Jump to content

IndyJimW

AOAI Forum Members
  • Posts

    584
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by IndyJimW

  1. Get a good solid droplight, the type with a metal shield that everyone hates because it burns you from the heat of the bulb. :angry: I picked up one from Sears with an extension plug-in and 25 feet of cord for less than $10. Then get a package of Long Life Fluorescent Spiral Bulbs, the ones equal to 60 or 100 watt bulbs. We've been using ours for over 6 months and are only on our second bulb, you can leave them on all day and still grap the metal shield because they don't put out any heat. B) The bulbs seem to be tough as nails, better than any shop rated bulb I've used and the mechanics like the light better when in tight spaces. Paid less than $20 for droplight and 4 bulbs. :)

  2. Installed a Torque Tech GM G-body 2 1/2" Cat-Back Exhaust Kit with Walker Super Dynomax mufflers and a CATO-4116 Cat-Converter on my '87 Avanti. The converter was a direct bolt on for the OEM with a bigger outlet 4" compared to the OEM 2 1/2". The exhaust bolted up easily with only a couple of problems. I think the exhaust pipe is a bit too close to the passenger seat well, so I'm going to drop it back down and wrap the pipe at that point. Also the G-body exhaust exits further out to the sides then the Avanti, so I cut the pipes behind the rear wheels to exit. I am going to bend the pipe that is left and then bring them out the back later. I wanted a quiet system and with better performance and got both. The OEM cat was causing a problem of no power every now and then, the inside of the converter was coming apart and blocking exhaust flow. I will post some photos later. :)

  3. I am running Crager Black Slot 8 15" rims with P215/70R15 tires and am thinking of going to 16" rims to get a better selection of performance tires. I'm looking at a P215/55R16 or P225/55R16 tire size. Is anyone else running these sizes?

  4. Just a personal opinion from someone that has installed over a half million filters.

    I will not use filters from Fram, Purolator, Group 7, Pennzoil and other no name filters. They may be good filters, BUT I don't like their construction, it allows too many ways for the filter to bypass internally.

    I perfer Baldwin (my personal favorite), ProTec (made by WIX), WIX, AC/Delco, Champ and Motorcraft. WIX also makes NAPA, Car Quest and others.

    Again this is my personal opinion based on cutting open a lot of filters.

  5. My 87 Avanti is mounted on a 87 Monte Carlo SS frame. No spacers are used.

    I've got a LT1 engine with a 700R4 trans. that I was going to install but the problem with a G-body frame is that the LT1 AC compressor will not clear the frame. The frame is so weak in the front that I dont feel safe notching the frame so it will clear. I'm looking for a 88 Camaro with the TPI system to install on my 305HO.

    I did have an article in the Avanti magazine about installing drop spindles. I went that way because I wanted the rake look of the orginal Avanti but not the problems other methods could cause, I have not had any problems with the ride, tires rubbing or alignment.

    I like the rims that you put on your 63, I'm looking into some 16's so that I can keep the same tire diameter but get better performance tires.

    Click on the picturetrail site below to see my Avanti.

  6. This isn't a tire issue. I've installed larger tires then what it came with and they don't contact anything but where the parking brake cable causes the inner fender to bulge out, and then only when I turn it to the right lock. This looks as if it may have been a stress crack at the rear of the wheel opening going from the belt line up to the top of the fender on both sides.

  7. Not bad, steering wheel looks similar to the wheel that came stock on my '87. I've been modifying my Avanti's suspension, brakes, exhaust, wheels and drop spindles for that original rake look. Its easier for me because my Avanti uses a Monte Carlo SS frame and running gear.

    I believe that these types of mechanical modifications are in the orginal spirit that Studebaker had in mind for the Avanti. High performance engines, disc brakes etc. and Andy Grantelli at the Salt Flats.

    This car is my every day driver and I hope it reminds people that cars don't all have to look like jelly beans. Other then at meets I have not seen another Avanti on the road in over 10 years.

    Ive been a ASE mechanic for over 30 years with my own shop. Ive tried to answer some questions on the board, but my Studebaker in not what it could be.

  8. If the fenders had cracked they have been repaired. Both front fenders of my Avanti look like they have been repaired. There is a "wave" located at the rear of the wheel opening at about the belt line going straight up to the top of the fender. Someone told me at an Avanti meet that the first 120 of the '87 Avanti had a problem with the front fenders cracking I was just wondering if this was true and what caused the problem.

  9. Not sure of Studebaker but I worked on a lot of Fords with this problem. Ford had a circuit breaker inside the headlight switch, when the switch started to go bad the headlights would start going on and off. When you pulled the switch you could see where one or more of the spade terminals on the switch were overheated. Sometimes the plastic headlight plug would melt.

  10. My 87 Avanti looks as if the front fenders cracked behind the wheel openings and have been repaired. I have been told that Kelly had a problem with cracked front fenders on his early Avanti's. <_< Is this true and what caused them to crack?

  11. I wouldn't recommend it. Not that it would cause the engine problems but because older carburated engines use an air pump to supply additional air to the exhaust to get the converter to work. Without this air the converters would probabily plug up pretty quick.

  12. Does anyone know a source for an 88 sprayer head or what might be available for an alternative?

    Thanks.

    Whats wrong with original? You can clean it out with a thin piece of wire, I take a bread tie and strip off the paper. Then you can adjust with a small wrench or socket, 8mm I think.

  13. After making sure that all my tie rods and ball joints were OK I started to look for the problem of loose steering on my '87 Avanti. :angry: Here is what I found:

    1. The flexible steering shaft that goes from the steering column shaft to the steering box was loose at the upper slip joint. There is a bolt that connects it to the steering column shaft, but it was loose allowing the slip joint to pivot. Tighten the bolt up to take out the movement. Rubber at the bottom of shaft was OK.

    2. Adjusted 80,000 miles of play out of gear box. This made alot of difference, returned road feel and made the car go where I pointed it.

    http://www.monte-list.nu/tech/boxmesh.shtml

    3.Added a front brace from Savitske Classic & Custom. It cost me $180.00 with delivery and made the front end rock stable. I was totally surprised at the improvement this brace made and it only took 15 minutes to install, using OEM holes and bolts.

    http://www.scandc.com/

    The difference is incredible. No wandering and is a dream in turns. Stable with no play. The first two things I tried made a big diffence and didn't cost a cent. :)

  14. Hello all;

    I tried a inexpensive upgrade to my front brakes and the results were

    good. This is an upgrade that can be done during a front brake

    replacement. My Avanti uses Chevrolet Monte Carlo brakes.

    I replaced the front rotors and brakes with Raybestos Drilled and

    Slotted Rotors, (part #'s BR5064L & BR5064R, about $80.00 each) and

    Performance Friction Pads (part # 0154.20 about $60.00).

    After breaking them in for about 300 miles they stop straight and

    true with a high firm pedal. The new brakes stop at least 10 feet

    shorter at 40 mph with no fading after several panic stops. Fact is

    my 3rd and 4th stop was shorter than the first two.

    Recommend this upgrade. But find a safe place to test. My first try

    to test the setup blew out my rear brake line. Rear lines were rusted

    bad. Glad I caught it during testing and not on the street.

    James Wood

    12AAV1230H1000108

×
×
  • Create New...