Who needs a turbo Riviera Differential?

[Turbo Riviera]

I found one in a wrecking yard here locally... I didn't pull it out because they are a real PITA, but if you guys need one let me know.

The yard that the car is in rotates their stock quite often, so let me know soon!

It is a carb'ed turbo. The writing on the car said '79, but my gut tells me '83. I don't remember all the grill styles, but the grill looked '83 to me.

I'll pull it for the right price and ship it at your cost.

Some of you may be interested in the transmission as well. It's a bit beefier than most TH-325's

I know these things can be difficult to find, so if you guys want spares, or those of you who have an '85 with the 3.15 gears this might be a good time to go to the 3.36's or get a spare.

Pass this on to anyone with a Riv T-Type. Thanks!

 

[turbofish38]

Hi Scott, Double check the year because if it is an 79 than the best gear they had in that year would be a 2.93. If in doubt the VIN is the old 13 character length with the 6th character being the year. Also the 79 was the only year with the mirrors down low on the door like a conventional Buick. They also used the same basic grille type 79 to 83. Also they only used the 3.36 with the overdrive THM325-4L transmssion. Eric Fisher

 

[BLACKHAWK38]

3:36 Differential Wanted

Originally posted by turbofish38
Hi Scott, Double check the year because if it is an 79 than the best gear they had in that year would be a 2.93. If in doubt the VIN is the old 13 character length with the 6th character being the year. Also the 79 was the only year with the mirrors down low on the door like a conventional Buick. They also used the same basic grille type 79 to 83. Also they only used the 3.36 with the overdrive THM325-4L transmssion. Eric Fisher

First of all Good Moring Eric and Scott and hope everyone has a good Memorial day
Scott, I did reply to your direct E-mail yesterday evening and I'm interested in purchasing the gearset, I think that there is CODE (N) stamped on the case if it is a 3.36.and FW4 on the trunk RPO label
Also , > is the crossover pipe still in the car? I may be interested in it also.

I did buy a 3:36 axle from Eric about 3 months ago, WORKS Great, but would like another one for my 85 T-type coupe

Best REGARDS, DAVE V

 

[Turbo Riviera]

I am pretty sure it's an '83. This yard is famous for mislabeling cars. I'll check for sure though before I pull it and send it to someone.

I do believe that the x-over is still in the car as well...

It was mostly complete minus turbo and carburetor.

No t-type wheels though. This yard takes aluminum wheels and recycles them before they hit the yard.

 

[TRiv]

Hi everyone, what do ya know, a couple of us 84-5 T-type Riviera owners on the same post at once! Any other 84-5 T-type Riviera owners out there? I think we need to keep in touch in the near future as unlike the Turbo Regals, we are a much smaller group, with a total 84-5 Turbo Riviera production run of a bit over 2000 cars, the Riviera unique parts will probably get scarce (they already are). Just in the little over one year of my interest in these cars, I have seen quit a few cars that have or are being parted out, meaning there have got to be less cars left . Unlike GTO Judges , SS Chevelles, etc. which have a large re-pro business and are easy to clone, our cars are not, not easy at alll ,as it is a lot of work and not many people are even aware of them, much less know the rarity. Here is an odd one just to show you, look at this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2416978822&category=43977

Sure looks like a Riviera motor! that means one less in existance! and how many are already gone? Just two weeks ago won a bid on ebay for some T-type Riviera emblems pulled off a junkyard car, anouther one less. We should come up with some idea for us all to stay in touch when a parts car, etc. comes up so the parts don't get melted down, thoughts?

 

[BLACKHAWK38]

Sure IS a SFI TURBO RIVIERA MOTO !

Originally posted by TRiv
Hi everyone, what do ya know, a couple of us 84-5 T-type Riviera owners on the same post at once! Any other 84-5 T-type Riviera owners out there? I think we need to keep in touch in the near future as unlike the Turbo Regals, we are a much smaller group, with a total 84-5 Turbo Riviera production run of a bit over 2000 cars, the Riviera unique parts will probably get scarce (they already are). Just in the little over one year of my interest in these cars, I have seen quit a few cars that have or are being parted out, meaning there have got to be less cars left . Unlike GTO Judges , SS Chevelles, etc. which have a large re-pro business and are easy to clone, our cars are not, not easy at alll ,as it is a lot of work and not many people are even aware of them, much less know the rarity. Here is an odd one just to show you, look at this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2416978822&category=43977

Sure looks like a Riviera motor! that means one less in existance! and how many are already gone? Just two weeks ago won a bid on ebay for some T-type Riviera emblems pulled off a junkyard car, anouther one less. We should come up with some idea for us all to stay in touch when a parts car, etc. comes up so the parts don't get melted down, thoughts?

