85 Hot Air Riv, Looking for ARP head studs or bolts!

SeanBromptner

TurboRiv
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
I'm gonna start witha little about the car, myself, what happened, and my future plans.

Name is Sean Remmen, basically son of the infamous Len Freeman, who w/ the help of the Galinnas' had the fastest ET in a Buick 3.8 ever! He passed the car down to me, and I put a lot of work into it. It sat for about 4 years, I got it running again. Did quite a bit of bolt on's. Got it all to an 87 3.8 basically, except for the 87 intake, to mount the turbo on the front and mount a stock 87 intercooler! Ran exceptionally well! Never took it down the track tho. But blew the doors off quite a bit of 4bangers and a couple v8's haha. Only problemI had was not being able to catch traction due to the Riv being FWD. And then the accident happened, and I put her in storage for about 2 years now. Moved into a new place and got her in the driveway now, wont fit in the garage, damn car is a boat. Most surprising thing was, I put 5 gallons of 91 in her, a new battery, and bam she fired right up first try! Amazing motors these 3.8's are! haha Still has the head gasket leak, but is drive able.

Now that you know a little about me, a little about the history of the car, and about my problems, lets get to the nitty gritty.


Like the Post says, I'm looking for ARP head studs or bolts.
Have an 85 HA Riviera, blew a head gasket.
Have everything to do the fix, but the studs or bolts. Not sure which ones I need.
Pulling motor out of car in a week or two, and want to the fix asap.
Going to either junk the Riv, or sell it as a roller. Due to lack of funds for full restoration and salvage title!
Needs everything from paint, interior, to new bumper and moulding.
Was rear ended by drunk driver, had minor damages, just bent and snapped rear bumper, and cracked the plastic molding on the back and side quarter panel. Stupid insurance company decided to total the car out, because the parts were hard to find and pretty expensive. Very upset about their decision because now it is no longer my baby, my pride and joy, and no where near the value it should be at. $500 and it could have been fixed and still a clean title! UGH!!
I loved this car, very rare, very valuable, and very sentimental to me and my dad Len Freeman.

I have tried looking for ARP studs, and have had no luck at all! I need some help.

Does anyone know where to get some for this motor for this car? Last i heard, they stopped producing them and I would have to custom order them.

Sorry for the rant, but want to fill you guys in. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thank you very much!

-Sean

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.............Got it all to an 87 3.8 basically, except for the 87 intake, to mount the turbo on the front and mount a stock 87 intercooler!

Sean,
Is that a 14 bolt HA block in the car?
My understanding is that the HA block uses stage 2 head bolts/studs which are still available. o_O
Not 100% sure which "Stage" . . . . . May want to do a search.
 
They are still available. I have them on my iron heads and 140 block. My machinest had to wait for them as I recall. I can call him if you want me to in order to find out where he got them. Brad
 
Jerryl, I am not sure if it is a 14 bolt or not? DO you tell by the number of bolts on the oil pan? If so I can check real quick and let you know,

Brad, really? Man, hook me up! Ive been trying to find them for years! no luck! ALwas thought these were different blocks and heads than the 86-87 3.8's.
Please get back to asap, I got the funds, let me know the price and a link please!

Thanks,
Sean
 
the only functional difference between the hot air and IC blocks is the deck height, and that's only a little bit different.

and there is a lesson to be learned here about turning in easily repaired things to the insurance company.
 
Sean,
Is that a 14 bolt HA block in the car?
My understanding is that the HA block uses stage 2 head bolts/studs which are still available. o_O
Not 100% sure which "Stage" . . . . . May want to do a search.

Correction...... Stage 1.
Head bolts are the same for 84-85 engine 14 or 20 oil pan. As long as it is not a 109 block which uses torque to yield head bolts.
ARP part no.s are
ARP 123-3601 head bolts
ARP 123-3701 head bolt kit
 
Correction...... Stage 1.
Head bolts are the same for 84-85 engine 14 or 20 oil pan. As long as it is not a 109 block which uses torque to yield head bolts.
ARP part no.s are
ARP 123-3601 head bolts
ARP 123-3701 head bolt kit

Thanks!
 
Thanks everyone for the quick replies!!!

@novaderrick - I didnt have a choice, the cops were involved, i was taken to ER, and car was towed. And who ever the inspetor was for their insurance company decided to total it out. I didnt have a say what so ever in his decision. :( What can you do. Build a 4 seater Buick powered rail!!! ;) Stick the Riv hood ornament on the front of the rail and all the badges in certain pkaces ;)

What I really want to do, is find a blow up, 82-87 Regal, just a roller, that needs a lot of work, get it real cheap, and build my own t-type HA.

Thoughts?
 
Also, how do I know its not a 109 block?? vin?

Discuss with the insurance. You may be able to buy it back pretty cheap. It will have a salvage title but sine you plan on keeping it, it does not matter.
A 109 block will have numbers cast in it that have the last 3 digits end in 109. It does not matter if it’s a HA block. The stock block is plenty strong.
 
Discuss with the insurance. You may be able to buy it back pretty cheap. It will have a salvage title but sine you plan on keeping it, it does not matter.
A 109 block will have numbers cast in it that have the last 3 digits end in 109. It does not matter if it’s a HA block. The stock block is plenty strong.

I have the car, I didnt even have to buy it back. I had it towed to my house day of accident, and they cut me a check 5 days later and got my salavge title month later or so.

Where would the numbers be stamped? Below the heads on the drivers side?

Oh I know the block is strong, cast iron.

Im pulling the motor, trans, and axles. Either throwing it into a a Regal (Gotta find one first) or im gonna ge t a VW rail and throw it in there.


Thanks for the help!
 
Hey Sean are you still looking? I have a 84 roller with tops and a new set of floor pans in it. It has all the lights and bumpers, I would sell the car to you very cheap. $100. But you have to come to Ohio and get it and take me for arise when it's done.
 
Hey Sean are you still looking? I have a 84 roller with tops and a new set of floor pans in it. It has all the lights and bumpers, I would sell the car to you very cheap. $100. But you have to come to Ohio and get it and take me for arise when it's done.

I messaged you, am very interested!

Correction...... Stage 1.
Head bolts are the same for 84-85 engine 14 or 20 oil pan. As long as it is not a 109 block which uses torque to yield head bolts.
ARP part no.s are
ARP 123-3601 head bolts
ARP 123-3701 head bolt kit

Talked to my step dad, and he told me that it is a 109 block.
That If the thread size is the same as stock, then I can use those ones.
 
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