Hi everyone, new to this board, but not new to the hobby. I am new, however, to Buick Nailheads. Just thought I'd introduce myself, and my current project. It's a fully optioned 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport. I bought the car from a guy in NC who owned it for 33 years. It has sat for over 20 of those years. My plan is to do a complete nut and bolt, frame off restoration on this car, and I expect it to take me a few years, and cost a bundle of $$$. So, let the work begin. This past weekend, I began to remove the front clip, and make some room in the garage for it's new home next to the mint 87 Grand National. I have also begun to take the motor apart a bit, to inspect to what condition the block is in, so I can assess it's needs. The previous owner rebuilt the motor back in the early 80's and he claims it has only about 3k miles on the rebuild. I turned the motor over with a breaker bar, and was met with some resistance. I then removed the rocker arms, which appear quite clean, to free up several sticking valves. It now turns over better, but I still feel some resistance at the one full revolution mark. I think there may be some rust in one of the cylinders which is causing this. Not sure yet, until I tear it down some more. Here are some starting pics, some tearing it down pics, and what the end result will be. Edit: OK, now I can add some pics. Here are some starting pics, some tearing it down pics, and what the end result will be. Looks like rust has mixed in with the oil that was poured in the cylinders when the engine was shut down more than 20 years ago. This is what it will look like when restored. Same colors too. Rob.
Put some Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders through the spark plug holes. Put, some more on the valves so as to seep down the valve guides. Pour a little bit down the carb, with the with throttle and choke open. Let that, sit at least a day. Then, try the breaker bar again. Don't try to crank it before, you have all the valves free and the crank turning without resistance. http://www.marvelmysteryoil.com/ http://www.marvelmysteryoil.com/index.php/site/wheretobuy/ Welcome!
Hi Rob! I live in NC, did you pick this up in Greensboro? I was looking at on in Greensboro. It was silver. There was also a black one for sale for $5000, in the southern part of the state.
I know, right. The Riv forum at the AACA is a bit slow. Hopefully there will be some more activity here. I'm used to my Cobra forum where there is tons of activity on a daily basis.
No, I bought it out of the Raleigh/Wake Forest Area. I did, however, have my Factory Five Cobra painted in Greensboro at a place called Whitby Motorcars several years ago. I also have a friend of mine whom lives in Greensboro. I was there in Jan.
Wow.... I work in Wake Forest and have been searching for a Riv in Raleigh. It's amazing what's under the nose and ya don't even know it! Congrats! Just p.o'd I missed out....Lol... That will be a sweet ride when done!
Looks like you have some work ahead of you, but the car looks to be in pretty good shape for it's age. I like the spark plug holder! Later, Randy
Welcome from the northern part of the state. Wondering about the pic of the drivers door skin off. Howd ya do that?
Welcome...and congratulations on your find!:TU: Favorite Riv, and third favorite Buick... Worked for tuition money at MD dealer. Zone office provided cars for '65 Southern Governors Conference at Greenbriar Resort. Got to put 500 miles on Seafoam Green Riviera GS, and then deliver it to White Sulphur Springs, WV...loved that car ever since...:bglasses:
Soo cool isnt it? My dad and I found that out a couple of years ago while working on our '63 Riv. Nice project you got there! Dual quads are just plain cool. :TU:
Thanks for the warm welcome guys. Yes, I do have my work cut out for me. This will be the biggest project I've ever taken on, but I know I can handle it. I've restored a 72 Vette, and have built a Factory Five Cobra. But, this one will be more work than those. I am super excited, as like most of you guys, I just love the 65 Riv's, and a GS to boot, makes it even better. Now my young, 16k mile 87' Grand National has a father figure in the garage.
On the 63-65 Riv's, they are designed to be removed. When Buick built these cars at the factory, it was the early days of frameless glass windows, so they would actually assemble the whole car, install the glass, ect. Then adjust all the glass windows, then finally bolt the skins on last. It's a very cleaver idea, as it makes it so easy to service and adjust your windows, regulators, motors, ect...
