[HEADERS]

On my '70, the speed shop that installed the new crate engine added ceramic coated Sanderson headers of the block hugger design. They fit great, look great, and leave plenty of space for plug wires, steering components, etc. Sanderson also has the thickest flanges I've ever seen on headers to keep the bolts from backing out and creating leaks.

Gunslinger, what model # of Sanderson headers did you choose? I have never used Sanderson but have heard a lot of good things about them. The only negative that i have heard is in show quality finishing. I am not into show cars just for the show aspect of having a car so it doesnt really matter to me.

[9" Ford Rearend Upgrade]

WOW... I love what you have done and thanks for sharing it. I was just talking to a guy last night who has a 9" rear end he wants to get rid of in order to see if it will fit onto my Avanti. I am still in the process of building a high performance 350 engine and ordered a Monster 700R4 tranny so I have some time to look around for rear end stuff.

I am going to use what you have done as a baseline but dont be surprised if I come back later with more questions. Also, would you send your traction bar pattern to my sig line email address? Anything I dont have to re-engineer would be a great time saver. Did you go with an after market traction bar, if so, what type?

thanks again

[Change to Rack & Pinion Steering?]

Thanks for your reply GS and your pessimism is probably what I needed to hear since I don’t wan t this car to sit in the driveway too long waiting on this.

IRT Stude Chassis vs Monte Carlo Chassis: What you stated makes a lot of sense. Looking back at the quote that I referenced, It looks like I misunderstood the decision to move to the Monte Carlo chassis rather than the actual chassis change, which I understand happened a few years later. That quote didnt jive with the thinner frame that I was working on.

IRT Bump Steer: There may be some vality to this issue. At this link, this guy put a "center steer" rack & pinion system on an Avanti from a '83 Sunbird and he experienced some bump steer issues as well but seemed to work them out. This may be the closest I can get to installing an updated R/P system in the Avanti but it seemed he went through a lot of trial and error. I dont mind playing (engineering) a new system but I really dont want my car to sit that long.

http://www.studebaker-info.org/tech/psteer...vantirandp.html

IRT rebuilding the current steering system: This may be the most prudent route to take. Do you have links, contacts or references to the "shop manual," parts, or quick steering arms?

Assuming rebuilding the current system is the way to go, has anyone out there rebuilt or replaced the TRW gearbox? I always associated TRW gearboxes with truck steering systems. I expected a Saginaw gear setup. I know Saginaw can be rebuilt and converted to 12:1 gearing but I dont know about the TRW. Has anyone replaced a TRW with another gearbox, if so... what?

thanks again,

[Change to Rack & Pinion Steering?]

Has anyone changed their original steering system to a rack/pinion system?

If so, what make of R/P did you select? Or, does anyone know what model cars that have good R/P steering systems that would transfer to the Avanti setup fairly easily?

I have a very used 84 Avanti that has the original and worn out steering system. I want to replace the original system with something more updated. I have never done a complete system type change to another steering type so I am not sure what dimensions are necessary. What little I do know about the Avanti steering is that it is a TRW gearbox with TRW 34DC26 on the casting and 253AS032 060-84 on an aluminum tab bolted to the casting. I also read on a Studebaker website that, “Closing in on 1983, it was evident that a chassis renovation was required to continue production. The choice of the renaissance, was the GM Monte Carlo/El Camino chassis.†- http://www.studebaker-info.org/avantiRQBverc.html

This being the case, I assume a GM setup that would fit a Monte Carlo might work but I don’t know. I was looking at the AGR 284352-AGR Super Box 2 on Summit Racing but I dont know if it will work. I don’t trust the steering system that is in the car right now. The steering seems to be extremely loose (I dont know how else to describe it), the wheels would get stuck at extreme turning points, and the gear ration seemed to be high - possibly 18 or 20:1. The ratio may just seem that way due to the condition. I am building a high performance 350 with a new Monster 700R4 transmission and a good posi differential to go into the Dana 44 so... I am going to need a good, trustworthy steering system.

Does anyone have any suggestions?