[3:73 geared rear end?]

I have owned a 63 GT Hawk, R2 4-speed-3.73 axle, and a 64 Avanti R2 Automatic 3.73 axle. In both cars the engine turned just about 3000 rpm at 65 mph. It would be nice to have an over drive gear. However it will run all day long at that rpm without harm. I am in process of building a 53 champion with R1 engine and 4-speed--with 3.31 axle. I think it will be a nice cruiser.

[Avanti Carpet question]

I went through the same thing last year that you are going through now. I have a 64 Avanti with black carpet. I questioned the people at Phantom Auto Works, Dave Thebeault, The Avanti cheif judge at the Iowa nationals, and several others. The final determination was-----The origional Avanti carpet was a cut pile. The yarn has a twist that makes it look like loop pile. However, the test is to take a small nail or safety pin and slide it into the pile. Try to pull upward. If it was loop, you would not be able to pull the pin up. However I was able to pull the pin up through the pile. As I said the type of twist makes it look like loop. I chose to use cut pile. If you have multicolor carpet, I think the only type available is loop. Even the black loop looks much like origional. The whole discussion was on the SDC forum last year, around October. Good luck.

[R/2 Hood clearance]

<P>I have only owned this car for a few months.  I decided to remove the oil pan and timing gear cover because or very bad oil leaks and stripped bolts in the gear cover.  Once I got everything removed  I realized that there was not much more required to pull the engine and do a proper detailing of engine and engine bay.(The previous owner painted the inner fenders, cowl, and under hood black!!  It must have been too much trouble to clean the white.)  Anyhow, I think I will remove the thick spacer before anything else.  I have a set of the short front engine mounts but It looks like the oil pan will hit the tie rod ends.  I don't need very much clearance.  </P>

[R/2 Hood clearance]

On my 64 Avanti, the supercharger output hose rubs the hood. Also the Carburetor bonnet hits the hood. Is it possible or advisable to use the lower motor mounts? It appears that this would bring the oil pan very close to the tie rod ends, and the fan would be closer to the radiator. Is there anyone with experience on this. There is a spacer (gasket?) under the carburetor about 1/4" thick. Removing this would help.