RStrasser

Aventry; If as you say the Avanti was running good and then went to crap. Something had to have happened. I don't believe the distributor could raise enough to jump a tooth with the clamp still in place. Even though it was loose. If as you say the timing light shows 40 degrees advance and if you retard the timing to the correct setting the engine runs worse. Hard as it is to believe I don't believe the timing is your problem. The distributor does not care where the vacuum is pointing or where #1 plug is. If the timing is correct, The plugs wires are in the correct counter clockwise order; then the engine should run . That assumes that the timing mark is correct in relation to number one cylinder I would remove the valve covers and see if everything is moving correctly as you crank over the engine. Ron

Avantey; On the AEA tune up sheet for my Avanti they call for a part number P2-38 (IBB-2042SS-3) Condenser and rate it at .25-.28 MFD. I believe they are Prestolite part numbers. I was told many years ago when I worked in a Automotive Electric shop as a teenager that if the MFD value is too high the pit will form on one of the two contacts and if too small the pit will form on the other. I don't remember which is which. I do know from experience that a open capacitor will result in a very weak spark and the car will not start. Ron

John & Seventhson; I don't believe you are correct about the green wire. Studebaker did not issue a service letter (J-1963-11) until March 1963 about installing the bypass wire. Prior to then all Avanti's (mine included) did not have the by pass wire. and the cars started when the ignition switch was in the start position. Originally (and after the change) wire 22A (black with green tracer) went from the run position of the ignition switch to the resistor that is before the coil. For the change the factory ran a wire from the second small terminal on the starter solenoid to the ignition coil by passing the resistor for starting. As for why the Avanti will not start, I don't know. It will be interesting if it starts the next time Seventhson visits the car. Ron

Update on the green with black tracer wire. After Avanti models 63R2602 Studebaker added a resistor bypass wire to the wire harness. The service bulletin # J-1963-11 does not mention the wire color. The wire is installed between the + terminal of the ignition coil and the ignition terminal on the starter solenoid.

If you leave the ignition switch on with the points closed you will end up burning up the points. It is normal for the resistor to get hot, It has to dissipate 3 or 4 volts so the coil runs on 8 volts. The resistor is encased in ceramic so it does not melt. In the diagram for the Avanti electrical system that is in the Avanti manual there is no mention of a green with black wire, only the black with green wire which is shown going from the Distributor to the tach sending unit. I am located about 50 miles South of Albany NY if i can be of further help. Ron