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jvespey

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  5. Recaro seat trim parts - knob, disc, release handle and bezel

    in Avanti Information

    Posted

    These are now available to whomever needs them - $3.00 each with free shipping to any US address. Easiest way to buy is via Ebay, which can also arrange for shipping to many countries outside the US. If you live in a country outside the US, PM me and we'll figure out the best way to get them to you.




    These are made in the USA and should be available for the foreseeable future as the tooling is made and sitting here in the USA. I've got a couple hundred pieces in hand now, once those start to get low, I'll get more made/shipped in.


    James

  9. Rare parts availability

    in Avanti Pub

    Posted · Edited by jvespey

    When I was having the Recaro seat adjuster knob caps reproduced, I looked into this and went so far as to have a sample made from the CAD file. I'll be the first to admit that I don't know much about the process, but the sample I received - and a previous DeLorean part I had made - left a lot to be desired in terms of cosmetic appeal. These two pieces were made from plastic, and the "resolution" seemed very coarse.

    Depending on the part in question, I've had really good luck at DeLorean with some short runs of parts made with urethane molds. Some examples are shown in the attached photo. The limitation seems to be very thin parts don't cast very well, which is why I ended up having to have the aforementioned caps injection molded and a tool made.

    reproparts.jpg

    Was there anything specific that came to mind that you thought would be good to have reproduced with a 3D printer?

    James

  11. Battery box components (85)

    in 1984-91 Avanti

    Posted

    Replacing the narrow strip of metal that supports the battery in my '85 and ordered one from SI - came as two parts as shown here:

    battery.jpg

    One question and some thoughts for those that may be considering this part:

    Question: I know where the bottom part goes, as my car had one - albeit rusted and therefore my desire to replace it - but the top piece, a heavier angled bracket I can't see where it might go on my car. Either it's missing already, obscured by other parts or perhaps was never there on an '85? Can anyone see where it goes on their car and clue me in?

    Now a couple thoughts on this part:

    At $59.95 I expected something in better condition. Painted a gloss black (apparently with little to no surface preparation) paint is scratched and flaking off in many areas, exposing bare metal. I confirmed after I received it that this is a "reproduction" part, and the nice woman there said "all the parts in the box are like that". She offered to take it back, which I may still do.

    James Espey

    http://www.avanti4245.com

  12. Recaro seat trim parts - knob, disc, release handle and bezel

    in Avanti Information

    Posted · Edited by jvespey
    remove cad image

    My short run urethane mold guy was unable to get any consistency on the run of these, so I tabled the project until late last year when I found a guy who does short run injection molding. First I had a CAD drawing made, then a tool cut, we experimented with a couple different types of plastic until we got a nice one that had good temperature properties. Should hopefully have finished products in hand in the next week or two.

    mold.jpg

    James

  13. Looking for 1985 Avanti parts

    in 1984-91 Avanti

    Posted · Edited by jvespey

    I own #4245 - also an '85 -

    1- you should be able to get a clip locally if you haven't already - did you need a pic of one? I have my passenger door apart now so it's be easy for me to get a pic for you.

    2 - I created a PDF version of the one that came with my car - you can find it at http://www.Avanti4245.com

    3 - like one of these? http://aerobolt.com.au/media/Image/cache/R800600-RUB_NUT.jpg

    4 - I've had the computer controlled Quadrajets rebuilt by SMC in SoCal. Only problem is they are so good, they are always busy and a 3month lead time is not unusual. Save it for the winter.

    James

    After looking through my Avanti magazine I found answers to a few of my repairs. But here are a couple that I have:
    1) The passenger door armrest/ interior grab handle is not fastened and just flops down w/ no way to shut the door from inside unless you roll the window down and hold the door. The retainers/clips that go into the door panel and receive a screw are gone. Are those a standard retainer I can get at a body shop? One is gone from the drivers side, too.
    2) There was not an owner's manual w/ this car. I really would like one. Is there a reproduction one out there or an original? What about a the body/chassis or workshop manual as well?
    3) The luggage rack for the trunk deck was off on this car. I have it, but am missing one rubber retainer and a grommet that goes into the deck lid itself. Is that available through a vendor? Not sure if I will put it back on, but it would help to open the trunk lid.
    4) The front end needs to be gone through, A/C charged, a better exhaust, and some electrical repairs.
    Overall still a very nice car. I am pleased w/ my milegae after reading other's comments. I have the HO 305 w/ 200 R4 and averaged 19-22 mpg on my 1500 mile trip back.( and that was running 78-80 mph). There is a small deadspot in the carb off idle, probably the plunger, but I hate to mess w/it just yet as it starts and runs well.
    It was great to get the thumbs up and waves on the road. Fuel stops always take longer.

