Juicy Barn Find Update

[drrotor]

Well. I thought it might be time to post a little update on the rare '56 Golden hawk I bought a few months ago. I posted it in an earlier thread that kind of went off track so I figured I'd start over and try to keep this thread updated as I make progress on the car. As a refresher, this Golden Hawk was found in a barn in the Tacoma area some years ago, and appears to have been sold originally with a very rare combination of desirable options: Manual Transmission with O.D., Power Steering, and Dual 4 Barrel Carburetors. Here are some pictures of the car as found:

Since then, it's been cleaned up some and brought home Yippee!
I am now knee deep in building the engine for it--er-- him ("Elbert"-- named after my late Hot Rod Uncle). This is going to be a fun build!

[drrotor]

Recently I was very lucky to find a NOS "Service Replacement Fitted Block Assembly" to build my 374 cubic inch monster for Elbert.
It still had the original "Packard" strapping holding it onto the original shipping pallet,and it made me sad to have to cut it-- it was so cool! Today I got the engine mounted on the stand and carefully knocked out the pistons, after cleaning the cosmolineout of the cylinders. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they came with piston rings, as well!
Interestingly, the block has a casting date on it from just 2 days more than 62 years ago today.

[drrotor]

Last week I tore down a core 352 from another Golden Hawk to get the heads, rods, cam, etc. out of to build my 374. I sent most of the internals down to my local (very good) machine shop in Renton (Pacific Auto Machine, in business for decades), and I took the camshaft to Delta Cams in Tacoma to have it ground. Now, I am building this car to be a full-blown "Jet-Streak" Golden Hawk, with all the correct internals from the period, as well as some upgrades for performance and longevity. The Factory (Studebaker) had designed and engineered the "Jet Streak" as a high-performance option, but never made cars equipped that way available for sale. They did, however, make the package available as a dealer-installed accessory. Here's some really cool historical documents a friend turned me on to. They are prints of the original factory microfilms? of the complete parts list, by part number, of all the components. XXXXX

Aw, Rats! the forum says "The file is too large" so the best I can do right now is post the only known picture of the Factory Prototype Jet Streak Golden Hawk.
I've got to figure out a way to post those. They're really neat, and very informative.
Well, anyway, I just got the cam back from Delta, where it's been ground to a special "Solid Lifter" grind based on the Studebaker/Isky collaboration. I found the Jet Streak cam specs with, I assume, Ed Iskenderian's scratching and doodling still on it. XXXXX
Oh, brother, here we go again. "File too large" Grrrr. OK, at least I can post a picture of the finished cam-- a lot of good that does...
So the engine will have Solid lifters, dual valve springs, and adjustable push rods, as was called for on the original parts list. I will try to get my wife Kathy, the computer whiz, to help me post the charts for you all to see in the coming days.

[drrotor]

The correct Jet-Streak dual carburetor intake system is now done for the car, with the proper carburetors, linkage, air filters, valley pan, choke tubing, etc. etc.I also found the ultra cool "Senior Packard" chrome valve covers for it, and just sent them out to be re-chromed.All the proper parts are beginning to trickle in-- very fun and exciting!

[j.byrd]

Very neat car ! Can't wait to hear how this big rascal runs !

[StudeRich]

The best way I can describe this Kenny, is: THE most straight forward modification I can think of, this Car was totally ASKING for this!

The best of ALL Worlds, a beautiful well designed Studebaker, a Senior PACKARD 374 V8, 3 Speed H.D. T-85 3 Speed Overdrive, Dual Quads and EVEN a Performance grind Solid Lifter Cam! Awesome does not BEGIN to describe THIS.

At the next Car Show, probably the 2018 International Meet in Tacoma can I get a ride in it PLEASE, Please, pretty please?

[t walgamuth]

That engine looks very clean.....and heavy!

[tim333]

Where did you ever find an NOS block still crated??

