mfg

Congrats!… I also own one of the rare ‘85’s…. However, I think that if your Avanti still had its internal serial number stainless steel plate on the ‘A’ pillar it would read…RQB 4152 (Not AAV)

When new… definitely R-12.

Well, the fuel line itself is 3/8”… and the fittings are 9/16” (wrench size)

If anyone does decide to push out the rear window… I’d order a weatherseal ahead of time The last Avanti rear glass I replaced ( I’ve done two) definitely needed a new weatherseal.

Side glass & 1/4 windows (and vent wings) should not be a problem… even for the home mechanic… however, the rear glass is something entirely different!

I’d guess the best way to do it would be to remove the rear glass and apply the film with the glass on a stand upside down… a lot of extra work though!

By the way… you’re lucky to own an ‘85 model year Avanti… Blake tried to improve the car… and a few of the more important changes were… larger diameter front & rear sway bars….. shorter steering arms…. improved engine air intake arrangement… and a major change from the earlier Bendix disc front brakes to a modern GM ventilated front disc with sliding brake caliper and larger kidney shaped brake pads.

Also, a period (‘82-‘86) Chevrolet passenger car shop manual would have all the info you’d need concerning the engine/ trans…..and the Computer Command Control (ugh!) system.

The ‘high fuel tank situation’ has been a chronic Avanti problem since day one!

Be aware it’s easy to damage the two rubber o-rings when splitting the cases for a thorough clean out… Think space shuttle ‘Challenger’ !!

I was lucky to obtain a good used pair of manual Avanti window regulators a fellow from Florida sold me… He was parting out a wrecked ‘64.

A 160’ thermostat may also help ( If your current thermostat opens at s higher than that temperature)

Agreed…. Or auto graveyard!

I know that Chrysler products of the late seventies used the exact same switch… but I really can’t remember which model… I purchased one for my ‘63 Avanti at a Dodge dealership around 1990. Look at pics of Mopar units on line and see if you can match yours up.

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.