  14. radiator?

    in 1984-91 Avanti

    Posted

    Opening the hood to let heat out is not exactly a good idea. While it does vent heat, it does so into the ventilation system for the interior of the car. The heat and engine fumes get sucked through the cowl inlets into the interior...not good for your health. Some post-Studebaker Avantis have holes drilled in the inner fender panels to vent heat out of the engine bay...so running hot was not unknown to Avanti Motors.

    Interesting - this is commonly done within the XJS community, so I saw no reason not to do it with the Avanti. I'll keep that in mind for the future.

    If your car isn't already equipped, I would recommend the Saturn air deflector be installed. It's inexpensive and easy to install on any Stude frame Avanti. It will lower engine temps up to 10 degrees or even more at speed, though it really has no value sitting in traffic. It directs more air up to the radiator rather than cause turbulence under the car. Here's a link to it with installation instruction...http://www.studebake...ool/airdam.html. The price today is higher...about $30 or so through a GM dealer. It might be less expensive from on online supplier.

    Thanks for the part number - I had sproadically looked for another Saturn unit with a different part number with no luck. Using this number from your link, I just ordered one from gmpartsgiant.com for $32 shipped. I'll have a go at it when it arrives next week.

    As far as I know, Avantis from '63 through '85 all used the same radiator...at least the replacement radiator is the same if you look at the vendor ads. Whether Avanti Motors ever upgraded the specs of the radiator is an open question. The fan shroud for Avanti II's and Studebaker Avantis are slightly different as the Stude engine and GM engine required slightly different openings for the fan. Sometimes the shrouds will interchange, sometimes not.

    With a $130 alternative from Speedway for a 19x26 - http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Chevy-Universal-Aluminum-Radiators,3557.html - that's a good enough deal that there's no point (to me) in fooling with it.

    James

  15. radiator?

    in 1984-91 Avanti

    Posted

    My 84 (RQB-4245 - Stude frame, 305HO) came new with electric fans - the original owner here in Houston complained of overheating summer traffic and the car was retrofitted at the selling dealer in the day to a clutch-type fan. I'd have to look in my notes, but I believe that the shroud was replaced as part of this operation, also. At just under 30,000 miles, I've not had any issues with overheating, but not knowing the age of the coolant or hoses I recently flushed the system and replaced the upper and lower hoses at the radiator. Drove the car recently in a 95+ degree day and it barely went above 180 on the gauge. As an aside, I tend to release the hood when driving (a carryover habit from my old Jag XJS, which also has a front hinged hood) as I "feel" that this improves airflow in the engine compartment and thus cooling.

    I, too, would be interested in an alternative radiator. In my day job, we have radiators made for the DeLorean, and I've toyed with the idea of asking our current supplier to price them out for me. We buy them in lots of 144 (24 units every 6 months) and retail them for $308.

    I imagine there were at least a couple different radiators used over the years on the many different drivetrain iterations of the Avanti - but would love to be wrong about that - can anyone confirm differences between the Avanti II range from 66-85?

    James

  17. Buying my first Avanti...oh boy...

    in Avanti Information

    Posted

    I've decided to try and install the new hinge spring and bushings while the door is "empty" while I am re-furbing the window regulators, etc. THe workshop manual is unclear in regards to door removal, and your post is helpful, but begs another question.

    The shop manual seems to say the hinges and door should be removed together, which would be the four bolts per upper and lower hinge, 9/16. Two each on the outer door post and two each on the inside of the door post.

    Any more insght to share?

    James

  18. Recaro seat trim parts - knob, disc, release handle and bezel

    in Avanti Information

    Posted

    ONE sample arrived today. Virtually indistinguishable from the original save for a slight sheen on the original lacking on the repro. It fits as the original, which is to say, slightly loose but still tighter than my original. I'll probably put a dab of black 3M weatherstripping adhesive on the back just to keep it in place - it's not like I have to get in there much, if at all.

    I don't really have a way to heat test these, so who knows how they'll behave in a parked car next summer here in Houston, but for $2 a piece, I'm not that bothered about it.

    I'm going to order 50 today, and if anyone wants one or more, they're $2 each shipped first class mail in the USA. PM me if interested...

    James

  23. Recaro seat trim parts - knob, disc, release handle and bezel

    in Avanti Information

    Posted

    I never knew that the two knobs on the outside of each seat were supposed to have little plastic discs covering the nut holding the knob in place - until I found one in my ashtray. The disc is marked on the inside with PEKALIT which now translates into "unobtainium" based on my research. I did run across some nice guys over at Benzworld.com who have a need for these discs also on the Recaro seats that were used in the 500-series cars from the mid-80s.

    post-9533-0-03022700-1348506480_thumb.jpg

    My day job involves sourcing short runs of unique parts of all kinds for the DeLorean car. I have a supplier in AZ who does small run moldings like this using a urethane mold. Tooling is very affordable as is the piece price and so far have been very happy with the results from him over the past couple years.

    Long story short, I've sent him my sample to see if he can make up some of these little discs. If anyone has a need for them also, or any other of the seat plastic parts, post up here, please!

    James

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