[Thinking something is funny about my engine...]

I bought my R1 with a newly rebuilt engine, and it runs darn fine. But I am suspicious the shop didn't rebuild it as an Avanti engine, or they actually installed a non-Avanti 289.

It burns regular with no trouble. It has way less power than my last Avanti R1. It has a single points distributor.

Is there a way to ID the engine? Maybe it's some Lark or base engine. Or, if it is the original Avanti engine maybe they rebuilt it to base specs.

Thoughts?

[Drop in replacement tranny?]

Thanks. That's what I thought but I decided to check. So that's more work than I want to get into, so how about just spreading out the gears in my BW?

The gearing is so narrow right now there is almost no difference between 2nd & 3rd, and of course I am winding up revving 4000 at freeway speeds. Can I chage the meats or cluster in the BW to open things up a bit?

[Drop in replacement tranny?]

Is there a drop-in five or six speed manual transmision that I can install in place of my stock four speed BW? Better yet, one I can get on the used or scrap market!

[I can't find this part]

Good lead J - thanks!

[I can't find this part]

I'm looking for the trim around the radio, the one that serves as a mask for the radio, very fragile piece. Any suggestions where I might find one?

Thanks!

[Tire Pressure]

I am running P215 75R/15 tires, 41 psi type somewhat fat radials.

What is everybody running for tire pressure front and rear? Particularly if you are running these higher pressure 41 pound type instead of the 32 psi style.

[Radio model]

What is the model for the standard AM radio? I see several on eBay. Looking for one if anybody has one, doesn't have to work as it is only for cosmetic purposes.

[289 Vs 289]

What is different about the Avanti 289 that gives it 240 hp over the standard 63 Studebaker 289? Are there specs somewhere on the non-Avanti engine so I can compare to what is in my Avanti manual?

[Radio choices]

The USA 630 is now running about $300 including shipping.

[Radio choices]

What modern radios are you using in place of the original? Have you cut things to accept a DIN or found a classic reproduction?

[MPG - What Do You Get?]

So what kind of fuel performance are you getting in your 289? City Vs Highway. What is your configuration from stock to various modifications and how did they change your MPG?

[Electric cooling fan]

I use the two-speed electric fan from the Dodge Viper on my Hawk and my C-cab pickup. Since it cools 500hp in a smaller space, it will cool anything Studebaker. I'll have to measure the Avanti, but I think the Viper fan will probably fit. If it will, I've got a new-in-box unit on the shelf I'd sell at my cost.

jack vines

I'd certainly be interested, please let me know how the measurement checks out.

[Electric cooling fan]

I don't mind a change under the hood, but the exterior I keep stock. The scoop would be nice, but...

Does your fan made much noise?

[Electric cooling fan]

I sure would like to get that big orange five bladed monster off the front of my water pump, but the Avanti needs all the cooling it can get. Has anybody had luck with an electric cooling fan? I haven't tried one in years and they used to be feeble, but I see them on a lot of cars now and I think they are much improved. Still it would have to be as good or better than the stock fan. I have AC so I suspect mine would mount on the rear and pull air through.

[Electronic ignition]

Well, I took it as given that I had the original distributor because the oil spout is there. But I pulled and the cap and found ... one set of points! Likely somewhere in history the breaker plate was changed. Problem is who knows what the dwell should be now?

But that isn't an issue because now I can put on a generic Pertronix without concern, and back it up with an MSD spark unit.

[Electronic ignition]

Would like to get improved ignition. Pertronix doesn't seem to have any application, nor MSD (which is a surprise). I know some people have installed an older Mopar ignition.

What does anyone know about this, do you have the spec on the Mopar, what car it comes from? Any other application that might work? Thanks

[Intake manifold and carb]

Thank you for that very informative response.

Edelbrock makes carbs in the 750 CFM and much higher range so I am assuming you believe that the little bores of the 289 just can't inhale enough to make it any benefit going over 500cfm? Wasted air that would be leaned out? Do you know how many cfm the stock carb is?

Another consideration is the amount of air surface available for collection if I maintain the stock cover. Using a new base plate with proper diameter for the new carb and using the stock cover - which I would like to do - may not increase the surface area of the filter and may not allow the 500cfm carb to breath well enough. Thoughts?

Thanks again.

[Intake manifold and carb]

Edlebrock maybe for an R-1? Are there any improved performance intakes or carbs for the stock 289?

[Header question]

Stock R-1, with the quiet mufflers.

Seems many people believe there is no improvement to be gained by moving to tube headers - is this the consensus?

And if so is there anything to be gained by opening up the back pressure a bit by removing the quiet muffs and going with a large diameter custom exhaust? Yes it will make more noise, but I am looking for better performance.

Thanks!