Hello! I'm Joe, 34, from San Diego. I'm a toxicologist by trade, shade-tree wrencher by hobby. I've had all sorts of classic/muscle/project cars over the years but I recently bought a 1972 Buick Riviera, which I intend to be my daily driver for the rest of my days. Currently it does not run, the exterior is in primer but the interior is pristine except the dash pad. I plan to restore it to near-stock/new condition but add a TB-EFI, Gear Vendors, and give the 455 better heads/intake/headers. This is my first Buick of any year. The internet becomes a ghost-town when you Google 1972 Riviera, but I am very glad to find this V8 Buick community because many of us share similar '70s 455 engines and TH400's. I'm off to use the Search Function to find answers to my current questions, which currently are (not necessary for anyone to read): My fuel system is rusted. My gas tank has lots of pinholes and rust throughout. There is no aftermarket 71-72 Riviera tank. The '73 tank is too different. I found a '72 Buick Centurion tank online that looks similar but the filler neck would need to be relocated. I replaced the carb with a Holley Sniper EFI, but am waiting for a Q-Jet adapter plate to come in the mail. I have the stock distributor but I'd prefer one that the EFI can control... having a hard time finding one that is for a Buick 455. My TH400 kickdown switch can't be triggered by the weird short-throw linkage on the Holley EFI. Is there a way to make the Sniper computer control the kickdown? If not, is there a Buick kickdown switch that I could mount on the gas pedal, or is there a better option? The stock intake manifold has, what I'm guessing is a heat-operated choke coming from inside of the manifold. This is a design I have not seen on other cars (or didn't notice somehow). The Holley EFI doesn't need a choke. Do I need to block this off or can I just let it operate unhooked? In about 6 months I will get aftermarket heads and an intake so I'm not worried about aesthetics just right now. Looking forward to getting to know you folks! -Joe
Welcome aboard. I'm out in the inland empire myself but right now I'm in San Diego doing deliveries headed to El cajon. You will find this fourm addicting so be careful.
Good to see a local. We must have shared the freeway this morning. I live in Valley Center, 10 minutes inland of the 15 Freeway and commute to La Jolla.
Welcome! You have come to the right place for Buick related knowledge. This is no ghost town 1 - What is it about 1972? No tank for the Electra either but I managed to persuade a different tank to fit. Talk to Tanks Inc - good product and helpful people. 2 - Shame you didn't wait for the Sniper Quadrajet! No adapter needed and bolts right on. 3 - The Electra has a pedal mounted switch. Might be worth pursuing as an alternative. Can't be that much different. 4 - Yup - you need to block that off or it could get very interesting under the hood! You could just leave the stock tin choke well in place but I made a simple plate to cover mine. Cheers! Bob
There are places that can rebuild your old tank. This method is commonly used in the world of piston aircraft.
You were absolutely right! I just didn't look high enough up the pedal linkage, partially because I saw this switch on the intake manifold and assumed it was the kickdown switch (the old QJet would press it at WOT)... does this have a different function? Thank you!!
Here is the Riviera as she sits today, can't wait to pretty her up (especially that rat's nest engine)!
Yup - what Erik said - idle stop/anti-dieseling solenoid. You can remove it as it'll be redundant with the Sniper. Bob
You folks are awesome. Thanks for all of the help and the avatar! Plus, now I have another reason to tell my wife that this EFI system is "saving us money in the long run" by not having to maintain the idle stop solenoid. Jim (flynbuick) inspired me to take another shot at having a radiator shop rebuild my stock gas tank. I dropped it off there this morning. It is going to be $100 to clean it and then tell me IF it is rebuild-able, then probably another $200 for the rebuild/coat. If that works out it is cheaper than any other option and I get to keep the original tank with the car. Fingers crossed.
Welcome from Montana! You're going to love the EFI once you get it going. I went from 10-11 mpg to a solid 13 mpg on the truck I switched to a FiTech.
