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MARK

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Posts posted by MARK

  1. I just pulled and reinstalled the engine and tranny from my 83 Avanti.

    I know yours is all Studebaker but I believe my experience is revelant. I believe the Stude motor is wider and heavier than the SBC. After much looking, I went to Harbor Freight and purchased a transmission jack ($74 -20%) and am glad I did. I then pulled the engine seperately from the tranny. 

    The problem is the length of the combo and the need to lift them high enough to clear the front end. In most vehicles you can pull the grill and radiator and have almost a straight pull to remove the assembly. If you have a tall tree or a gantry that's 10 + ft high it could work but you still have about 1000# in the air with all those worries as well as the need to level a nearly verticle assembly about 4 + ft long.

    I put it back the same way, seperately.

    There a few tricks to make it work easily but it's to lengthly to put here. Also, be sure you have three people, two will work but the extra pair of hands is of great value.

    If you want to talk about it, send me an email and I'll send you my phone number for further discussion.

    Bob

    Bob, thanks for the information. I have printed your answer and shared it with my mechanic. Also I spoke with Dave Thiebolt and will probably do it in my mechanics shop using his lift,hoist,supports & 30 years of experiences!!! I will post the job with photos if and when this project starts and ends. Of course all this will wait until State Farm settles the accident damage currently in a "hold position"

  2. Does anyone know if I can remove the engine and transmission as one unit. I have a '63 r2 with automatic. The repair manual doesn't mention whether this is posible or not. It looks like a piece of cake especially with the intake, heads, ignition sytem, radiator and all belt driven items removed. I am doing an engine bay detail job and have decided that I won't get it just right with the engine in the way.

    Thanks from Jim

    I am interested in what and how you did the engine removal. I may pull my R2 out of my 64 and do an engine rebuild. thanks in advance

    Mark

  3. Years ago I was hit at a stop sign by a State Farm driver.

    Thgey refused to pay anything even though he hit me (they said far all they knew I hit him).

    I had our company attorney write them a letter, that finally got them doing something.

    Good luck...

    I am holding off on the attorney. Lees Garage in Long Branch NJ has taken care of both Avanti's and my other daily drivers over the years. In fact, Paul the owner ownes a 66 or 67 Avanti II. He is well versed with the crap from the insurance companies. If nothing is resolved within another month, I will go to 2 of the larger NJ newspapers and offer an opportunity to write about the friendly service and all the attention that State Farm is spending money on with the TV ads.

    Thanks, I will keep this forum posted. By the way, my 73 Avanti II is up for sale; frame on restoration.

  4. Mark, sounds like the same deal I got from the city of Las Vegas, when one of their vehicles drove over the front end of my 1971 Avanti, while it was parked in front of my house. I was told to get 3 estimates, submit them to the city and then take the car to the shop of my choice. The city did not like the $14,924.00 estimate I gave them. They decided to total my car. Wrong Answer hom'e. I fought them for several months, and finally came out the winner. Put on the heavy gloves, swing hard and often.

  5. That really bites the big one! It sounds similar to what my Dad faced back in 1963 with State Farm. The first new car he ever bought...a '63 Pontiac Grand Prix, with 2k miles on it, was, to any objective observer, demolished in a head-on collision (he, my sister and I were in the car when it happened...after all these years it's still the most terrifying thing I have memories of). It was a $5000 car with over $3500 damage and State Farm refused to declare it totaled and insisted it be repaired. My Dad was furious with his agent for not fighting for him and he ended up changing insurance companies. When he got the car back he was completely dissatisfied with the repairs and simply got a new car.

    My Dad said that he had heard from others that State Farm would pay off quick on a small claim but fight you on a big claim. His experience showed that correct.

    Unless your insurance policy clearly states that State Farm can dictate the repair shop, fight them on it. Have them show you where it says that without ambiguity. Go up their chain of command until you get someone to listen to your concerns. Once it's all resolved get another insurance company.

  6. I bought R5470 just about a year ago; car previously had a reverse hood scoop and a Porche grill, and did a full frame on restoration. The car is perfect, beautiful and took 2nd place at a local car show this past summer. Of course the story does not end here. 7 weeks ago while stopped at a red light on my way for an oil change an uninsured female driver rear ended me. Her total concern was her car; figure that, and then she informed me she did not have collision insurance. Gee was I thrilled or not? Now I am battling with State Farm to allow me to use the restoration shop that did all the paint and body to redo the repairs. I was hit hard enough to break the motor mounts so you have an idea of the impact. State Farm wants me to use one of their collision shops instead of my restoration shop. Of course when I insured this car under the "antique-classic car" designation from State Farm, no one told me I had to use one of their collison shops for my classic. I am not giving up nor will I have their collision shop do the repair. I never thought State Farm would be so stupid about this.

    Seems that in NJ if you have Medicade you can buy car insurance for $1.00 day. There is no theft or liability/collision, just a limited amount for health. So I will have to take her to court to collect whatever State Farm does not. What a mess.

  7. I own RQB 1913. White exterior with black interior. Tilt wheel, pwr wnds,cold A/C. New crate motor. This car was a frame on restoration over 5 years. I replace stuff as it broke or needed replacement. There is over $40K in receipts. I would like $20K for this car. Pictures and receipts will be provided. The car is in N.J. off of exit 117 on the NJ Parway.

    call Mark cell 917 714 8584 or email. Cars runs and drives beautifully. I just finished a 64R2 and now want another, so the 73 needs a new home.

  8. The engine temps you're experiencing is quite acceptable. If it tops out at 205 in sitting traffic that's excellent. Many, many Avanti owners have experienced higher temps under those conditions. I don't see where you have anything to be concerned about. Just keep the engine in a good state of tune and the cooling system clean and flushed every year or two, belts tight, hoses good and radiator cap in good shape and you're golden.

