Avanti83
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Posts posted by Avanti83
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Your bolt pattern is a Ford pattern. 4.5" circle X 5 bolt. Any rim width from 7" down should work with zero off set or under 3.5" back spacing. I run 15" X 8" rims on my 83 with 3.75" back spacing on the front. The rear needs about a bit more offset to eliminate the boy racer look.
If in doubt either Google "find wheel backspacing" or go to a decent tire shop and have them find what you need.
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Welcome, a couple of thoughts. Bob's site lists the previous owner back to 2003 so you might start with Googleing them. Secondly there is a vin listed and it should also be on your dash. Try Carfax to see if any other owners, original dealership, etc are on there. Bob
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I posted this on the SDC forum so I thought I'd add it for the AOAI folks.
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I think you'll be pleased how well the seats will cleanup but the carpet, probably not so much. The dash doesn't appear to be cracked seriously so it might be salvageable. Good replacements are rare and the repos haven't been made in a while. SI made them a while back but they are gone. A good upholstery shop can cover it and make it look very nice.
Carpet is available from several sources but may not look exactly like the original. I'm curious how original you wish to keep it. Concourse or Driver quality.
Bob
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Welcome aboard Ron. Best luck on the best looking of the Avanti's.
Keep the pictures coming. I know the name from the SDC forum but the best sources for Avanti parts are Myers in Ohio and Nostalgic Motors in Wixom, Michigan.
Dan Booth at Nostalgic bought out the Avanti Motors in the end and is a great source of parts and advise.
Forward (as they say in Italian) - Bob
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2 hours ago, davette59 said:
My 78 Avanti had a cheap junk radio in it when I purchased it. Is there a good replacement radio that will fit? Doesn't need to look original but similar would be nice. Just don't want one of those new ones with flashing red and green lights and washes dishes. Just a simple radio that will fit and looks period correct.
It's become very difficult to find the dual knob types that will fit the opening you have. Four suggestions:
1) Go to Ebay or your local swap meet and find an old style dual knob NIB that will fit.
2) Google Retrosound and you will find the folks that put newer guts in older cases that will fit.
3) Put a newer unit in your glovebox or under dash. They make generic mounting boxes that will mount the newer receivers in those locations
4) I changed the location of the radio in my 83 like the photo.
Bob
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This is a link to the SDC site where I posted a writeup on the progress I've made on the 74 Avanti. Bob
http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?102969-1974-Avanti-Interior-Upgrade
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Go to Ebay, type in "Avanti R2 supercharger" Click on an appropriate item and go to "Completed Auctions" It will show all the items auctioned for the last 90? days. You not only find the one you asked about. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Paxton-Supercharger-Air-Cleaner-Bracket-Studebaker-Avanti-R2-R3-63-1963-/362070593888?hash=item544d16d160:g:vCIAAOSwWE9ZkfZA&vxp=mtr but also a bracket that sold for over $3000. Like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Paxton-SN60-Supercharger-Studebaker-Avanti-R2-R3-NOS-Supercharger-Bracket-NEW-/172852401195?hash=item283ece542b:g:GA4AAOSwCCVZrhAo&vxp=mtr
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Red is an unusual color for a non-primary power wire so I'll say false.
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I don't know if this will help but this is what the bare console looks like in a 74 Avanti.
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5 minutes ago, Gunslinger said:
When you pull the body don't be surprised if you find some stress cracks in the fiberglass body where it's not normally visible. Where the power brake booster bracket mounts is a good place to check.
Excellent point, also check the front cross member under the motor mounts. Engine torque plus pee poor assembly practices lead to fractures.
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SBC's (350's) of that era were never known for their performance. If you are going to rebuild it, ashcan the pollution equipment and add decent performance equipment. The crate engine is a good idea but if you want to keep the original block and heads, talk to a local rebuilder that is known for performance and spec out the compression ratio, cam shaft, intake manifold and carb. The difference will be a pleasant surprise.
Personally, I'd keep the original engine for the next buyer and PM forum member PackardV8 Jack Vines, talk to him about your needs and have him build the engine you will enjoy. Add a 700R4 transmission to the package and drive happy.