HI T-RIV, DID you get those E-bay FOWARDS I relayed along to you ?

THAT engine's CROSSOVER PIPE HAS BEEN MODIFIED for better flow, it is not the STOCK design !!

Regards, DAVE V

 

[TRiv]

BLACKHAWK38, yes I did , thanks. You're right about the crossover pipe, did'nt notice it sure is modified. I see the deal comes with a Kennedy Engineering adaptor for Buick to VW trans, thats close to what I need for the Buick to Porsche transaxle, that will probably be best for project with a 944 or 911 trans. That 180 degree manifold tube is a sure give away!

 

[BLACKHAWK38]

$ 2500 is to much money for that engine

Originally posted by TRiv
BLACKHAWK38, yes I did , thanks. You're right about the crossover pipe, did'nt notice it sure is modified. I see the deal comes with a Kennedy Engineering adaptor for Buick to VW trans, thats close to what I need for the Buick to Porsche transaxle, that will probably be best for project with a 944 or 911 trans. That 180 degree manifold tube is a sure give away!

2500 smackers is way too much for that engine, you got the whole car for less than that , didn't you ?
7 or 8 hundred is more like it !!

Regards, Dave V

 

[turboCR]

Count me in!

1 of 11 riv turbo 84 conv's

To much for the engine. Sppedway AUtomotive in PHX has many of them, I was juest there!

I agree, the same motor, mny differenent parts and harder to reach things die to the turbo location and FWD.

Maybe it looked good on paper when they designed it!

 

[BLACKHAWK38]

Hello TurboCR

Originally posted by turboCR
Count me in!

1 of 11 riv turbo 84 conv's

To much for the engine. Sppedway AUtomotive in PHX has many of them, I was juest there!

I agree, the same motor, mny differenent parts and harder to reach things die to the turbo location and FWD.

Maybe it looked good on paper when they designed it!

TURBO CR, what color is your Turbo RIV Convertible ?

I have a RED (one of 47) 1985 Riviera TURBO convertible , owned since new

ALSO a 1985 brownish/Gold T-type coupe that I bought off the internet in JAN 2002

IF you Like I will sent you a email with pictures

REGARDS, DAVE

 

[turboCR]

She is White.
White top.
I could write a book!

207,000 still going-lots ofwork though.

She is very clean and very original. I am kind of a fanatic. Certain things are starting to wear to the point that even the best maintenence can't stop, but I'll keep fighting.

Yours??

 

[BLACKHAWK38]

207k Miles on Original engine?

Originally posted by turboCR
She is White.
White top.
I could write a book!

207,000 still going-lots ofwork though.

She is very clean and very original. I am kind of a fanatic. Certain things are starting to wear to the point that even the best maintenence can't stop, but I'll keep fighting.

Yours??

TurboCR you got mail

I had 203,000 on my T-type coupe before I took it up to New Jersey for the rebuild,
It ran pretty good for such high mileage, just as good as my lower mileage Convertible after The first set of mods,
I had a piston slap noise , it sounded like a diesel running at idle,besides that it did ok, the previous owner did a timing chain, Crank sensor, and it also had a rebuilt turbo on it when I got it.

Regards, Dave V

 

[turboCR]

207,000 original block. Heads just re-done when I broke the timing chain going 80 mph. at 198k. Stupid factory nylon gears!!!

Compression is good, even with the original block. Lucky I guess and lots of Mobil 1.

Many, many new parts and uprades to the 86-87 SFI system . Paint is excellent, re-painted 4 years ago. Interior is very good, but I have to re-cover the D/seat bottom-finally.

Everyhting works, event the tri-band CB. Just went through the 3rd circuit board in the pulse wipers. New top 2 years ago. So many other new parts I have lost track. I'll drive it until something more major than the broken timing chain thing.

I have a garage of spare parts, usually need em'. 2nd T-charger, about 150k on this one, still boosts well-Mobil 1.

I think I have fixed damn near everything else at one time or another!!!

Keep in touch!!

 

[Turbo Riviera]

I'm going to run out this weekend and check to make sure that was in fact a 3.36 diff... I'll post back.