Dwight FitzSimons

But the car is a 1985, not 1970 model. I don't think the Avanti factory worked on that prototype for 15 years before releasing it. --Dwight

How so? Please explain.

I meant the title of this ad/listing: 1963 Avanti Parts Car

The year is in the title, 1963.

Whereabouts on the East coast? The state would be close enough. --Dwight (in Virginia)

IIRC (and I may not), the factory recommendation was Champion J-12Y, or J-10Y (a colder plug) if fouling occurs. Champion J-12Y crosses to NGK XR4. Some on the forum have recommended Autolite 437. Others have recommended Bosch 7517. --Dwight

Yes, Studebaker made running changes and documented them by serial number in the Avanti Parts Catalog (a must-have for what you're doing). Notice your car's serial number; it contains no year designation, as did all other Studebakers. In fact, initially, Avantis DID include the model year in their serial number, starting with the first 1963 Avanti, 63R-1001. Somewhere in the 3 thousands they removed the year from the Avanti's SN. Those of us who have been Avanti fans since they were new generally refer to the round headlight cars as '63s, and the square headlight cars as '64s. But, that isn't exactly precise. The transition cars that had round headlights but mostly-64 interiors are considered by many to be '64s. The SNs of those cars are about what yours is. If you want to be authentic you should go by your car's SN to determine these issues in consultation with your Avanti Parts Catalog. Years ago, I did a thorough mechanical rebuild of a '63 Avanti and had my nose in my Avanti Parts Catalog many times. I also had taken many pictures of engine compartments of authentic '63 Avantis at Studebaker shows. These were of invaluable help for things like the curvature of vacuum lines, type of fittings, etc. I also had to re-create the return-line fitting as you are doing. I can't recall the details, though, and the car is inaccessible. Good luck. Any of us on the AOA website (and SDC website) will be glad to help with any further issues. --Dwight

It sounds like your car's serial number is either R4833 or R4834, which IIRC is in the range of the "round-headlight '64s." To me those are the most interesting Avantis of all. Is your interior solid color and mostly like a '64? --Dwight (R5255, R5272, R5407)

Which year?

Mark L, which year Studebaker Avanti is your car: '63 or '64? The restrictor is at the fuel pump on '63s and up at the filter closer to the carb on '64s. That the car's problem only began after you reattached the return line is suspicious. --Dwight

The job of a high-performance engine is to consume more fuel/air mixture, and extract more HP. For that reason the R1 fuel pump has a higher flow rate. It is similar in construction to a 259/289 pump, but is larger (in diameter) than a 259/289 pump. Others can quote numbers for the two fuel pumps. For comparison purposes below is a pic of an original 259/289 fuel pump. --Dwight

Those of us who aren't registered on Facebook can't see anything. I am not aware that any convertible Avantis were built in 1970. I assume someone has cut the top off? --Dwight (two '64 Avantis)

The painted Lark & Hawk valve covers are more suitable for re-chroming than chrome ones: 1) The painted ones generally don't rust, so no rust pits, and 2) It is much easier to remove paint than chromium. --Dwight

The BF Goodrich Radial T/A is an excellent high performance tire. I have them on both of my '64 Avantis and am very pleased with them (and I am a big fan of handling). One car has the stock anti-roll bars, the other has the much larger anti-roll bars. As one would expect the car with large bars makes better use of the handling potential of the tires. Both cars benefit greatly from the BFG tires, though. Many muscle cars of the 1960s used 15" tires, and it appears that half of the restored ones I see or read about have BFG Radial T/A tires on them. So, there is still a sizeable market for 15" BFG Radial T/A tires. --Dwight

I'm not sure this pic will help much because that is a cluttered area to photograph. Also, this pump may be a Mopar Super Pump. --Dwight

I meant "smart man" because he listened to his wife. Anyone may like either placement he wishes, but it is still a PITA to adjust mirrors on the fenders, and they are less effective on the fenders because they are effectively much smaller. Vision to the rear is poor on an Avanti and we need all the help we can get. I side with safety. --Dwight