V8TV 1968 Buick Riviera

[Slice]

Hey Kevin,
i made some thoughts about the Bumper to Hood thing you mentioned before. I don't know how far you are willing to go with a redesign of this section but i think the major problem of the front end of a Riv is this massive bumper. Because you have these really nice shap edges on the hood an then its getting much softer on the bumper. I think you'll get a much more aggressive look by removing the trim around the bumper and then enlonger the hood and front parts of the fender to get much smaller gaps between them.

I made a really quick photoshop to show you what i exactly mean. Because talking about a design issue without a sketch is always difficult (espacially when its not the native language )

Its only a minor change but it helps to combine the lines of the hood and bumper. I have also some ideas on the bumper but really no time at this moment to do this in photoshp. If you're interested i'll do it tomorrow or so...

Greetings,
Robert

[Kevin O]

Interesting, Slice! 

Recently, I met with a very talented artist names Nelson Michael who created a very cool sketch design of the '68, which seems to incorporate the molded nose a little.

Here's the image, we think it looks killer.   Lowered, bigger stock-style wheels, stock scheme.. just cleaned up.

Anyway, Nelson does these color sketches for under $100, and I can pass his info along if you're interested in obtaining one!

[Kevin O]

Dragged the '76 455 out of storage... man, this is a heavy beast!   Especially with the converter and all the accessories attached... oof!






After the front drive accessories, exhaust, torque converter, starter, balancer, and timing cover are removed...




Yeah, timing chain is SHOT, to be expected...

[Kevin O]

Pulled the HEAVY cast iron intake & heads... things look OK inside so far.   2 different kinds of pistons... only one of the type installed in the #6 hole.



Quick scotch brite cleanup on #4, no size markings on top side.   Mild carbon build-up, note stressed head gasket!


Piston style #2 - replaced, or different supply on assembly line?   Time will tell.


Clean valley, the crud piles are from pulling the heads and having stuff fall in.   Note lifters are nicely centered in holes, indicating minimal core shift in the casting.   Looks like a good block from this side.   (We know, looks can be deceiving!)


Liquid is Maxfilm sprayed in holes after head removal.    Same slugs on this side, no surprises here.


Bores look decent so far, no major rust or gouges.


That's it for today, more to come...

[Kevin O]

OK, so we pulled the pan, and things still looked OK at this point.   



No stampings on rods or caps, indicating factory assembly and no rebuilds?





First main cap... a little scored, but not completely blown out.   





Crank looks used, but OK...

[Kevin O]

Next main cap... what's with the little shavings?


Uh oh..



Crank is rough..



Next shell, shot as well


Cranky not happy..

[Qball]

Can the mains be turned or is the crank a paper weight?

[Kevin O]

I think the crank can be turned.   I'm still investigating. 

[Slice]

The sketch looks great!

The engine looks a little bit stressed... And that there are no markings on the rods is a good sign that they are still stock. My rods have markings on them but i think they are factory original because the markings are like "2F" or "6Q" and i have two number 7 rods

What are the plans for this big boy ? Aluminum heads? Supercharge it ? Please let us know

Robert

[Kevin O]

Not sure what's going to happen at this point.    The car has a running 430 in it that makes a little knocking noise, and won't need as much machine work as the 455.    And you know how it goes, you get "might as well syndrome", where you say "While I'm at it, I might as well _____" and the project goes over the edge.     We'll keep you posted on what happens!

[Slice]

I know what you mean...
But in this case i would stick to the 430 because these rivieras are no racecars. And the 25 cubic inches more can't make that much of a difference.