Going to be listing this for sale here soon, but wonder if what I was told it is, is correct! It appears to have never been taken apart nor separated from the auto tranny. It looks like a 465 Nailhead w/AT and the numbers stamped on it are: JW482 7J 1055075 Could one of the experts please tell me what this is? Thank in advance for any help!
7J1055075: 7=Riveria, J=1963, 1=Flint Mi assembly plant, 055075=production number (sequential). The riv engine, 401 or 425, was painted silver in 63. That engine will sit in place of any 57-63 364 or 401 without issue (might need a rear sump pan and pick up depending on year). Cheryl
I have been told this is a one year only transmission also. The tranny was originally earmarked for the Cadillacs but was found to be too expensive to make. It is supposedly very rugged as it was designed to handle the 425 Wildcat engine torque with the planned dual quad set up. Can anyone confirm? Thanx for the engine info so far, good to know what is what!
Trans is just the last version of the dynaflow. It is better then the previous versions, but not vastly superior. Cheryl Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The first generation Riv (63-65) was originally designed as a Cadillac, but was given to Buick. That may be the confusion here. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It is a later half of the 63 model year only set up. The trans is for 63 and earlier Buicks. So the market is somewhat limited.
You have to remember that the 425 WAS NOT available until mid Dec.'62 & ONLY then in the '63 Riviera. It DIDN'T become an option until, I believe, early Feb. '63 for Wildcat's or Electra's. As Roberta mentioned, "A RARE BIRD INDEED". The '63 DynaFlow was the most updated which got best by '61-'62. I saw a 2x4 '63 Riv. at the ROA Pa. meet, I believe , back in 2000. EVERYTHING was date coded/proper numbers on everything correctly as far as engine, trans. rear, etc. The body build date was May '63 which puts it at very close to the end of '63 production. The lady that owned it bought it as a parts car for the '63 she was restoring. After all this time I do remember her name. Always wondered what may have become of it??? I have an early '64 Riv. that the body was built 07D, which is the 4th. wk of July '63. The serial number is very low, like 009. This particular '64 had MANY '63 parts on it. It was kind of a mix of '63 & '64. The only thing MANY of us ( incl. Dennis Manner) could figure on the '63 parts car was that it WAS A TEST MULE from Buick. It had a TH400 trans. with the code OB. Have never found a match for this. Going by the engine number it WAS a late build 425, like 54075. As far as the market being somewhat limited I believe is wrong as it WILL FIT ALL from '57-'63 Full size Buicks & Rivs. This opens up a whole field of possible candidates who are looking to get MORE POWER!!!! The only thing needed is, maybe, a pan & oil pick-up screen, which are, basically, readily available. It's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Maybe $500.00 as a non-running core. Or hook up a radiator & see if you can get it to run. Then it would be worth more. Just my thoughts on the subject. Tom T.
Because of our imminent move south, I'm not taking on any new projects, but if I was, I'd be very interested in that setup.
I am with the others on price. $500 or less for the engine and trans as cores. The engine could be worth more if it spins over and has compression in all eight. The Dynaflow can be a leaky mess that is difficult to have competently rebuilt. There are not many Dynaflow specialists or experts left some 53 years after the last one was built. Cheryl
Yes the engine turns over by manhandling the crank pulley, does not sound like anything scraping, and it gets a lot easier when the plugs are loosened up! Gonna fog the cylinders now.
