Finally getting around to the '68 Riv. Not doing the frame off I'd hoped but going to at least get it back on the road. Plan is to rebuild the entire suspension (4 drum brakes, shocks, springs, body bushings, and all suspension components). I already have the body bushings and can get brake shoes, wheel cylinders and spring kits from Car Quest. Where do you guys buy front end parts and springs? I'd like a progressive rear spring for times when the car is loaded (say with multiple sets of golf clubs). Figure on just Monroe Gold shocks or such, nothing too fancy. I'd rather go online or through a discount parts place rather than pay retail at Car Quest. But then I don't want a bunch of Chinese part either. I guess the rear suspension needs some bushings also? Is anyone using lowering springs on this vintage Riviera? How'd that work out? I'll be putting a new exhaust on, too, with stock manifolds. 2.5" preferred. Is there a vendor with a complete exhaust for the '68? When all this is done I'll service the TH400 and drop my 'spare' '70 455 in there and maybe eventually build the original 430. Might go to a Performer intake but other than that it'll be a stocker. Thanks.
Sweet. Gonna bring the rivvy to vegas next year? New tow vehicle???? Umm, on the exhaust, TA sells a nice mandrel bent system for just over $400... Probably can't beat that. If your Car Quest counter people are as good as the one's I deal with then they should be able to hook you up with the springs and suspension components you need, although going through Kanter and getting a kit might save a few $$. You could just "bag" the whole car, ride at any height you want... Dan
A few years back, I purchased a full front suspension rebuild kit and a master brake overhaul kit from PST. There prices were very good, and the service was good also. Brett Schmahl
Thanks Gents. I'll check with PST; had thought of that but wasn't sure if they had big car stuff. I bought a body bushing and core support kit from Cars last January. Started the swap this afternoon and find only the top half of the body bushings so have to call them tomorrow to see if they'll go good on the missing stuff. If any of you Rivvy guys haven't done body bushing it's really a piece of cake, at least on the '68. I just removed the bolts, jacked it up under the spare tire and presto-chango. Front look to be easy to access as well but waiting on the bottom halves. Yeah Dan, I'll probably roll it to Vegas next year. Hoping to drive the GS down, too now that I have the OD in there. Thought about a hitch on the Rivvy but the wife ain't liking the idea. What do I care anyway, I don't think she even likes the Riv at all. But she's never been in it on the road either.
Gary, I put shorter and stiffer springs in the front of my Riv and just shorter springs in the rear. The stiffer front springs weren't short enough for my taste and held the front of the car up too high. Last winter Icut a coil off the front springs. It is right where I want it now and this winter I hope to put even shorter springs out back to give it the rake I'm looking for. Speed bumps can be a drag, and the occasional driveway apron, but that's the price I pay and have no regrets. These cars look great slammed. I have never found correct suspension parts locally. Only from CARS, KANTER or BUICK WORLD. Do the track bar bushings too. It makes a difference. Oh, if you do rear control arm bushings, then while you have them out of the car bo them in. It will make an immediate difference. Adding the rear sway bar with the boxed arms puts it right up high under the rear like it is supposed to be.
Ok, dumb question time: What's the "trackbar"? Rear swaybar? Where do you get it? Where does it connect? For sure I'll box the lower arms. Looking at CARS.. whoa, sticker shock. Oh well, it ain't like I need the money for aluminum head on the GS or anything. If you have any part numbers for me Jeff it sure would help. Thanks.
I think the trackbar is the same as the panhard rod... Its the diagnol bar that goes across the back of the rear axle and keeps it centered. Not sure if there are rear swaybars for these cars... Aluminum heads on the GS AND the Riv would be sweet :3gears: :3gears: Dan
Springs... I've put 60% stiffer and 1" to 1 1/2" shorter springs all the way around my '67 Rivi. They were custom made by a spring shop in Vacaville, CA. The name of the company escapes me at the moment. If you're interested I can try to look for my receipt. What about air-shocks for the rear? I have plans to box in the rear arms and put a sway bar as well.
