I've loved cars since I was a kid and as an "older" enthusiast, I have once again dipped my toes into Buick's waters. Growing up my dad had a 71 Riviera, a car I really loved. My mom, a 70 skylark. I had a 72 skylark custom convertible a few years ago and should be taking possession of a 1973 Riviera within the next month. I'm really excited about it, even though my first choice would have been a 71 like my Dad's. I could use help with a couple of things. It has automatic air, confortronic, I believe. the owner jury rigged a bypass for the fan speed directly to the fan blower lead. I think the fan speed relay was bad and don't know its exact location, what it looks like or where to get it. Secondly, the car had the front bumper modified into a 2 piece, exposing the whole grill. Although I am aware that many like that look, I'm not a fan of it. I need a really nice bumper and I think the shock absorbers are missing, so I probably need them and the brackets that mount them to the frame. Thirdly, it might need a rear main seal and oil pain gasket. Does the timing chain cover have to come off to the oil pan? Can the pan gasket be done without pulling the motor, like they do on chevy's, putting the car at top dead center?. Has anyone used the viton seal instead of the rope seal? And , with a low mileage car, under 60K, should the water pump be changed or the oil pump upgraded to maybe a higher volume pump to combat potential oil starvation issues. Wow, that was a lot. Sorry. Thanks, glad to be here.
Wow... wish I knew the answers, but I'm sure someone (or lots of someones), will and chime in. Welcome from Florida!
I guess this is a 455? I don't think you need to pull the timing case to do the pan gasket. I think you can do that job in the car, but it might require releasing an engine mount and lifting the engine up a bit. The pan gasket job is a lot more enjoyable if the engine is on a stand... Pretty sure there are modern rear seals that can be used in place of the old rope. If the car is cooling properly and the water pump pulley isn't loose or leaking, I would leave it alone. The high volume oil pumps have fallen out of favor except for specific specially built engines. You should get a decent oil pressure gauge, which can tell you how everything is working,... Congrats on the low mileage "new" car! Looking forward to photos.
Welcome! Post some pics of yoir new car wjen you get it. Probably someone will have your climatronic answers on here but if not, the chassis service manual or the Riviera (ROA) site should.
