Replacement Parts

[KenH]

I have a late model 1982 Avanti II. I am looking for replacement parts as follows.

AC compressor. Mine has leaking seals. The engine is a 305 V8 4 barrel. I believe it was from a 1982 Monte Carlo. Can anyone confirm? Provide any repalacement tips? The AC system has been converted to use the newer refrigerant.

Replacement Reservoir for the radiator expansion.

Replacement or repair procedure for the windshield washer fluid reservoir. In an issue of Avanti a few years ago someone printed a repair method for this. Can anyone steer me to the issue or provide a source?

Repair of tachometer. I have the one that Blake installed in the model he made after 1982 which were by Stewart Warner.

Replacement brake cylinder info.

Any new information on replacement radio not listed in this forum.

[Gunslinger]

On the a/c compressor, it depends on what make compressor your car has. It could be a GM A-6 compressor, which is the very heavy and long unit, the GM R-4 radial compressor, or possibly something different yet. I would suspect it's one of the GM units. If so, you should be able to buy a rebuilt replacement at many auto supply stores like NAPA, Pep Boys, Advance Auto, Auto Zone or a GM dealership. Also be advised once you open your system up the receiver/dryer needs to be replaced. Even if your car might have one of the old York compressors, they're available as well.

I'm not familiar what expansion tank an '82 uses for the cooling system. Does it have the modified Stude tank or the plastic tank mounted in the corner by the hood hinge? If it's the plastic type, there are universal tanks on the market that will fit.

I'm also not familiar with what washer fluid reservoir an '82 uses...the vinyl bag that hangs on the right inside fender apron or the plastic one mounted on the cowl behind the brake booster? The vinyl bags are available from Studebaker International...they're also interchangeable with some Ford and American Motors cars of the '60s. The plastic tank...don't know a replacement source but if it's cracked, there should be some repair stuff on the market. Try J-B Weld you can buy in Wal Mart or similar stores. You might also check with Eastwood...they have many products for automotive repair and may have just what you need.

Repair of tach...contact Stewart Warner for advice. Also check the AOAI magazine. There are vendors advertising in there that repair gauges. It may not be the gauge itself...it could be the sending unit if it has a separate sending unit like in earlier Avanti's.

Replacement brake cylinder...contact Jon Myer's Studebaker, Dan Booth at Nostalgic Motors or Studebaker International. Any of them should be able to fix you up.

Replacement radio...that car is sooo obsolete for radios that fit. Custom Autosound makes a drop-in radio with cassette, but I've heard little good about the quality of them. Your options are somewhat limited for a modern radio. There are rebuilders out there as well as specialists who can convert your radio from AM/FM to stereo, etc. A web search should find some of them. Otherwise you'll have to modify your dash opening to receive a modern slide-in stereo/CD player. That would include removing the dash. While my car was being rebuilt, I had the dash out anyway so that's when I had mine done. There are also those who have installed a drop-in type radio wired to a remote CD changer in the glove box or trunk.

[MikeValent]

Your 82 should have the same molded plastic ww reservoir that my 83 has. Nostalgic Motors sells a replacement. I can't remember if I had to get under the dash to reach the hold-down screws for it. At any rate, I installed it without difficulty.

I think SI sells a "direct replacement" AM-FM-Cassette "Avanti" labeled radio. It's pretty pricey though. If you do replace your radio with a modern one, it is not necessary to take the dash off to cut the hole to fit.

My a/c compressor is the big, long thing so yours probably is the A6 unit. (fortunately, mine works okay if not great) I've had no problems with my tach, brake cylinder or overflow tank, so can't be of any help there. Good luck!

[KenH]

Thanks guys for the info. The radiator reservoir is the plastic cube mounted behind the right headlight. The A/C compressor looks like the long heavy one A,-6. The mechanic thoughtfully stuck the label indicating that it had been converted right over the compressor label. The washer reservoir is the plastic tank on the left just in front of the driver.

[Gunslinger]

MikeValent is correct...Nostalgic Motors has the washer reservoir you need. They also have the coolant tank as well, though you can probably find an identical unit at Pep Boys, Auto Zone, NAPA as well.

The a/c compressor should be easily sourced from most auto supply stores. They may require your old compressor in trade. You'll need to add a new receiver/dryer as well...it standard procedure anytime you open up your a/c system.

[JavierB]

On 12/10/2007 at 5:06 PM, Gunslinger said:

MikeValent is correct...Nostalgic Motors has the washer reservoir you need. They also have the coolant tank as well, though you can probably find an identical unit at Pep Boys, Auto Zone, NAPA as well.

The a/c compressor should be easily sourced from most auto supply stores. They may require your old compressor in trade. You'll need to add a new receiver/dryer as well...it standard procedure anytime you open up your a/c system.

Hi Gunslinger.  Came across your post because my 81 has a leak in the wiper fluid reservoir and I was looking at removing it to see if it can be fixed, but don't see how it is attached.  Are you familiar with what holds it down and how to access that?  I hesitate to just pull until i know better.  are there clips or anything to undo and where?  any advice welcome.  Even if i have to replace it with the nostalgic part, i still have to get it off 🙂

 

[Gunslinger]

It's been a long time since I looked under the hood of an Avanti (sold all mine a couple of years ago)...but I would look and see if the reservoir sits in a saddle or bracket.  If it doesn't, then I would use a flashlight and look up under the dash and see if there's a nylon bolt sticking through and held down with a nylon nut or something similar.  There could be a nylon stud molded into the reservoir.

The best advice I can give is to call Dan Booth at Nostalgic Motors and ask him...he would know for sure and likely have a replacement.

[JavierB]

On 7/31/2021 at 4:09 PM, Gunslinger said:

It's been a long time since I looked under the hood of an Avanti (sold all mine a couple of years ago)...but I would look and see if the reservoir sits in a saddle or bracket.  If it doesn't, then I would use a flashlight and look up under the dash and see if there's a nylon bolt sticking through and held down with a nylon nut or something similar.  There could be a nylon stud molded into the reservoir.

The best advice I can give is to call Dan Booth at Nostalgic Motors and ask him...he would know for sure and likely have a replacement.

Yes, I found two bolts under the dash.  One is  relatively easy, near the fuse box, but the other one is a bitch, sitting over the steering column.  Got it out, but heaven knows how I get it back in without magic.

 

[Jim78]

15 hours ago, JavierB said:

Yes, I found two bolts under the dash.  One is  relatively easy, near the fuse box, but the other one is a bitch, sitting over the steering column.  Got it out, but heaven knows how I get it back in without magic.

3M VHB (Very High Bond) tape would hold the reservoir in place without the nut(s).