Jump to content

Dan Boone

AOAI Forum Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    30

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Dan Boone

  2. Loose steering

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Just too much play in the steering.  And I have a bellcrank kit that I can install.  I was told by a vendor that that part typically needs to be replaced on Avantis.  I was wondering if tht would have any impact to install that bellcrank kit to help tighten up the steering.  Sorry for the confusion.  I have to do these posts on the run, and they don't always come out the way I would like.  db

  5. Crooked steering wheel after new wheels and alignment

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    John, I did get your email.  Thank you.  I pulled the cap off of the steering wheel, took two screws off, removed the apparatus that holds the cap.  I was now at the nut that holds the steering wheel.  I did have the 15/16 wrench to loosen it, but could not.  I drove to a shop close to my house, and the guy said he didn't have any idea what to charge me, for loosening a bolt! They send flyers every day and call themselves "the honest mechanics."  Well, the guy that put my new wheels on was happy to loosen that bolt for me with his air gun.  Next I went to Autozone to borrow a steering wheel remover.  They loan you tools for free if you give them a deposit.  They first gave me a cheap one and they screws to hold the puller would not fit.  I took that one back and borrowed the master wheel puller kit.  That did the job, and yesterday, it wasn't raining much, I took it for a little drive, the steering wheel is straight.  Wala!  It is a little loose now, though, and I plan to look into that.  My wife thinks I like the car better than her.  db

  6. Loose steering

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Hello, Avanti owners.  I just got new wheels for this '63. Really sets it off.  It was pulling to the right after putting the new wheels on.  We replaced all the bushings, tie rods, etc.  It needed it badly.  Problem is when I had it aligned properly the steering wheel is crooked.  Alignment shop tells me that there is not sufficient thread left on the tie rods to align the steering wheel.  They want to rebuild it....much $. I do have a bellcrank shim and seal kit.  Do you think it would make any difference in the straightness of the steering wheel to install this shim and seal kit?  Or do you have any ideas to offer me to straighten my steering wheel without sinking so much money into rebuilding the whole system.  I'm prepared to hear a grim diagnosis if warranted.  I would appreciate your input in this regard.  Dan

     

  7. Crooked steering wheel after new wheels and alignment

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    John, I did get your email.  Thank you.  I pulled the cap off of the steering wheel, took two screws off, removed the apparatus that holds the cap.  I was now at the nut that holds the steering wheel.  I did have the 15/16 wrench to loosen it, but could not.  I drove to a shop close to my house, and the guy said he didn't have any idea what to charge me, for loosening a bolt! They send flyers every day and call themselves "the honest mechanics."  Well, the guy that put my new wheels on was happy to loosen that bolt for me with his air gun.  Next I went to Autozone to borrow a steering wheel remover.  They loan you tools for free if you give them a deposit.  They first gave me a cheap one and they screws to hold the puller would not fit.  I took that one back and borrowed the master wheel puller kit.  That did the job, and yesterday, it wasn't raining much, I took it for a little drive, the steering wheel is straight.  Wala!  It is a little loose now, though, and I plan to look into that.  My wife thinks I like the car better than her.  db

  8. Crooked steering wheel after new wheels and alignment

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    On my day off work I plan to try to pull the steering wheel off and re-center it.  I'm beginning to think the trusted alignment shop that I took it to wanted to re-build my steering for $1,300 plus, and left the steering that way to try to convince me.  They didn't know that I could ask other owners like you guys.  I have a little story for you that I hope you find interesting:  I've had our regular cars on a lifetime alignment and tire rotation and balance for years at Firestone.  When I took my Volvo in for an oil change and free alignment the last time, Firestone informed me that they could not change the oil because the drain plug was stripped.  I told them that's interesting since they were the only ones that changed the oil in that car since about 2005.  They said it was because the oil pan was aluminum and soft.  I left.  I went home and called the Bureau for Automotive Repair.  I spoke with an agent, and he asked me if I have any receipts.  I told him I had all the receipts.  He wanted copies, so I sent him copies in chronological order.  In the meantime, I asked my friend if he could find one.  He found a very nice oil pan, and we installed it.  The agent from the Bureau called me back about a week later, and told me that Bridgestone/Firestone wanted to pay me for that new oil pan, and after I sent them receipts for the work we did, they sent me a check for what I paid for it, installation, etc., about $500, half the cost of what Firestone was going to charge me.  Some of those old, trusted shops cannot be trusted.  

