Devildog
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Posts posted by Devildog
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Everyone says it is the ethanol in todays fuel, not true ethanol has relatively low vapor point. However, due to ethanol being low RVP (reid vapor pressure), the refiners blend in more butane than 30 years ago and even more butane because the modern fleet has electric fuel pumps, injected systems and a closed pressure fuel system. Easy fixes:
1.make sure all the fuel lines do not touch the hot block or exhaust. If any doubt split a length of rubber fuel line and slip around the metal fuel line to thermally insulated it.
2.Put a 1/4 inch thick phenolic or some polymer spacer/gasket under the carb to isolate the heat transfer from the manifold to the carb (thicker spacers are more common if you have adequate hood clearance).
3. If #1 and #2 do not relieve the vapor problem, consider installing an inexpensive electric fuel pump (low pressure < 10 psi) near the tank. This can be activated by a toggle switch mounted under the dash, console, etc. Use to pressure the fuel to the std engine fuel pump which will either (1) purge any fuel vapor do to heat or (2) add enough pressure to re-liquidfy the vapors in the lines. Turn off electric pump when not needed.
#1 + #2 will solve 80% of the vapor problems of modern gasoline in older carb automobiles, + #3 cures 95%. Inexpensive, relatively easy adaptations of the old fuel systems.
Joe
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Thanks for alerting to your sway bar installations.
Your results should be of interest to many.
Joe
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Steve, it is bit difficult to find in the Stude International on-line catalogue, The Pressure Hose is part 1563475 $47; the Return line is 1559778 $36. They shipped mine second day air for $18
Joe
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For future readers
Hydraulic shops do not have dyes to crimp these small lines with the Avanti custom tubing at ends.
Stude International has the line for $33
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A competent hydraulics repair shop can remake the hoses exactly as they are.
If restoration is not an issue they can be remade using braided stainless tubing. End of problem.
Thanks Chris,
I see Stude Inter has entire kit of hoses and seal, but mine look good except this one chaffed line.
Joe
You should have come down to Steve's ranch with the Third Coast Avanti guys and gals. We did just about everything to can to convert hydrocarbons to noise and speed.
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On my 75 Avanti I blew a power steering hose, one of the smaller 1/4 hoses between the cylinder and actuator. It was chaffing against the exhaust pipe. I got it off easily.
1.Can these be repaired by having a hydraulic shop cut off the aluminum crimp and installing 30 inch new 1/4 hose and recrimping? I do not know what the ends look like apart.
2.If they can not be repaired, is there a part number or reference to use with Jon Meyer or Dan Booth ? Others
3. When refilling with fluid is there a concern with air/bleeding or just fill little at a time while circulation?
Thanks all
Joe
The chaffing is at the aluminum crimp on top fitting
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congrats!!! I too have previous Concours experiences, 3 years ago I took a first in class and two years ago got 99 out of 100; a muscle car that was a rotisserie restoration-trailer queen, took first. I am going to the Greenwich CT Concours end of this month and hope there are more Studebakers and Avanti's there too.
So, best congrats and enjoy the success; which all of us share
thanks Mark. My car is not worthy, but hope it helps all the Avanti owners get recognition and have fun.
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My old 75 Avanti was selected to be in the Keels and Wheels Concourse d'Elegance (Houston) on May 3, it was awarded the trophy in American Muscle Car class. I was just surprised they even let me in. I did not designate a class...left blank.
A show of this calibre has really nice (damned expensive) Shelby, GTO, 442, etc. invited entrants. The judges were all from out of Texas; they say by their vote Avanti is a muscle car.
Joe
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I had my '70 in a show today (received a 3rd place). A fellow was looking at the car and turned to me and said "It's been a long time since I've had sex with a car. Can I have a moment with yours?"
When I got home and told my wife about it, I thought she was going to fall on the floor laughing.
