Desert Driver

Great photo...even greater memories!

Spot on analysis IMHO. Avanti was a great design, but production was a big problem. So many things were rushed due to Egbert's desire to get this halo vehicle into showrooms ASAP and attract new buyers for Lark, Hawk & Champ. Classic case of woulda, coulda, shoulda.

Haven't seen this one before, but they really don't make the case that Chevy subverted Avanti production at MFG.

Light at the end of the tunnel! Jon Myer suggested I swap out the under hood brake linkage with new. The brake booster sent didn't work, but the new linkage did and now the quirky pedal response went away. It's on to bigger thing$ now.

With that beast under the hood, you wouldn't need to turn on the heater to keep warm during a midwest winter! Store it in the summer.

Bit the bullet and purchased a rebuilt brake booster and attached master cylinder from Myer's Studebaker. One thing's for certain, the replacement master cylinder is a lot shorter than the one on my '84. I'm hoping this replacement will take care of the quirky pedal response I've been experiencing. (anyone notice "quirky" has the same number of letters as A _ a _ _ i?)

Cadillac's advanced styling and the ability of GM to move buyers up from their own divisions helped drive nails into the coffin. And of course Packard's decision to purchase Studebaker (who was in much worse financial shape), didn't help matters.

Worth a shot, so I'll try both suggestions. However I wouldn't think a pressure switch and idle solenoid would cause the fuse to blow. 🙃 Thx

Beyond baffling on my '84. With the key in the IGN position (engine not running), the evaporator blower and radiator fan run when I turn on the AC. However, once the engine is started the 30a fuse blows after approx 4-5 seconds. All electrical connections to the Delphi compressor have been pulled. I've gone thru at least eight new fuses trying to figure out what's going on. Any suggestions? (the thermostatically controlled electric radiator fan is fused separately and functions properly)

Beyond baffling on my '84. With the key in the IGN position (engine not running), the evaporator blower and radiator fan run when I turn on the AC. However, once the engine is started the 30a fuse blows after approx 4-5 seconds. All electrical connections to the Delphi compressor have been pulled. I've gone thru at least eight new fuses trying to figure out what's going on. Any suggestions? (the thermostatically controlled electric radiator fan is fused separately and functions properly)

Many thanks for all the info. Good luck on the flex hose...it's just one of things that makes you wonder what they were thinking! 🤬

Any idea what brand or numbers stamped on your master cylinder? I see your flex hose to the air cleaner is off and chewed up. They're a bear to reinstall 'cause the round hose does not like being made into an oval.

My '84 has paid a visit or two to Hackville. I have reason to believe the original master cylinder was replaced with the one pictured. The outfit that rebuilt my booster pump thinks it's off a Corvette and may not be simpatico with the booster. Anyone know what Mr Blake put on his Avantis at the South Bend plant?

Bottom line - it's your money, so do what the heart desires. A 383 is a good alternative to stock, with probably fewer issues than the LS. But if you've had all the fun the car can provide...sell it with the stock engine and move on.

I've got an '84 and looks like the same set up as yours. The thin vacuum line is ported off the rear of the carb and heads toward the passenger side firewall where it enters a wiring loom. It then exits the loom and is connected to the sensor (shown in your photo). There are all kinds of vacuum hoses in the engine compartment and tracing them down can be challenge. Hope this helps!