Guest olmsedd2 Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Hello fellow Rivi owners. I am a proud new owner of my dream car. I just got a 1965 Riviera all original with a rebuild 401 nailhead and tranny. I have been waiting for a 65 for years but time and money had not permit me owning one. I am currently working on the headlight doors. The left one has broken link bases. I am working on getting one. I also need a new hood and hope to find one close to Austin Texas. I need to obtain a schematic of the vaccum hoses for the A/C controls and whatever else is to be vaccum controled and the electrical wiring diagram for the headlights.I am rebuilding my headlight motor using a left window motor for the 1965. I measured the dimentions and it is the same cardone motor used on the clamshells only a bit longer and need to drill and tap the bracket holes. Wish me luck. Anyway, I am proud to join this great community of Rivi lovers and will chime in and out during the rebuilding process.P.S. If anyone knows of the availability of any of the items in need, please send me a PM.Thanks:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kingoftheroad Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Welcome !!! Congrats on the purchase of your new toy !! 65 Riv, great choice ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim65Riv Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 (edited) Welcome to the wonderful world of 65 Riviera ownership. I have some suggestions:Get the Buick Service Manual, 1965, Chassis - 45000, 46000, 48000 and 49000 Models.Get the Buick Service Manual, 1965, Body, All ModelsIt wouldn't hurt to get the 1965 Buick Preliminary Chassis Service Information, all series and the 1965 Riviera Body Service ManualAll are published by GM and usually found on eBay or from literature vendors through the ROA. (Join the Riviera Owners Association if you haven't already)Then see the post titled Clamshell Motor Wiring Diagram and order the set of Service Bulletins from Jim Cannon. They are well worth the investment.Keep posting here and you should be able to find the answers to all your questions. Edited August 28, 2011 by Jim65Riv spelling (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 There should be 2 headlight relays on your `65, behind the battery, unless it is a very early production car and was never taken back to the dealer to have the second installed.Originally, the first cars built had one headlight relay but Buick was receiving feedback from customers who were finding their cars had dead batteries the morning after being parked the previous day. The problem was, if the closing headlight limit switch was not properly adjusted and not breaking the circuit to the motor, the motor would continuosly run in a stalled position, breaker popping on and off, until the battery was dead or the motor was fried, or both! Buick added the second relay to pull power off the system when the ignition key was in the off position. This second relay is the hardest to find. It is possible to return the wiring to the pre-2nd relay configuration but one must be sure the switches are adjusted properly. Join the R.O.A. and as a member I can supply you with an original 28 page service bulletin, free of charge, as a benefit of your membership. Also, as Jim has pointed out, the complete set of service bulletins including the previously mentioned headlight bulletin is available from Jim Cannon. Hope this helps, good luck! Tom MooneyP.S. Dont think the window motor swap will work but I hope I`m wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim65Riv Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Tom, I can attest to the fact that the motor swap can work. Greg at S & M Electro-Tech (turnswitch.com) in Blaine, Minnesota converted a vent window motor by tapping mounting holes into the case. It has worked perfectly (knock on wood) for seven years now. He also added an inline 15 amp fuse as extra protection in case of a bad limit switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Jim, Reread the post. The poster references a window motor made by cardone which he concedes is a little longer than the original headlight motor. But the length of the motor wont be his problem.BTW I`ve been rebuilding headlight motors by using power vent window motors for decades....literally. I did my first one 30 years ago. Works for the Corvettes also, Tom Mooney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Riviera Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Welcome to te world of Rivieras ! I think I can be of help to you - email me direct with any questions you may have - rivsrus1@cox.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob J Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Just as an FYI. The rebuilt headlight motor I just got and installed on one of my 65's is a bit longer than the original motor, so I'm assuming it may be a power window motor. It was a tight fit, but it did fit, and the system seems to be working well now.See my other post with a video of the system working now.Rob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Romy G 504 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Can anyone supply me with a place I can send my Clam Shell motor and have it rebuilt? Just bought my 65 Riv, and am having problems finding a location and service that's dependable. I'd like to send my motor in and get my motor back rebuilt. Not interested in getting a window motor back or someone else's clam shell motor. Just want it rebuilt. Thanks, Romy G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafoam65 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 (edited) They are available on ebay from fostermom1962 .You just mail them your core and they will send you a rebuilt one ready to go. I've got one of their rebuilt motors on my car and it works great. Cost for the service is 265.00 with free shipping included. Edited September 6, 2017 by Seafoam65 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Larry Daisy rebuilds head lamp motors and tells you how to test them Here's a link to his website http://www.rivparts.com/parts-.html Here's his YouTube video on how to test the motor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slosteve Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 I believe Mr Riviera (Dick Sweeney- post #7) still does this also. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafoam65 Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 (edited) There is a fourth option I should have mentioned ........Paul Duran manufactures brand new motors for your clamshells. It looks different and bolts to the license plate frame holes in the front bumper instead of to the radiator support, which I like because it is much easier to get in and out of the car and it is brand new so that is a big plus. I didn't go that route because I am a purist and I'm trying to keep the car as stock as possible. The price for these is $599.00. You can reach Paul at 65skyriv19@att.net. Edited September 7, 2017 by Seafoam65 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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