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?

.

[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.

[ronmanfredi]

On 3/11/2025 at 3:53 PM, 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.

My 82 model looks just like that except the hole area was packed with dumdum (3m strip caulk).  When I replaced the rag joint, and pulled the steering column loose from the firewall, all the old dumdum just fell off.  It ended up looking like yours, so after I reinstalled the column, I bought some strip caulk and resealed the column.  There are a few other firewall holes that they used dumdum on, plus the rear panel behind the back seat is sealed with that also.

[Zedman]

On 3/14/2025 at 12:45 AM, ronmanfredi said:

My 82 model looks just like that except the hole area was packed with dumdum (3m strip caulk).  When I replaced the rag joint, and pulled the steering column loose from the firewall, all the old dumdum just fell off.  It ended up looking like yours, so after I reinstalled the column, I bought some strip caulk and resealed the column.  There are a few other firewall holes that they used dumdum on, plus the rear panel behind the back seat is sealed with that also.

Thanks for that, Ronmanfredi- I thought that stuff looked like melted bituminous muck.   Ok, That appears to answer my query. Having to submit to a roadworthy inspection when the car gets finished, I can probably assume that a handful of semi-solid sealant will go down badly.  I'm leaning toward using a modified flue seal plumbing fitting here or maybe something made up from a bit of Dynamat heat insulation. (going to apply this to the Transmission Tunnel while I still have the Body off the Chassis) Just an idea at present but I will see how I go with it.  Thanks for the information- it is a big help 🙃 (Aussie smiley).

Edited March 15 by Zedman

[Mel]

An idea for you Zedman:  If your interior is apart, when you put it back together, you might want to put in some heat insulation.  I bought some adhesive backed insulation and put it under all the carpeting, seat bottoms, back panel, etc.  Seemed to help keep the temperature down inside.  Good luck.

[Zedman]

Thanks Mel- yes that is the plan... looking at something called Dynamat over here.  I will be placing this stuff underneath the floor in the Transmission Tunnel and inside the shifter box to ward off heat from the engine and trans. Of course I will be doubling that up with something similar on the inside as well.  An owner I know over here owns an all black Avanti R2 and absolutely swelters in our summers.

[1963r2]

Steve, have a look at a HQ steering cover plate, they have a similar set up but I think its slightly larger than the Avanti one. It might cover the hole with some adjustment.

Peter

[Zedman]

thanks Peter- I will do that, thanks for the idea.

[SteveG]

Use this stuff...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X9X7JWP?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

[Guy]

Just a thought, it wouldnt be hard to repair the cut out with fiberglass. I would lay up several layers of glass on a flat surface, flat card stock coated in wax or packing tape. You can then cut out shape to fit and glass the piece in place, I have used this technique extensively on both my avantis. The photo shows where I used this technique to repair area where ft bumper mount goes thru body. Some idiot felt the need to cut it up in order to replace A/C hoses.