the flange head reduced shank bolts in 7/16 that were used on older Rivs. I find that a lot. You are right, every part is available for a 55 Chevy. Not sure the bolts you are looking for, but the best site for bolts is McMaster-Carr. Don't know if you looked there or not, but they are not automotive related, so most people don't know about them.McMaster-Carr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob J Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 (edited) Ugggghhhh....... OK. Hopefully I can keep the breakage to a minimum!Of the 6 body bolts in the rear portion of the car, only two came out. The rest either broke, or spun the cage nuts, and I had to sawzall them. All four by the cowl broke. The front 2 came out with ease. Looks like some surgery is in order in the future for me. I don't own a welder, and have NEVER welded before, so I'll either have to learn, or pay someone to do it. My car will need some other sheet metal work as well, so I'm not looking too forward to this part.BTW, when I built my Factory Five Cobra 6 years ago, lots of guys used Mcmaster-Carr. They are a good source.And Jason, yes you are right. It is strange how nobody is making a body mount kit w/o the bolts. I may take photo of one of my good body mount bolts, and e-mail McMAster to see if they can match it. Edited April 16, 2011 by Rob J (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Good suggestion. I order from McMaster at least once a week at work. That was the first place I checked. I knew it wasn't looking good when they didn't have them. They are the best vendor I have ever dealt with. In the last 6 years I have never been told they were out of stock on something I needed from their catalog. MaMaster has got me items not in their catalog so its worth a try.You can buy the flange head bolts but they don't have the larger diameter right under the head then smaller most of the was down. This design is probably to insure the bolt never touches the frame. Rob,I stick welded a few years at work for maintenace repair and then only for my own needs the past 15 years. I have never attempted welding sheet metal or used a MIG welder. I just bought a MIG 135 from Eastwood for $339 and free shipping on ebay. The reviews were outstanding so I thought it was a safe bet. Had to get a small bottle of 75%Argon/25%CO2 gas bought locally which was another $120 and you'll also need a auto darkening helmet which are around $60-$90 and thats all you need. If you have decent mechanical ability and it seems like you do, you can teach yourself to weld. There is a ton of info on the net to help you get started. Even the pros have to practice with a new welder to learn where the best settings are for a given thickness of metal.This little welder is awesome and I am super impressed at the value. Excellent control and response to amp and wire feed changes. It has infinite adjustment on both controls and many others do not. I know I had welding experience but I was still amazed at how little time it took to get proficient with this machine. I have already paid for the welder in the first repair I did vs paying a shop to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted April 20, 2011 Share Posted April 20, 2011 While I was watching the Royals game (KC beat Cleveland) I was browsing some old emails I've saved and ran across this one from 'Bernie.'I replaced all of mine except the rearmost crossmember ones a few years ago. I just went to the local Chevy dealer and asked then to order some 1976 Chevy mounts. They came in and were a perfect match. The oval ones at the rear on my Riv were fine so I chose not to replace them. Not much load on them. The other eight were all squished down and soft like radial tires. I'm betting there are probably any number of companies producing this product and they can be readily found. Don't know what Classic Buick charges for a set, what all is in it, nor do I know anything about an Impala kit, but this might be some good information for the future. I'm betting that who ever sells the Impala kits would also sell the proper bolts. Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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