1972 Buick Riviera - Instrument Panel Removal

Hello friends and welcome, I’m V8 Adam.
In this video I am showing you the removal of the instrument cluster on my 1972 Buick Riviera.
Workshop manual - www.teambuick.com/reference/l...
Bulbs Lucas 501 - www.eurocarparts.com/p/lucas-...
Bulbs Lucas 233 - www.eurocarparts.com/p/lucas-...
Light Switch Issue - • How to: 1972 Buick Riv...
#v8adam #buick #musclecar

[@Immortal..]

Cheers for uploading this, exactly what I was looking for. Saved me from extending the crunch to midnight Unsurprisingly, a 72 Electra has the same exact built

[@V8Adam]

Glad that it helped you out!

[@tomsriv]

Awesome, thank you. Super clean riv you got there!

[@V8Adam]

Thanks so much! She's getting there, little restoration touches here and there. Really appreciate the nice comment :)

[@josephjandro7475]

Thanks for the helpful video! I found that after the screws are out of the white panel holding the bulbs, I could pull it toward me a little and get a thin tool with a bend or a hook at the end in through the speedometer hole and press the clip holding the speedometer cable housing down enough to release the housing, thereby avoiding going under dash.

[@V8Adam]

Thanks very much for the comment and info. I’m sure somebody doing this will find that really useful.

[@therxcorvus3556]

This will help me with my 72 LeSabre if I ever need it. Same layout

[@V8Adam]

Really glad it will help!

[@yambo59]

Im an old guy (61) and I grew up with these big old GM and other cars and I miss the smooth ride they had. Im pleased to see someone that sounds british who seems to like our big old land yachts, The Rivieras were great personal luxury cars and great road trip cars. Funny many didnt like the boattail Rivs back then but now theyre sought after and collectible. I thought the styling was pretty unique for its time.

[@V8Adam]

Thank you so much for your comment! It's great to hear that you grew up with these wonderful cars. Which did you own? I know what you mean about the ride. Hoovie did a video where he talked about how much of a shame it is that all modern luxury cars also have to be 'sporty' to please motoring journalists and I have to agree. This old girl is not very sporty but she is not built for that. Cruisin' at 55 is a dream. I am indeed British and this Riv is over here in the UK. I love the American cars. Your country is fantastic and every American I have met has been so optimistic and helpful. You're quite right about the boattail, it was certainly out there! They got that kind of gangster reputation but that just makes them all the cooler. It's just when I start speaking that people realise I would sooner deal in tea than drugs!

[@pierrenordqvist472]

Nice. Thank you !

[@V8Adam]

You're welcome!

[@kitestastewart4904]

This video is Golden! Thanks I've been searching for months for info on this

[@V8Adam]

Thanks so much for your positive comment! I am so glad that this video helped you out. Please consider subscribing if you have not already, I will be posting a lot more videos like this one :)

[@kitestastewart4904]

Sure will

[@magicmarouke1425]

Great video mate and I bet it would help out someone wanting to do this . Really feel for you working outside in a car park , can’t believe you had a dry day in England!

[@V8Adam]

Thanks so much mate, means a lot! Haha, you're right! A whole dry day is a good day :)

[@joelmartin8431]

Hi Adam, great video. One question, how did you remove the trip set and speed alert knobs?

[@V8Adam]

Hi, thanks so much for the nice comment and glad you liked the video. My Riv does not have that option, so I did not have to remove them. I have looked in the workshop manual for you and it appears from the pictures that the knobs are screw on (the same as the adjuster knob on the clock). I would therefore assume that you could simply unscrew them. If you want to PM me your email, I can send you a picture from the manual or if you have one, it is on page 120-68.

[@joelmartin8431]

V8Adam thanks, I’ll give it a try.

[@joelmartin8431]

Don’t see to want to come out!!!

[@joelmartin8431]

Got them, you’re a star!

[@V8Adam]

@@joelmartin8431 That's great news mate! It's like the knobs on the clock, really doesn't feel like it is going to unscrew and then suddenly it does. Nerve racking!

[@RodrigoLaiz]

Hello Adam, great video! I'm about to purchase a 71 Riv myself (going to the Netherlands to check it out this weekend) and I wanted to ask you if it's easy to find or restore the dash pad, the whole instrument cover section. For what I've seen on the photos of the car the dashboard will need a lot of work if not a replacement. Also, it's white and I would like to go for black, do you think that's doable ? I'm a city boy with no too much experience in car restoration... hoping to learn.

