1974 Buick riviera GS Stage I

Discussion in 'Ebay Parts and Cars' started by MR.BUICK, Jan 7, 2004.

  1. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    John, thank you for posting those very interesting facts about the early airbag systems, and since this is your first post on V8Buick:

    [​IMG]


    Please put your first name in your signature, so we will not forget about it :TU:

    And don't forget to introduce yourself (and your Buick) in the Wet behind the ears?? section of the board :Smarty:
     
  2. 75Riv

    75Riv A.K.A. Harry Clamshell

    I still think of the ACRS as a part of automotive history; here's a 74 Riviera w/ ACRS for sale a couple of years ago in Eugene, OR

    [​IMG]

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  3. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    That looks like a Volvo 240 series steering wheel from the early 80's :shock:

    [​IMG]
     
  4. 75Riv

    75Riv A.K.A. Harry Clamshell

    [​IMG]
     
  5. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    Another tidbit of history is that although the non A body cars often were called stage 1 engines, technically they were not even if they had the large valves. Per D. Manner, these engines never had the swirl polished valves of the stage 1 package even if they had the larger valves. This is in addition to the fact they did not have the stage 1 camshaft.
     
  6. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    A wrecked 1974 Electra with the Air Cushion Restraint System in an advertisment from Allstate:

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  7. robs71redriv

    robs71redriv robs71redriv

    The Riviera GS 455 in 71/72 was not the same as and A body GS stage 1 Engine.

    Technically the 71/72 Riviera GS and Centurion 455 Heavy Duty was not reffered as Stage !, just Riviera GS, or Centurion HD. and the only way to know for sure is to have documentation and. or remove the heads. the Gs package included the engine trans mod and GS badging posi etc.



    The 73/74 Riviera was referred to as as stage1, but was same engine as 71/72 Riviera GS455.
    The 73/74 GS was a handling package - and could be ordered with or with without the stage 1 option - ( bucket seats and console have nothing to do with GS either

    From 74 price guide
    Riviera
    Al Stage 1 Performance Package
    Includes: High performance 455 Cu. In. 4-
    bbl. V-8 Engine Matched THM "400"
    transmssion. Performance axle with positive
    traction . Chrome dated air cleaner
    cover . Stage 1 name plate on grill and
    high energy ignition system . . . . . $139.00

    A9 GS Ride and Handling Package
    Includes: JR78-15 steel belted radial ply
    whitewall-tires . Specific springs and
    shocks . Heavy duty stabilizer, bars
    Specific insulation package. Spec~ficb ody
    mount system and GS name plates on
    fenders.. ..................... .$181.004


    The 71/72 Riviera GS engine - 73/74 Riviera Stage 1 and the (Skylark) GS Stage 1 alll used 1/8" oversize intake and exhaust valves. While the Riviera GS engine had its own cam with more lift than a standard Riv 455, giving more low end power (71 Riv GS Camshaft pn - 1384664 the A Body Skylark GS/Stage 1 camshaft had significantly more duration for more top end power. Supposedly the A body cam, was deemed to run the engine to rough for use in a Riviera , The Rivs did use the heavy valve springs, also Riviera GS and stage 1 did not use the special carb, distrib the A bodies did -
    don’t be confused by all the stuff put out by the association stating 71/72 Riviera are stage 1 -- some by the "expert " even says its TS - - its not. initial timing by book is 4 for both , 4-6 degrees works best for standard riv - 6-8 for Riviera GS

    the following info came from an article by - Dennis Manner, Senior Buick Engineer
    The camshaft used in 1971-72 Riviera GS and 73-74 Riviera Stage 1 engines was different than the Skylark GS Stage 1 cam and also different than the standard 455 engine cam. It provided more torque but a little less HP than the Skylark GS Stage 1 cam more appropriate for the heavier Riviera car. It can be identified by 3 machined grooves behind the front bearing journal.
    Camshaft Part Exh. Lift Exh. Duration Int. Lift Int. Duration Cam Spacing Timing Adv
    455 Riviera GS 71/72 1384664 .457" 322* .410" 297 118 124
    455 Riviera GS stage 1 73/74 1384664 .457" 322* .410" 297 118 124

    A body Stage 1 camshaft used in 1969 400 and 1970-1974 455 Stage 1 (Skylark) GS Engines. This camshaft was identified by a single machined groove in the shank of the camshaft behind the front bearing journal
    455 Stage 1 (A body) 1383853 .454* * 340* .407" 316" 115 II8'