Wow Frank, very nice! What's that color? Sea Mist? That's what I'm considering for mine since the interior is green (Platinum). BTW I know of a grille for a '67 in Washington. There's a thread here on the BB regarding Riviera parts. I called the guy yesterday and he still has the grille. MORE pictures please! Yes, I'd like to hear the specs on your combo. What size tire/wheels are those? Question: Is the rear suspension on the '68 considered "adjustable"? I have noticed what appears to be an adjustable connection on the rear upper control arm. I ask because of this reply I got from PST on the suspension parts for my car. "Thank you for your recent inquiry. The front oe kit with the bushings for your car is $199.00 , the inner tie rods are $45.00 each and the rear suspension bushings are $80.00. However if you have the rear adjustable suspension which is on some Rivieras then this rear bushing kit will not work , and we can not supply the rear bushings. Regards Charlie Hmmm.. I'm about to order from these guys. Been reading Yardley's webpage, especially on the driveshaft rebuild.. sheesh.. $600! Gotta be done though. Thanks.
All those adjustment holes you see in that upper control arm are for adjusting the pinion angle of the driveshaft on the '66 thru '70 Riv. I'd ask PST to be more specific about what they mean by "adjustable". Air shocks? Still, I don't see how that would effect the type of bushings used. I was able to track down all of my front suspension pieces locally, (Except the center drag link) just by calling, or visiting part stores that have been around a long time. Sometimes there is stuff still on the shelf from 20 - 30 years ago. My local NAPA guy helped out a great deal.
Thanks. If I remember correctly the color is called Light Evergreen Frost, it's actually a Ford color (Painted in my friends backyard in '93). I didn't know that it's almost exactly matches the original color of the car. If your connection in Washington has a rear bumper, I'd be interested. Grilles = I'm covered. The tires and wheels in the pic are the 245/50-15 on an 8" rim. I currently have the 245/60-15's (and hate them, sidewall flex). I'll be taking lots of pics once I break down and actually start tearing it apart, hopefully doing a frame up resto. I'm nervous, it's my first time. :shock:
Dale, That's what I figured the adjustment was for, pinion angle. I will call and ask a few questions. I found most of the suspension pieces at Car Quest but they're priced about $100 more than PST. CQ didn't have upper front control arm bushings and I think PST does. Guess I'll order all PST has (after getting more details) and either return what I can't use and/or order separately what isn't included. Also, I took the driveshaft to the local pro I've used repeatedly and trust. He named it a Buick Riviera the second I walked in his shop and expounded on how hard it is to find parts for them. I had him inspect mine and he said the u-joints look "great" and "I wouldn't do a thing to it". All he did is grease the joints at the needle ports and sent me on my way. My middle name is Once in Awhile doncha know. That's some serious change saved there. I'll be keeping an eye open for Riviera in the yards starting right now. Now all I have to do is sandblast and paint it. Whew! Thanks for the help gang. I'm getting pretty pumped for this thing to be on the road. :3gears:
Riv I have a 68 Riv that i am slowly redoing. take real good care of the ign sw in that car it is a stand alone year and NOBODY has a replacement for it. Find a spare on ebay and hang on to it. Stay in touch. :laugh: :TU: nice car.
PST does NOT have rear control arm bushings for the adjustable rear.. spoke with them this morning. I don't know the difference between those and non-adj. rear bushings but will research.. Yardley, where did you get your stuff? I found the rear bushings at Rare Parts but they want$77 EACH x 8. Unless I find an alternate source I'll be inspecting the old ones real close and trying to find something from a different application or order from PST just to see if they're really different. I'll also be asking on the ROA email list for sources. PST wants $230/pr for springs front or rear. Custom length (1" shorter) are $275. Man, that's some spendy stuff now. I'll be checking locally for those and also on the ROA again. A bit of sandblasting and painting and a port-a-band or cut-off saw can get me the lower stance. Sure glad I have a good 455 to drop in this beast or the project would definitely be on hold. Is there a core support patch kit out there? Like the one Mike Garrison has for the a-body cars? Thanks (and HELP!).
Gary, I just called my parts supplier (Car Quest) and he is showing the rear control arm bushings as in stock with part # K5161 listed for all the bushings, there was no mention of an adjustable suspension. They are $22.63 each. If you get an old one out send me a picture and I will see if they match the one's that CQ has, or if you have a local car quest, give them that # and match it up. Dan
Thanks Dan. I was just in Car Quest an hour ago and forgot to ask. I was looking for body bushings in rubber for the GS. They say, "No way". Guess I'll check with CARS. I'll check back with them.
Oops, forgot, we get a price break because we are a shop. Talk with the owner and try and get him to give you a break, I know our guy is still making profit at $22... Dan
