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tjl2244

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Posts posted by tjl2244

  5. Manual Transmissions

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    I have converted my R-1 automatic to a World-Class T-5 from a '93 Mustang. Dan Giblin, whom you can locate on the SDC Forum, sells an excellent adapter kit that fits like a glove on the Stude bellhousing. Note that you will need a new bellhousing for a manual-shift car, a new brake and clutch pedal bracket, and all the linkages. Various vendors can find all of this stuff, but it will take some phone calls to gather it all. The main advantage of a T-5 over a TKO is cost -- TKOs are more than twice as expensive. The down side, such as it is, is that WC T-5s are rated for "only" 300 HP, whereas TKOs can take 450+. The R-1 engine maxes out at 240, however, and even the R-2 can only get to 290. You'd need an R-3 to stress the T-5. Since you've got 3:31 gears, as I do, you're not going to be doing any drag racing, anyway.

  6. 63 R-1 restoration begins

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Thanks for posting this. Very inspiring and I'm glad to hear there are others doing major restorations on their Avantis.

    I got mine last November and took it completely apart. I have restored the chassis, brakes, power steering ram and pump, and suspension and replaced the exhaust system. Cylinder heads have been redone and the engine bored .030 over; I pick up the bottom end this weekend.

    The car was originally gold with a fawn and elk interior. P/s, p/b, a/c, 3.31 tt rear end. The interior is a complete write-off and the body is in grey primer. I have no idea what color it should be.

    Love to hear about your progress. It makes me want to go sand some rusty part.

  7. Brake Booster Replacement

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Hi, Guys,

    This question relates to obtaining a replacement brake booster for a '63. I've got this wreck of an Avanti taken apart, right down to the chassis, and the restoration is beginning. One of the first projects is the brakes. No one seems to have a booster rebuild kit and frankly I would have no idea how to approach the job anyway, so I decided to send it to Booster Dewey for a rebuild. He called me today to tell me that inside the booster is a bakelite/plastic funnel and somehow the one in my booster was broken. He is unsure where to get a replacement and is pretty sure they are rare and pricey. This was confirmed by various vendors who sell rebuilt boosters, all of whom refused to sell me a replacement without a good booster in exchange. This, of course begged the question, "If I had a decent booster, what do I need you for?"

    Anyway, the question has two parts:

    First, is there a source for these boosters that does not require an exchange? Second, regardless of the answer to the first part, is there another booster that can be swapped in cheaply and conveniently? Stan Gundry mentions a Chrysler unit, but does not specify which one, and there's some chatter on the SDC forum about a Chevy unit that might work in a Lark.

    Any thoughts from people who know more than I do are appreciated.

    Tom

  8. transmission swap

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Myer's has the adapter to install a manual transmisison, also. They put a five speed into my 64 R2.

    Hope this helps.

    Thanks to you and the other guys who made suggestions. I went with Dan Giblin's kit, and now I have to track down a nice World Class t-5 from a Mustang. There is also the small matter of bell housing, clutch linkage, smaller brake pedal, etc., etc... At the moment everything's off the frame except the front suspension (trying to figure out how to compress the springs with no engine in the front end) so I've got plenty to do before I need to turn to the tranny.

  9. transmission swap

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    This is from the Studebaker Drivers Club forum. There is a little more involved changing from auto to standard, because you need to add the clutch pedal and necessary linkage, change the crankshaft bolts and a different bell housing. Join the SDC forum and you will get lots of good advice.

    http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/top...?TOPIC_ID=13734

    Bob

    Good thought. Thanks, Bob. I just joined SDC yesterday and hadn't checked out their forum yet.

    Tom

  10. transmission swap

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Has anyone swapped a Tremec (or other) 5- or 6-speed transmission into a '63 Avanti? Does anyone sell a conversion kit? I know Myer's has a conversion kit for a Chevy automatic tranny; I was wondering about a manual conversion. Right now there's a 3-speed automatic in there.

    Thanks for your input. I have a '63 that needs complete renovation. In a way this is good because it's a blank slate and i can make it what I want. Although I haven't decided anything, the thought is to keep it looking like a '63 while using technology to improve handling and performance.

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