Dwight FitzSimons

The R3 intake manifold has much larger ports, so won't match up to your R2 heads. You would have to have R3/R4 heads to use the R3 intake manifold. Those are scarce as hens teeth and very expensive. Many people have fitted an aluminum R3 carburetor box to an R2. It looks impressive, but there's no horsepower gain from it. In the pix above the metal line going from the supercharger to the fuel pump exactly follows part of the "dog leg" in the water manifold. That is the dog leg I mentioned. The water manifold for a non-Avanti engine will have just a gentle curve from one side to the

Oops!! That isn't light reflecting off the shiny water manifold: It's the line that goes from the fuel pump to the supercharger. It is there so the supercharger can boost the fuel pump. -Dwight

Casting number 1557144 is the correct intake manifold for an R2 (or regular 259 or 289). Note that the casting number is cast into the manifold (top rear) and is not the part number. That's what my 64 Avanti R2 has. The water manifold is shaped like a "dog leg" -- see pix below. In the pix the light is reflecting off the water manifold showing its "dog leg" shape. The Avanti water pump must be the heavy duty one that is available from several Studebaker parts vendors. If I can provide more pix or info let me know. -Dwight.

Wouldn't using the thicker head gaskets make the quench area "thicker" and therefore increase the chances of the engine to ping? -Dwight

I can add a bit of info on this issue. I used to haunt all the local Studebaker dealers in central Virginia, including Valley Motors. I beat the dealership out on the sale of a 63 Hawk R2 being offered to the highest bidder by its original owner. Unfortunately, I didn't keep it for but a few years. Well, so much for reminicing (sp). In those days The state of Virginia would put BOTH the year manufactured and the model year on the title (as you see above). That is, the title and registration would list the car as a "1962-63". This caused some confusion later. I have a 1964 R1 Cruise

The Studebaker SS was labeled a "Studebaker SS" when it was shown in kind of a corner at the NY Auto Show. That is, the nameplates on it were still "Studebaker SS", not Excaliber SS. I was there and was surprised to come upon it during my tour. I remember also seeing the pink Mademoiselle '64 Daytona Conv. in the Studebaker display area. --Dwight

False! For 1964 Studebaker dropped the MSRP of the Hawk from (I believe) $3095 to $2958. So, if all the options cost the same, the R2 Hawk would have been cheaper than a similarly equipped 63 Hawk by $137. --Dwight

A couple more things that are different: (1) The parking brake connects to the Avanti's backing plates differently on the 11" rear brakes, requiring a rear parking brake cable from an Avanti. That connection is different from any other Studebaker car 9" or 10" rear brakes. Those should be available from some of the Studebaker vendors. (2) The U bolts are narrower on the Dana 27 diff. than on the Dana 44. Thus, the bottom plate will be different. Ideally, you might try to find a Dana 44 diff and brakes from a late 65 or 1966 Studebaker. That would give you flanged axles, a safety issue.

Everything on the Dana 27 is lighter duty than on the Dana 44 (smaller tubes, smaller axles, smaller brakes, etc). The brakes on the Dana 27 would be either 9" or 10". I'm fairly sure that the 27's brakes wouldn't bolt onto the 44 without some modification. What you need for the Avanti (in addition to the Dana 44 diff.) is the 11" rear brake drums, backing plates, etc that came on Avantis and other disc-brake Studebakers from 1963-up. --Dwight

From memory, 168 for the R2, and 178 for the R3. These are records set at Bonneville. Someone correct me if my memory's off. --Dwight

For some reason Studebaker put 140 MPH speedos in early 1963 Avanti R2's. Perhaps the 160 speedo wasn't available yet. The Virgil Marple auction sold three '63 R2 Avantis, and if memory serves me, all had 140 speedos. Also, Dave Kinney's 63R1002 R2 Avanti is an R2 and has a 140 speedo. That car was restored meticulously, so must be authentic. The initial version of the Avanti Authenticity Manual did not point out this issue. I hope someone has notified the author. --Dwight

Wireless backup camera. I haven't installed one yet, but will. Costco has one for $150. It uses a solar panel on the license plate frame/bracket, so doesn't need any wire installed. --Dwight

One thing I might add is a potential problem with the aluminum "spacers" behind the door handle and window crank. A couple times I have had a problem removing the spring clips that hold the window crank & door handle on. Somehow the spring clips had become jammed and I could not get them off. I had to cut the aluminum spacer off to get the spring clip out. So, I now use the clear plastic spacers used on Larks & Hawks. It is much easier to break off if necessary. Plus, it doesn't leave aluminum oxide on the door panel as aluminum will do. --Dwight

Years ago I bought a '64 Avanti from a paralyzed man. He had always wanted an Avanti and was able to manage driving it with his foldable wheelchair behind the driver's seat. After a while, however, he found it to be too difficult and sold the car. That isn't exactly your situation, but maybe this experience will help you make your decision. Also, Avantis aren't so easy to get in or out of. --Dwight

The Real Rodders Wheels, like the original Halibrand magnesium wheels, use a different type of lug nut than we are used to. The wheels do not have a tapered seat, they have a flat seat. The lug nuts also, of course, have a flat seat. Lug nuts are supplied with the wheels. (I have a set, that's how I know. --Dwight (two '64 Avantis)