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Mark L, which year Studebaker Avanti is your car: '63 or '64? The restrictor is at the fuel pump on '63s and up at the filter closer to the carb on '64s. That the car's problem only began after you reattached the return line is suspicious. --Dwight

Is the restrictor listed as a stand-alone part in the parts catalog?

I don’t have a fitting that I can get to to measure the restriction. Hopefully someone else here does

Footer: Thanks! I just bought a set of door strikes from him. Don't know how I missed it.

I don't think they are the original. Is the restrictor in the fittings at the pump for the return line? What is the inside diameter of the restrictor?

Did you still have the original fittings. I believe there is a restrictor in the fitting.

I have a copy of the shop manual, so I'll be consulting it. The current filter has a solid metal housing, so I can't see the condition of the filter without destroying it. I'm going to replace it to be sure it's clean. I'll cut the old one open to see what is inside. The return line was capped off long ago, based on the patina of the plug and the poor condition of the hose. The maintenance receipts I have show the fuel pump was replaced within the past 15 years or so, but no reason as to why, or why the return line was capped off when it was replaced. It might have been the "solution" to this issue. Before I restored the return line to the original condition, it was running fine. That's why I want to test the output of the pump. It may have sufficient capacity under load with the return line capped off, but insufficient capacity under load when the return line is connected.

Hello Considering a 1989 Avanti, with 350. Anything to look for? Hog troughs fine. Any way to lower the front end? Thanks, Stuart

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Mark There are 3 tests you will want to do. pressure, volume and inlet vacuum They are outlined in the Avanti workshop manual. New filter? There must be some reason the return line was capped off???

Thanks, A0136. This is very helpful. Today I was talking to a fellow gearhead about this where I work, and he suggested I install a fuel pressure gauge and measure the output pressure under various conditions to help troubleshoot the problem. These numbers will help.

I'm not sure how to send messages either! Those panels were made out of metal. There was a complete belly pan as well. The car was run in 63 with several different configurations. Some runs with the full pan and skirts, runs with just the skirts, some with nothing at all, and even down to different wheels.

I suffered with that same malady in my ‘83 everyday driver Avanti…. Fed up with it and having the ability to do basic bodywork, I purchased a sheet of 1/8” virgin fiberglass and filled the opening in. I left the sliding moonroof intact… leaving it in it’s dropped position, but not rolled back. This gave good support to the new fiberglass roof panel, which I carefully cut & trimmed to fit into the factory roof opening. I then ground the fiberglass down about 4” around the perimeter of the factory opening, tapering it. I did the same around the edge of the new fiberglass panel, and put weights on it to hold it in position. (it’s slightly curved) I then used fiberglass resin and cloth joining the new panel with the factory roof opening….. I then ground that down after it cured… then finished with a skim of body filler, primer and paint. I made this modification on my Avanti about 15 years ago…l have no regrets…. and a dry head!!…….Ed PS…. On the inside I made up a new headliner out of a composite sheet ….from the roll bar cover to the windshield header… and painted it a close match to the interior color (tan)

Mine is not dropped (yet) but in lousy internal condition. I too would welcome any hints at how this operation should proceed- particularly any advice in removing headliner material etc without spoiling it.

Mark The R1 and R2 pumps are a little larger in diameter for more volume and have a stronger diaphragm spring for higher pressure. The fuel pump on top is the standard 61-64 3155S pump 3 1/2 to 5 1/2 psi The second pump is an R1 3509S pump 5-7 psi The third pump is an R2 3508S pump 5-7 psi

Thanks. I had heard there were differences between the pumps, but I don't know what they are. A few weeks ago I got the return line reconnected at the pump where it had been capped off in the past, and I installed a check valve in the return line at the tank, and replaced all the rubber lines. The test drive to fill the tank was fine. This past Saturday I drove the Avanti to a SDC chapter meeting, and it was really struggling. I punched the gas pedal to leave a four-way stop, and the engine bogged down repeatedly in a rythmic kind of way. It was fine on flat ground, but I couldn't accelerate going uphill like it was starving for gas. It was about 75 degrees on the way to lunch. On the way home, I didn't have any problems. Both the ambient temperature and the engine were about 5 degrees cooler going home. I'm just wondering if the pump is going bad, not the correct pump, or something else I should check. This photograph will help. I also have a '62 Lark Daytona with a 259, so I'll compare the two pumps.

The job of a high-performance engine is to consume more fuel/air mixture, and extract more HP. For that reason the R1 fuel pump has a higher flow rate. It is similar in construction to a 259/289 pump, but is larger (in diameter) than a 259/289 pump. Others can quote numbers for the two fuel pumps. For comparison purposes below is a pic of an original 259/289 fuel pump. --Dwight

1970 Avanti Convertible Prototype $18,000 located in North Wilkesboro, NC.

What are the differences between a "standard" mechanical fuel pump for a Studebaker V8, such as a 259 or 289, versus a mechanical fuel pump for an Avanti R1 289? Is the flow rate and/or output pressure higher on a R1 pump to accomodate the Avanti's fuel return line to the gas tank?

r' Very familiar with the ''Tail". It's about 10 miles from me. Only dislike I have is it's gotten so busy ya can't get on it. AND ...Rt-276 is as long and twisty as the 'Tail'... good part, nobody knows about Rt-276 and it's just down the road (2 mi's) from my House. On that Morning eExcursion I only saw 2 cars during the whole time out...That'll change with Tourist Season coming up. I always ask'...''It's Tourist Season? What's the Bag limit?" (Gets strange looks OR laughs..)

Paul is exactly correct by answering ‘false’.. However, for what it’s worth, I knew someone who owned a really nice Stude Avanti R2 that made the car a ‘trailer queen’ He removed four (?) springs from the supercharger pressure plate, reasoning that if he never ran the engine up into the ‘boost’ range’, the Paxton supercharger’s drive unit would last indefinitely…. Interesting!

I am sincerely thinking about pulling my fallen and leaking Moon/Sun roof and simply making it a permanent sealed window. I have seen / read of some fellow Avanti owners doing the same but I am now unable to remember where.... Seeking assistance form anyone with knowledge. Also seeking information / directions on how to remove the current sun/moon roof. Thanks & Blessings, Don

Now that you have gotten used to your new Avanti, check out the "Tail of the Dragon" in North Carolina, which is US129. Google it, it's not too far from you.

Not knowing much about the Paxton blowers...........I'm going to say false. My reasoning is that removing springs will make the ball drive assembly even more likely to slip and damage the balls and races.

No thoughts on this one?