[@V8Adam]

Thanks so much! My advice would be that unless you really want to restore items yourself and that is the bit you enjoy (like me), buy the best car you can afford. Restoring the dashboard is possible but it will be very expensive. It is the sort of work that you cannot do yourself (in my opinion) as it takes experience to be good at it. Like detailing your paint or installing a headliner, to get a good job you really need a pro. These cars have been going up in value but are still relatively cheap, so I would get one you are really happy with. Also keep in mind that things like wheels and engine mechanics are generally easy to fix or change. Body work or unusual interior parts are much harder. Buying something cheap is always a false economy with classics as you can burn through thousands in no time. Patience is so important. If you wait for something you are really happy with, you will be glad you did. I was very lucky to find mine. I also recommend v8buick forum and some FB groups. Those guys and gals are really helpful. This is just my opinion and based on my experience and I hope it helps.

[@RodrigoLaiz]

@@V8Adam Hey Adam, thanks a lot for the useful information and the quick reply! Here's the car I'm going to check tomorrow: www.autoscout24.nl/aanbod/-da0a1a5c-c231-4139-b0bd-51294ac7f38a I've managed to lower the price to 17K I'm really weighting this decision because I'm actually looking for a very specific Buick Riviera, 71 model, black, and with hard top (not the vinyl roof) so me being so annoyingly makes the search even harder... On the other hand I don't swim on money and the interior looks like it will need a lot of work. If you have any more thoughts about this they'll be more thank welcome. Thanks again for the great content. I'm subscribing to your channel ;)

[@V8Adam]

​@@RodrigoLaiz Thanks for the link and the sub! Given what you have said, I would be more concerned about the custom work that has been done more than the interior. It looks like there is an air ride system of some kind on it. These require specialist knowledge and can be very expensive if they break. I am also not sure what has been done in the engine but it is not stock. I understand what you have said about wanting a specific spec and that certainly does make it harder. From my own experience I would say try to get hold of a car that is close to original as possible. One owned by a little old lady is perfect as they are often in amazing condition. If you have limited funds (like most of us!) you will need to compromise somewhere - getting something that is not exactly the spec you want or getting something that requires work, or waiting until you get lucky. If I were you I would contact the community through the forums and clubs. Tell them what you are looking for. Sometimes there will be a car come up in a club that is never advertised and if they know it is going to somebody that will love and care for it, they sometimes do a deal. I just don't want to see you spend a lot of money on a car that is then going to cost you a lot more and potentially be hard to sell on. I hope that has been useful :)

[@RodrigoLaiz]

@@V8Adam Once again, thanks a lot for your advice, is really helpful and you're right in the money. I ended up not buying the car for the exact same reasons you've mentioned me. Also I've found the car of my dreams and it's in your country! www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314167670949?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=CQuWf93kTo2&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY But sadly I don't have that kind of money :) I'll keep lurking in the forums and try to strike a nice deal. Thanks again and keep posting great content ;)

[@joeski8071]

Hi V8Adam, i have a 1972 buick electra, which can of adhesive spray did you use for the cluster printed circuit board?

[@V8Adam]

Hi! That's a good question. In the end I think I did not stick it back down, the bulbs held it in place well enough. As I say in the video, just make sure whatever you are using is safe on plastic. If you are in the UK, then you can call the company 3M who make loads of adhesives, including a really good spray one. Their technical line is always happy to provide information. Other than that, some clear silicone should be fine, just test it on a small part first and use a small amount.

[@loumusa9124]

Great video. One question, is there a trick putting speedometer cluster back on? All I had to do was remove the fuel gauge. But now that I put it back on speedometer won't go over 35mph.

[@V8Adam]

Not that I can think of. Just make sure it is properly seated in the back of the cluster, it is held in by the retaining clip.

[@slickcutta1098]

Has anyone ever removed the dash or replaced the speakers in the whole car? If so is there a video, forum, or anything?

[@V8Adam]

My friend has removed his dash but he has not created a video on it I am afraid. If you are after a good forum, v8buick.com is the one that I use and the guys on there are great. The workshop manual is also very useful and you can pick those up on ebay. If you watch my radio removal video, I show you where the front speaker is and would give you some clues about removal, as you can see the location. I already had 2 rear speakers in place on mine, so I just swapped them over but I do not believe that was a stock option, so the previous owner may have fitted them.

[@MrJerronm]

Any tips on getting the power reconnected on the cluster. I'm struggling

[@V8Adam]

Which part are you struggling with? There is 1 big block connector that provides power to everything shown at 11:47.

