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kellyavanti

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Posts posted by kellyavanti

  2. replacement brake booster?

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    3 hours ago, EnduroDriver said:

    Just did this on my 63 (front disc / rear 11" drum) using the kit from Avanti Parts and Restorations, Inc. using a refreshed factory booster as well. Actually the failed booster was the real reason I did this project and just decided now was the time to upgrade the master while I was there. The single circuit master cylinder definitely represents a safety shortcoming of any car of that era. The kit installed pretty easy, the factory lines you'll be connecting to as well as the new lines in the kit will take some tweaking but in general it's no more than a half-day project. 

    Couple tips from my experience:

    1) 3/16 tube bending pliers will be easier to work with in the chassis than a regular tubing bender. I have a Lisle 44150, less than $25

    2) Buy a new brake light pressure switch if yours in mounted on the master, I'm told some are on the pedal, couldn't get mine out of the old master but was lucky enough to have a spare. Don't turn this into a week long project just to save a couple bucks on the sensor.

    3) As with any new master cylinder doing a bench bleed will make everything go smoother.   

    http://avantiparts.biz/dual-master-cylinder-conversion-kit/

     

    Good luck, glad your getting back in the saddle.

     

    Thanks for the references. Looks like a treasure trove of Avanti stuff. And thanks for the tool recommendation, typical tubing benders in frustrating in tight spots.

  3. replacement brake booster?

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    After taking about a year and a half to recover from open heart surgery, getting my new bovine aortic valve, I'm finally feeling like I can do a bit of work on R-1880, my '63 avanti. First item up is my ailing brake system. Wondering what you all think about aftermarket boosters and dual master cylinders. I don't like driving with a single master cylinder (esp. in crazy SoCal traffic). I'm just wondering what you all have done. Thanks in advance

    vivo.jpg

  4. power Brake issue.

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    my '63 Avanti (R-1880) has developed a brake issue. It stops fine, with plenty of power assist. When sitting at a stop, just applying enough pedal pressure to hold the car, I hear a vacuum leak, and it's big enough that it makes the car miss. Push the pedal harder and it stops running rough. New booster time? I've checked the hoses for leaks... Thanks for input.

    Kelly

  6. battery for '63 R-1 Avanti

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    I have another dead group 3EE battery in the Avanti. It is literally a tractor battery from Tractor Supply. Second one. They last less than a year. Anybody have a better idea? There is no drain (at least if there is, I can't detect it) They just go dead after it sits a while. Was wondering about an Optima gel battery, but can't find out if they have this size. This is the long skinny battery. The Interstate battery guy said theirs had about the same rating which is around 400 CCA. There must be something better...

    Thanks, Kelly

  7. avanti II seat parts?

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Thanks for the suggestions. I already have an email out to Recaro. After market seats I have found up to now just don't impress me. Those Recaros are insanely comfortable. I have a bad back and drove that car 12 hours straight through from Albuquerque to Palm Springs and felt great. The seat foam is in excellent condition and as it is very high quality latex foam, I think it will be fine. Finding replacement foam of equal quality is nearly impossible. I just did that on a 63 Valiant v-200 hdtp. it cost over $300 and still wasn't as good as the original latex had been.

    Maybe you recommend some aftermarket makers I'm not aware of. I appreciate the advice!

    Kelly

  8. avanti II seat parts?

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    63R-1880 has had the seats replaced. I think they are out of a mid-70s Avanti II. They are the high back Recaros. They have been reupholstered, but the fabric has rotted (it's from the desert). The passenger seatback was really leaned back. I decided to reupholster them before the foam rots, and when I took that cover off, discovered the fiberglass seat base, which holds the foam and material is badly broken (I suspect) from people leaning back against it. It has been repaired badly, with metal plates (the kind you would use for house rafters!)

    I have repaired fiberglass but this repair would take lots of stress, and I would worry about having to take apart a freshly upholstered seat to deal with a failure.

    Anyway... I wondered if anyone might have a source for one of these bases. I don't care about the whole seat, though I would be willing to buy one (or a pair). I really just need the fiberglass base "bucket". I'm hoping someone on here might part out Avantis...

    Thanks for any help, Kelly

  12. Good how-to book on painting a fiberglass car?

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    My '63 R-1 is in dire need of paint, and I'm going to do it myself. It's already far from original, and just doesn't need a museum quality paint job.

    I've painted a few cars, and they have all turned out pretty well, but I have never painted a 'glass car. Just wondered if anyone could recommend a good book on the subject.

    Thanks in advance, Kelly

  14. valve cover part number?

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    I was just wondering if anyone had a good part number for R-1 289 valve cover gaskets. I'd like the neoprene, but I'd settle for the cork/rubber combo... I had all my favorite numbers ripped off all the boxes and stapled to my garage wall. When I moved, the box they got put into had disappeared... arghhhh.

  15. Exhaust smell at cruising speed.

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Had new exhausts installed after inspecting everything else. The Smell is gone, and the 30 inch glasspacks sound spectacular! They cruise quietly, and talk when you want them to. I've had a fantasy about owning one of these cars for 48 years, since I was transfixed by the commercial on Tv when I was two. I have to say, even with this fairly rough driver-quality Avanti, the reality is better than the fantasy! Love this beast!

  21. Exhaust smell fixed. on to the next question.

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    My trusty muffler guy found and fixed my 2 small exhaust leaks today, so the car doesn't get fumes inside any more. In the process, I saw that the pipe was pretty rotten. As soon as he gets some pipe in, we're going to redo the whole thing. So, I have some questions. What mufflers? The PO installed some turbo mufflers. The size is small, and the sound is...okay. Not too loud, but not much character either. I love the wet sound of glasspacks, but will they be too loud? Remember at 70 mph, I'm taching about 3400 rpms. If I want to use them, is there a length that will fit and still be sort of quiet. anybody have any favorite brands?

    Thanks for input, Kelly

  24. Exhaust smell at cruising speed.

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Thanks, Jack. Have checked most of those things, but in Roswell, NM, good luck finding a chassis dyno. (or an emissions probe, no less). I've replaced the pedal boots and checked for holes, replaced grommets and plugs, etc.The PO installed an Edelbrock 600. I really think a 500 would be more suited, but it does run great, so changing carbs seems a bit down the list. Was mostly wondering if getting the exhaust tips more into the slipstream would help.

  25. Exhaust smell at cruising speed.

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    I'm getting a strong smell of exhaust at cruising speed in my '63 Avanti, when the windows are open. The exhaust tips seem pretty low (they occasionally scrape when pulling through a curb cut) and I was wondering if a low pressure area under the car might be sucking the exhaust into the car? Maybe someone has a fix? I am considering turning the pipes up at the rear so they will exit just under the bumper.

    Thanks for input, Kelly

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