GS - 3rd Observation

[Deadpurpledog]

Asked seller of 67 Riviera to look at rear axle Stan code and he replied with a picture seeming to show QA 068.  Does anyone know whether this indicates GS or not, please?  Thanks again!

[JZRIV]

That's not the correct stamp. Post the picture of what he sent. The 068 is probably the manufacturing date code which is usually just beyond the circled X. Never saw QA. 

 

Again, A GS will have PY and a circle with an X inside right after the PY

PY = 3.42 ratio and the circled X = positraction

 

Thanks for following up - Keep trying - I am curious 

Edited January 13, 2023 by JZRIV (see edit history)

[steelman]

Positraction rear will also have a red tag attached to one of the cover bolts saying Positraction Lube Only. Assuming it hasn’t been removed at some point or was ever there to start with.

[JZRIV]

1 hour ago, steelman said:

Positraction rear will also have a red tag attached to one of the cover bolts saying Positraction Lube Only. Assuming it hasn’t been removed at some point or was ever there to start with.

Yes Steve the car does have a limited slip tag as seen in one of the dealer pics. (They were aluminum in 67) but problem is when it comes to seeing the tag one can't assume its a 3.42.  There were a good number of cars that came with the 3.07 posi. In my personal 67 travels, 3 of 7 66/67s I've owned had the 3.07 Posi and I've seen many others so equipped. This tells me 3.07 limited slips were fairly common at least in some geographic regions.

I'm sure the 3.42 in non GS existed via special order.....but I've never seen or heard of a base model (non GS) equipped with a 3.42. So.... when trying to verify a 67 GS, If a car in question has a 3.42 Limited slip, that significantly increases chances its a factory GS especially if other details are in place. Note I did not say guarantees!  

 

Here is what the axle tube stamp should should like.

 

Edited January 14, 2023 by JZRIV (see edit history)

[1965rivgs]

52 minutes ago, JZRIV said:

Yes Steve the car does have a limited slip tag as seen in one of the dealer pics. (They were aluminum in 67) but problem is when it comes to seeing the tag one can't assume its a 3.42.  There were a good number of cars that came with the 3.07 posi. In my personal 67 travels, 3 of 7 66/67s I've owned had the 3.07 Posi and I've seen many others so equipped. This tells me 3.07 limited slips were fairly common at least in some geographic regions.

I'm sure the 3.42 in non GS existed via special order.....but I've never seen or heard of a base model (non GS) equipped with a 3.42. So.... when trying to verify a 67 GS, If a car in question has a 3.42 Limited slip, that significantly increases chances its a factory GS especially if other details are in place. Note I did not say guarantees!  

 

Here is what the axle tube stamp should should like.

 

  All good observations Jason, but I would add another...it was possible to order a Riv GS equipped car with an axle ratio other than the standard 3:42.

  I have a `66 Wildcat GS which would have been equipped with the standard 3:23 axle due to the GS option but instead was ordered with a 2:78 highway gear. Montana car and I have the build sheet.

  My point is, the absence of a 3:42 ratio is a possibility even in a legitimate GS car. So in such a case, as you stated,  the accumulated data contributes to the ultimate conclusion.

Tom

[Deadpurpledog]

Amazing how much you fellows know about these cars!  If a 67 has the non 3.42 condenser, if there any chance it can be a GS?  Same is true for insulation retainer strap under hood?

[JZRIV]

In the case of this car. We have wrong A/C compressor for 3.42 (assumed at this point based on statistics), no insulation retainer, "possibly" wrong stud in carburetor which does not allow the special air cleaner nut to seat.

 

So if axle stamp indicates no 3.42, I'd be concerned about its legitimacy without any purchase documents or Protecto Plate info to support what would be rare special order like the example Tom provided on his Wildcat GS. To Toms point, if in fact a factory GS was ordered with say a standard 3.07 posi, it would have the smaller diameter A/C pulley and not the larger A/C pulley of the 3.42.... so this remains to be determined. Paying up as is the case for this 67 GS, I'd want pretty good facts to back up its legitimacy as a GS.

 

Deadpurpledog, regardless of all this bantering  🙂 if you really love the car as-is and an in-person inspection validates its appeared condition, GS or not becomes less of a factor in decision. Just remember when you go to resell if it does not have a 3.42 axle you will have an uphill battle convincing buyers its legit.  In 67 the GS option had no engine or transmission modification that would increase performance. So the 3.42 ratio becomes more important to its desirability as it definitely makes the car faster when accelerating.    

 

Edited January 14, 2023 by JZRIV (see edit history)

[EmTee]

I suppose it's possible that the original compressor failed and was replaced.  Someone not familiar (or who doesn't care) may have substituted a similar, used unit without swapping the pulley.  Maybe ask the dealer for close-up pictures of the Frigidaire tag to get the P/N and model.  Then someone with a parts book might be able to determine whether the compressor was swapped from another application.  If the compressor maps to '67 Buick, then the PY axle stamp becomes even more important.  If it is a real GS, then the pulley should be replaced to allow the compressor to operate in its design RPM range.

[Deadpurpledog]

Thanks Jason.  I do like the car.  Not looking for a #1. . . Wish to be able to enjoy it.  Waiting for seller to produce picture of axle stamp.  Can’t see hood insulation strap and condenser appears to be incorrect according to EmTee.  If stamp is also incorrect it would appear odds are this Riviera was sold at least twice as GS incorrectly.  
 

Happy with vehicle as is. . . .just don’t want to pay a premium for GS if not GS.  What do you feel is a fair price #2, TMU, with buckets, console & posi?

 

Again, thank you!

Edited January 16, 2023 by Deadpurpledog
Omitted important fact. (see edit history)

[EmTee]

22 hours ago, Deadpurpledog said:

and condenser appears to be incorrect according to EmTee.

Compressor (not condenser) and I'm not sure if the compressor itself is wrong, or just the pulley.  That's why I suggested that you ask for a picture of the Frigidaire tag on the compressor body.

[Deadpurpledog]

Thanks, EmTee, don’t know what I was thinking.