AMT 63 Riviera

[junkyardjeff]

This was with that bunch of parts I picked up early last year and is going to get restored,going to remove the side pipes and repaint and the chassis is definitely going to be painted.  It has a incomplete engine and have one coming and might see if I can get a nicer set of bumpers.  I am also going to see if I can find some stock wheel covers or ralley wheels.

[Kah puts]

It has great bones, I wouldn’t give up on that engine just yet ?

[junkyardjeff]

I do not have the parts to fix it but have them on the way,I have a complete unbuilt 65 engine on the way that should have the parts I need.

[Keef]

I like where this is going. Got my eye on one on that auction site along with a 66

[Can-Con]

9 minutes ago, junkyardjeff said:

I do not have the parts to fix it but have them on the way,I have a complete unbuilt 65 engine on the way that should have the parts I need.

Jeff, have you compared the '65 engine to that one? From the ones I've seen the earlier kit engines look a bit smaller then the '65 up but don't have one for comparison.

Also, I've been told the '63/'64 kit front bumper/park light parts are not quite the same as the '65 so it doesn't fit, but then again, I don't have one to compare.

BUT, can't wait to see what you do with it as I'm a Riviera fan and have owned a couple in the past. [can't afford one now, they're too popular]

[junkyardjeff]

Probably just use the whole 65 engine but are the optional Buick engine in the 40 Ford kits similarly made.  I noticed all the Ford FE engines of that era were similar except the trans.

[250 Testa Rossa]

Following

[junkyardjeff]

It's apart and must of been in a damp area since I had a hard time getting the screws out and were rusty.

[dodgefever]

On 1/8/2024 at 12:01 AM, Can-Con said:

Jeff, have you compared the '65 engine to that one? From the ones I've seen the earlier kit engines look a bit smaller then the '65 up but don't have one for comparison.

Also, I've been told the '63/'64 kit front bumper/park light parts are not quite the same as the '65 so it doesn't fit, but then again, I don't have one to compare.

BUT, can't wait to see what you do with it as I'm a Riviera fan and have owned a couple in the past. [can't afford one now, they're too popular]

 

I would have thought they shared the same tooling for the engine, but I have all three, so I can check tomorrow.

[Kah puts]

Looking forward to the answer to this engine mystery ??

[dodgefever]

Didn't get a chance to search the loft today... will update tomorrow.

[Kenmojr]

Nice restoration project.

[milo1303s]

Looks your engine is pretty much complete for the custom or drag version minus the fan belt, fan, and generator (delcotron) 

according to the instructions !

https://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/amt-instructions/automotive-cars--pi/buick/amt_1963_buick_rivi/1963_rivierra_amt_2.html#media

 

Edited January 13, 2024 by milo1303s

[dodgefever]

Here we are then - Steve was correct, the '63/'64 engines are the same, but the '65 was retooled.  The earlier ones have a partial Dynaflow transmission. '65 has a passing resemblance to a four speed.   The '65 also has a timing cover/water pump/crossover part, which is completely absent in the earlier kits.

The '63/'64 engines measure 21.8mm along the deck and the heads are 21.6mm long; the '65 block is 21.5mm along the deck and the heads are only 20.2mm long.

[dodgefever]

On 1/8/2024 at 12:01 AM, Can-Con said:

Also, I've been told the '63/'64 kit front bumper/park light parts are not quite the same as the '65 so it doesn't fit, but then again, I don't have one to compare.

They will fit onto the '65 body, as will the grille, but the '65 headlight pods are taller, so you'd have a gap at the top. 

[bobss396]

On 1/7/2024 at 7:15 PM, junkyardjeff said:

Probably just use the whole 65 engine but are the optional Buick engine in the 40 Ford kits similarly made.  I noticed all the Ford FE engines of that era were similar except the trans.

I'm doing a '40 Ford now and am using the Buick engine... which is like meh and far not accurate... It needed a ton of work to look decent. I have swapped other engines into the '40 but unless you are in for a lot of "plastic surgery" on the chassis, best option is to saw off the transmission from another donor engine and use the '40 transmission.

I have scavenged the AMT '66 Riviera kit for the nailheads. I also have a '62 Buick kit I should look at. 

[junkyardjeff]

Now to figure out what color to paint it.

[1930fordpickup]

Great project Jeff. The 63-65 buicks are hands down the best looking cars from GM.

[Keef]

Are the wheel covers the same in the 65 kit? If so I have a set still on the tree you can have.

[junkyardjeff]

1 hour ago, Keef said:

Are the wheel covers the same in the 65 kit? If so I have a set still on the tree you can have.

Do not know but should be close enough.

[junkyardjeff]

Got color.

[Moparman18064]

Looks so much better already, nice color choice.

[Bills72sj]

I love this era Riv's. My Dad had one for a little while in the early 70's.

[junkyardjeff]

Getting closer and need to figure out what to do with the bumpers as the chrome is about gone, probably will strip and paint with chrome paint 

[Keef]

2 hours ago, junkyardjeff said:

Getting closer and need to figure out what to do with the bumpers as the chrome is about gone, probably will strip and paint with chrome paint 

Love that color blue! Looks great on that body.