Hi Guys,I found a 73 Riveria GS.The Vin has a U in it so I do not think it is a Stage1 but I have heard that the Riv GS cars came with Stage1 heads is this true for all Riv GS cars or just certain years?
The letter "W" will be in the vin if it is a Stage 1 equipped car. Look for the engine code "XA" to identify a Stage 1 engine. The GS option is the ride and handling package. If its a GS, the 3.23 posi rear end is still worth some $$$. The GS option and Stage 1 option are seperate options. Although most of the 1973's i've documented are both GS and Stage 1 cars, rarely do I see just one of the options alone. Goodluck, also I'd like to buy the heads if they were Stage 1's. Thanks :TU:
I had a '74 Riv GS Stage1 in 1981 ,when I was 17.What a great car! It was even a Landau with buckets,console,and an eight track stereo. Led Zeppelin jammin' on the 8track! I'd race everyone in that car and even took our local "dead man's curve" at 70mph,slidin' sideways(drifting) all the way through with a couple a buddies aboard. Stupid! But I did it anyways. Also had a '73 Riv GS Stage1 car about 16yrs ago. But the Florida high humidity killed that one.It rotted from the inside out and ended up junking it.Still have the eng/trans-not for sale. I let the posi go with the car to the scrapyard. I didn't know any better then.
Thanks for the info guys but let me add some more detailed questions.From the vin it doesn't look like this is a Stage1 [u enigine code]but somewhere I read that on the boattail Riv GS cars that they all had Stage1 heads if they were a GS.IS THAT TRUE FOR ALL BAOTTAIL RIV GS CARS? Or is that true all certain year Riv GS cars or is that not true at all?
Rusty Davemport Hi Rusty,I have a '73 chassis book in front of me .On the heads , it says that the GS Riviera the valves are S-1.No question about it. Lots of luck on a good find.On page 6A-3 it states [In the 455 S-1 and the Riviera GS version,the intake valves are 2-1/8 in diameter;the exaust valves are 1-3/4diameter.BrunoD.
Thanks Bruno! I thought I had heard that on any boattail Riv GS 71-73 that they all used stage1 heads. If anyone has found otherwise let me know.THANKS :TU:
Rusty: The standard engine in the 71 and 72 Riv GS cars was the 455 HP engine. This engine had the larger valve heads, same heads as the Stage 1. The 455 HP engine also had a different camshaft and dual exhaust, and was the only optional engine upgrade on the Centurion. The Stage 1 engine was available mid year on the 72 Riv GS cars as a separate option, and was the top engine option for the Riv GS cars in both 73 & 74. So if you find a 71 and later Riv GS you will find the large valve heads. And possibly on the Centurion cars. But the 455 HP and Stage 1 were separate options, they just shared the large valve heads. Of course all this assumes it came as it was supposed to be equipped, up for question is human error during assembly and/or the heads were changed since it rolled out of the factory.
Riviera GS for 1973 and 1974 did not include any engine or posi upgrades. The HP 455 was part of the Stage 1 option for those two years. The Riviera GS option for those two years included a rear sway bar and radial tires, not posi or HP 455. The Riv GS suspension was tweaked to take advantage of the better handling radial tires that were just starting to get common about that time. This info does not apply to 71 or 72 Riv GS.
since were on the subject of Riv's the motor in my 70 GS (skylark) came froma 70 riv according to the owner before me however he couldn't tell me alot about the block. my question is. if the block had been decked where else could i get some info about the motor?? i had 3 friends look just under the head like yer surposed to they were like i don't see any letters or numbers... whats going on here?? Rich Martel 70 GS 455
I'm Confused As Well I have had replies both ways myself.The car I looked at is a 73 Riv GS and by the vin# it is not a stage car;but I'm been told all GS riv's 71-73 had stage1 heads and the cars that Vin# shows as a stage1 car will have stage cam ect. in addition to heads and I've also been told the car I'm looking will not have stage1 heads? If I knew the car had stage1 heads it would be worth buying if not I'm not so sure as roof is rusted out bad.
What the part numbers say.. Researching by the part numbers: Heads, 1973-All A & E bodies with GS,455 or stage 1 = 1242002 1973-All 455 without GS,stage 1 = 1242001 Camshaft: 1973-All E bodies (with GS) 455 = 1237664 1973-All 455 (exc E (GS) and stage 1) = 1239629 1973-All 455 (stage 1) = 1383853
Ponch: No the three rings signifies HP 455. One ring is Stage 1. Two rings is Stage 2. Rusty: All HP 455 engines had the large valve heads. So any Riv GS from 71 and newer will have the HP 455 as the std. engine, and have the large valve heads. This is not to say if it has large valve heads its automatically a Stage 1. Of course here is the typical disclaimer..........If it was assembled as intended from the factory and if the heads haven't been changed during its lifetime then it will have the large valve heads. You could also get the Stage 1 option on the LeSabre, Electra and Estate Wagon. I'm going to try to enclose a scan of the 1974 Price Directory which shows the Stage 1 as an option on the Riviera. Do you guys want the scans of the other pages? including the Regal & Century (GS Stage 1)?
The article from the ROA verifies my thoughts on the Stage 1 option for the Riv GS cars (after the 1970 model year). As there being two engines available. The base engine was the 455 HP. Optional engine was the Stage 1 (available mid year 1972). Both engines used the large valve heads. Different camshafts. The article is mistaken in that it says the Stage 1 engine was in the Riv GS in 1970. It was not available. The Riv GS cars in 70 used the SF code big car engine and did not have the larger valves. The 71 and early production 72 Riv GS cars did not have the Stage 1 option. Beginning in 73 you could order the Stage 1 option on any of the full size Buicks.
<The base engine was the 455 HP. Optional engine was the Stage 1 (available mid year 1972). Both engines used the large valve heads. Different camshafts.> Dave, when you wrote '455hp' I assume you meant 455 High Performance because there was no 455 horsepower model......ever, and it wasn't the base motor. Also, I have to disagree with you on Stg1 Rivs ('71-'72) not having big valve heads, I had a '72 with them and the '71-73 Technical Advisor for the ROA Robert Bonto has a '71 Riv GS Stage 1 with them with the correct codes. :3gears: Kelly '64 Dual Quad ROA 3620
Next two page posts is what I have gathered from Dennis Manner and the ROA and my own experience owning a 1973 Riviera GS. This article was listed in the March 2003 issue of the BPG Buildsheet. Regarding the cams I do own a factory Stage 2 camshaft, factory Stage 1 camshaft and the standard camshaft.
Almost forgot. Found this out years back. What color did you all think was the GS emblem on the 1973 /1974 Riviera? Red? Wrong! I am not certain if this would apply to the 1971 and 1972 GS Rivs. Check it out below. The correct emblem color. My Riviera GS also had the same color GS emblem.
The 1974 Stage 1 Riviera was the last year the Stage 1 was offered for the Riviera. No doubt you own a rare Riviera GS Stage 1, one of 1,698 produced with the Stage 1 option. 1. Correct numbers matching engine to your Riv 2. three groove cam (mentioned in article) 3. Stage 1 pump 4. I would assume the 5th digit in your VIN is a "W" It would have to be. 6. Should have the grille emblem "Stage 1" 7. Big valve heads (Stage 1) Lastly and most importantly, if Denny checked it over you can bet it's the real thing!
