Since I never got around to it...

Hi there. My name's Chris, but Nez is an acceptable nickname. I'm from Louisiana, and I'm not exactly a Riviera owner, but I do drive my mother's '98 Series II Supercharged frequently enough to know that the Riviera is a fantastic car. Smooth ride, great sound deadening from the outside (but not enough to drown out that supercharger whine Hehe.), great little features like the rearview mirror tinting green, and the passenger side mirror tilting down when the car is in reverse...

I stumbled upon this forum when I got curious as to what sort of things went into the hood after having driven the car for a few months. Learned quite a bit about the car (like the need to run 91+ octane in it) and different things to look out for. In fact, I pretty much starting babying the car anytime I had it after I found this place. Like checking fluids almost immediately when a light came on, and even reporting odd noises and such under the hood immediately to my mother.

Unfortunately, the Rivi is parked right now... I was bringing a friend to work and a pulley fragged and took a belt with it. Now that we've replaced the pulley and belt, it won't start(my mother has a thread on it), which is a tad depressing. I enjoyed cruising around in it. Not necessarily WOTing in it, but something about driving that car was relaxing.

And there we go. An intro.

Welcome NEZ,
How is the troubleshooting of the "No Start" problem going. Or better yet, rather than duplicating the existing thread, what is the title of the one already opened regarding the fragged pulley and no start.?

Welcome!

Welcome! Lets see some pictures of it!

Here's a link to the thread:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/care-maintenance-f8/dont-know-what-to-do-now-timing-t6908.htm

I'm not sure what exactly is going on with it, as it's parked at my mom's house... I think she's buying a new crank sensor. I'm trying to talk her into replacing the harmonic balancer, but I think money is an issue at the moment for us.


And thanks for the welcome, Derek.

Nez wrote:

Here's a link to the thread:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/care-maintenance-f8/dont-know-what-to-do-now-timing-t6908.htm

I'm not sure what exactly is going on with it, as it's parked at my mom's house... I think she's buying a new crank sensor. I'm trying to talk her into replacing the harmonic balancer, but I think money is an issue at the moment for us.


And thanks for the welcome, Derek.

Odds are the harmonic balancer is fine, especially if it's the original one - GM used some sort of fancy synthetic rubber in 'em.

The issue with the HB is that sometimes in pulling it, people rip the rubber. They don't exactly wear out on the stock SC Rivieras. Mine's been fine for 215,000 miles AFAIK. That said - replacements are not rare and not hard to get, most likely in NOLA a NAPA parts store and I think you have O'Reilly's in the area (Metairie) - either one will round one up for you quick at a fair price.

Harmonic balancer pullers are easily available at Sears in with the Craftsman tools, or at most auto parts stores (Advantage, the NAPA stores, etc). The difference with the one that dealers use - IIRC it has some extra gadget attached to it that pops the HB's collar off the crankshaft more directly. Really, as long as you are patient with a standard puller that fits right you should not have a problem. The mechanic I usually get at the local Buick dealer uses a standard/generic puller, so again I would not sweat it. Maybe someone else who's pulled a HB recenlty will comment (please).

Albertj

Ahh, alright then. I'll be sure to mention we don't need to do that. I dunno if they have a puller, but hopefully they'll get it right...

And there's actually quite a few O'Reilly's in the area. (Baton Rouge area.)

A decent generic HB Puller can be had for about $20.00 to $30.00.
I've still got the first one I ever bought, made by KD Tools, around 30 years ago. Is still my only HB Puller and has been used for many other things as well.
Before there were such things as Air Bags this puller would do all my steering wheels, for example.
Just be sure to get the proper diameter and length bolts you will need if the puller doesn't come with them. Get some extra washers, Large and thicker to go under the bolt heads that are going to absorb the load and torque. Also, get a small tube of anti-seize while your at he Auto Parts store and coat the treads of the 2 or 3 bolts that are used to thread the puller directly into the Hub itself and both sides of the washers to prevent galling and provide some lubrication.
You can also put anti-seize on the larger threaded shaft in the middle.
The use of ant-seize will help the tool last longer than one job. But it sounds like you are on the right page now......... and hopefully you'll be done with this job soon enough.

Nez wrote:

Ahh, alright then. I'll be sure to mention we don't need to do that. I dunno if they have a puller, but hopefully they'll get it right...

And there's actually quite a few O'Reilly's in the area. (Baton Rouge area.)

That's the rub - you *must* use a puller to take off the HB 'cause if you don't it is almost guaranteed you will damage it. It is *really* on there.

Albertj