Stuart Suede Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 I have a question. My 1963 (Serial Number R4581) is an R1 with automatic and A/C. Last weekend, I drove from L.A. to Palm Springs and back - both with the A/C on (which was working correctly, cycling on and off). Even so, the interior was just comfortable. I could not believe how much heat was coming from the automatic shift lever. Is this normal operation? Has anyone figured out how to make it so the heat transfer from the transmission does not transfer to the passenger compartment? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunslinger Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 That's pretty much normal for a '63. Beginning with the '64 model year Studebaker made some changes...they added an additional vent in the cowl with an inlet directing cooling air to that area to address the issue. Even then the result was only partly successful. Studebaker even designed a transparent cover for the quadrant to act as an insulator but I don't know if anyone has ever actually seen one of those installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studegary Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 Studebaker Service Letter F-1964-6 is for the Console Cooling Kit. The problem for you is that this kit is only for Avantis without A/C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 5 hours ago, studegary said: Studebaker Service Letter F-1964-6 is for the Console Cooling Kit. The problem for you is that this kit is only for Avantis without A/C. That's true,....the console cooling kit cannot be used in A/C models due to the evaporator assy being in the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob caser Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 I will stand corrected if I am wrong , but I have a Avanti with factory air that has the cooling kit with the two hoses. Perhaps mine is just odd. ball (R5487) Bob Caser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studegary Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 1 hour ago, bob caser said: I will stand corrected if I am wrong , but I have a Avanti with factory air that has the cooling kit with the two hoses. Perhaps mine is just odd. ball (R5487) Bob Caser Your Avanti is late enough (1964 model assembled in October 1963) to have the later console cooling built into it. What I referred to is the retrofit kit for earlier/1963 Avantis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 I just replaced those cooling hoses on a 69 Avanti with AC. The original lacquered cloth hoses were totally rotted away. I use Washing machine drain hose, and the rubber end on it fits the factory fittings perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
63R1388 Posted October 30, 2019 Report Share Posted October 30, 2019 Sounds like a perfectly normal Avanti to me... I can barely touch the shifter on ‘ol #388 on a hot day here in northern califunny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Suede Posted November 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2019 Thank you all for your responses. This forum has helped me so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dynolou2 Posted November 1, 2019 Report Share Posted November 1, 2019 Is there any chance that your car has been fitted with the exhaust system with a crossover pipe toward the rear of the transmission? Just thinking it could be an extra source of heat. Lou Cote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
63R1388 Posted November 2, 2019 Report Share Posted November 2, 2019 21 hours ago, dynolou2 said: Is there any chance that your car has been fitted with the exhaust system with a crossover pipe toward the rear of the transmission? Just thinking it could be an extra source of heat. Lou Cote Not sure about Stuart’s car... but ‘ol #388 still has the original equipped dual exhaust system w/o the crossover pipe. With any luck I’ll get a call off to Silvertone someday when my wife isn’t lookin... 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverstude Posted November 2, 2019 Report Share Posted November 2, 2019 I'll guess R4581 has the fresh air intakes under the grille below the windshield. Look up under the dash and find them, then connect some type of automotive conduit hose, I think @ 1.5" to the flange and route it to the shift console. There's a "ram air" type effect at the base of the windshield and will force air into the conduit and through the shifter quadrant area.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studequest Posted March 30, 2020 Report Share Posted March 30, 2020 Stuart, mine gets hot as well... annoying! keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamrgh Posted March 30, 2020 Report Share Posted March 30, 2020 Yes, after even a short run with 63R3062 the interior shifter metal gets very hot, indeed. Part of the Avanti's charm...😁. Thahks for the info that the cooling kit doesn't work with early 63s with AC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad Posted March 31, 2020 Report Share Posted March 31, 2020 I have made retrofit cooling kits from hardware store plumbing supplies. Even on 63 Avantis with AC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studequest Posted March 31, 2020 Report Share Posted March 31, 2020 Brad are you selling the kits.. How do you install and how much are they? Keith Wahl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad Posted March 31, 2020 Report Share Posted March 31, 2020 I'll write something up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whlnut Posted April 2, 2020 Report Share Posted April 2, 2020 Others have noted lower temps after installing the Saturn air dam on the bottom of the radiator core support. Supposedly, the dam causes turbulence that helps cool the tunnel and underside of the floor, and increases air flow through the radiator. I plan to add one to my '63 if I can ever find one. What I am doing is insulating the tunnel and floor pan with DEI heat shield, which is made for use under the car. With that and insulation throughout the interior, it should be cooler and quieter inside, although I'm a few months away from driving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studequest Posted April 2, 2020 Report Share Posted April 2, 2020 WHLNUT-- I PUT IN THE AIR DAM AND I PUT DYNAMAT IN THE INTERIOR IT IS STILL HOT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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