    The standard 455 engine as used in Skylark GS, Electra, Riviera, Wildcat or LeSabre models was the same engine (including camshaft) in any given model year. Different camshafts were used in this engine in different years for non lead fuel/low compression engines in 1971 and later changes for fuel economy improvement
    Camshaft Part Exh. Lift Exh. Duration Int. Lift Int. Duration Cam Spacing Timing Adv
    71 455 Stnd 1237665 .455" 340 .390" 293 117 118
    72/74 455 stnd I239629 .449" 331 .390" 293 118 123
    75/76 455 stnd 1246739 .405" 306 .390" 293* 113 113

    ---------- Post added at 01:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 PM ----------

    And yes in 74 Stage1 was available on the regular size Buicks and Century GS - but did not include Id or equipment like Riv (dual exhaust disc brakes standard on a Riv) and GS

    Electra 225, Electra Custom & Electra Limited
    A1 Stage 1 High Performance 455
    C.I.D. 4-bbl. V-8 Engine, Dual Exhaust
    and High Energy Ignition System
    .............................$ 96.00

    Estate Wagon
    A1 Stage 1 High Performance 455
    C.I.D. 4-bbl. V-8 Engine, Dual Exhaust
    and High Energy l g n i t i o n System
    ............................$ 152.00

    LeSabre and LeSabre Luxus
    A8 LeSabre Luxus Ride and Performance
    Package
    Includes: 455 C.I.D. 4.bbl . Carb . V-8
    Eneine and THM "400" Transmission . Steel belted radial whitewall tires
    (HR78-15) Litter pocket Sunshade map
    light (except on convertible) . Custom
    steering wheel . Custom belt reveal. rear
    deck id and rear quarter extension
    moldings Trunk trim covering (floor
    covering and side walls) . Body side stripe
    Rear stabilizer bar .
    LeSabre Luxus ................ $423.00

    A2 LeSabre Luxus Ride and Performance
    Package (Stage 1)
    Includes: Stage 1 High Performance 455
    C.I.D. 4.bbl . Carb . V-8 Engine, with dual
    exhaust and high energy ignition system
    (Includes Ride and Performance
    Package A8)
    LeSabre Luxus ................$ 57 5.00

    A1 Stage 1 High Performance 455
    C.I.D. 4.bbi . V-8 Engine. THM "400"
    Transmission. Dual Exhaust and High
    Energy Ignition System ....... .$322.00
    A3 455 C.I.D. 2.bbl . V-8 Engine, THM
    "400" Transmission (N.A. in Calif.)
    ........................... .$I2 4.00


    Gran Sport
    A8 "Gran Sport" Package
    Includes: GS name ornamentation. grille.
    applique on rear quarters and deck lid . Wheel opening moldings Glove compartm.
    e nt light. ash tray light. courtesy light Instrument gauges and electric clock
    Special GS features: headlamp doors.
    grille. and tail-lamp treatment Specific
    rallye firm r~dean d handllng package and
    the 350 cu . in . 2.bbl . V-8 engine .
    Century 350 Coupe ........... .$I08 .00

    A1 Stage 1-High Performance
    Option. 455 cu . in . Modified Engine.
    Dual Exhaust. Power Front Disc Brakes
    and Booster. Positive Traction. Dual
    Snorkel Air Cleaner. and High Energy
    lgnition System . (Includes Gran Sport
    Package-A8) (82 required)
    Century 350 Coupe ........... .$537.00

    A5 455 Cu . In . 2-bbl . V-8 Engine. Dual
    Exhaust. Power Front Disc Brakes and
    Booster (Includes Gran Sport Package-
    A8) (82 required) (N.A. in Calif.). .$29 2.00
    A9 High Performance Option (455 Cu .
    In . 4.bbl . V-8 Engine. Dual Exhaust.
    Power Front Disc Brakes and Booster.
    Dual Snorkel Air Cleaner) (Includes Gran
    Sport Package-A8) (82 required)




    The packages for 73 were different from above - haven't converted that price guide yet -
     
  8. THEPUGSRIVIERA

    THEPUGSRIVIERA Well-Known Member

    Hi Lou - I am going to throw you a curve ball. This engine has electronic ignition in it. I was told that all 73 & 74 Stage 1's had electronic ignition standard. Let me know what you think.