    The only thing I would add is occasionally open the heat controls and let coolant flow through the heater core and control valve...that will keep them lubricated internally and also keep deposits from forming and causing corrosion in them. Even if your engine runs within normal temperatures, it's still no fun if your heater core starts leaking on the carpeting.

    I so appreciate the assistance from this site and the many members. Glad to know my 64 is "normal" though the temps from my 73 Avanti II with the A/C on was at least 40 degrees cooler. I think the temperature just makes me nervous. Thanks as always.

    Mark

  9. I finished a frame on restoration of R5470, a 1964 R2. I do drive the car from NJ into NYC a few days a month. The one way ride is just under 60 miles. I average 180 to 185 degrees when driving between 65 and 70 mph. When sitting in traffic in front of the Lincoln Tunnel the temperature will climb to 205. Question, What temperatures do you R2's owners experience?

    As always, I appreciate this incredible forum, lots of information lots of interesting questions and answers.

    Good work guys; women too.

  10. Hi...I am about to get started on restoring my R2 Avanti. I have never done this kind of work. I took a look at it, and saw that the interior needed some work, and mostly under the hood. Can anyone giving some helpful hints.? I will upload some pictures when I get the chance.

    Rick, I just finished a frame on restoration on my 64 R2. I have two great mechanics in NJ that would be of help if you in the area.Most important, plan on more repairs than exptected. If you are doing a repair or service and items like fuel or water pumps are nearby change them and save the removal later of more diffictult parts. Remember brake/fuel/transmission lines get old fast, suspension and bushing need attention too.

    Good luck and dont tell your wife about the costs involved, all of us will get in trouble.

    Mark

  11. It's MSD, which as far as I'm aware does not have a system you can put on a Studebaker engine. It's possible to covert one I imagine, but there are other alternatives that are already available. You can use your stock distributor and add a Pertronix points eliminator kit...less than $100 and works quite well from what I understand. Many have used that system. Dave Thibeault (who advertises in Avanti Magazine) can provide a Mallory distributor for your car which also is an excellent way to go, but more expensive. There are also conversions to the GM window distributor out there, which is also easily converted to electronic as point eliminator kits are available from Pertronix, Mallory, Accel, Crane and likely a few others.

    MSD makes a capacitive discharge add-on for cars, which is quite good, but to be honest, for a street car is not really necessary, but certainly doesn't hurt in any way. It probably works best with a points distributor as an electronic ignition really doesn't need it. For a car used on the strip, it's a different story. The same goes for other brand CD ignitions...a lot of advertising hype but little to show for it for a street car outside of lightening your wallet and you get a really nice decal to put on your car telling everyone what equipment your car has. I will say that a good CD ignition may provide better starting, but little more than that.

    Thank you for so much information. I really appreciate the time taken to respond and advise. This forum has helped me in so many ways, what a great source of information.

    Mark

  12. I have finished a frame on restoration on my 64R2. I am now interested in information about swtiching over to an electronic ignition system such as MDS(I think that is the correct initials)

    So, who has switched over and is using which system? How happy are you since the conversion?

    Thanks guys; ladies too.

  13. My 64 R2 R5470 had a rear speaker on the bill sheet. That option was $12.00 when ordered. I just replaced front & rear speakers. The rear speaker is very shallow, very low profile as it sits just above gas tank.

    The fader dial is white and sits below the dash to the right of the steering column.

  14. I drove my 64 R2 into NYC about a month ago after doing mechanicals for 5 months on weekends. I drove 60 miles from my home in NJ and parked infront of the United Nations for a photo shoot then drove around the corner to a new business AVANTI EXPRESSO on 2nd ave and 44th Street. My car is R5470 which was bought last summer from the second owner. This R2 is well documented as the first owner put on a Porche grill on the front and a reverse hood scoop. Currently the car is in the shop having the grill and scoop removed and the body prepared for paint in the original color of Avanti maroon.

    I will add photo pictures on Monday when I get that memory card.

    Mark

  15. What should I expect to pay for a complete front end rebuild, (king pin, inner and outer bushings, center bellcrank, etc). LABOR ONLY

    I am curious, what State are you in? I know of two great shops in S.Florida and New Jersey.

    Mark

  16. I am looking for a used radiator overflow tank for my 64 R2. I have repaired the original but would like an extra. I know most owners have switched over to a bottle and neck system so if you have one holding a door open during a windy day, let me know and how much you want. Thanks, Mark

  17. I am ordering an exhaust system from Nostalgic and wanted to find out if there are any clearance issues with a 700r4 transmission? Nostalgic tells me no but I have read on this forum that there is. It's impossible to tell on my current exhaust, since it has been repaired in pieces over the years.

    Thanks for any input and advice.

    Tony

  18. My 63 will soon have its washer bag reinstalled on the right side of the engine bay.

    What color is the hanging bracket? Flat, goss, semi-gloss black?

    I've even heard chome, but I don't think that's factory stock.

    Thanks, John

    I spoke with John Myer today and asked him, his reply was semi gloss. This came at a good time as I am doing some detail work within the engine compartment on my 64 R2. Also, the orange on the fan blades and Paxton Supercharger is Chevy orange.

    Mark

  19. This topic came up on the SDC forum, so I'll ask the experts:

    What color was the felt liner of the vanity tray?

    Mine is burgendy/red.

    Anyone else have anthing different?

    Any color shots available of an original?

    My 73 RQB1913 has a black felt liner that is original. My 63 R2 orignal color is also black, body is Avanti Maroon

    Mark

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