Steering column firewall seal

[Zedman]

This is what my '81 Avanti II's steering column lower end looks like where it comes into the engine bay.  Is there a seal or collar something to go here?

Might somebody show me a picture of what it ought to look like perhaps?   There's an engine bay repaint coming up and the body will be going back on its Chassis soon, so I'd like to get this sorted out whilst I've still got plenty of easy access.  

Is it available from Studebaker International by chance?

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[WayneC]

I am no expert, especially on 80's Avanti's, but it appears someone cut away part of the firewall where the (later model probably GM adjustable) steering column goes through, then closed up the hole by adding some sort of plate on the inside of the firewall (possibly part of the more modern column). Is the area inside the firewall around the shaft solid to the touch? Wouldn't surprise me if that was done by the Avanti II factory back in '80. Hopefully someone with an '80 can look at their car to see if theirs looks like that (I once had an '80 but sold it about 10 years ago). 

Wouldn't be too difficult to fashion a plate to cover the "hole" in the fiberglass if it bothers you.

The parts manual for the original 63/64 Avanti's calls for a seal 1350435 and a gasket 1350434 in that area. Studebakerparts.com carries both at $4 each, but neither would cover that large opening. You might try contactng Nostalgic Motor Cars to see if they have any further information.

[Zedman]

5 hours ago, WayneC said:

I am no expert, especially on 80's Avanti's, but it appears someone cut away part of the firewall where the (later model probably GM adjustable) steering column goes through, then closed up the hole by adding some sort of plate on the inside of the firewall (possibly part of the more modern column). Is the area inside the firewall around the shaft solid to the touch? Wouldn't surprise me if that was done by the Avanti II factory back in '80. Hopefully someone with an '80 can look at their car to see if theirs looks like that (I once had an '80 but sold it about 10 years ago). 

Wouldn't be too difficult to fashion a plate to cover the "hole" in the fiberglass if it bothers you.

The parts manual for the original 63/64 Avanti's calls for a seal 1350435 and a gasket 1350434 in that area. Studebakerparts.com carries both at $4 each, but neither would cover that large opening. You might try contactng Nostalgic Motor Cars to see if they have any further information.

Wayne- Thanks for coming in on this topic.  It is my belief that this car has come to me 'as is as was' from the factory- it has an original 67000miles on the clock.  I will have a better look at it from the inside when I'm there again  (its 75 miles away). It does have a tilt adjustable collumn.   Meanwhile I'd dearly like a few more members to chime in with any other details.  I sent an e mail to Dan Booth on another subject a month ago but never received a reply- I wondered if I had the right address.