Gunny, seems we are on a big roll. At the Keels & Wheels Concourse d'Elegance (Houston) my old 75 won the American Muscle Car class. There were many cars from all over USA at this calibre show with the Shelby, 442, GTO, Super Bee, etc owners wondering how an Avanti won ?!
Joe
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Way to go! My 64R2 Avanti 3 years ago took a 1st in Class in NJ at a Concours d' Elegance and last year 99points. This May I am invited to the Greenwich CT Concours. I know and appreciate the excitement at any Concours when Avanti's or other Studebakers are there for more than just a show.
Very exciting to all Avanti owners past and present
Good for you, Mark. People love to see these Avanti. We are going to the Keels and Wheels Concourse d' Elegance in Seabrook (Houston) this weekend as well, wish they were spread a couple of weeks apart.
You have the right idea, drive these cars so not only you but others enjoy them. I drive my Avanti a couple days every week. Recently I ran to the bank in the Avanti; when I came out a young woman walked over and asked what it was. Then she said 'just look at all these cars in the parking the area...they all look the same. You have a work of art that everyone feels better after seeing it".
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Thanks Devildog. I'm on your mailing list now.
Assumed an invitation to the concours required. My car is not that nice but mostly very original.
Appreciate the invitation for the 9th.
St. Louis you say? Road Trip! What is "a two run"?
My car is not a nice as yours, sight unseen. Three of our six were nice original or restored cars, the other three are just nice clean cars. However, displayed as group of uncommon cars they standout against the 1000s of muscle cars...Avanti was unique even in 1963.
Two cars stay together even if 20 cars travel together, an element...wingman. It is slow and more dangerous to try to keep multiple cars running together like a funeral procession.
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When was this event? Limited to club members only? Invitation only?
I'm in Dallas and would have possibly made the trip had I know about the event.
My '79, #2897 is certainly not Concours quality but a 90% original survivor.
Congrats to all for representing us all.
It was this past sunday 26th. It is by invitation only; however, we leveraged it by having a group to create a class. Everyone loved it. I would expect the organizers will ask us again. But, we want to have 4-7 different Avanti next year. So, join up http://www.thirdcoastavanti.com/.
On May 9 we are going to meet near Brenham TX at one of the guys ranch, drive on down.
We are driving to St. Louis in August, convoy up with us. All others from TX/LA welcome to form-up for a two run to the national meet.
Joe
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Sunday six Avanti from the Third Coast Avanti Club were select to be in the Concours d' Elegance of Texas. The Avanti were given a prime location on a knoll adjacent to a class of Cords and Duesenbergs and looking down the hill at a covey of Lamborghini.
One or two Avanti draw a few comments, but six Avanti at a Concours d' Elegance makes a statement. Equally import the crowd loved the color and automotive history of the six Avanti, we added excitement to the show.
Caffeine Racer won the class
Joe
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Sunday six Avanti from the Third Coast Avanti Club were select to be in the Concours d' Elegance of Texas. The Avanti were given a prime location on a knoll adjacent to a class of Cords and Duesenbergs and looking down the hill at a covey of Lamborghini.
One or two Avanti draw a few comments, but six Avanti at a Concours d' Elegance makes a statement. Equally import the crowd loved the color and automotive history of the six Avanti, we added excitement to the show.
Joe
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On my 75, I have new shocks with tight bushings, etc.; however, it seems the car has much roll especially in the rear. Anyone have any comparison comments after installing a stiffer sway bar. I believe that saw a stiffer sway bar is available ?????
Thanks
Joe
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Я поглощено Аванти завод помощь ! (I am trapped in the Avanti factory help !!)
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I inquired a while back about the Avanti II inner fender holes for cooling. Isn't the wheel well a high pressure area at speed, and the air would blow in, rather than out of the engine compartment?
That is what I thought to be the flow; however, the holes allowing incoming air would tend to dilute heat from the exhaust system.