    John
     
  9. robs71redriv

    robs71redriv robs71redriv


    73 did not have HEI
    Al
    Riviera Stage 1 (455 cu. in. modified high performance V-8 engine with 4-barrel
    carburetor, positive traction performance axle, chrome-plated air cleaner and
    specific ornamentation)
    Riviera

    74 HEI did come with A1 see previous post this info is from the price guides.

    No max trac in 74 with HEI --

    1974 Riviera
    Al Stage 1 Performance Package
    Includes: High performance 455 Cu. In. 4-
    bbl. V-8 Engine Matched THM "400"
    transm~ssion. Performance axle with positive
    traction . Chrome dated air cleaner
    cover . Stage 1 name plate on grill and
    high energy ignition system . . . . . $139.00

    A9 GS Ride and Handling Package
    Includes: JR78-15 steel belted radial ply
    whitewall-tires . Specific springs and
    shocks . Heavy duty stabilizer, bars
    Specific insulation package. Spec~ficb ody
    mount system and GS name plates on
    fenders.. ..................... .$181.00

    B4 Full Length Operating Console
    (40140 Seats required). ......... .$61.00
    B9 Convenience Center (N.A. with 64)
    ............................. $26.00
    C2 Max-Trac.. .................$ 89.00

    Dl AM Radio.. ............... .$86.00
    D2 AM Radio and Stereo Tape Player
    with Front and Rear Dual Speakers
    ........................... .$216.00
    D3 AM-FM Stereo Radio and Stereo
    Tape Player with Front and Rear Dual
    Speakers. .................... .$363.00
    62 Performance Axle (Included with
    Al) ................. .No extra charge
    64 Positive Traction Differential
    (Included with Al) ............... .$48.00
    H2 Firm Ride and Handling (Heavy
    Duty Suspension Springs and Wheels)
    (Recommended for Trailer Towing) (N.A.
    with A9). ...................... ,515.00
    H3 Automatic Level Control (N.A. with
    A9 or H5). ..................... .$77.00
    H5 Superlift Shocks (N.A. with H3)
    .............................$ 41.00
    H6 Heavy Duty Wheels (Std. with H2)
    ............................. $10.00
    1-3 Heavy Duty Engine and Transmission
    Cooling (Heavy Duty Radiator, Heavy
    Duty Delcotron, and Thermal Control Fan)
    With air conditioning.. ...... .$21.00
    Without air conditioning.. ... .$42.00
    1-5 Automatic Climate Control Air
    Conditioning System.. ........ .$522.00
    1-6 Air Conditioner.. ......... $446.00
    Rear Window
    ..............
    Defogger
    ..........
    (Blower
    ... $33.00
    M4 Four Note Horn. .......... .$15.00
    N1 Heavy Duty Air Cleaner.. .. .$9.00
    N5 Rear Bumper Guards (Required in
    Maryland, Georgia, N. Carol~na and
    California). .................... ,915.00
    N6 Front Bumpersystem for Maryland,
    Georgia, N. Carolina and California
    ............................ .$12.00
    01 Door Guards.. ............. .$6.00
    04 Remote Control Outside Rear View
    Mirror-Right Side. ........... .$26.00
    05 Outside Rear View Sport Mirrors
    (Left and Right Remote). ........ .$32.00
    06 Left Remote Mirror with Outside
    Thermometer. ................. $15.00
    P1 Carpet Savers and Handy Mats
    ............................ .$15.00
    P2 Front Carpet Savers.. ...... .$8.00
    S3 Cruise Master.. ........... .$70.00
    S6 T i l t and Telescoping Steering
    Column. ...................... .$40.00
    T1 Electric Trunk Release.. .. .$14.00
    T2 Electric Door Locks. ...... .$48.00
    T3 Electric Door and Seat BaEk Locks
    ............................. $71.00
    U2 Low Fuel Indicator. ....... .$9.00
    U3 Sunshade Map Light. ...... .$6.00
    U7 Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror.$Z5.00
    V2 Chrome Plated Wheels.. . ..$70.00
    V4 Super Deluxe Wheel Covers.$34.00
    V6 Deluxe Wire Wheel Covers. .$60.00
    W4 Protective Body Side Moldings
    (Front Fender and Body Side). ... .$46.00
    W7 Body Side Accent Stripe. .. .$31.00
    Y7 TrunkTrim Carpeting. .... .$41.00
    21 Sun Roof-Manual Operation
    ........................... .$539.00 20

