63 riviera 401

Hello Everyone!!!!! I just bought a 63 riviera . The body is almost perfect but the 401 in it is locked up. I was wondering about how much it would be to rebuild it or if anyone knows a better way to go PLEASE help me out!!!!

Thanks,
Jerry

 

Hello from St. Peters!!

Where in St. Louis are you?

 

I am about 40 minutes south of St.Louis. I am actually in Festus, Mo.

 

Jerry,
Welcome to the wonderful world of 1st year, 1st generation Rivieras. They are the last of some technologies and the first of others, which makes them unique among Buicks! It would be hard to say what the cost of repairs to your engine would be with out opening it up and finding out what went wrong. Parts are available for the 401 at a number of different vendors, so parts availablity is not an issue, but cost may be! You are limited to the engine swap by the Dynaflow, so it is better to decide up front which way to go. If you chose to keep the Dynaflow, then you are limited to the early 60's 401. (pre 64!) If you swap out the transmission, you have many more options. Let me know if I can help out! Take Care, Tim McCluskey

 

Thanks, Tim!!!!!! I appreciate it. The guy I got the car from said it was sitting for 3 years and the engine seized up. So I don't know what is wrong with it , but believe me I will be intouch with you again.

Jerry