Found a LITTLE car time today...

Made some time to work on the Riv today, though it didn't include the 2 things I really want to get done, the pulley and FWI. But I did get the fuel filter replaced with a new AC Delco filter, about as simple a maintenance project as possible. Also did my 180 t-stat, though changing the fan turn-on settings isn't currently an option.

I wanted to get the 3.6 on, just ran out of time. Next weekend it WILL go on for sure, and maybe will get to work on the FWI if all goes well.

Getting started thats good! Goodluck making time next weekend.

Nice... Dave, I think you'll be the first to install a 3.6" SC pulley on a Riviera. Hope you are impressed with the results!

I'm not expecting a big difference in seat of the pants feel, but it should bring some better ET's at the next street legal day in June.

Our weekend is free and clear coming up, so I'm certain of getting some more work done. But instead of the FWI, it will probably be AL605's, wires, and the pulley. The FWI will wait since it will take more time and effort to complete it in one session.

While I did the t-stat swap I should have replaced the upper rad hose too, since I do have both hoses already. The upper hose for sure is original, with 97 dates on it. But it does not appear or feel like it has weakened at all, so I took the easy way out and left it alone. And I did this the messy way, since I couldn't seem to locate the drain c o c k to lower the coolant level. Couldn't even find a location in my shop manuals! Where the hell is it? I couldn't spot it from below or above...

Anyways, buttoned 'er back up and no gas or coolant leaks, always a good thing.

Still on my original hoses too, no leaks yet. I've never drained my coolant, but I'm betting it's down low near the lower radiator hose.

I'm thinking you'll definately notice the 3.6" in your seat. It's a torque-building mod, so should be easier to break loose the tires at low RPMs.

1998 Riv wrote:

I'm not expecting a big difference in seat of the pants feel, but it should bring some better ET's at the next street legal day in June.

Our weekend is free and clear coming up, so I'm certain of getting some more work done. But instead of the FWI, it will probably be AL605's, wires, and the pulley. The FWI will wait since it will take more time and effort to complete it in one session.

While I did the t-stat swap I should have replaced the upper rad hose too, since I do have both hoses already. The upper hose for sure is original, with 97 dates on it. But it does not appear or feel like it has weakened at all, so I took the easy way out and left it alone. And I did this the messy way, since I couldn't seem to locate the drain c o c k to lower the coolant level. Couldn't even find a location in my shop manuals! Where the hell is it? I couldn't spot it from below or above...

Anyways, buttoned 'er back up and no gas or coolant leaks, always a good thing.

when i changed my stat, I was expecting to have a mess of coolant come out and I got pretty much none. literally just a few drops out of the upper hose since i pulled it off. not bad. but i would also like to know if theres a ¢øk on there too because i'd like to change my coolant

Huh, I wonder how you managed to not leak much coolant? Was your level already low maybe? I held a cup under the upper hose to catch what I could when I pulled the hose off, and that worked real well. But when I pulled the thermostat, I had a lot of flow, almost like there was a little pressure pushing it out. I was parked on an inclined driveway, maybe that was the cause.

I'm also wondering if I might need to bleed air again too. After getting up to operating temps, with hot coolant in both radiator hoses, I cracked open the air bleed screw, got a little bit of coolant right away just dribbling out, but that was all. No sound of air coming out, no more coolant either. Does it sound like there could be more air? I opened that screw a lot of turns, for about the 15sec the manual suggests.

I'm actually due for a coolant change, judging by the prior owner's notes. Haven't decided if I want to do this one myself or not.