Fitzo1969 Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 Well my 63 Riv project is getting underway. One of many questions: are there any recommended vendors that do a correct restoration on the grill and headlight bezels? Is the grill mostly chrome plated then sprayed gray to leave the front edge chrome revealed. My Riviera is a 1963, 66,000 mile, Silver on Silver, 401 Dynaflow, 323 posi, turbine wheel covers, but no air. I purchased the car out of FLA last winter, but the car originated in WI. Long-long history of storage. Went in storage in 1971 and came out in 2015/2016. Owner belonged to the ROA. My plans are a complete resto of the car. This is going to include a complete change of suspension design and modern drivetrain. I will/do have a lot of parts coming off the car to sell. The engine/tranny/drive train ran great, it would be nice to see the complete drivetrain go to one party in need of it. I will have 5 wheels and new tires, and I think I have 7-8 turbine wheel covers in varying stages on condition. The entire heater control system will go, everything under the hood. Any thoughts on the grill resoration? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K. Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 If polished the front chrome edges and spray painted from the back. Not sure the name of the color, Argent Silver maybe. Depending on your location I may be interested in the steel wheels and / or the spinner turbine wheel caps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flh73 Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 I restored mine. Many hours put into these small detailed parts. Clean, sand, polish than tape off and paint, i clear coated (satin or matte finish as this wasn't gloss) as well for added protection. If you need re-chrome then do this first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the forum. Before doing drive train transplant, think about keeping the original one intact. I have a friend who bought a 63 that was missing the engine. He bought it to keep it from going to the crusher. He's putting an LS6 in his. In order to get the oil pan in with the stock crossmember, he shelled out over a $grand for the Corvette's dry sump system. Lots to consider, its not a simple R&R. With only 66,000 miles on that engine, there's still lots of life in it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockinRiviDad Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 These first gen grills are made of pot metal. Can the horizontal pieces in the “field” of these grills be straightened? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafoam65 Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 If you have a bent grill it would be best to source a nice used one.........I see them on ebay all the time at reasonable prices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockinRiviDad Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Eh…thx…but not too worried about a new grill. I have bigger dents on my quarters & fenders to worry about haha But original post asked the question about grill restoration. My question is fitting. Can dents/bends/gouges/scratches in these pot metal grills be fixed? Here is what I would like to have straighten. I thought about adding some heat & bending it back? 🤷🏻♂️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafoam65 Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 A person that restores pot metal for a living could probably restore your grill for a price of ten times what a used nice one costs. The odds of fixing it yourself with no experience working pot metal and getting a good result would be the same as winning the powerball lotto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockinRiviDad Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 13 minutes ago, Seafoam65 said: The odds of fixing it yourself with no experience working pot metal and getting a good result would be the same as winning the powerball lotto. Awesome! Soooooooo you’re saying I have a chance? 🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 In my experience, pot metal bends the first time and breaks when you try to correct it. But that's only my experience. 😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyntre Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 What do you have to lose ?? I say go for it .... very very slowly and with a game plan before you start the heat and bend process ... figure out what kind of tools or method you need or could use and get an extra set of hands to help hold things in place ! Worst case scenario,, it breaks , best case , you won the “ I can bend pot metal Riviera grills into shape lotto “ Post pics !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyntre Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Something like this that would fit the full span of the bent grill square ,, some grinding on a tool to get that dimension might be necessary but then you have Kustom tools to brag about too !!!😁😁👍👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockinRiviDad Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Thx guys. Love the feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIVNIK Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Wont hurt to try.........because after you break it I have a good used one to sell you cheap! (currently nothing on Ebay). PM me if needed. Drew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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