Other: New Power Window Regulators

[okc63avanti]

Although my avanti is fresh off a complete restoration, the power windows are still weak and require assistance by hand to help the motor raise them. The switches were replaced and new motors installed with window channels, rollers, etc. being repaired, replaced or fixed. The original factory regulators were tightened up as best they could and springs wound and tight before installing. My thought is that the original regulators are just worn out.

Here's my question: Has anyone tried the new regulators that Rene' Harger sells on his website http://www.slickstreetstuff.com/

Here's a picture of the new regulators and he list several Studebaker models that he has them available for. Specifically I'm interested in the avanti as it has slightly curved window glass and its geometry is a little special compared to other models, but I would welcome any feed back on how easy these were to install, did they fit correctly and how did they work.



Thanks, John

[WCP]

If the springs were removed to clean up the regulator, check that the springs weren't installed 180 degrees off. I ran into that problem with my restoration. Wind out the the regulator by hand to relieve the spring. Remove and rotate 180 degrees (clock fashion) and then engage the pinion and hand wind. If it goes into bind before reaching the correct full down position, then you are out of luck. Also you may have to play with the window run adjustment to get the window to run up and down smoothly. I suspect that the replacement runs, now supplied, are not the best fit to the curved window. I spent many hours chasing the adjustments to accomplish a good seal and reasonable operation of the power windows. My drivers window still has a tight spot, halfway up. If the window stops at that point, the won't move in the up direction. It has to back down a bit then move thru the tight spot. I have not had any success in finding new balance springs. One idea that I considered was to add a supplementary spring to the idler assembly, as per the manual setup. I never got around to trying it out and won't now, as I'm putting my car up for sale in the Spring (it's currently put away for the winter) and the windows work acceptably once you understand their quirks.

[okc63avanti]

The springs, regulators and everything was done correctly. No issues going down, they go down smoothly. It's just right off bottom that they need a little help. I'd still like to hear from someone who has tried these new regulators. I think the motor assembly is from GM.

[rkapteyn]

Let the restoration shop fool with it.
Michael has done a lot of Avantis and knows them well,you paid him for it and he should be happy to satisfy.
Robert Kapteyn

[poweroptions]

Here's something I've learned over the years of restoring Lincolns and Thunderbirds. The 60s and early 70s Lincoln are notorious for window problems. Power down easy but slow and require lifting by hand to raise up. I would replace every window motor with NOS FOMOCO and still they were slow and most times not able to raise the glass without a helping hand. It is the fact that the amperage/voltage is weakened due to the age of the contacts in the switches and the connections in the factory wiring loom. I have found that voltage has dropped to 4-7 volts at the motors. Every Lincoln and Thunderbird I own I have now wired in 2 relays at every switch in the door. One relay for the up cycle and one relay for the down cycle. Doing this you will get a full 12V to the power window motors. The window switches signal the relay to close and you get the direct current to your window motor. It is a night and day difference. The windows are lightning fast in both directions. I have never had to fiddle with another power window again. I think you'd be very pleased. I hide my relays within the armrest. I order my 5 pole relays off Ebay and they are cheap. You can goggle the wiring diagram and it is very straight forward and easy. Your shop should easily handle this for you.