Hello members! My name is Gary, and my son Danny and I recently acquired a '73 Riviera in a government auction. Our goal is to fix it up to be his first car in 12 1/2 months, when he'll turn 16. I have an older brother who still has his '68 Skylark convertible, and if we can breath new life into this little darling, we'll have the beginnings of what promises to become a family tradition. Our little (5,000 pound?) project arrived without keys. We had the (aftermarket) ignition re-keyed, and replaced the starter, ignition coil and battery. We're nearly done replacing the plugs (any recommendations on proper gap?) and wires. As you may have guessed, we haven't yet been able to get her started. At least now she turns over The car looks like it was being redone fairly recently. Some clues include its "new" paint job, and that the exhaust appears brand new from the manifold back. It is missing some parts, however, including an air cleaner, shifter linkage (WTH?!), the rear view mirrors and the chrome (stainless?) window moldings from both upper corners of the windshield, which it looks to me may have been removed before the car was repainted. Worse still (for me) is that the wiring under the hood and dash is loose and hanging out like a scene out of a bad sci-fi movie. Anyhow, thank you for allowing me to introduce myself and my son Danny. I've been reading a lot of postings from members, and the depth of their knowledge is both impressive and hugely comforting. I am excited to join this site and, eventually as I learn more, contribute to the success of its members. More later :beer, Gary and Danny Martin East Lansing, MI
Gary and Dan: I had to look up the spark plug gap for petrol, because I'm so used to LPG (bigger gap) that I forgot about it. But the 1973 Buick Chassis Service Manual says: ACR45TS plugs and .040'' You really should buy one of those manuals, and also the 1973 Fisher body manual, if you're going to work on the car yourself :TU: Check websites like eBay or Amazon.com for used copies :Smarty: Or order a digital version at Gearheadcafe: < Click banner :Comp: Please show us a few photos of the Riviera
Welcome from Florida. I'm a Riv guy as well as a transplanted Michigander. Post up some pics of youre car when you can.
Thank you for the welcome, friends. I will try to post some pictures tomorrow. Right now, it's covered in snow :ball: i have been on eBay pretty constantly. Picked up an air cleaner last night. After watching for weeks, I finally purchased an Assembly Manual for the '72. I picked up a set of the books you recommended just now. I thank you for the suggestion. Gary
Dan, I wouldn't accept the 72 Chassis manual's specs without secondary corroboration... that was a time of rapidly changing emissions regulations...some things might be different from 72 to 73... Welcome!
The original A.I.R. pump is still in place. Car had new paint at some point, the side mouldings are gone. Do you need the chrome surroundings for the headlights? (1973 and 1974 Riviera only) Edit: I see them in the cardboard box on the rear seat :TU: Two sources for parts:
Thank you, fellas! I established communication with the CTC guys, and am considering buying a grille from him. The grill has two cracks in it in the very bottom two cross sections. The bottom one is cracked through, but not bent. The one above it has a little crack. I can email pics, but can't save them and upload them for some reason. Does anyone know whether such defects are cost prohibitive to repair? Would it be better that I keep looking elsewhere? Would anyone know whether a '72 Riv Grille would fit just as well? I know the 5mph bumper changed in'73, but from pictures I can't tell if the size and shape of the grille did as we'll. The paint job doesn't look too bad in the pictures, but up close it reminds me of an Earl Shibe special. It will need to be completely redone, but that isn't the highest priority for me right now. As for the side striping, how important is that for enthusiasts? I found a guy who has most of them, but he wants an arm and a leg for them, and it isn't even a complete set. I really appreciate any assistance or advice you can offer! Gary
Gary, contact board member "charris", in 2010 he advertised with two 1973 Riviera parts cars, maybe he still has a grille for sale. Click photo to view his for sale thread :Comp:
Like I said in my previous post, the 1973 grille is different from the 1971 and 1972 grilles. The 1971 grille is made of plastic, 1972 is cast iron. That's why nowadays a lot of the 1971 Rivieras are driving around with a 1972 grille. You can also use a 1974 Riviera grille in your 1973 model :TU:
I don't know why some of the pictures aren't appearing ---------- Post added at 01:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:33 PM ---------- I understood your previous post, and can see some stylistic differences between the 72 and 73. They both looked to me to be creased in the center, and to take about as much space (i.e., to be the same size). Other than the "egg crate" look and the Riviera "R" in the '72, I don't see much of a difference, which was why I asked. CTC wants $295 for his broken one; found a guy in OK who will sell me his for $175, and another guy in FL who will sell me one for $100; all have S & H costs that will be added. I should be able to land one fairly soon. I like the "R" in the '72's grille. was hoping I could get one of those in mine.