    D4 AM-FM Stereo Radio with Front
    and Rear Dual Speakers.. . . . . .$233.00
    D5 AM-FM Radio.. ........... $145.00
    D6 Rear Seat Speaker (Single). .$18.00
    D7 Automatic Power Antenna. .$32.00
    D8 Front & Rear Dual Speakers ( D l or
    D5 Required). ...................$ 37.00
    E2 High Altitude Performance Engine
    (N.A. with Al). . . . . . . . . .$56.00 (credit)
    E5 California Emission Equipment and Testing (Required in California). . .$20.00
    Whitewall
    ...........
    Tires (J78-15) (N.A. with
    ................. .$38.00
    F9 Steel Belted Radial Whitewall
    Tires (JR78-15) (Standard with A9)
    ........................... .$151.00
    J3 Color Coordinated Custom Front &
    Rear Seat Belts (3 Each) and Front
    Shoulder belts (2) (Std. on Custom Trims)
    .................. .No extra charge
    J4 Air Bag Restraint System. .$181.00
    K1 Cornering Lights.. ........ .$36.00
    K2 Speed Alert and Trip Odometer
    ............................. $17.00
    K4 Three Speed Windshield Wiper
    with Low Speed Delay Feature.. .$25.00
    L1 Soft Ray Tinted Glass. .... .$50.00
    L2 Soft Ray Tinted Windshield.$35.00
    L3 80 Amp. Delcotron
    With 1-3, 1-5 or 1-6.. ......... .$31.00
    Without 1-3, 1-5 or 1-6.. ..... .$33.00
    M1 Engine Block Heater. ...... .$S.OO
    M2 Electric Rear Window Defogger
    ............................. $64.00
    P3 Litter Pocket (Std. with Extra Cost
    Trim) .......................... .$5.00
    Q1 Power Seat 6-Way, Bench or Driver
    Side only on 60140 & 40140 Seats
    ........................... .$106.00
    42 Power Seat 6-Way, Driver and Passenger
    on 60140 Seats and 40140 Seats
    ........................... .$211.00
    Q3 Door Courtesy & Warning Lights
    ............................ .$21.00
    44 Combination Dome and Reading
    Lamp. ........................ .$13.00
    R1 Power Windows (Required with
    Extra Cost Trims or Electric Sun Roofs)
    ............................. $88.00
    R3 Front and Rear Light Monitors
    ............................. $48.00
    S2 Maintenance Free Energizer
    ............................ .$26.00
    22 Sun Roof-Electric Operation (R1
    Required). .................... $589.00
    1-1 Trailer Hitch (Class 1). . . . . $23.00
    1-2 Trailer Tow Flasher and Harness
    (5 Wire) ........................$ 14.00
    1-3 Trailer Tow Flasher and Harness
    (7 Wire). .......................$ 23.00
    1-4 Rear Stabilizer Bar (Included in
    AS). .......................... .$15.00
    Custom Trim-Cloth 60/40 Notchback
    (Trims 360,361, 364,368, 369). . .$259.00
    Custom Trim-Vinyl 60140 Notchback
    (Trims 460, 466, 468, 469, 660, 661, 664,
    666,668,669). ................ .$259.00
    Custom Trim-Vinyl 40140 Seats (Trims
    476, 479, 670, 671, 674, 676, 678, 679)
    ............................ $225.00
    Custom Trim-Leather 60140 Notch-
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2014
  10. GS Jim

    GS Jim Platinum Level Contributor

    I have a '74/455, block ID, "ZA". It has the big Valve heads. But the springs and Fuel pump are standard size. The Big Valves are Stage 1 Size but are flat instead of tulip shaped and swirl polished. Denny Manner came over and eyeballed it. He went back home and came back with some Stage 1 stuff. We compared them and those were the differences. The Engine came out of an Electra Station Wagon. He told me to hang onto it, I'll never find another One.

    PONCH
     
  11. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Almost 20 years ago, I looked at a '74 Riviera GS for sale in Athens, Georgia. It was a GS with Stage 1 badges and ACRS. It was a very nice car, light blue metallic with matching interior. I think it had a white top, and think the interior was cloth. Asking price was around 7k; too high at the time. I always wondered where it went; it was nice enough that it should still be around unless something bad happened to it. Anyone know?
    Patrick
     
  12. 65gs76limited

    65gs76limited Well-Known Member

    Attached Files:

  13. GSX 554

    GSX 554 Gold Level Contributor

    John. Read Robs reply. He is 100% correct. Rob knows his stuff about the 71-73 boattails. If your car has a HEI then the points dist. was replaced by someone in the cars lifetime. There was no HEI until 1974.

    So if your car has HEI I will guarantee the Max-Trac doesn't work. Max-Trac was only around 71 to 73. And only with a Points Dist.
     
