Duane's 1968 RIVIERA GS that he used to bring to BG to The Nationals, was a low 13 second "stock appearing" factory manifolds combo, is back at the shop. It was funny going to the Friday night street drags. Many Mustang GT'S and Camaro's would challenge Duane unsuspectingly. Figuring the big Riviera would be easy "pickings" and an easy race. But much to their dismay they would be eliminated. At the time Arnold's movie the "Terminator " was very popular. And somebody, we don't who? Decided to start calling it the "RIV-INATOR" LOL. It was sold several times since, and the son of the guy that originally bought it from Duane, got it back. We received a call from him asking us to service the Riviera then. But we couldn't take it in, "right away". Telling the owner: "We are fully booked, with restorations and engine builds. For the next two years. But since the car is "family" we will schedule a spot for you ASAP, please be patient. The Riviera ended up at "NICK'S GARAGE ". Much to our disappointment, he didn't want to wait. One day we got a call from him telling us that he experienced engine failure and he wants us to rebuild the engine. The oil pump was seeping, the cover was removed and re-installed much too tight, the oil pump gear and distributor broke. We have it at our shop NOW and rebuilding the 430 back to it's former glory. Upon disassembly of the engine we discovered that the 46 degrees of timing it was tuned at, also pounded out the bearings !! No wonder it was also breaking starters !! Luckily it was brought here before the engine was totally destroyed !! Rebuilding it now. BIG thanks to Michael Kaufman for providing us with some SP 430 pistons !! Sure wish now, we never sold the car. It would be a 12 second stock appearing Riviera now if we kept it. Happy now, and so is the owner that it is coming back here now. "NICK'S GARAGE" has the "RIV-INATOR" in one of his Friday night video's # 056 see it at around 20:39 Watch the video. Friday Night Live at Nick’s Garage 056 - YouTube
Here's a picture of the 68 RIV-INATOR waiting for the newly built "Stock Appearing" 430 to be installed. It looks better than ever. It will be nice to see it run as good as it looks.
Our Shop Completed the new and improved 430 Stocker and it will be coming to the shop for installation, break in and tuning soon. It didn't fare so well before it came HERE.
Watching that video, it was hard to see a flagship captured by the enemy, being tortured. Too bad the engine expired soon after Nick and crew “fixed” it.
An old friend showed up on a flatbed this morning!! Now, time to install the new and improved 430 engine. That was previously so poorly tuned and abused. Wish we still owned the car. But it is "coming home". So in a sense it is still one of "ours".
Been over a month since the shop build 430 has been installed fired up and broken in. The owner is really happy with the combo and really enjoying it. Run like a top !!
