IndyJimW
-
Posts
585 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by IndyJimW
-
-
I have been using the Bondo Fiberglass resin on my Avanti's. As opposed to the fillers, most fiberglass resin is purchased from larger Chemical Companies and, I'll bet, there is very little difference between the resins sold. On the other hand, I do not like Bondo fillers and do not know of anyone that recommends them.
BTW, if all you were looking for was materials and a brief description, let us know next time and it will save me a long period of typing out unnecessary details.
Bob
When my Avanti was repaired the fiber glass expect said that he had to get a specific type of resin for automotive use, he picked it up at an auto body shop and it had a car on the label.
Jim Wood
-
I had a guy with 30 years of fiberglass experience repair my '87 here in Indianapolis. I saw 8 cracks, he showed me 12 more. He did great work and was so reasonable it wasn't worth me doing it. Give me a call or come by my shop on the East side and I'll show you what he did with my Avanti.
Jim Wood
317-714-5269
fleetcare@ameritech.net
-
I've also read where it was said Avanti II's had better handling than the Studebaker version. That's due to the fact that the small block Chevy engine was a good bit less heavy than the Stude V8, so the somewhat better weight distribution would account for that, but even then the difference might only be marginal.
As far as preferences in engines, that's a real arguable point. If you want a smooth boulevard cruiser, it probably doesn't much matter which engine. If you want performance a 327 or 350 may be better. The 400 can be built into a real torque monster. The 305 with the right rear axle ratio and transmission can do fine as well. Then there's the myriad of crate engines available...350's, 383 strokers and to me the ultimate way to go would be to install a modern LS engine, which has been done but it may have required some serious reengineering to install it correctly and add all the computer controls and wiring harnesses.
I know that there is a world of difference in the handling of 1987 and later Chevrolet chassis Avanti and earlier Avantis, but I would expect that from a suspension that is 25 years later.
With the popularity of LS swaps and the new oil pans, I wouldn't hesitate to install a LS in an Avanti.
-
There are 3 fusible link wires coming off the starter that supply power to the vehicle, my guess is that this is one of them. Find a '88 Chev. Monte Carlo and look under the hood, it would have the same wiring.
-
The body is cut off front and rear below the side attachment bolts for the fiberglass bumpers on my '87 Coupe.
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL821/3920570/8110297/393705970.jpg
-
I used a 13-bulb red LED 1157, they are the same size as a 1157 bulb so no problems with fitting the housing. For reflection I made a pocket out of chome type furnace duct tape for the truck mounted lights and painted the inside of my tail light housings with chome paint. They are brighter then the orginal bulbs.
This is the type of LED bulb I used, you can find them at any auto parts store.
-
Not a good idea to drill holes into your housings, that will allow more condensation to form around those hot bulbs.
I replaced the tail lights with LED's years ago, no heat and work great. If you just replace your rear lights the flasher should work OK. For best light get LED's the same color as lens.
I also replaced my interior lights so that the lens wouldn't get discolored by the heat of the light bulb.
If you ever have touched the metal rings around the turn signal indicators on your dash after they had been on for awhile you will see how much heat is created. I replaced all of my dash lights with LED bulbs. No heat and more color, no more driving down the road with my turn signal on, the indicators are very noticable.
-
I am looking for a aftermarket tilt steering column for my Avanti. Has anyone done this before? Which brand did you use? What is the model/stock #? aLSO LOOKING TO CONVERT TO Serpintine BELT arrangement WITH a/c. Which model/style has been used, and which works the best and give the maximum clearance. George RQB 1600
The serpentine belt kit Part# 12497698 is available from any GM dealer and will fit any small block Chevy. Includes all NEW brackets, pulleys, bolts, belt, water pump, power steering pump, alternator and R134a A/C compressor.
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?singlepart=1&partnumber=12497698
Installed on my 1987 Avanti about 5 years ago. GREAT DEAL for less than $800.00!
Jim Wood
-
Anyone have an Easy fix for stripped holes in fiberglass where inside door panel screws on ?
Thanks, Jerry
I use Plastic Wall Anchors, you can use the orginal screw. They are available at any hardware store.
http://0.tqn.com/d/homerepair/1/0/6/4/-/-/plastic_anchor.jpg
Jim Wood
-
That one looks a bit short. Mine measures about 23".
Call Step Van suppliers I'm sure they can get you the proper length. We used different lengths on different Step Vans.
-
With the engine running at about 1200 rpm read voltage between battery terminals, should be 13.1 volts or higher. If not, alternator is probably not working. I only use new alternators when possible because of the poor quality of todays rebuilds. I looked your alternator up and saw that none of my suppliers offered a new one.