  14. Junkman

    Junkman Well-Known Member

    This is all quite interesting. I bought / traded a '74 Riviera Stage 1 from member Kennygs72 a few years ago. It was a parts car as it was well rusted. Triple black. A non GS car. I still have the complete running gear. 3.23 posi rear. W code vin. HEI dist. and noticed the crank shaft pulley is the small diameter one. It has a burned out exhaust valve so I will be pulling the heads at some point for a rebuild before I transplant it into another car in the future. It will be interesting to see if this has the big valves. It does have the big canister style fuel pump.

    ---------- Post added at 03:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:23 PM ----------

    I am sure MaxTrac was offered in 1974 and I have seen a few over the years of salvage yard searching.
     
  15. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    I'm not sure about the other Buicks, but it was not offered on the model year 1974 Riviera.

    Edit:

    Here they mention that Buick dropped the option after 1974:




    1974 LeSabre convertible with the MaxTrac option:

    Click here :Comp:
     
  16. robs71redriv

    robs71redriv robs71redriv


    Max Trac was still availble in 74 but not with HEI (its in the brochure and price guide I went and highlighted it and added the other options) .
    Mac trax and HEI are vertually exclusive.
    if the car was a stage 1 HEI would have be included.
    but if Mac trax then HEi would be replaced with points dist,
    if HEI or Max trac was added (to HEI car) its not going to work read thge chassis manual section on Max Trac.
    ACRS was coded option and ther is example of it on a window sticker in another post http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.p...-and-sheetmetal&highlight=1974+riviera+stage1

    ---------- Post added at 04:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:52 PM ----------

    so when exactly did this Riv get ACRS or are the bags blown ??? - ON BOTH SIDES ????? - pretty sure that isn't even possible
    when did it get max trac??

    http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.p...a-GS-Stage-1&p=2296257&highlight=#post2296257

    THEPUGSRIVIERA
    [​IMG] Registered User


    <dl class="userstats"><dt>Join Date</dt><dd>Jan 2014</dd><dt>Posts</dt><dd>8</dd></dl>

    [​IMG] parts wanted for 1974 Buick Riviera GS Stage 1

    I am looking for drivers and passenger side airbags. This was the first year that Buick put airbags in the Electra's and Rivieras. I am also looking for the tester that is needed to test the airbag operation. It comes with 9 pigtail wire connections that are used to block wire harnesses. I am also looking for all 11 ABS plastic body fillers and all the bumper rub strips front and rear and bumper guard rubbers too. If anyone can help me please answer me back or call me at 973-927-7414 and speak to me or leave a message.

    Thank you,

    John A Wettengel ​


    ---------- Post added at 04:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:09 PM ----------

    Sure would like to see/ have some pictures of this equipment and the individual components and scans of the ACRS manual for the libraries, http://buick-libraries.boattail-riviera-by-buick.com/
    Wonder if HEI was put on because of the common hesitation problems cause by misalignment of the max trac sensor ??
     
  17. THEPUGSRIVIERA

    THEPUGSRIVIERA Well-Known Member

    That is a very nice Riviera. I was jumping for joy when I saw the airbag. I wonder what it sold for.

    John
     
  18. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    Nice to see this thread alive again. When I was six, Mom and I attended the 1973 Open House at Buick. I remember having my picture taken with her while Dad (Buick engineer) looked on. We were sitting in a static display, looks to be a Centurion convertible set up to slowly deploy the ACRS for this photo opportunity. They later used the photo in this "Hawk's Eye" newsletter in 1978.

    That's me, the kid with the bowl haircut sitting next to the pretty lady (Mom) who's looking at the camera.

    http://home.comcast.net/~shinzan/Hawkes Eye front page 9-27-78.jpg

    Dad died in '88 due to MS, Mom died in '10 due to cancer.

    Time flies like the wind, and fruit flies like bananas!

    Devon
     
  19. THEPUGSRIVIERA

    THEPUGSRIVIERA Well-Known Member

    I want to buy this newsletter from you to have with my collection of airbag writings. Tell me how much you want for it and get back to me. I await your reply.

    Thanks,

    John

    ---------- Post added at 05:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:06 PM ----------

    Hi Devon - This is the first I ever heard of a convertible having the ACRS in it. It was supposed to be all hardtops to keep the people in position unless this was a show car which would make it extremely expensive roday. I never heard of them using Centurions. They did play around with anti-lock brakes in the 73 year but it never took off.

    Thanks,

    John
     
  20. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    Hi John,

    Same here. My guess is the Centurion convertible was modified just for the photo opportunity. The guy next to the camera ran a control panel which can be seen in the photo. He'd press a button and the bag would slowly inflate. I think it was just a static display for demonstration and not reflective of what was going into production at the time.

    Devon
     

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