Or you could go 383 stroker and a T56 6-speed for the gold.
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I'm confused.
The statement that Studebaker switched to Chevrolet engines is true. They switched from building their own to buying SBC's. He didn't say they put them in Avanti's.
The statement that Altman followed suit is also true. He bought engines from Chevrolet also.
Two truths make a false??? I guess I must have failed English as I'm not sure what's wrong other than it's a poorly worded statement.
What am I missing?
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3 hours ago, A83 said:
Is it the computer?
Yes it is. There is generally a trim piece covering it that matches the interior. Straight forward GM stuff of the era. There should be a GM number on it.
It and the attendant wiring harness were the first thing that bit the dust on my 83 after I changed to Holley EFI.
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17 minutes ago, Gunslinger said:
It could be several things but the classic answer is that he has a heat soaked starter. Replacing the starter/solenoid assembly will usually solve the problem.
Other causes could be a loose or corroded connection with the starter cable or an old starter cable that has excessive resistance. It could also be an oil leak dripping on the starter that gives it a heat soak-like reaction (don't ask how I know that).
Actually...it's a bit surprising his mechanic hasn't figured all that out...this isn't uncommon in auto repairs.
Totally agree with this. A faulty starter is probably the most common hot start problem with SBC's. Check the connections then try a starter. They are under $50, come with the solenoid and are returnable.
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Tough call but along the lines of the customer is always right, I'm pretty sure he would paint one that way if a customer asked. He changed the 400 to a 350 in my 74 when the OP asked so I'll say false.
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Thanks for the followup Lew. He will be missed as a contributor and supporter. And also thanks also for providing a link to his website. It has been valuable on many occasions. Bob
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I have no knowledge of the car but Google the RQB number and you may find information about the car on Bob Johnstone's or the Avanti Registry sites among others. You are correct about the 305's in all cars but the 350 is a direct bolt-in as are any other SBC engines. Could have been replaced or just a different air cleaner or sticker.
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Lancer
You are correct about the feeding frenzy. Let me suggest that you also join and post on the Studebaker Drivers Club Forum. This is a great forum but there are a lot more eyes over there and this issue has been discussed more often. It's a bag of snakes.
Another route is to use Google and either use the term Classic car Transport or Avanti car transport. This is a much discussed issue on most car forums. There was a gal that had Peg's transport that was quite dependable but she retired last year.
You'll see a lot of stories about low bidders dropping cars at drop point for others to pick up etc. I've always rented a Uhaul trailer to tow behind my son's HD2500 Chebby. Most distance I've gone is 800 miles one way.
Hopefully you will find the necessary information here or elsewhere but ask good questions of the low priced haulers and references.
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Did you polarize the new voltage regulator after installation. Google/youtube will show you how if you didn't. Bob
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Have you contacted Dan Booth about the dies. I think he has a lot of the original ones. Might just be easier to work out use if they exist.
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Any chance it's the 4 way flasher button broken off. Bad day today but I'll check my 83 in a couple of days if necessary. Bob
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Use this as your guide. http://hogtrough.blogspot.com/ Hopefully the pictures will fill in any data you need.
Also remember that they are bonded to the rocker panels.
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I agree with gunslinger except the POR15. POR15 is made to coat rusty steel and not good steel. It will peel off good steel. Don't ask how I found out. Coat them with a good epoxy primer and top coat.
1978 Avanti Trip
in 1965-83 Avanti
Posted · Edited by Avanti83
My 83 and earlier Avanti's with the Recaro seat option have an adjustable seatbacks so you might look for a set of them on Ebay or at swap meets. Secondly, a good upholstery shop in your area should be able to make your seats fit as you want.
Personally, I changed out my 74 seats to a set from a Pontiac G6 which are just much better. The good news is most of the cars seats of today are sized right for the Avanti.
Lastly, the rolled up towel is a pretty good idea.
Noise, a new pair of muffler is pretty inexpensive as a first choice. They make resonator tailpipe extensions that may help but are pretty far back to have much effect.
The standard cruise control should be GM from that year or a year earlier so a GM manual should help. If it's aftermarket, look at the control box. The most popular were Dana (now Rostra) but Google should help if you can find the brand.