Best way to reassemble a 71 Riv Hi, my 71 boattail has been to pieces for quite a while now. Chassis is almost complete with axles, engine, gear box etc. mounted. Brake and fuel lines will be in soon after I received my combination valve. The body is separate with little welding to do (if at all). So what is the best way to proceed? Are the any caveats to pay attention? Michael
Err, yes, I did take photos. But not enough as it seems and three years are a lot of time to forget a lot of things. So, to be more precise: What should be done before putting the body back on the chassis? Michael
Not an expert like many others here but have learned enough helping friends with their cars. Do as much assembly to the frame as possible when everything is easy to get at. Put suspension, all brake, fuel lines, exhuast and engine/trans/rear in frame and have all parts painted/detailed. Make sure body mounts are in place and have underside of body painted before dropping back on frame. Some choose to paint car off frame some on. Your choice. You will probably make some mistakes just try and overthink everything. Show some pictures!
Well, I will have a try (or some more). Pics? Here they are! Site is in German. You have to press the "GMX MediaCenter starten" in the middle. After you have pressed that button a popup (please allow) will appear with a lot of pics. Some are not from my car (guess which :laugh: ) Michael
Michael, while looking at your pictures two things on your engine jump right out at me! One important and one less important. First you have your cooling fan on backwards. it will never cool properly like this. I noticed the before picture it was also on backwards so you just probably assumed it was correct. Change it now before you have problems and it is easy to get at. Also your coil is in the wrong place. The bracket belongs on the coil about in the middle and it attaches with a bolt on a hole in the front passengers head area between the alternator and the thermostat housing area. Do you have a 71 Buick service manual? Lots of good diagrams that help with assembly. Please change the fan before you start engine or it will push air the wrong way!
Dave, thanks for your input. I will change the fan soon! Michael P.S. Do you think an "assembly line manual" will help?
Michael, an assembly manual for 71 is only available for a GS/Skylark I believe, so it will only help for engine detail on a Riv.
