[Red instrument lights]

I have owned my '82 Avanti (RQB3420)for about 8 months. For what it's worth, all of the instrument panel and console lights are white. The car has had extensive restoration work, so I wouldn't be surprised if the bulbs had been changed.

[Floor jack placement]

I lift both front wheels off the floor simultaneously by placing a hydraulic floor jack under the front cross-member (K-frame), using a 2x3 block between the jack & frame. Be sure to avoid the bolt that comes through (I think it may be for the steering arm attachment). By jacking from the front, you have more room and options for placing the jack stands under the frame. Don't forget to set the hand brake and chock the rear wheels.

[Avanti II Radios]

For what it's worth, my '82 (RQB 3420) has a Blaupunkt Model CR-3001 AM/FM cassete. I believe this was a high-end unit back then, so it probably is OEM. The antenna is located on the left rear quarter behind the gas filler door and automatically retracts into the trunk when the radio is turned off. I have had no problems with this radio or antenna, and the sound is superior or equal to any car stereo from that period that I have had experience with. The car is also equipped with a Cobra 40-channel CB radio (of all things) which is secreted in the trunk, and also appears to be period-correct.

[Headlight Gremlins.]

The dash lights and headlights are on two different switches, so it doesn't seem likely that the swtiches themselves are the problem. Since they're both affected, it must be somewhere in the common wiring that's causing the problem.

Follow the wiring to see if there's a circuit breaker instead of a fuse for them. I would think the circuit breaker is bad and trips when it heats up and then works properly when it cools down. That happened to me years ago in the '63 R1 I owned with the power windows...the circuit breaker was in the engine bay and couldn't handle the heat...in fact Studebaker had issued a service bulletin to relocate such circuit breakers.

If there's no circuit breaker, look for the relay and replace it, but it sounds more like a circuit breaker.

[Standard Wheel Dimensions]

I don't have a definitive answer, but I suspect you are looking for wheels from a

full-size Chrysler sedan from the mid to late 70's... like a New Yorker.

Hopefully someone has a more exact application they can offer.

Thanks. I picked up some 15 x 6.5 rims from a Dodge van. They may work for the time being. My only concern is that the center hole is ~ 3/8 inch too big. The hub is supposed to support the weight of the vehicle, not the bolts. I'll keep looking. Another alternative is to get spacer rings to fill the gap, as mentioned in http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html . However, these may be just as hard to get as original wheels.

[Standard Wheel Dimensions]

I recently purchased an '82 Avanti with after-market wheels (15" x 7" MOPAR aluminum alloy rallies). I am restoring it to the correct 15" x 6" steel wheels and reproduction wheel covers. What make and model vehicle do I specify when searching for the wheels? Correct Avanti wheels have a 4.5-inch bolt circle, 2.5-inch diameter center hole, and 3.5-inch offset - and, the wheel cover diameter is 14.5". Unfortunately, you can only shop by make & model, not by dimensions. They look at you like you're from Mars when you say "Avanti". Local junkyards let me look around, but everything in 15" has a larger center hole.

Ray K.

[As the Avanti turns ...]

Thanks for the quick response. My entire front suspension was redone by the previous owner. I checked the steering box adjustment, and it would not tighten more than 1/4 turn, so I put it back where it was. There is a hydraulic steering damper attached to the center bell crank. Is this factory equipment, and if so, are they available?

This Forum is great!!

[As the Avanti turns ...]

1. I dunno either.

2. Front suspension wasn't updated AFAIK.

3. Our '82 steering was extremely vague when we first got the car. Normally this is caused by worn steering linkages. Our particular problem was the center "bell crank" fitting. If you can get a good look under the car while an assistant turns the steering wheel from lock to lock, any parts moving in a manner that don't contribute to turning the wheels should be replaced.

4. Hog trough is a term used to describe the torque boxes. This is the reinforcing channel running on each side below the door sill. The moonroof drains discharge into the channel. If the channel drainage ports get blocked, then the channels rust from inside out. There is a nice replacement system available that comes in pieces so the body does not need to be entirely removed to replace rusted hog troughs:

Classic Enterprises - Avanti torque box repair

We replaced the passenger side box on our car with one of their stainless steel units. Classic Enterprises were great to deal with and the installation went very well.

[As the Avanti turns ...]

I recently acquired an '82 Avanti II RBQ3420 and have the following questions:

1. What does RBQ stand for?

2. Is the front suspension the same as it was in 1966, or has it been updated?

3. If it is the same, shouldn't I be running bias-ply tires, which were original equipment in 1966?

The car wanders with radials. I have read that bias tires track straighter and run smoother than radials, although they aren't as good performance-wise. My 1960's-era cars have more play in the steering wheel, but track straighter than the Avanti. I will try the steering box adjustment first, but I am considering switching to bias-ply tires.

Oh, one more:

4. What is a hog-trough?

Thanks-