Thread: Re-Engine my '53 Studebaker?

Tweet

I have a custom '53 Starlight coupe that I purchased pretty much finished. I am quite happy with the car, but I would like to do some things to make it "mine." About the only thing truly Studebaker about the car is the body, it has mild Chevy 350/350 combo, narrowed 72 Nova subframe and Ford Maverick 8" rear end. It runs just fine, performance is adequate though not
spectacular. Primary use of the car is a driver to local cruise ins and the occasional road trip. The Chevy 350 combo is so common these days I have thought about swapping to a Studebaker V-8 to be different, even if it is in a Studebaker! I would appreciate your input on the considerations

1. What is the availabilty of motors and components? What motors should I consider? Is there anyone offering complete motors or would I have to find one and re-build it? What should I look for and look out for in my search?
2. How does the Studebaker motor compare weight, mounts and dimension wise to the Chevy?
3. What transmission(s) are worth considering. I would prefer to stay automatic.
4. How would such a swap impact the value of the car? Current value is between $26-28k.
5. Other considerations?

I have also asked the question at the Alt.autos.studebaker newsgroup to get a "Studebaker Perspective." Here I am hoping to get a Hotrodders point of view.

Thanks!

Pat

Wow... A Studebaker engine in a Studebaker... What a concept!

I think I'd stay with the Chevy small block, but trick it up to look like one of the later Stude's with the factory Paxton blower.

JetDoc

From a rodders perspective I'd say you can't go wrong with a Studillac. The Cadillac engine was the engine of choice for these cars early on before people stated putting sb Chevys in everything. Of course twin turbos on that 350 would be nice too.

I don't think there's an advantage to be had putting a Studebaker engine in the car with all the modifications that have already been done. The 289 Studebaker engine was a pretty good engine with about the same dimensions as the Chevy but it won't be as fast as the 350 you have in there now. I don't know if there are any big block Studebaker V8s. If there are I haven't heard of them.

I guess it depends on you. Are you a purist or a hot rodder?
I think we know wich one you are Pat.
Would a purist have STU COOL on his license plates?
AL

I saw a pair of studebaker center bolt valve cover on a late 80's chevy 350. I think they were off a late 50's studebaker 259 motor but im unsure of that. They looked like a direct bolt on, but I only saw a picture of it in hot rod a few years back. Youd be able to keep your motor if it works and just swap the heads and the valve covers and 95% of the public would be fooled.

Sure can...
And you can do it with old small blocks too, with a set of custom adapters.. E-mail me for info...
Jeff

Originally posted by suedeplymouth
I saw a pair of studebaker center bolt valve cover on a late 80's chevy 350. I think they were off a late 50's studebaker 259 motor but im unsure of that. They looked like a direct bolt on, but I only saw a picture of it in hot rod a few years back. Youd be able to keep your motor if it works and just swap the heads and the valve covers and 95% of the public would be fooled.

Good comments....
The Stude newsgroup is a cool hangout, but be prepared for some puritan viewpoints when it comes to 'bellybutton' sbc's...
Stude power is revered over there...
That being said... A Stude V* is a cool engine.. Not the biggest displacement.. Not the lightest (by any means!).. But it is different.
You can get high performance parts from several vendors. Parts are not cheap, but nor are they outrageous. Ted Harbit is probably the best bet on Stude Hipo stuff. You can't deal with a nicer guy, and you are helping to fund his drag race exploits with the "Chicken Hawk" Stude.... I have a 289 Stude V8 trans adapter for sale that allows you to put your 700R4 or TH350 behind a Stude V8.... Engine mounts are similar in position to a Tri-5 Chevy V8. Fuel pump is on the other side...
You can bore a 289 Stude engine out a bunch (.060" is common...) and you can get Paxton supercharger stuff that will fit under your hood. That is a bit pricey... About the biggest you can stretch one out to is 304 cid... If you can live with a 304 V* that weighs as much as a 454, then this is for you. If you like a slightly nose heavy car, then this is still for you... If you want to get all your stuff out of the trade mag's and pay cheap bucks.. Then stick with the SBC... As to the value? Once you went custom you pretty much shot the resto value, but most Stude types are cheap and won't pay top dollar anyway. You'd get more money from a rodder that get's the hots for your car....
I have a SBC in my Stude and have a hard time explaining to myself why I'd want to rip it out and put in a Stude V* and see the thing slow down and wallow around more... It's look cool, but who am I trying to satisfy anyway? Who are you trying to please?
Jeff

Originally posted by Stu Cool
I have a custom '53 Starlight coupe that I purchased pretty much finished. I am quite happy with the car, but I would like to do some things to make it "mine." About the only thing truly Studebaker about the car is the body, it has mild Chevy 350/350 combo, narrowed 72 Nova subframe and Ford Maverick 8" rear end. It runs just fine, performance is adequate though not
spectacular. Primary use of the car is a driver to local cruise ins and the occasional road trip. The Chevy 350 combo is so common these days I have thought about swapping to a Studebaker V-8 to be different, even if it is in a Studebaker! I would appreciate your input on the considerations

1. What is the availabilty of motors and components? What motors should I consider? Is there anyone offering complete motors or would I have to find one and re-build it? What should I look for and look out for in my search?
2. How does the Studebaker motor compare weight, mounts and dimension wise to the Chevy?
3. What transmission(s) are worth considering. I would prefer to stay automatic.
4. How would such a swap impact the value of the car? Current value is between $26-28k.
5. Other considerations?

I have also asked the question at the Alt.autos.studebaker newsgroup to get a "Studebaker Perspective." Here I am hoping to get a Hotrodders point of view.

Thanks!

Pat

Thanks for all your good comments folks. Definitely has given me lots to think about. For now I think'll keep this in mind as a back burner project, or maybe start collecting things and save them for my next project like Richard suggested. As Al Suggested I'm a hotrodder much more than a purist. Jeff, I'll be in touch about the valve cover adapters that SuedePlymouth suggested.

By the way I drove the Studebaker today! 62 degrees and dry in Marysville.

Pat

Pat

Snow next week is fine! STU COOL is going into the body shop for some hood repair and paint so I won't be driving her anyway!

Hope you guys thaw out soon Streets

Pat

Originally posted by deepnhock
Sure can...
And you can do it with old small blocks too, with a set of custom adapters.. E-mail me for info...
Jeff

very nice