Joe
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Bob, you said you wrapped the stock cast iron headers (ram's horn). On my 75 with a 400 SBC, I wrapped the exhaust all the way back past the firewall. That successfully reduced the cockpit heat.
My A/C could not cool the car while cruising in our Houston heat, it would cool OK when stopped or slow driving, but over 2000 RPM it generated too much heat straight into the cockpit. By wrapping past the firewall to get the radiant heat past the cockpit, it is now quite comfortable.
I had bought insulation to put under my new carpet, before I wrapped the exhaust. If I would have wrapped before buying the insulation, I would not have used the insulation, but since I had it I did install under my carpet 3-4 months after the wrap. Now even in 100 days the Avanti is cool and I have to set the A/C back a bit.
The exhaust wrap (past the fire wall) is the best $40 that I have spent in many years
Joe
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Gunslinger at what MPH does your 700R4 shift from 1st to 2nd?
I have a 700R4 mated to my 400SBC and it shifts at about 10 MPH. I think you will find the stall speed on the torque converter effects the first shift. As Gunny and others have said the first is a firm shift, but not worrisome. General street driving is comfortable, it does not down shift into 1st, only when brought to full stop.
When I have it out tomorrow, I will try to catch the MPH and RPM's on the first shift.
Joe
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Joe,
I reread your post, if you are considering the white Avanti parked on 249 south of Tomball, I live just 3 miles south and can easily go with you.
Joe
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Joe,
I live NW Houston and have an Avanti. We have a Houston Avanti group http://www.thirdcoastavanti.com/.
I sent you a private message but call 713 480 7587 or text.
There is an Avanti just south of Tomball on 249 just sitting with two other cars. I stopped and looked last night, I think it is a 83 ??, white appears clean, interior good. It was Sunday evening and no name or number on cars.
We would be happy to advise and help you find an Avanti, this one or another.
Joe
It had a Dec 2014 California plate
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Thanks Joe:....I guess then thats what ill do.....when the time comes...on my other hot rod i have one and it works exactly as you describe..it very seldom see highway speed ....with a toggle switch ...but i have to remember to un-toggle it at lights...i will need to wire this one automatic ...THANKS...RQB3263
Bill, these little vacuum switch work good, when accelerate pin retracts (no lock up), at cruise lock-up. $30 here you go
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tci-cmp3766b/overview/
Joe
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Bill,
You want the lock-up. It is a simple solenoid activated pin that is internal to the 700R4. I would guess virtually all 700R4s have or had them. The torque converters have a hole/slot that accepts the pin. It would not add $50 vs. not having it, very common.
The advantages is if you are cruising, the lock-up in effect creates a mechanical drive vs. the slush pump only. The rpms decrease 200-300 and the tranny runs cooler because there is no fluid molecular compressibility. I have no controller on mine, just a simple toggle to power the 12V to the solenoid when at cruise. I have several friends that run them with no vacuum or speed switch, just hot wired all the time.
Joe
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Devildog, you are on the mark about the plastic speedo gears. The trans shop guy said they had the right gear in my 200R4 trans, but the speedo reads about 8 mph fast. If I'm doing road trips, I usually have the GPS in the car and on so I keep track of the speed that way. Its much better and easier on the wallet to have it reading fast instead of it being off the other way.
Just to be clear for others, there are TWO plastic speedo gears. ONE on the tranny shaft in 700R4 tail which can only be replaced with the tranny out of the car. The SECOND is on the tip of the speedo cable which can be easily changed to another gear ratio plastic gear.
However, the cable tip plastic gear choices will only work in a range of 2-3 tip gears for any installed internal shaft gear. There are website that have these gears and the matrix to match to any differential ratio....3:08, 3:36, 3:55 etc.
Joe
vapor lock?
in 1984-91 Avanti
Posted
Pat,
Jim is on target (as usual), the vapor problem is usually a 'hot start' situation not a sputter on a running engine as you described. Tell your son in Dallas to get on our Avanti group list www.thirdcoastavanti.com
Joe