Thread: 1970 Buick Riviera

Tweet

Just pulled the 70 Buick Riviera around to my garage.
After about a year I wanted to see why it didn't run.
This is a one owner car I got from a woman about a year ago.
It has not run since I have had it and it's a good thing it didn't.
What I found was one of the garage's she took it to converted the mech drive fuel pump to a electric fuel pump. That would be fine by it's self but. the guy ran a rubber fuel line from the tank all the way to the engine compartment. Towards the front of the front door the fuel line is about 1 inch above the exhaust. Then run up the outer fender well with in 1 1/2 inches of the exhaust manifold. She got lucky that when the line caught fire and burnt a hole thru it the tank was almost empty and the fuel pump burned up. She's lucky the car didn't burn down. So the tank has to be dropped because that's where Einstein put it, on top of the tank, then I have to run metal fuel to the front and then build a heat shield to go between the exhaust and the new fuel line.

yikes, that's one of those "accidents looking for a place to happen" that we've heard about all our lives - - - it's in good hands now tho

Would have sure hated to see this factory 455 4V all burnt up on the side of the road, Mellow.

Well I dropped the tank and the fuel pump was in the tank.
The top does not fit it right and is very sloppy, there is one tube that goes in thru the top.
That is the pick up tube then the float clips on the side of that tube.
At the bottom is a rubber L shape fitting then a electric pump connects to that with a sock filter on the end of that.
There is 4 wires running in the tank with bare ends going to the float and the pump.
How does this not catch fire???? Looking for some input here guy's.
Should I look for a Original float and replace everything or try to figure out what pump that is and replace that???
I have a feeling that the factory mech fuel pump was probably vapor locking so they tried a electric fuel pump out here in this heat.
What are my choices on electric pumps that do not reside in the fuel tank and will it supply enough fuel to the 455 motor with out making
the float pin in the carb stick from to much fuel pressure, more then about 7 or 8 pounds???
Thanks for any input guys
Kurt

The best fix is a stock mechanical pump from Autozone. Seriously.
Quadrajets won't tolerate more than 4-5 psi before pressure overcomes the needle and seat and the pump blows raw fuel into the intake manifold. Seriously.

I'd prefer to be running a reliable mechanical pump, but won't work with EFI. No reason a good mechanical won't work for you, even in Arizona heat.

Tried to get a new factory fuel float for the gage reading that goes in the tank.
Non of the car shop's around town even list stuff for this car anymore.
Looks like Buick Riviera catalogs to even order this stuff.
I didn't try Summit, maybe I should try them too.
Who ever put the tank back in bent the bolt when they were tightening them down,
so I'll have to go and get some stainless steel 9/16 bolts to. Because I had to cut them to get the tank out.
Then I'll run a steel fuel line from the back to the front, put a heat shield were the exhaust crosses under the
fuel line. This car really does not need much to run, It runs fine when I am pouring gas down it's carb.
It needs the fuel stuff fixed, glove box lock, Lights for the rear sides. one tail light. New A/c compressor
and receiver dryer.
Paint and Interior need done, oh I almost forgot the exhaust looks like it's gonna fall off, rotted clean thru in a couple places.
Kurt

Sounds like once you get the fuel line situated, you'll be able to drive ti to get the exhaust fixed, then just a little a/c and your riding cool down the road. Post some pics if you get the chance Kurt.

If you click on the link below a car site will pop up with a big photo.
Under that Photo is some small photo's you can click on to.
If you click on to the 2nd and the 3rd photo's you will see what my Buick Riviera probably looked like when it was newer.
Mine is the same color and the same factory mag rims.
The paint has faded and the interior was black but it's worn out now.
So it needs paint and new interior or TLC.
I have to cut the sheet metal off the skirts and re skin them, they rusted thru, but that's the only rust I found on the whole car. And I was all up under it.
below.1970 Buick Riviera Boldride.com - Pictures, Wallpapers

Kurt, if you can't find a stock style fuel pump nearby, try RockAuto Parts Catalog they show one for under $40.

Hey Bob: Ya I am not sure about the fuel pump yet, I think that will be a easy find.
But I am trying to get the stock fuel tank insert with the float for the stock fuel gauge and pick up tube.
That way it's a tight fit when it turns to lock in, instead of being 1/4 inch to small all the way around.
They had the round piece slid over to one side so it would lock in on one tooth instead of being tight and locking
in on 3 teeth all the way around. I am afraid that it would leak if the tank was filled all the way up.
Kurt

Is it like this?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ci.../model/riviera

Not sure Tom since I don't have the original, the one I have now has 2 wire's going in the the float and it has a pick up tube.
The other vent tube's or hoses are on the side of the tank it's self, only 1 hose or tube goes in where the float is.
I just got my catalog in and it show's from 71 up and mine is a 70, so I'm still not sure how it's supposed to look.
The 71 has 2 tube's that go in near the float for the fuel gauge. The fuel tank is molded around the wheel well so it seems to be right.
But it does look to be very small for this car since the car is so big running a 455 motor, looks to be around a 14 gallon fuel tank.
Kurt

These old Rivieras are pretty cool. I ran across this one on CL the other day. It looked too nice to be parting out but I sure as heck didn't have any place for it!
1969-1970 Buick Riviera Parts

Oh that one is just a sending unit for a classic brand guage. my bad.