Automatic to 4 or 5 speed conversion in a 63Avanti

[rhusak]

Hi all.. I have a 63 Avanti that does ok..The powershift does ok but .. well it isn't what I want. I have always lusted for a R@ (Which I have) and a 4 speed. Drove many at my dads dealership back in the day.Theyare really like 2 different cars. Does anyone know of a vendor who sells a complete kit or perhaps does it? My motor and all id fresh as Jim Maxey overhauled it before i bought it. Also has ERB go through the supercharger andThe carb gone through... Also.. How hard was it for you folks who have done it to gather all the parts...

Just in thinking stages so far but really leaning that way.. Thanks in advance..  Ron Husak 63 R2

[Guy]

Talk to Michael at Meyers Studebaker he has a 6 speed in his.

[mfg]

If Myers can’t help, contact Dave Thibeault  at Studebaker Parts & Services… He can provide every last nut & bolt for the  transmission conversion you desire.

[63stick]

If your car is nice and original/ stock, Why butcher it. Look for an abortion to beat. Only so many original cars out there. Just sayin 

[mfg]

On 3/5/2025 at 4:04 AM, rhusak said:

Hi all.. I have a 63 Avanti that does ok..The powershift does ok but .. well it isn't what I want. I have always lusted for a R@ (Which I have) and a 4 speed. Drove many at my dads dealership back in the day.Theyare really like 2 different cars. Does anyone know of a vendor who sells a complete kit or perhaps does it? My motor and all id fresh as Jim Maxey overhauled it before i bought it. Also has ERB go through the supercharger andThe carb gone through... Also.. How hard was it for you folks who have done it to gather all the parts...

Just in thinking stages so far but really leaning that way.. Thanks in advance..  Ron Husak 63 R2

One sort of pain in the neck thing that has to be done is removing engine oil pan, oil pump, and rear main bearing cap & rear seal in order to swap the short torque converter mounting bolts for the longer stick shift flywheel mounting bolts… a MUST DO!…..

Also…I think it’s much easier to remove the engine/transmission as a unit, and do most of the conversion work in the open, as opposed to working under the car…. Good luck!..Ed

[64Avanti]

18 hours ago, 63stick said:

If your car is nice and original/ stock, Why butcher it. Look for an abortion to beat. Only so many original cars out there. Just sayin 

As long as the change doesn't really show, like a transmission wouldn't, I think changing the transmission is fine.  I would rather a transmission change than an engine change in an Avanti.  I must confess that I did change an engine in a 63 Hawk when I was in school.  I still have it but will change it back to a Studebaker engine (modified).

[63stick]

I don't know, but does an auto have the clutch linkage frame mount already on the frame.

[64studeavanti]

Yes, I have a 63, and a 64 automatic. They have the same frame mount as my 64 4spd.

[63stick]

what attaches to the frame bracket on the auto trans version

[mfg]

11 hours ago, 63stick said:

I don't know, but does an auto have the clutch linkage frame mount already on the frame.

Yes… All Stude Avanti frames have that.

[63stick]

How considerate of them

[64studeavanti]

11 hours ago, 63stick said:

what attaches to the frame bracket on the auto trans version

Nothing

[mfg]

4 hours ago, 63stick said:

How considerate of them

Made production easier.

[Skip Lackie]

Pretty sure the basic design is the same as they used on the 65-66 Lark-types with the Chevy 283.  Many of the parts might still be available.  Chevy used that system on many of their 60s-70s vehicles. It has a Z-bar that mounts to a bushing that is bolted to the side of the block.  I have a 78 El Camino with the same system.  Only the Z-bar itself is different on most cars.

I can take a picture of the clutch linkage illustration in the 65-66 parts book if that would help.  I might be able to get a decent picture of the linkage on my 74 Avanti, but not till next weekend.

[mfg]

2 hours ago, Skip Lackie said:

Pretty sure the basic design is the same as they used on the 65-66 Lark-types with the Chevy 283.  Many of the parts might still be available.  Chevy used that system on many of their 60s-70s vehicles. It has a Z-bar that mounts to a bushing that is bolted to the side of the block.  I have a 78 El Camino with the same system.  Only the Z-bar itself is different on most cars.

I can take a picture of the clutch linkage illustration in the 65-66 parts book if that would help.  I might be able to get a decent picture of the linkage on my 74 Avanti, but not till next weekend.

Skip … I think you meant to put this info into ‘65-‘83 Avanti section… SBC into ‘63 Avanti.

[Guy]

Thank you Mfg.