Ty O'Neals '65 Riveria Restroration Project

(scroll down to see completed car)

Here is an update on some of the cars I'm working on.

Here is the Rendering for the '65 Riviera that I have just about finished up. I am currently in the middle of building a 1964 Grand Sport Corvette, the 1969 Camaro Front sub frame with C6 suspension should be finished by late february if things go as planned. The Corvette will get the 600 hp LS3 I have, the Camaro will get a LS "Something" Engine TBD yet. (Hopefully a LS7) The Tranny in the Camaro will probably get the T-56 Dog-Box I have, and the Corvette will probably get a T-56 I have yet to acquire.

Anyway, as soon as I get my pictures culled out, I'll send a couple. In the meantime here is the Rendering.

The Riv. runs a .030 over 425 Nailhead with the Factory 2X4 on top. A high performance cam, a re-curved and updated distributor, larger valves and shorty headers help it breath. Roller Rockers by T/A Performance help free up some lost hp. The Tranny os a TS-400 with a switch pitch Torque Convertor. It as well as the valve body has been tuned to stall at 1600 under part throttle and 3000-3200 under full throttle. A 3.23:1 Posi finishes out the Drivetrain. For handling improvements a quick 12.7:1 steering gearbox, Poly Urethane Bushings all around, and larger Sway Bars front and back. (1.25 F, 7/8 R)

Over all I think it will be a strong running, and nice handling car and get a lot of attention when my wife and I go out cruising.

Take care and thanks for all the Road Runner updates. I will have the Road Runner Emblems on both the Camaro and the Vette as soon as I finish the exterior.

Regards,

ALL parts that were replaced and/or to be modified were cleaned thoroughly, covered in oil, and wrapped up. Once wrapped all parts were labeled with a Mark-a-Lot as to what was inside. Everything could go completely back to original if desired. The head work or any machining that was done, was done on replacement heads, or replacement parts.

Information about the Engine, Transmission, and Rear End, followed by the Suspension Specifications:

Original Matching Numbers Engine:

425 c.i. Nailhead (LX Code)

Stock Block De-burred and repainted, "Riviera Green"

Original Forged crankshaft

Original Forged Rods

Stock Cast Pistons

Engine Balanced and Blue Printed

New Rings and Bearing throughout

Cam W-30, 233/233 Duration @.050, .474/.474 Lift at a true 1.6:1

Ratio, LSA 112* (Carman Faso)

Heads - intake and exhaust port matched, Bowls, Chambers, and Ports

Cleaned up

New guides and seats (Carman Faso)

New Stainless, Swirl Polished Valves with 5 way grind

Roller Rockers

Original Cast Aluminum Buick Valve Covers

High Volume Oil Pump

Original Buick 2X4 intake port matched

Original Carbs rebuilt, and re-jetted

Original Air Intake Re-Chromed

Distributor turned, HEI and Tuned (Carman Faso)

T/A Shorty Ceramic Coated Headers, 2.5 inch minimum ID exhaust all the

way back using 26 inch 2.5 ID Power Sticks, and "Classic" Chambered

Resonators 2.5 inch ID.

Transmission

Original Matching Numbers TS 400

High Performance Valve Body

Reworked Governor Installed

Rest of Transmission gone through for quality

Re-worked 300 (12 inch?) Switch Pitch Torque Convertor. Stalls at 1600

rpm's at the low stall, and 2800 - 3200 rpm's at the high Stall

Case repainted

Seals, Gaskets, and Drive Shaft Joints replaced or serviced

Rear End

3.23 Posi Serviced and installed, replacing Original Peg leg Carrier,

and 3.23 Gears.

Suspension

KYB Gas Adjustable Shocks

Stock Springs

1.25 Front Sway Bar

1.0 Rear sway Bar

Poly Urethane Bushings everywhere (The Black ones not the Red ones)

11.00 Inch Front Disc Brakes

New Master Cylinder and Power Booster

Lee Engineering 12.7:1 Steering Box

New Tires, 225-75-R15 all around

Re-Chromed Stock Buick Rallye Wheels (1965) (I still have the Wire

spinner hub caps that came with it)