Avanti engine block numbers

[ALPHA63]

I just recently purchase a 63 Avanti. I can not get any specific information on the vehicle as the previous owner is deceased....the Car came from Bedford OHIO, 63R1817...gold with a fawn interior...If anyone knows this vehicle or has information regarding it I would like to hear from you.

The specific issue right now is the engine... have an ODD number stamped on top.... Block number is 1554641 with a 3 above it.... but the real issue is the stamped number designating internal specs..... RH327.... which doesn't fit into any of the correct designations.... I am assuming that it was miss Stamped and should be R4327..... Has anyone ever encountered this, or something similar?

[61Lark]

It looks you have a later R1 in your car from another Avanti. The 64 engines used a date code instead of the earlier sequential number system. RH327 is an Avanti R1 built on August 27th, 1963.

http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/V8EngineID.asp

Nick

[ALPHA63]

Interesting Info

That sounds pretty definite! had not seen that style number in the listings. That's reassuring to know that it is correct engine even if not original. Odd though, now that you say that.... Car was sold as (registered as) a 64 even though it is very early VIN number 1817....

I have sent for the build sheet.... will be be curious to find out more about the car.

Thanks

[ALPHA63]

Just went to the link you suggested and see that info in the box below the initial list..... very concise Thanks!

[ALPHA63]

Car manufactured 62

Just checked the Avanti Production schedule again, the car was built in November of 62 .... the engine number as you said indicates... Aug 27, 1963. so has been replaced...

Thanks again for link Nick

[Gunslinger]

It was not uncommon for Avanti's that sat unsold on dealer lots to be titled as '64 cars when eventually sold. Studebaker even dropped the "63" prefix off the ID plate to facilitate that. It's possible there are more '63 cars titled as '64s than there are true '64 round eye Avanti's which are generally referred to as transitional cars.

[studegary]

It was not uncommon for Avanti's that sat unsold on dealer lots to be titled as '64 cars when eventually sold. Studebaker even dropped the "63" prefix off the ID plate to facilitate that. It's possible there are more '63 cars titled as '64s than there are true '64 round eye Avanti's which are generally referred to as transitional cars.

Not only " not uncommon" but authorized by Studebaker. Studebaker Service Letter Number G-1964-3 of 9/27/63 states that after 9/1/63, all Avantis sold new at retail will be considered to be and registered as 1964 models. (This is a paraphrase, not the complete longer statement.)

[Warren Webb]

My Avanti was registered as a 64 when I bought it. After I got the production broadcast and other material showing it was made in February 1963, I asked the CHP to inspect it. They came to my house & verified it was a 1963 & the registration was changed.

[ALPHA63]

Golden hawk heads on r1 block

The car has taken another unexpected turn... turns out the heads are Golden Hawk ...I suppose in an effort to reduce compression ratio... since it was an R1 with supercharger added later. So, going through the engine now... have located and going to install R1 heads, I have been told R2 heads are hard to come by..... will compensate for compression ratio with pistons and or gaskets... Anyone know if the Valves and springs are interchangeable with the golden hawk and Avanti R1 heads?

[jlmccuan]

R2 heads are not all that uncommon, they were also a truck engine part.

My R2 Avanti built 2/63 and marked "RUSH SOLD" on the production order wasn't actually sold by the dealer until 1964 and spent the first 45 years of its life registered as a 1964. Illinois has provision for correcting registrations with proof and inspection, so I preferred to register it as a 1963 just to cut down on future controversy from those folks wanting to argue about originality or authenticity.

[PackardV8]

R2 heads are very common and the only thing different between them and thousands of truck heads is the valve springs. The R2s had stronger springs. Other than that, no difference. The most cost effective thing to do is put R1 - R2 springs on your heads and use the thin head gaskets.

jack vines