BobS
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Posts posted by BobS
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Gunslinger is correct. My 83 came with a Dana unit. They were bought out by Rostra a while back. My Dana didn't work so I looked into two options.
Occasionally old Dana units come up for sale on Ebay at exorbitant prices and why you would want the old technology is beyond me.
The real option is to buy a Rostra unit and install it.
Luckily, the Dana Steering column control plugs into the Rostra controller and works like it should.
Here is what I chose. Universal cruise control part # 250-1223
I chose to pick up the speed signal with a adapter that connects in the tranny speedometer cable output. You can also use a magnet setup attached to the drive shaft but I'm not a real fan of those and they are difficult to attach to the Avanti drive shaft due to limited access. Part # 250-4153
Cost for my cruise control and adapter slightly under $200
You will also need to buy the column switch to control the unit. There are several available from replacing the turn signal switch on your column to adding a second switch to one of several locations around your column. About $50 I believe.
Check the Rostra website for options.
Here are a couple of shots of the installation.
Control unit
Carb hookup
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Terry
My 83 with new mounts ( motor and tranny) 26" dia rear wheels, 24" dia front wheels and standard suspension setup has a 3 deg drop to the rear of the engine at the carb top/air cleaner.
My engine builder says my 355 SBC should be about 400 hp tied to a stage II 200R4 tranny and 4:10 Auburn pro series posi with 8.5" of rubber on the road. At 2200 rpm of the line I get some wheel spin but it hooks up great, however, above 2700 rpm off the line it will just eat rubber. Your 6-speed manual should respond much the same with to much rev's off the line.
I don't know driveline dynamics well but if I recall, the engine/tranny, driveshaft and rear end should not be in a straight line. The u-joints need a couple of degrees to work in to function properly. The centers should be on parallel lines.
Sounds like a fast ride.
Bob
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Just one point to add. Before you remove the hinges to pull the hood. Outline their position with tape, marker or your choice.
When you replace it, put it back where it was and no adjustment will be necessary and no nicked paint.
Bob
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OO7
Try the Studebaker National Museum. I know they do production orders for Studebaker Avanti's so maybe they do later Avanti's as well.
If not I'm sure someone will chime in with the answer.
pb
I believe the Studebaker Museum only has 63-64 but I can be wrong. Nostalgic Motor Cars (avantiparts.net) has build sheets through 85 listed. If you contact them, they may have later build sheets or know who has. Good luck.
Bob
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I own RQB-3651 which is a 1983 Avanti.
My car came from the factory with a six bolt steering wheel adapter as described previously. The adapter and wheel are MOMO and it should fit a Nardi six-bolt wheel also. I'm not very knowledgeable about Avanti's but I just bought a six-bolt leather steering wheel from Ebay. It is of unknown origin but says Made in France on it and it bolts directly to the Momo adapter on my column. I adapted the horn button to fit and added an Avanti Logo to the horn button.
Three reasons I bring it up is 1: For info my column is Chrysler by the Pentastar shaped key so yours may be similiar due to similiarity of the years. 2: The wheel I purchased was installed on a Corvette and I have the adapter from that wheel. It is available if someone can use to convert a column to six-bolt wheel. 3: I'm volunteering to send pictures of my setup to you if that will help to resolve the steering wheel issue.
Bob
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Gary
First time I've seen the post, while mine is an 83 I like a copy if you would send it. Midlandchemist@yahoo.com
Thanks, Bob
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I'm gonna guess that each install is somewhat different but to fill my 83 Avanti with 355 SBC, New high capacity aluminum radiator and heater took about 2.5 gallons of antifreeze. When mixed 50/50 it adds up to 4.5 to 5 gallons total capacity.
Bob
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Yes, There is one on each side about mid block just above the oil pan. 1/4" pipe thread if I remember correctly
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John
You probably know this already but you will need to be careful about the seat height off the floor. I'm 6'3" and anything higher than the current type of seat would not allow me to sit properly in the car. I have a great set of 2007 Acura TL seats in my 54K but there is no way they would work for me in the 83 Avanti.
Just a thought, Bob
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John
If my memory is correct there is a Camaro seat install into an Avanti on the SDC website that looked very close to the original in material and adds the options that you want.
Bob
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John- It's a mixed bag but it's specifications are generally part of the articles. There is a ton of data on the 63-64 models and then generally the specs as changes were made to the lineup.
It probably covers what you may want to know and I just don't know of a better source.
The answer to your question is yes, it has a lot of specifications. like weight, HP, options etc.
Bob
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See my reply in 1966-85 Avanti
Bob
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JTinker
I have a book titled Avanti 1962-1990 by Brooklands Books. It has Road Tests, History and Specifications.
It may not be the best but the question you asked does not have a lot of recorded answers.
ISBN 1 85520 0651
Bob
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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 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
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The bad steering/handling I am concerned with is the 1/4 turn free play in the Steering wheel and
the drifting of the vehicle out-of lane. I need to keep both hands on the wheel and concentrate with no distractions. The 1/4 freeplay is scary when driving close to the curb lane or in heavy traffic. Hopefully, it's a worn out Worm gear causimg this. I'm not too concerned about the turn radius.
Speaking as a proud owner of an 83 Avanti, your problem will not be solved by going to shorter arms. My opinion is that you either have wear in the box or a bad ball joint or two. Mine is a little light in the steering for my taste but that's due to power steering. If your's was mine, I put it up in the air, find the problem and fix it before it becomes a real problem.
JMHO
Bob
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What is the preferred method of removing the engine from my 83 Avanti. I'm familiar with removing the radiator, etc. My question is, Should I remove the engine and tranny (200R4) as one unit or split them for removal. I don't have a lift but I have plenty of jacks and an engine hoist. Thanks for your help.
FYI, I'm replacing both the engine and tranny with upgraded units.
Bob
Adding Cruise Control
in 1965-83 Avanti
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Jim
Part # 250-4153 is the adapter that you need to use with your tranny. It just screws into the speedo drive on the transmission and the speedo cable screws into the other end. Job Done.
Bob