56Road Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 So i bought a 1966 Riviera thats been sitting since 1979. i found water in the 425 and when i pulled the valley pan i found a bent pushrod. i can buy a cheap 455 Buick but i know 66 they never had that motor. I need suggestions, keep the car original with the 425 nailhead or swap to 455. I love to keep it original but its cheaper to built a 455 and you can find them everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol' yeller Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 (edited) Theo, here's my 2 cents worth. It would depend upon your plans for the car. If you plan on a complete restoration you would be better to stick with an original engine. I don't think that numbers matching is a huge influence on Riviera's but a 455 may limit the number of future buyers. Also if you just pop in the 455 and then show the car at Buick type meets, be expecting to hear a lot of comments about how you have the wrong engine in there. I'm not saying they are right, just what reality is.If you are building the car for you to enjoy, then I'd recommend doing what makes you happy and a 455 can make you very happy, especially a built 455. So the question becomes, are you building the car for you to enjoy or for others to enjoy. There is nothing wrong with either answer, I'm just trying to help you clarify your question.For me I am an original kind of guy and keeping a car original and true to its roots makes me happy. I have built cars both ways and loved them all. If you do decide to go the 455 route and you have the space, I'd recommend saving the old engine in case you want to change it back at some point. This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. Good luck! Edited January 18, 2014 by ol' yeller (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
56Road Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 As you said im into restoring cars back to the original condition or try to be close to original. i was thinking to drop in the 455 in the car so i can have it running this Summer and rebuild the 425 if i can save the motor. The problem with the 425 other than the bent pushrod is that there is water in the engine and its been sitting without sparkplugs for a while. Car was last inspected in 79. Thanks for the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Can you add some clarification to the water in the engine? Is it coolant or condensation? Is it in the valley/oil pan, or in the cylinders? Is it in the cylinders with the open spark plug holes or all? While I agree with Ol Yeller, to me the beauty of a 66 Riviera is the nailhead. And I have seen several 401's on different craigslist ads as of late. That would give you the visual and allow time for the 425 to be reconstructed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 (edited) If the car has been sitting for 35 years there really isn't going to be a cheap way of doing anything, A modest rebuild of the 425 is going to cost $2500 to $3000. Once that critter starts coming apart three grand won't mean much compared to the end cost. If you consider all the things that weren't done before the car went into hibernation that long ago and that it was a 14 year old car at the time, there was a lot of deferred maintenance the day someone broke it.Without the engine damage I would figure $6000 to $8000 on top of the purchase price just to make it a driver this spring. I just took a look at my records for the convertible I bought 3/15/2011. I had $7300 in parts and labor (my nephew did most of the work) when I first drove it on Thanksgiving Day the same year. not counting buying the car and transporting it 800 miles. That was before new tires, NOS wheels, and some small items I wanted to do; another $1,000. That said, I figure another $3,000 is going to go in to make me completely satisfied. The money goes fast once one gets into it.Twenty years from now, if I manage to drive it about 800 miles a year, I'll be happy with the fun equity and the no excuses car.The money spent will pyramid, keep the long range goal in site. There ain't no cheap way.Bernie Edited January 18, 2014 by 60FlatTop (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airy Cat Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 You just don't "pop" in a 455 where a nailhead 425 used to occupy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Many know I am mostly a guy that likes to modify, BUT,,,,,,,, in this car, personally I would stick with the NAIL HEAD......Period...Just my 2-cents.I wish you well,Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
56Road Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 First of all, I love Nailheads, my only intension for the 455 swap was so I can have the car running while I'm rebuilding the 425. Thanks for the feedback. Also I will upload pictures probably tomorrow when I pull the motor out. Water went from the carburetor because for unknown reasons the previous owner removed the air cleaner. Also spark plugs were missing when I bought the car. I pulled the dipstick and the motor has about 10 gallons of old oil and water mixed, honestly it looks like the motor was in a flood with all the sludge. The car has 81k miles on the odometer which makes me think they are original since it was driven for 13 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenugent Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 If your not worried about #s matching you might post a 425 motor needed on the ROA website-might save you alot of money buying a good used 425.good luck.T.Nugent roa 12969... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol' yeller Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I'm just curious, does it turn over by hand or is the engine frozen? I assume from your comments that it is frozen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
56Road Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 I haven't tried to turn it over but from what I've seen I would assume the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUICK RACER Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 There's alot of other stuff to think about, wiring, starter on the other side, transmission, etc. You would have to have a 67 Wiring harness to swap in the 455. just thinking. it can be done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
56Road Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 I was supposed to pull the motor out but weather is against me. Here are some pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUICK RACER Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Red engine with quadrajet is a 425 could be a GS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
56Road Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 Haven't done that much research on the Rivieras yet, I can't upload pics from my phone so I'll upload more when I get to my computer. By the way any visual differences between the base model and the GS? Like bucket seats, grille etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Haven't done that much research on the Rivieras yet, I can't upload pics from my phone so I'll upload more when I get to my computer. By the way any visual differences between the base model and the GS? Like bucket seats, grille etcLook here:http://rivowners.org/features/Ev_Stats/66-69/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Riviera Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Stay with the nailhead - 64-66 will work . You will be better off in the long run . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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