[nels]

Where did you ever find an NOS block still crated??

I remember those fitted 374 blocks at Herwick Iron in SB way back in the 70's. They were $65 each at the time.

[jclary]

Great thread! I have enjoyed your progress thus far. Especially your enthusiasm.

I have an unrestored '55 President Coupe in my barn. It has only one carburetor, but the air cleaner looks exactly like the ones on your engine. I always thought of them as a "period" correct aftermarket (Western Auto ? replacement) Are they considered valuable now?

[drrotor]

I believe those air cleaners were the same as the ones that came on mid-50's Corvettes with dual carburetors.

[j.byrd]

Hey, I've wondered about these air "cleaners" too !

[PackardV8]

Yes, a worthy project to build a '56J the way Studebaker-Packard should have.

The Jet Streak proposal parts list mentions a dual point distributor and special coil. What are your plans for this?

Iskenderian offered six different solid lifter cam grinds for the Packard V8. (Iskenderian kit numbers for Hi-Rev series are 800-CBK-E4, 800-CBK-P-55, 800-CBK-P-66, 800-CBK-505C.; for roller-lifter series are 840-RRK-RR-2 and 840-RRK-505T.) Which spec did you get from Delta?

They did, however, make the package available as a dealer-installed accessory.

Have we ever documented the S-P Parts Department ever shipping a Jet Streak package to a dealer? Agree, there are several '56Js with dealer-installed 374"s and/or with the Caribbean 2x4 intake setup, which would have come through the S-P Parts system, but any documentation as to the cam kit and distributor/coil coming through the S-P system?

Then, there's putting the power to the ground. You no doubt know that much torque will require the TwinTraction, traction bars, rear anti-roll bar and flanged axles; again, as S-P coulda/shoulda built it back in '56. Those parts were available, just never offered on a '56J.

Again, thanks for sharing this milestone build with us here on the forum.


jack vines

[drrotor]

Yes, a worthy project to build a '56J the way Studebaker-Packard should have.

The Jet Streak proposal parts list mentions a dual point distributor and special coil. What are your plans for this?

Iskenderian offered six different solid lifter cam grinds for the Packard V8. (Iskenderian kit numbers for Hi-Rev series are 800-CBK-E4, 800-CBK-P-55, 800-CBK-P-66, 800-CBK-505C.; for roller-lifter series are 840-RRK-RR-2 and 840-RRK-505T.) Which spec did you get from Delta?



Have we ever documented the S-P Parts Department ever shipping a Jet Streak package to a dealer? Agree, there are several '56Js with dealer-installed 374"s and/or with the Caribbean 2x4 intake setup, which would have come through the S-P Parts system, but any documentation as to the cam kit and distributor/coil coming through the S-P system?

Then, there's putting the power to the ground. You no doubt know that much torque will require the TwinTraction, traction bars, rear anti-roll bar and flanged axles; again, as S-P coulda/shoulda built it back in '56. Those parts were available, just never offered on a '56J.

Again, thanks for sharing this milestone build with us here on the forum.


jack vines

Jack--Although I have located the proper dual-point distributor and correct coil, I may use electronic ignition. I haven't decided on this yet.
The Isky cam grind spec's I will post as soon as I can figure out how to post a picture of the document.
No, I haven't as of yet uncovered a case of a complete kit being sold through S/P, but I am working on it. So far, I have traced this car's history back to the '60's, and it has been so-equipped since then at least.
As far as putting all that power to the ground-- I don't intend to drag race it. That being said, I have a completely remanufactured rear end assembly that is built with all NOS parts, including a Twin-Traction differential with correct 3.92 gear ratio. I also have a rear sway bar assembly to install. Traction bars? We'll see...

[bezhawk]

I wouldn't run the tapered axles even if all the parts are new. Do yourself a favor and put in the Mosier flanged axles. I love the way you re building it, but I would have kept the plain valve covers. I like to keep them guessing