[@brentsamuels4767]

How did you get the headlight pulley out?? Mine doesnt seem to twist or pull out

[@V8Adam]

Do you mean the headlight switch? If you look at 3:38 then you can see the button that you must click in and then pull the headlight switch out.

[@brentsamuels4767]

You are the man. 🤘 Thanks buddy. I missed that part. I fastwarded at little too much. Just picked a 72 riviera myself and doing a full custom restore on it.

[@V8Adam]

@@brentsamuels4767 no problem at all. Ah that’s awesome! I hope it all goes well for you and if you post any videos, be sure to let me know 😊

[@wynwoodgordo]

How did you take the radio side off???

[@V8Adam]

Hi, thanks for your comment. In order to remove the radio side, you pull on the black knobs of the radio and they will pull off. You can then remove the silver dial surrounds by pulling them off (gentle prying helps). The one on the right has electrical connection pins, so requires some gentle force to remove. Once those items are removed, you can remove the dash piece the same way as the left one. Hope that helps!

[@wynwoodgordo]

@@V8Adam to remove the radio I have to remove the dash???

[@wynwoodgordo]

Thanks. I got it off. To remove the radio I have to remove the dash?

[@V8Adam]

Yes. When you remove the dash piece, you will see a couple of nuts that hold the radio in around the 2 knob pins. You can briefly see these in my video at 16:30 below the clock, with the nuts removed. When you remove these nuts, you can remove the radio. Don't forget to disconnect the cables at the back. It might also be easier to remove the ash tray and disconnect some hoses to slide it out from the bottom of the dash.

[@wynwoodgordo]

@@V8Adam so once I have the radio loose I push it in and I can get it out from under the dash???

[@V8Adam]

wynwoodgordo that’s how I did it. It takes some fiddling though and the radio is quite heavy. Just disconnect the battery, be careful of the wires and the vent hoses and take your time. I could make a video for you on it but it won’t be for a while as she’s in storage atm.

[@wynwoodgordo]

Ok. That would be great. I'll just wait until you do the video because I'm not trying to break anything.

[@V8Adam]

@@wynwoodgordo Hi! Just to let you know that the radio removal video will be going live today at 10am GMT. Sorry it has taken a while but hopefully it is still useful for you.

[@DmitriyPonomarev-zb8ug]

Good afternoon. Unfortunately, the link to the instructions does not work. Do you have instructions for the dashboard of this car in PDF?

[@V8Adam]

Hi, I have updated the link now. That will take you to the entire manual but you can navigate down to the instrument panel or wiring diagram depending on what you need.

[@DmitriyPonomarev-zb8ug]

​@@V8Adam Thank you! Many thanks from me to you!

[@V8Adam]

@@DmitriyPonomarev-zb8ug You're welcome!

[@gerryclemonsii]

Does anyone make an aftermarket digital dash for 71-73 Rivi?

[@wernerkleimeier5534]

do you mean this ? speed-ometer.se/

[@wernerkleimeier5534]

Hi Adam, I am a constant follower of your videos because I have 1973 Boattail....here in Germany. As you know we have km/h instead of miles so i would like to change the tachometer because there is a guy in Sweden (speed-ometer.se/) who makes new ones that can be changed with the old ones. Is it easy to remove the plastic cover of the tachometer or do I have to remove the whole insrument panel as shown in your video?

[@V8Adam]

Hey man, appreciate you following my videos, thanks! If you just want to just remove and work on the speedometer, then no, you don't need to remove the sides as I did in this video. You can just remove the central speedometer part starting from 7:26. Does your Buick have the speed alert or trip system?

[@wernerkleimeier5534]

@@V8Adam Yes, it has the speed alert; it is the small combination instrument with the trip set (left from the volume control of the radio?) But to be honest, the speed alert does not work.

[@V8Adam]

@@wernerkleimeier5534 Ok, so with the speed alert, there is a cable behind the speedo that attaches to a metal contact. It is at the top of the speedo. To remove it, tilt the speed upwards from the bottom. You will see the connector and it has a tab on it to remove it. Place a small flat bladed screwdriver into the bottom part of the connector and work it out. It can be very stiff, so take your time and just work the screwdriver under. It took us about 15 minutes to remove it the first time, then about 10 seconds the second time! To get the speed alert working again, you probably just need to clean the electrical contact with a fibre brush and contact cleaner. Does the buzzer work if you leave the key in the ignition and open the door?

[@wernerkleimeier5534]

@@V8Adam Yes the buzzer works . Thank you so much for your help, I will see if I get it done !

[@V8Adam]

No worries! I hope you fix it ok