[betron02]

well i found this 73' rivera boattail for 1000 the interior is great new carpet seats and all that the exterior is also in great shape but the engine is gone its has alot alot of miles and the the tranny is bad so i was thinking i could buy it and restore the tranny and the engine or i could get a better engine like a 350 from gm performance parts. so what do you guys think?

 

[MonteCarloSS86]

If the ONLY thing the car needs is the engine and transmission which are fairly cheap to come by (unless you get deep into a high-end build) I'd go for it.

How's it doing on brakes? Is it four-wheel drum? If so, how much would it be to convert them to front disc? Is the rear-end in decent shape? Are you SURE there's no rust?

How much would a new transmission cost? I'd look at like a 200-4R or 700-R4 four speed automatic with overdrive. Check in to how much that (and maybe a driveshaft if it's needed) would cost. You're already looking at ~$2,000 in modifications/repairs.

Also, do you have any pictures to post?

 

[darndot]

The 350 from GM would be fastest way to get it back on the road, but a 572 would be even better.
If you buy it we need pictures.

 

[eurohazard]

I LOVE the boat tails! You should buy my Cadillac instead though. $1,000 and it's yours! Hell, my car runs and drives well.

 

[darndot]

They look pretty sweet. Enough room for a big block.
Maybe even two.

 

[F14CRAZY]

But it's a Buick...it doesn't deserve a SBC...that's the easy way out.

If it was gonna be a driver I'd use an L36 or L67, which would properly be a Buick engine

 

[MonteCarloSS86]

But it's a Buick...it doesn't deserve a SBC...that's the easy way out.

If it was gonna be a driver I'd use an L36 or L67, which would properly be a Buick engine

LOL I don't think a 3.8L would enjoy pushing that boat.

 

[betron02]

the guy that is selling it change the brakes from drums to disks the car has not a single spot of rust new paint job metallic green even the engine bay is painted so it is actually a good deal but am not sure what engine to get you know i the car is a buick and by the way eurohazard your caddy is cool i would buy it but you live in california and i don't feel like driving right now i just came back from mexico 1535 miles

 

[F14CRAZY]

LOL I don't think a 3.8L would enjoy pushing that boat.

...but it moved this boat with good performance...

 

[MCGARRETT]

Yes, but there is at least 1000lb difference from a 1999 Riviera and a 1973 Riviera, all the 1971 and up Rivieras were front disc and rear drum.

Why mess around with a Chevy engine, you can find a proper Buick 455 and a Turbo 400 anywhere, again, why mess around, the Buick 455 only weighs a little more than a Chevrolet small block of the era.

If you just want to throw a crate SBC and 700R4 in something, find an engineless Camaro or something.

 

[betron02]

thanks for the suggestions

 

[eurohazard]

the guy that is selling it change the brakes from drums to disks the car has not a single spot of rust new paint job metallic green even the engine bay is painted so it is actually a good deal but am not sure what engine to get you know i the car is a buick and by the way eurohazard your caddy is cool i would buy it but you live in california and i don't feel like driving right now i just came back from mexico 1535 miles

I'm pretty sure those big Buicks had disc brakes up front. Or do you mean rear brakes too? Do be careful when buying a car with new paint.....have a person skilled in bodywork take a look at it first. I have seen first hand rust holes filled with newspaper then bondo'ed over. As for the engine....sure the Buick purists will tell you to stay Buick for the engine...but it's easier said than done. I would think nothing of dropping a SBC crate motor in it.

My offer on the Caddy is a half joke. Gas would suck at ~10 mpg from Cali to MI.

 

[F14CRAZY]

lol quick google search:

'96 Rivi: 3691 lbs

'73 Rivi: 4480 lbs

well ok, it's a lot but not quite a ton, and we can assume that while a 3800 is still an iron block/head motor, its GOT to weigh less than a 455

It wouldn't be a performance car but it would move it with decent fuel economy

 

[MCGARRETT]

'96 Rivi: 3691 lbs

'73 Rivi: 4480 lbs

well ok, it's a lot but not quite a ton,

I said 1000 lbs, a ton is 2,000 lbs. ahhhh, americas public schools at their finest, but hey at least you learned how to put a rubber on a cucumber right!

Just Kidding!!

Seriously..


But yeah, the boat tail Rivs are heavy, I am not a fan of the 1973 version though, the boat tail was diminished, the 1971-1972 versions are the pure boat tail Rivieras. These cars, and almost all Rivieras are kind of a bargain, so it might not cost that much more to get a complete car.

As for the engines. the 455 Buick was made from 1970-1976, there are plenty around, I would go for a 1970, the last high compression Buick V8, the 455 in the Electra and Riviera for 1970 was rated at 370hp, it was esentially the same engine in GS455. find a tired one and rebuilt it to Stage 1 spec with help and parts from Poston Buick, they specialize in Buick V8's.

 

[eurohazard]

^ 1970 did have higher compression, but keep in mind....if the OP is not getting a rebuilt motor..........I recommend a 1971-1972 engine. They had hardened valve seats that will allow one to run regular unleaded gasoline. An original pre-1971 car will likely need some lead additive in the gas for durability reasons.

 

[F14CRAZY]

lol that was a "brainfart"