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Jim78

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Posts posted by Jim78

  1. is that the screw in type or the old quarter turn type?

    That would be the Screw in type. The FLAPS has a number of similar screw in types, but has no listing for the '78 Avanti. I know that the height of the cap is an issue so the gas door will close. The '78 has the lock that looks like it came from a desk drawer.

  2. After removing the two screws that hold the seat back, slide it down, not up, to unhook it.

    In addition to the numerous screws, the fiberglass panel has a bead of caulking that keeps it pretty well stuck in place. Starting at the bottom, pull the panel out to separate the caulking.

  3. I have a Blaupunkt AM/FM radio (no tape) in my '78. Just to the left of the first push button, there is a small button that toggles in and out. I have no idea what this button is for, and it seems to have no effect on the sound, whether it is "in" or "out". Can anyone tell me what this button is for?

  4. My '78 Avanti (Studebaker suspension/steering) has 7" Magnum 500 rims with 215x70 tires. These fit OK, but when the steering arms were changed to the shorter, quick steering type, the inside of the rims just touch the front of the upper control arms on a full-lock turn. If you are considering the quick steering arms, you may not want to go to 7".

  5. I'm going to suggest that the key to removing the pan is the same as with the Studebaker motor: Remove the bellcrank.

    There is a pinch bolt that holds the bellcrank to the shaft. Remove it. Then remove the grease fitting from the back of the pivot (through the hole in the frame). Remove the four bolts that hold the pivot assembly to the frame, and lower it. The bellcrank and tie rods can then be moved sufficiently to remove the oil pan.

  6. 6. Did the original exhaust system have a midship cross-over pipe under the transmission tail housing? Mine does...and it makes the exhaust pipes very dificult to lower for gasket replacement?

    I believe that this is the original exhaust "equalizer" configuration. My '63 also had a crossover "H" pipe arrangement in the section of the exhaust pipe just ahead of the mufflers. It's been a lot of years, but I can remember cussing that arrangement as it was extremely difficult to assemble and align. Later replacement parts deleted the "H" and had straight duals. I don't have my '63 Avanti parts manual any more. Perhaps someone who has one could check to see if the "H" pipe is shown.

  7. I found the exact replacement pump at Summit. It is an AC Delco pump, part #ACF-41216 which sells for $24.95 plus shipping. Crossing this number into NAPA produced a #TFP 2M6626 which sells for $16.44.

    Since my pump appears to be an original (30 years old) I can't afford not to change it. It's a whole lot easier in the garage, compared to the roadside.

  8. I'm looking for a replacement fuel pump for my '78. The listing at the FLAPS shows a pump that is much taller than the original. I get the same tall pump when I check on-line vendors. This pump would hit the frame. Does anyone have a good number or cross reference for the short pump?

  9. I was in need of rear wheel cylinders for my '78. I found that they are Wagner F37782 (left) and F37783 (right) which were readily available for $13.99 at the FLAPS. Among the other vehicles that used these cylinders is a '78 Fairmont w/10" brakes. I thought that I would pass this along in case anyone else might need a cross reference for these cylinders.

  10. The rear axle on my '78 (RQB-2758) appears unlike the Dana units used by Studebaker. The only tag on it is the ratio (3.07:1). Would this be a GM axle? Am I safe in assuming that I don't need to pack the outer bearings with grease, like the Dana?

  11. Remember that you are dealing with king pins, not ball joints. Don't expect that there will be no movement in the wheel. Jack the car under the lower control arm. Grab the top and bottom of the wheel and shake. With the help of an assistant, you should be able to see if the play is in the wheel bearings, the king pins or the control arm bushings. Because the steering knuckle is so short, any play in the king pins is amplified at the wheel diameter. The shop manual doesn't give a quantitative description of what is too much wear, so it becomes a judgement call. It's not like the spindle is going to come off as with bad ball joints. Don't get too excited about a little wear. OTOH, if the wheel moves more than 1/4" top vs. bottom, you may want to re-do the pins.

  12. No, they're not all the same. The original design ('63 vintage) was a small chrome bug with two squirter balls. At some point, they changed to a really ugly (IMHO) design that looks like something from the stealth fighter. That is what is currently on my '78 Avanti. I am looking to replace it with one of the original style. I sent Jon Myer an email, but haven't gotten a reply yet.

  13. Good guess, Gunslinger! The light on the left comes on when the "Deicer" switch is turned on (rear window defroster). I hadn't had occasion to turn it on before.

    Following that train of thought, there is another switch marked "Aux. Lights" on the console which may be intended to turn on driving or fog lamps. Currently, nothing happens when I turn it on, but that may be the indicator lamp for those lights. The car currently has fog lamps, but the wires are not connected to anything at present. They were apparently added to hide the horns from the "cow catcher" which was removed.

  14. My '78 has what appear to be two small red indicator lights on the front of the console, located to either side of the "Fasten Seat Belt" warning light. The bezels are the same as those on the green turn signal indicators on the instrument panel. I have yet to see either of them light up. Can anyone give me a clue to what they might be?

  15. Thanks for the additional info. I do not have the surge tank. SI lists two upper hose options ("short" and "long"). I guess that they consider the upper hose two hoses. One of my co-workers is a Chevy small block guru. If we get a break in our premature winter weather, I may drive the Avanti to work. Hopefully, he can interpret the numbers and tell me exactly what I've got.

  16. Gunslinger,

    Thanks for the reply. My '78 Avanti has 25K miles, and everything under the hood appears to be unmolested original. The engine has finned aluminum valve covers and the stainless steel static shielding over the distributor and plug wires. I don't know if this indicates the "Corvette" version of the 350 or not. I want to pick up a new fuel pump and water pump for it. Your info on the water pump was very helpful. The radiator hoses are definitely in need of replacement. It almost looks like the existing upper hoses were cut from a straight length of hose. I may have to wander through the FLAPS to find something molded that fits.

  17. I'm the new kid on the block. While I am a long time Studebaker/Avanti owner, I have recently bought my first Avanti II. It is a '78 equipped with a 350 engine.

    One of my first projects is to check/replace the hoses and belts. Is there a reference available that would assist in identifying and/or locating these parts? Are there any resources that a new owner should know about?

    As far as engine accessories, what make/model should I tell the kid at the auto parts store to punch into his computer to find the correct oil filter, plugs, etc.?

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