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Avanti83

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Posts posted by Avanti83

  1. Agreed that GM had wear issues sometime during that era.

    BTW, the RV grind is a good choice. I built a 305 with the larger valve heads, Weiand RV cam and dual plane intake for my 39 Ford Coupe. It was a nice free breathing, fast revving engine that would put a smile on one's face everytime. If I had a 350 block I'd have built it but the 305 worked nicely in that car.

    The Avanti is a heavier car but you should still appreciate the upgrade. Bob

  2. There is a show called "Wheeler Dealers" that originates in England. They purchased a Cobra replica that had a 350 Chevrolet that wouldn't meet emission standards in England and made some changes that brought it into compliance. I don't know how far out you are or if the year may change emissions numbers you need to meet but if you can find the stamping on the block then you will have a good shot at establishing year of manufacture.

    This is a site to download the show on the Cobra with a 350 Chevrolet. Hope you can view it. http://watchseries.lt/episode/wheeler_dealers_s9_e8.html

    Bob

  3. The original manufacture of the engine was Chevrolet Division of General Motors. Their code is stamped on a pad on the engine block just in front of the right side (Viewed from inside the car) cylinder head. If the engine has been rebuilt it may be missing as it will get ground off when the block is machined (decked) to flatten the cylinder head mounting area.

    Hopefully this should help you. http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Chevy_engine_casting_numbers

    If you can find the numbers, post them if you have trouble with the code. There are a lot of resources around we can help you with.

    Bob

  4. Welcome.

    The hog troughs are quite expensive to replace ($3500-4000 installed) and serve as the main support of the body to the frame. A soft spot could be repaired if good structural metal could be found to weld to but usually they rust in the rear so I would examine them more closely.

    As it's your first Avanti, the emotion to own one can overwhelm sensibility. I think $16K for a 79 with some issue is quite high. Go to Ebay and Craigslist and see what they sell for. It would really need to be spectacular to get that price with new paint and rebuilt mechanicals. Also get the front suspension inspected. Poor maintenance can result in a rebuild and the parts are $1000 alone.

    I'd want a good inspection from someone that knows Avanti's in that price range.

    JMHO but I own an 83 and 74. Please do your research before you buy.

    Bob

  5. In at least one case, my 1979, how did the assembly line denote what wood trim was specified for each car?

    I'm not sure this is the answer you want but when I disassembled my 74 almost every interior panel had the RQB# on it. So my guess is once the interior was ordered, as each piece was manufactured, it was added to the pile with the car number on it to keep the parts together.

    As an added thought, my ignition key number was noted on the driver door where the door panel would cover it.

  6. This topic has been fairly beaten to death on the SDC forum with the conclusion that without a fair amount of knowledge and engineering a R&P system can create problems beyond the advantages expected.

    Here's a recent update on a commercial product from the SDC Forum. http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?71496-Slick-Street-vs-OEM-Steering-Gear

    I'm quite happy with the ride and handling of my 83 with a complete front end rebuild, KYB shocks and low profile tires on 8" rims. It's not a Corvette but a darn fine road car. My 74 will be similar but with Delrin bushings replacing the rubber.

    Cost wise, anywhere from buying an early 90's GM Cavalier R&P assembly for $100 and installing it yourself to mid to high thousands if you deal with a high end suspension company. Not trying to be trite but how high is up. Need a bit more data on what direction you are trying to go from installing it yourself to taking it to Art Morrision.

    On the other hand there do exist a number of Avanti's and Studebakers with an upgrade to R&P. Grobb on the forum has one I know of so it can be done. Jerry Forrester has done it on the SDC Forum. It's in how much does one know and want to spend.

  7. I just purchased a 1989 coupe with 40K miles excellent condiition for less than $20,000. It runs ansd smells like a new car out of the show room.

    As far as daily driver, I have used my 2002 convertible since new everyday in my real estate business. It just turned 162,000 and is still going strong. Heat, snow, ice, rain, it keeps going...

    Didn't happen without pictures :)

  8. I didn't see the post where this was "decided" (or lobbied by dapy) ...You are doing a yeoman's job at this task that you have single-handedly taken on and I am more than satisfied with YOUR previous time frame for revisiting and posting answers. Two weeks is too long to wait, IMO. Thanks for your efforts, Bob

    X2 You must have aged a lot in the last few days to worry about one comment now.

  9. Ed

    Not to be negative but could you type your replies under the quote box not in it. This old brain and eyes are having trouble sorting your responses from the other posters answer.

    This just started in the last few days.

    Hate to gripe as I love the trivia posts but I'm old and crotchety in my dotage. Bob

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