Zedman

Looks like I may have to put myself at the mercy of the inspecting engineer when I present the car. It will be interesting as to what solution will be suggested.

Do Avanti II doors circa 1981 have any 'Anti Intrusion Bars' included in their construction? It appears I will get away with deleting the Catalytic Converter (Yay!) and be able to install an earlier style dual exhaust, but Australian Design Rules for 1981 will require side intrusion bars within the doors. A lot of 1970 US built musclecars imported here have had to had Bars made up and installed.

Hi Wayne- I wondered whether this one might be a good alternative.... https://www.summitracing.com/parts/clp-pv-2

Reply for Wayne- The Kelsey-Hayes proportioning valve sold by Nostalgic autos is marked as the replacement for earlier units. This valve also comes with a poppet type pressure switch. I'd suggest having a look at it here.... https://www.nostalgicmotorcars.net/store/p18/1971-1985_Avanti_Brake_Combo_Valve_kit%2C_not_Studebaker_Avanti_.html#/

Hi Gill. I am replacing my original Frame with a new one (well- one made up from a SWB Lark and welding all the necessary accotrements back onto it). I'm working in primitive conditions, so I can only hope you are better off ! If you are able to use the 4 point lift to get the body up, can you leave it up there whilst all the other work gets done? This solves lots of other problems. If you must take the body off the hoist, you may support it by simple wood blocks under the front A pillar mounting positions and under the rear wheel arch with a long length of timber. I have been told you can even support the whole shebang on timbers supported by 20 litre steel drums. You might even wish to consider integrating the whole issue into a moveable "Dolly", however. Beware that the back window and rear body will be heavier than the front- don't ask me how i found this out !🙄 Whilst I have taken out the front seats and pulled up a bit of carpet I have left back seats in place and left the doors shut. I can open these doors whilst it is suspended but I choose not to because I just don't wish to tempt fate. Just my humble opinion, mind, but this task may take longer than you think- now is a fantastic opportunity to replace spring bushes, freshen springs, rebuild the front suspension, paint the hell out of everything.... Regards- Steve

Hi Peter- thanks for your feedback- The culprit was removed from the 'Donor' SWB chassis. My mate says it needed to come off for the sake of authenticity, but I will check on it .

Hi Peter- Thanks mate I will check next time I am in front of the project (it's 60 miles away!). By all means if you can identify it further, please do let me know. regards, Steve

Thanks AD, for taking the time to check. Nope not in there, either.

Thanks Gunslinger... still hoping I can match the pitch of the bolts to something, unless somebody chirps-in. I should mention the frame I am using as a donor is an 'Export' chassis from a V8 2 door car used by the Victoran police dept. The frame rails, as per the 59 to 64 shop manual, are listed having thicker (11ga.) material, so I think I have an advantage on that score. They also have holes and reinforcement for the steering boxes on both sides, so no extra work required there.

Hi Wayne- I have had a browse of the site I reported on. The fellow has a lot of stock apropos other makes of cars there and information provided is extremely good. I would give him a yell and see what transpires. I believe there were some changes to Avanti brakes back in the mid '70's but I've no detailed knowledge of it.

Hi All- I have posted an article in the SDC Technical forum relating to reconditioning information/resources for our Brake Proportioning Valves. In view of a number of neglected Avanti's being restored, I felt the dearth of information relating to these valves would be worth rectifying. For your perusal https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/tech-talk/1943891-avanti-ii-brake-proportioning-valve-information Regards, Steve.

The part pictured is an 1/8" steel plate removed from somewhere on the Frame of my Avanti II. I say 'somewhere', because this is what happens when two persons work on the same project. Usual methodical cataloguing and photographic recording missed this culprit. 🤨 I thought it was a 'Shim' or 'Doubler' for the engine mounts, because it is similar looking and it came off the frame at the time the mounts were removed. I'm hoping that somebody can tell me where this part lives and/or what it's for. It was a bit out of shape so I flattened it out before cleaning and painting it- there was some original black paint on it which made me think it was located inside the front crossmember out of the way of salt. As a footnote- the rusty Frame has been reduced to one part. We now have to cut all the various mountings and 'X' member out so they can be relocated on a donor SWB Lark frame. Needless to say we are going carefully on this procedure, with accuracy and weld quality being paramount. Regards, Steve

Anything else!...we recently tried a Carlton breweries "Black Ale"....damnn good 🙃

Geeze, is that all !? 😊 . "From small beginnings, great things cometh !"

Thanks for the Heads up on this , I never had much of an opportunity to check the sunroof when I got the car- I will have a look when I get an opportunity( Its 60 miles away and in bits right now.)