RBQ 2434 Rebuild of ‘Make It’

[Avanti83]

54 minutes ago, pantera928 said:

Well, it is for some things. Thanks.

But that link still doesn't tell me if it was truly beneficial. Also, I have seen others in pictures that look like a lot better fit.

I would like to know what year cars those came on so I can search the next time i am in a junk yard

Saturn GM OEM 95-02 Sc2 Radiator Support-air Deflector 21031161

[pantera928]

1 hour ago, Avanti83 said:

Saturn GM OEM 95-02 Sc2 Radiator Support-air Deflector 21031161

So is it helpful to make the car run cooler or just decoration?

[Gunslinger]

Yes…those air deflectors do help.  They do it a couple of ways…they direct additional cooling air up into the radiator area with a side benefit of reducing air turbulence under the car that otherwise would be aerodynamic drag rather than cooling.  
 

I installed one on the ‘70 Avanti I had and noticed an immediate 10-15 degree reduction in engine temperature at speed.  When idling or low speed it was little to no help.  The deflectors need speed to be functional.

[pantera928]

20 hours ago, Gunslinger said:

Yes…those air deflectors do help.  They do it a couple of ways…they direct additional cooling air up into the radiator area with a side benefit of reducing air turbulence under the car that otherwise would be aerodynamic drag rather than cooling.  
 

I installed one on the ‘70 Avanti I had and noticed an immediate 10-15 degree reduction in engine temperature at speed.  When idling or low speed it was little to no help.  The deflectors need speed to be functional.

Thank you. Mine runs around 190 even with a 160 thermostat when cruising on the highway. Maybe this will help with that.

I have seen some that look and fit better than others in pictures. Is the one referenced above the one you used?

 

Thanks Again

[Gunslinger]

Not sure…there are two different Saturn air deflectors that fit.  I used the larger of the two.  

[Gill]

A Question…. the blastman is coming Friday to do the frame, exterior & interior of the body….  Rust inhibitor goes on the frame immediately afterwards…. I'm using Esatwood’s Platinum Encapsulator after cleaning it w/ After-Blast Metal Prep.
 Is the something that I should do to the exterior and interior???  
Fibreglast 1041 seems to be something to add to the interior floor & roof to ‘toughen it’ any thoughts…

I am/was planning to paint the inside of the firewall & dash area to give it a freshened look…. I’ll do the same to the rest do the interior but then thought there might be something that could ‘toughen it’…. Yes sound/heat proofing materials will go in the interior & underneath it…

Thanks for you input & encouragement…

[Avanti83]

23 minutes ago, Gill said:

A Question…. the blastman is coming Friday to do the frame, exterior & interior of the body….  Rust inhibitor goes on the frame immediately afterwards…. I'm using Esatwood’s Platinum Encapsulator after cleaning it w/ After-Blast Metal Prep.
 Is the something that I should do to the exterior and interior???  
Fibreglast 1041 seems to be something to add to the interior floor & roof to ‘toughen it’ any thoughts…

I am/was planning to paint the inside of the firewall & dash area to give it a freshened look…. I’ll do the same to the rest do the interior but then thought there might be something that could ‘toughen it’…. Yes sound/heat proofing materials will go in the interior & underneath it…

Thanks for you input & encouragement…

Look the body over carefully after blasting and locate the cracks and other issues. Repair what you need to address and primer the body. If you prime it immediately you may overlook some issues and they won't repair themselves.

[tanda62]

Have you looked at this product for heat and sound insulation? Lizardskin.com

I am considering using it on mine. BTW what media are you using to blast the body?

Thanks, Tom

[Desert Driver]

14 hours ago, tanda62 said:

Have you looked at this product for heat and sound insulation? Lizardskin.com

 

 

Excellent stuff to use if everything is out of the vehicle. Looks like your car is a good candidate. Just be sure to do all inside body repairs prior to using it.

[Gill]

No I hadn’t herd of it but will look it over….  Thank You!!!
 

[Gill]

Tanda62 & Desert Driver…. Thank you for the Lizzard Skin suggestion!!!  I believe that I will use it on the inside & underneath the body…. I like what I’ve seen about it on uTube…

Tanda62 - my blastman used glassgrit 40-70 on the frame & natrium 260 on the body.

[Gill]

Soooo….. the frame has been blasted & 2/3s of the exterior…. Some surprises….   2 small, 1 large crack & a bad weld on the frame….  2 holes in the body so far…. A lot of bondo on the rear quarters & hood…. Expected repaired right front fender…. Pictures attached…. Weather & schedule seems to be pushing the remainder of blasting to next Friday…. Painting the frame later today..

 

I’m happy w/ the frame & the bottom of the body…

[tanda62]

Gill, thanks for the update and the information on the blast material. Good luck with the repairs!

Tom

[Avanti83]

7 hours ago, Gill said:

Soooo….. the frame has been blasted & 2/3s of the exterior…. Some surprises….   2 small, 1 large crack & a bad weld on the frame….  2 holes in the body so far…. A lot of bondo on the rear quarters & hood…. Expected repaired right front fender…. Pictures attached…. Weather & schedule seems to be pushing the remainder of blasting to next Friday…. Painting the frame later today..

 

I’m happy w/ the frame & the bottom of the body…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks a lot like my body and frame did when I cleaned them up although yours is a bit more damaged around the front crossmember and mine was more rusty in the rear of the frame and rear crossmember. Keep at it, you'll have a great ride.

Enjoying the pictures please keep posting.

[Gill]

Frame painted, body blasted inside & out…. Blown Away Dustless Blasting, Mechanicsville, MD did a wonderful job.  Found one more hole on the left front….  Now comes the rebuilding….

[tanda62]

Looks good Gill. Now comes the fun part!

[wildfelr]

RQB3263/81...... WHAT size tires are you running on your mustang wheels ?? keep up the good work and keep the pics coming ....BILL

[Gill]

Wildfire - I running Continental Extreme Contact  DWS 205/55ZR16s on the front & 225/55ZR16s on the rear.

[Gill]

Can someone tell me what type rear axles I hav e based on this picture???

[Gill]

Thank you Turner Brakes for confirming that these are flanged axles.

 

[Gill]

2 questions....   everything I've seen says that the rear drums are 10 in....  Mine say 11....  do I have different drums than the rest of you???

#2  the underside of my frame rails are covered...  ie: I have a boxed frame....  Is that standard for a 76 Avanti???

 

[Zedman]

Studebaker Chassis rails have a plate welded to the bottom of the 'hat section' from front to rear. In that regard they are indeed 'boxed' and this is the norm. The rear Brake Drums are in fact 11" dia and this is also standard for these Avantis.   I noticed the crappy welds (in Australia this is known as "cocky cack" 😁)executed at the area where the Engine mounts bolt up. It appears that  somebody just welded the packing shims in place and it probably doesn't mean it's cracked there.... but I wonder what's underneath? 🤔

Edited April 25, 2023 by Zedman