    Thanks to all of you.  I really appreciate it.  I bought the Avanti from my brother about six years ago and promised him that I would take care of it.  He had it about 35 years.  I plan to keep my promise to him.  db

  10. Crooked steering wheel after new wheels and alignment

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Hello, Avanti owners.  I just got new wheels for this '63. Really sets it off.  It was pulling to the right after putting the new wheels on.  We replaced all the bushings, tie rods, etc.  It needed it badly.  Problem is when I had it aligned properly the steering wheel is crooked.  Alignment shop tells me that there is not sufficient thread left on the tie rods to align the steering wheel.  They want to rebuild it....much $. I do have a bellcrank shim and seal kit.  Do you think it would make any difference in the straightness of the steering wheel to install this shim and seal kit?  Or do you have any ideas to offer me to straighten my steering wheel without sinking so much money into rebuilding the whole system.  I'm prepared to hear a grim diagnosis if warranted.  I would appreciate your input in this regard.  Dan

     

  11. Where do I start?

    in Avanti Pub

    Posted

    Hello, Norm and other Avanti owners.  I just got new wheels for this '63. Really sets it off.  It was pulling to the right after putting the new wheels on.  We replaced all the bushings, tie rods, etc.  It needed it badly.  Problem is when I had it aligned properly the steering wheel is crooked.  Alignment shop tells me that there is not sufficient thread left on the tie rods to align the steering wheel.  They want to rebuild it....much $. I do have a bellcrank shim and seal kit.  Do you think it would make any difference in the straightness of the steering wheel to install this shim and seal kit?  Or do you have any ideas to offer me to straighten my steering wheel without sinking so much money into rebuilding the whole system.  I'm prepared to hear a grim diagnosis if warranted.  I would appreciate your input in this regard.  Dan

  13. Heater or climatizer rebuild

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted · Edited by Dan Boone

    Sorry, John, my friend actually got it ready for me.  I will find out from him where he got the core.  I know he pressure tested it.  I sort of left it to him.  Leave your number, and I can have Nick call you.  He does a lot of nice work on my car.  Dan

  17. Heater or climatizer rebuild

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Thanks everyone.  We will be taking it out this weekend to check it out.  I did order some gaskets from Studebaker International to install.  It only started when it was gurgling and I was trying to get it to stop.  I turned the heater on, the gurgling stopped, and then it started leaking.  The new cores are pricey,  I agree.  This will be uncharted waters, but the kid that helps me is pretty innovative.  I'm pretty sure it's never been out.  I hate to detract too much from the original.  But being in California, we won't need it much.  I'll try to post some pictures.  DB

  19. Replica wheels

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    I really NEED a set of these wheels, and I'm ready to order them.  Pat at Real Rodder Wheels would like a minimum of six orders or five more after my order.  That's the only way , Pat thinks, that it would be cost effective for him to produce.  Well, I am just trying to find out if anyone else NEEDS these wheels like I  do.  All we need are five more people that would like to bring the value of their cars up a notch, in my opinion.  They would look fantastic on any Avanti, no matter what year.  Please let me know if you would be interested in Pat turning out a small batch of these (six sets) to keep him busy in cranking these out. Dan

  21. Replica wheels

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    I have the same question for the forum.  I want to know about Real Rodders reputation before I sink a small fortune into the wheels I want for my '63.  My first impression are that they do produce a good product, but in these times we all hope there are still good, upstanding companies out there who stand behind the products they make.  Thanks, John.  I hope you get a response.  Dan  619 933-7832

  23. Taking off starter to put freeze plug in

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Mine is standard shift and standard steering.  This starter appears to not have been the original.  There were two bolts on either side.  We got the starter off with a long extention with an angle on the end to hold one side and loosening the other side.  We replaced the freeze plug and had no leaks.  My brother used to own this car, and he said he could change the starter in about 20 minutes.  I think he was talking about the original starter with a bolt that has a flat head screw type on one side and a bolt head on the other side.  That kind would be much easier to access. I'm learning as I go as you can probably tell.  I got her on the road again.  After I changed the thermostat, the water pump and had the radiator re-cored and cleaned out the gunk where the freeze plug was replaced, it seems to be running remarkably cooler, but I only had it out at night one time so far.

     

×
×
  • Create New...