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silverstude

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Posts posted by silverstude

  1. I used the entire console and mated  it with the lower 70 original.  All the gauges are Autometer.  After I bought two of the 89 heat/cool system controls (Chrysler), I did not like the design and went with original A/C knobs on the lower part of the light switch panel.   The panel has indicators for all the lights and 700R4 Trans lockup / The heat/fresh air controls are above the left knee / the A/C unit has an integral hot water pass-thru so you really get "defrost". /  The shifter is from a mid 90s Camaro and required a floor be installed underneath, which also prevents a lot of heat transfer  The shifter also has the neutral safety switch and backup light controls.   The A-Pillar guage pod is for the SN-60. / Tilt Column is from a 90s Chevy Panel truck, Wheel is  Momo.  E-brake handle is on the floor..... and the Mel inspiration Dash inlay was created by making a mold from the 89 dash cavity and using high quality furniture grade plywood in 3 pieces veneered in Carpathian Burl Elm and sealed in clear epoxy.  

     

    0381dashcps.jpg

  2. Daniel Stern has just released an expanded article on  the change from white to amber turn signal lenses.  A great read at https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-when-front-turn-signals-changed-colour-amber-waves-of-pain/ 

    He mentioned that "In the comments you'll find some meaty, Auto Pact-related discussion of why Studebakers might have been singled out for harassment at inspection time while other '63-'64 cars with clear lenses skated through."


     

  3. 22 hours ago, pantera928 said:

    Interesting as the 350 in my 1980 has the alternator mounted totally differently.

    Yes, my 70 (RQA0381) had the same.  That stalk the alternator is bolted to and the carved out fins on the valve cover were obviously cobbled  to allow that large York AC compressor to sit on the Passenger side

  4. My 70 (0381) came with Magnum 500 (15X6) @ +16mm offset.     Positive offset wheels are more likely found on a FWD car wheel, but it was +16 .  Magnums can be found online for almost any car.  I believe they were used by Altman from the start.

  5. The gas cap is vented.   Lately there's been a lot of speculation about what that escape hose is/was for.  I've owned Avantis since the late 60's and the only purpose I have observed is that hose serves as an overflow for the tank, not a vent for the tank.  ( the extended section over the axle certainly might create a draw at road speed to evacuate fumes, but certainly would not have been a mandated usage then because EPA wasn't born yet) .   The Avanti tank filler is somewhat high on the body and there's a ~6"  connector hose which has 2 clamps that can likely allow fuel to seep by if it were contained in that section.   Fuel escaping the filler in that area will drain into the rear seat alcove  and cause fumes in the car.    

    Automatic fuel nozzle shutoffs were few and far between when the Avanti was a new car, probably not even invented yet....   The only way you knew the tank was full was when  you watched and heard it come up in the filler tube.  Taking your mind off the task would often allow  it to slop out the filler  and ruined lacquer paint was a big issue then.   One owner came up with a rubberized bib that fit around the filler neck that stowed inside the gas filler door.  When you pulled into a station and proudly hopped out to fill your tank, opening the filler door would allow the bib to flop out like a large tongue and extend almost a foot down the fender.  It was certainly different, but helpful in  preventing paint problems.  So, the overflow tube allowed the excess fuel in the filler tube above the tank,  and probably a little more to exit out of the tank and flow out over the right rear axle tube.  

     The rubber should be replaced, since it's likely dry rotted.  Even if it isn't, todays ethanol fuel will do it in quickly.  Replacing the loop in the sail is not easy, but if you can thread a length of maleable wire ( rebar tie?) through the old one, you may be able to connect it to a length of new and pull it backwards through the sail, or even just push a decent length into the sail from one of the holes and allow it to naturally loop.  

     

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