Dwight FitzSimons

Drain plug?

All 1964 Skybolt 6s had a breather cap intended for use with the mandated PCV system, i.e., with only two very small holes for pulling air IN. Probably most R3 and R4 engines had no PCV system, and so their breather caps were open. So, only the R3 & R4 engines with a PCV system would use a 1963-64 6-cylinder breather cap. AFAIK only the 1961-62 non-california Skybolt 6-cylinder engines had open breather caps. Those are the ones to look for at swap meets to chrome plate for an R3/R4 engine. --Dwight

The senior 1956 Packards came standard with a 374 engine. But, years ago, one of the Studebaker specialists (can't remember their name) in PA bored one out to 409 C.I. That would produce some torque! --Dwight

So, evidently, he wasn't fired for the altercation? --Dwight

Shimming up the body 1.5", in addition to using thinner motor insulators, is much more than necessary for the carb enclosure to clear the hood. Both of my R3 Avantis used only the thinner insulators and the enclosure cleared the hood. Not by much, though. --Dwight

"BUT...I have to ask.. If ZDDP is such an ''engine savior'' why then isn't it in ALL Motor Oils? " I suspect that zinc was phased out of motor oils for anti-pollution reasons. Zinc is a metal and is what pennies are made of (with a copper plating). We don't want to breathe fine particles of any metal. The engine experts at SDC recommend a motor oil especially formulated for older flat-tappet engines, such as ours. The example often quoted is Valvoline VR-1 Racing Oil, available in both mineral and synthetic. That oil contains sufficient zinc and is the one I use in my Studebakers (synthetic). A couple more oil companies have jumped on the bandwagon and are offering oils formulated for our older flat-tappet engines. See pix below: --Dwight

4) Champ pickup. Do these even have a headliner? --Dwight

Or, notice that the front of an R3 car sits a little higher than an R2 car. --Dwight

The crankshaft and rods interchange (maybe with some massaging). --Dwight

So, Egbert asked Clarence Francis to contact Loewy? --Dwight

A couple additions from my sometimes-faulty memory: 1) Albert Erskine bankrupted Studebaker by paying out dividends from corporate reserves until the reserves were essentially gone. He way underestimated the breadth & depth of the depression, 2) There's nothing necessarily wrong about coming up through the engineering ranks. 3) A missed opportunity for Studebaker was the departure of Peter O. Peterson (late '40s?). He subsequently turned one of the truck companies around in spectacular fashion. --Dwight

Is 15 pounds for just the glass itself or for the door glass assembly (with surround)? --Dwight

Well, using my skill gained on multiple-choice questions in college, I'll guess c) Two hundred. --Dwight

The intake valves are larger than the exhaust valves. (You have them reversed.) --Dwight

Preference is only part of the equation. If I had a '63 Daytona HT (as I would like to have) I would put the '63-style mag wheels on it. And, I would buy a set. --Dwight

Good info -- thanks! IIRC Parks offers aluminized pipes, which seem to last as long as SS and look as good too. My first impression, back in 1962, of Studebaker's Avanti were that it was loaded with high tech, and that included the crossover pipe. So, I'll try to put it back onto my '64 Avanti. --Dwight (2 '64 Avantis, 3 '64 Hawks, 1 '56j, numerous C & K parts cars)

No, I've never seen resonators on an Avanti. However, my impression is that most Avantis were ordered with the standard exhaust system. --Dwight

Here is plate 04-1:

Plate 04-1, page number 45, in the Avanti Parts Catalog shows the "special-order exhaust system with quiet-tone mufflers and resonators." The resonators are behind the mufflers, ahead of the differential. This system is shown with the crossover pipe between the exhaust pipes, forward of the mufflers. The "standard exhaust system with fibre-glass mufflers" on the same plate does not show the crossover pipe. IIRC my '64 R2 Avanti in ~1967 had fiber-glass mufflers AND the crossover pipe. I distinctly remember replacing the exhaust pipes WITH new ones (with crossover pipes, from the local Stude dealer) in the parking lot of the base at which I was stationed ~1967-68. (Standard disclaimer: Who knows what happened to my car between Dec. 1963 and when I bought it in 1967-68.) The crossover pipe in the exhaust pipes was functional, to reduce exhaust back pressure. We have since learned that an X pipe is more effective. I personally will go for function over form any day. BRING BACK my crossover pipe! (AFAIK, NLA from pipe benders.) --Dwight

He was a skilled clay modeler? --Dwight

I've always wished this option were xxxELV. In order words, Elk vinyl instead of black. Black interiors were popular then, but are rare now. What we see today are mostly gray or tan interiors. --Dwight

"813BKV" wasn't it? (BKV meaning black vinyl.)

Not to wander too far from the subject, but Mobil 1 now has the following high-zinc formula "Classic 10W30 for vehicles from 1951-1996." Full synthetic, of course. --Dwight

This question is kinda like asking which of your kids/grandkids is your favorite. I agree with ALL of the above answers; I like them all, for different reasons. The final answer, for driving, is my full-package R1 '64 Hawk. --Dwight

So, EX2942 was/is the number 8 car, or the Due Cento? The car pictured looks like it has a solid Fawn interior, with a black carpet (a combination never in production). I'll note that a production '63 Avanti with Fawn/Elk interior would have a solid black carpet. --Dwight