mfg

Pretty common problem on Avantis.

That is EXACTLY what I did on my ‘83 Avanti when I had had enough of the ‘computer command control’ system! I ordered a non computer controlled Q-Jet for a ‘78 Impala 350… and also a non computer controlled distributor for same.(distributor has vacuum dash pot) I made this conversion on my Avanti over 15 years ago… and have never looked back! And yes, a true dual exhaust system, ‘68 Avanti ll style, also went on!!

That carburetor looks WAY too good to even put on an engine!!! BEAUTIFUL!!

J B Weld offers a higher intensity (stronger?) version that does a pretty good job.. but still iffy! Some techs have drilled out the plugs, tapped the holes, and then screwed in small brass plugs… I’ve never done this, so I really can’t offer insight on the level of difficulty.

That’s very unfortunate…. But thanks for posting this info.

That’s terrible about your burns!! A ‘72 Avanti would normally have a small block 400 CI engine… Did someone change that out for a 350? All else being equal the 400’s tended to run hotter. I swear by an engine driven viscous fan inside a full fan shroud… but that’s me! Take care!!

If your Q-Jet has a composite float, it could be starting to sink due to fuel saturation… I believe a carb overhaul with a new float thrown in is in order here. When carb is apart, the well plugs at the bottom of float chamber should be checked, as fuel leakage past those plugs has always been a chronic problem with this type of carburetor.

I agree Dick…. And thank you Mike P. for the great photos of your nice work!

I believe Studebaker felt the cooling kit wasn’t needed in A/C equipped Avantis for two reasons….. First, with the A/C in operation, the interior would naturally be cooler than in a non A/C Avanti…. and second, clearance issues between the twin cooling hoses and the console A/C evaporator…. (Although the Altman crew apparently figured that one out!!)

Yes…another ‘Altman Avanti’ ! ( You’ll notice on the Stude Avanti parts manual illustration above a non A/C console is used for reference)

The Studebaker Avanti twin hose console cooling kit was installed on non-air-conditioned Avantis with automatic or manual transmissions…..The main reason it was installed was to keep the shift lever at a tolerable temperature.

Yes… my point was Studebaker (as far as I know) did not install the console cooling kit on their late Avantis with A/C…. So I was a little surprised to hear that the Altman’s installed that twin hose console cooling setup on Avanti ll’s…. most all of which, like yours, were built with A/C!

Best I can remember, I used ‘82 Chev Monte Carlo engine mounts in my ‘83 Avanti 305.

Interesting!…. You have an Avanti ll equipped with air conditioning …..On the earlier Studebaker Avantis, I don’t believe that console cooling system was used on the late ‘square light’ Avantis equipped with factory air conditioning…. Apparently they changed that policy on Avanti ll’s.

I like the sound of this!

I think the B&M fluid is similar to Ford ‘Type F’ ……..in that it’s less ‘slippery’ than some other ATF’s.

I used to be right on top of these things… but I guess I’m slipping a little! No one needs the expensive of a Paxton rebuild if they can help it!

Yes Dwight, after I pumped out the bad stuff, I immediately refilled with new fluid, rotated blower, then pumped that out… then, I once again refilled with new fluid…After a week or two I’ll once again pump out both superchargers… then refill.

I also used the ‘F’ type fluid…. although the container specified it met the requirements of almost everything else!

Well, I’m ashamed of myself! After postponing changing out the supercharger fluid on my ‘63 R2 Avanti for WAY too long, I finally did the deed this morning………. I actually changed the fluid in two superchargers today, the other being a McCulloch ‘57 Golden Hawk system…. The fluid I pumped out of both blowers was BLACK!!!!… Not good… however, when checking, the fluid always looked very clean on the dipsticks of both units. Anyway, both blowers seem to be working OK…… but from what I saw today I’d recommend to anyone who owns a supercharged Stude to change its fluid at least once every two years…. or annually if you drive your car a lot!

Brad…. Does the newer ‘gear drive’ Paxton produce the same scream as the older ‘ball drive’ SN-60 type…. More/Less?

I replaced the rear window in a 1983 Avanti about seven years ago. At the time, the heated rear windows with integral defroster wires were readily available, however the earlier non- heated windows were (at the time) very hard to find. (that situation may have changed)

Since you’re fitting new troughs, I think running fuel & battery lines through them is an interesting concept… Never heard of anyone doing that before, and it seems, to me, an excellent idea! Please keep us posted on this.

Yes.. exactly… probably about 22… and I will never forget that deep air sound! But the sound a wound up Paxton makes on my Avanti has much more of an ‘angry’ sound.. at least to my old ears!!

Kind of surprised your R4 didn’t ‘trumpet’ better than the R1…. but perhaps the 305 inch R4 was a bit ‘gagged’ with those two big Carters! Speaking of carb “symphonics”, to my memory the best I’ve heard was a friend’s ‘65 GTO with it’s 389 and triple carbs… The only word I can think of to describe the sound those opened up ‘trips’ made is … AWESOME!!!