Bits and Bobs

[Jason]

Hey guys, My partner and I have just purchased our first Avenger. Its a 1979 Chrysler Avenger Station wagon Super 1600
We are very very happy with it its so awesome to drive.

It has a new warrant from the AA but we decided to take it to a mechanic for a check up because we suspected something was wrong with the brakes.

So far we have found out that almost everything needs replacing in it so we aren't all that happy about that

but one thing i wanted to ask is would it be possible to change the gearbox to a 5 speed? what kind of parts would i need to do this?

Some of the issues with the car at this point is:

*Front struts need replacing
*Front and back brakes need grinding down (there a little warped)
*A leaky Dif
*A very very slightly bent rear Axel but not sure, the back right wheel wobbles a little. I have replaced the wheels and it still does it so im told its a bent axel. You would never tell by driving it tough but would still like to get this fixed
*All the rubbers need replacing on it
*some bearings are on there way out too.

this is just to list a few at the top of my head unfortunatly but i will be ironing out all of these troubles and restoring it so im looking forward to the adventure anyway!

[JoKer]

welcome!

5speed not so simple

a couple have done it : start with an auto bell housing and a Sierra 5speed, + some welding is the 'simple' route

[blekkja]

5 speed is easy. rich [who's car graces the header] has recently had one fitted and his mechanics should be able to make conversion plates at will. you'll need to find a sierra box and the bellhousing from an avenger automatic. i think you'll still need a xnember made up, but the driveshaft is the same.

the rest just sounds like regular maintance things for a 32 year old car. persevere, buy nos when you can - it might be annoying for a while but eventually you will run out of stuff to fix. i've been through all that and i've hardly been under my car for years now [not for anything serious at least].

where are you based? somebody might be near you and could come out and give you pointers.

[avenga]

Hi Jason. Welcome to that forum.

As Blekkja said, I have done a 5 speed conversion in my Avenger and my Mechanic has all the templates and plans to reproduce the gearbox conversion. Another forum member has just had a 5 speed conversion done by my mechanics.

They can make you the conversion plates and x-member. All you need to provide is the 5 speed Seirra gearbox and Avenger auto bellhousing. They can also relocate the shifter to the correct location to fit the Avenger. With mine I just gave them my car and they did it all and now they have all the plans etc they can reproduce them as needed.

Give Mal a ring at ByGone Autos (09) 4833991. They do all the work on my Avenger and they are amazing fabricators, they have done my 5 speed conversion, 4 headlight conversion, fibreglass panels, Hot 1500 motor of doom!! etc. And they are just in the midst of installing my race car suspension and Volvo 4 pot brakes (Along with Capri vented disc and a diesel alternator.

Read this post for more info on my 5 speed conversion + photos of the process. http://www.avenger.co.nz/forum/index.php?topic=60.0

The rest of the bits is just normal for an old car. They cost a bit to begin with but once you do them right they are done for good. My Charger was a perfect example of that. I needed to do all those type of things when I brought it but now it runs sweet as. I take it down to the South Island each year and I never skips a beat, even with 4,500KM in 12 day worth of driving.

[kierbear]

theres an avenger on trademe for wrecking, i dunno how many more bits and peices they have left

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/chrysler/exterior/auction-423622322.htm

[Jason]

Cool thanks so much! you have all been a fantastic help! I love the avenger i have, its an amazing car. can't wait to do the repairs on it!

Thanks for your help Rich, ill be sure to get in contact with your mechanic as soon as i get the bits i need! Can't wait to get her all fixed up

[kierbear]

youll want to go to basisnz.co.nz for rubbers, they wont do anything for avengers but email them, tell them what u need. they emailed me back right away, even told me how many M i would need. very very helpful

[oldschool]

Unfortunately basisnz don't have the Avenger windscreen rubber (will supply an Escort one)...you can get the genuine one from Aussie...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CHYSLER-HILLMAN-AVENGER-FRONT-WINDSHIELD-GLASS-Rubber-/120792762701?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c1fcf494d

[kierbear]

do they look the same? coz i need front ones in Feb but i already have escorty ones on he back

[kierbear]

and does that have filler?

[avenga]

I need a full set of rubber as part of my resto project I am doing on my '75.

How did those back ones fit Kiera?

[kierbear]

really good after all the fucking around. just make sure u go to someone who knows what thyre doing coz it took smith&smith overnigh to figure out that they needed to chop them for the bottom corners. just got a call from them now about my windscreen. faaaark

[kierbear]

if anyone needs a new windscreen, it will either take 3 months to get from england, or somehwere in hamilton has a template for them and i can have my car back with a windscreen in 2 weeks. in case your paying cash, its 3K. but they told me to expect a phone call from insurance telling me im not allowed glass cover anymore

[kierbear]

lol $3k is what its insured for if its pinched! LOL

[avenga]

$3,000 for a windscreen?? you have to be kidding me. I'll tell you what Kiera, I'll do you a solid and sell you my windscreen for $2,500 

Just joking. Man that is just stupid. I would just ring the insurance company directly and tell them what is going on an then get a windscreen off myself or Aaron for free and say it cost you like $300. I am sure the insurance company would say yes just to close the job and then you are $300 richer off. That is why I keep my windscreens and I know a lot of Valiant guys who have sold windscreens back to insurance companies for a handsome profit.