Check the fuse, if it blew that would cause the problem that you are having. I checked Motor Alldata and the alternator you have could have a output of up to 70 Amps.
-
Could be one of two problems. Bad turn signal switch, easy way to check is to plug in a new switch at the base of the column and operate it. No sense in pulling the steering wheel if thats not it and easy to return part if not installed. A bad ground can cause problems like this, one way I check is to turn on parking lights and then apply brakes. If ground is bad the light with the BAD GROUND will go OUT with added load of brake circuit.
Jim Wood
-
Common on Step Vans.
http://www.rustrepair.com/app2/onlinecat.htm?r=sv&p=wi-hood-go.hh
Part# B
Jim Wood
-
Seeing that the lock-out works in Neutral I think the problem is that the shifter isn't going in to Park all the way. Try adjusting the shifter or the lock-out.
Jim Wood
-
I don't know why not, I removed my 200R4 without problems.
Jim
-
I have the Evap core out of my '87 if you need one. Looks like a Monte Carlo Evap core to me. About $100 bucks new.
-
I'm in the middle of rebuilding mine. The motor gear meshs with the regulator gear, either something is stuck or the gears are stripped. Are the 3 bolts mounting the motor to the regulator assembly tight? The motor/regulator is easy to get to and comes out as a assembly that can be test operated on the bench. Are you talking about the adjustment holes in the door for the pivot? Can you post some pictures?
Jim Wood
-
I've been using a Power Probe III around the shop for the last 3 years and I'm telling you to throw away your old test lights and get one of these as soon as possible. I just wish I would of had one of these 30 years ago.
http://www.amazon.com/Power-Probe-Ultimate-Automotive-Electrical/dp/B000KPU8MK
Very well made with a cable that you can connect to the + and - on the battery or plug in to the cigar lighter. The cable is long enough to test the lights in the back of the car. I purchased an extension cable and can work on the trailer lights of a semi. No more wondering if you have a good ground for your test light. When probing a wire the Probe will light a red light if hot, or a green light if the wire is grounded. The probe also has a digital read out of voltage, so you know if your getting a full 12 volts. The probe has a switch that allows you to supply a ground or power to the Probe tip so that you can test lights etc, for a bad power wire or a bad ground wire. The Probe also has a ground lead coming out of the handle, I have used this to ground a window motor and then power it with the Probe tip to see if it works. The Probe has its own circuit breaker built in, just reset if you blow the breaker.
Best $100.00 I've spent in my tool box. Any Tool truck should carry them.
These work great on older vehicles, but be careful around computers. Supply 12 volts to the wrong wire and you will let all the magic smoke out of the computer.
Good Luck,
Jim Wood
-
The two socket holes, Avanti Two, correct? I cemented small mirrors in the tail lights of my 63 Avanti.. Mirrors from a Arts & Craft store. The single bulb reflects off the mirrors amplfying the brightness. I used Ultra Bright tooth paste to polish the surface of the lense, clean and removed slight scratches. Jewelers trick on restoring watch lenses.
'87 Avanti, has seven brake light bulbs total.
Jim Wood
-
While my tail lights were out I decided to clean and paint them. I used Meguiar's PlastX cleaner with a old electric toothbrush to clean the lens. It did a great job of cleaning and made the lens look like new. I taped off the chrome edges of the tail light assy and painted the inside with 2 coats of grey primer and then 2 coats of Plasticoat Chrome paint.
The rear assy is before and the front assy is after. Should make the lights refect better.
Jim Wood
-
My '87 Avanti uses a switch for a 82 - 92 Camaro. Wiring should be the same. Here is one on e-bay.
Jim Wood
-
ID # is stamped on a flat boss behind the alternator.
-
All of that is actually small potatoes, the biggie is that the trunk doesn't open. The solonoid is trying but the latch won't cooperrate and release the trunk lid. Unfortunately, there isn't the access hatch available to open the trunk with a screwdriver. Does this mean that I have to remove the gastank and cut a hole in the bulkhead to the trunk or through the hatshelf? Is there another way?
My '87 has a wire pull cable in case the solenoid doesnt work. Look behind the bumper on the drivers side.
Good luck,
Jim Wood
-
One of my vendors showed me something new, it is a strobing brake light device. You change your brake light bulbs over to LED bulbs, then wire this small 1" square controller into the brake light switch and when you step on the brake pedal the brake lights flash 3 times quick before staying on.
I will be installing one on my wife's Postal Jeep this week and will give a report. I changed my Avanti over to LED bulbs years ago because they are brighter, but its away getting painted.
Jim
89 avanti parts book
in 1984-91 Avanti
Posted
www.helminc.com
They produce GM factory service and parts manuals.