Welcome, great thread!!! Please share more info about how you got the paddle shifter setup for the 4L80e working?
Ok, Here's the pictures of the car second to last base coat before clear coat applied. I've already got some sections buffed, polished and some chrome re-installed. Those pix will likely be up some time next weekend.
Jes, Here's a document with pictures and notes made regarding the mechanical parts of the transmission install. I'll try to get a document put together for you also with the electrical side, connectors etc. This may also help answer Sean's post above. Sean, As far as the shifter that I've made, so far so good. Obviously, I have not driven any significant miles with it but I have shifted through all gears in the neighborhood and locked up the torque converter. Thanks -Chad
Sean, So far so good. When I first designed the TCM I bench tested it with relays for over 24 hours continuously (automated it with some other tools) with out issue. Again the car isn't 100%, going to take the interior pieces to the shop this friday. I'll post actual milage once I get everything together again. btw, I changed my instrument cluster again, see post 6 for the first layout as compared to the newest I did this weekend.
been long time coming.... Got a 30 day temporary license for the car to ring out bugs. Found a few: One of the relays for my trans controller is intermittent. (had to use backup switches to shift.) Tach got stuck at 3000 rpm...binding on instrument overlay (sigh). Lastly, I have an issue with what appears to be a posi issue see my thread in "Whoa the Sway" section of the board. ~17 miles and counting -Chad
Beautiful car! It's always great to see another 70 Riv being restored, I'm in the process of doing a resto mod to mine.:beer
27 miles and counting. Discovered that the bolt in 81 caddy upper ball joints don't stay snug. will be welding'em in. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?p=1904814#post1904814 On sad note, I lost the drivers side quarter "Riviera" script emblem...:rant: On a positive note, my wife bought me a new welder....:beers2: what a cool wife. Can't wait to get through these growing pains.:3gears:
Got new Riviera scripts 250 Miles and counting. Some new kinks to work out. Still have interesting steering problems. I rebuilt the pump, but driving around yesterday I discovered while in 1/3 turns the pump triggers on and off. I can here the "moan" and feel it slightly on the wheel. o No: The shift linkage. I think I am going to change this to a cable style, I had used the original linkage with minor modifications to the bends, but in pulling out of the drive way the trans didn't engage fully, it seemed to toggle in and out till I tapped the shift lever. I think its binding enough to cause problems.:idea2: Dyna flow mufflers w/ TA exhaust...geeze. After cruising at slower speeds for a couple hours last night....its just too much noise at 40mph and in 4th or 3rd. I thought I could tolerate it, but I'm at my breaking point. This has got to change. I think I will relocate from under the car to the very back where the resonators were.
This is a great thread.... I too have a 70 rivi... 480,000 miles on the body and frame 250,000 plus on a junk yard 69 gs350 motor that is in it now.... and i drove home from storage on monday!!! its nice to see i'm not the only who likes these big ol' buicks. mine was my father's driver for years and my first hot rod... i keep meaning work on it but never find the time.
The 350 yanks the big rivi around with ease... Not as well as the 455 but it still does ok.... Drove it to hot august nites last year and did 80 all the way up to reno.... I think when I put the 455 back I'll freshen it up and try to find a little 62 special or something like that.... I just got a uni-case th350 trans.... So maybe whatever that ends up in will get treated to Buick power for a bit.
