37' Dictator/later Commander engine interchange

[turbostude]

Well,
Thought it would be nice to bring my 37' 2 door sedan a few miles to the fall Stude picnic here in Minnesota. You know that little ticking noise which graduated to a periodic knocking noise you hope is just piston slap? Well I decided to let things happen as they may, since I was resigned to a rebuild anyway.....Yes a rod is hanging by a thread. wondering whether the later Commander motors (with shell type bearings and 245" displacement are a bolt in to my 37'. It has the standard 3 speed trans. Looking for a good one in the midwest. I have a block available, but maybe someone is doing the unspeakable and has a good one sitting around......?

Greg

http://Salt2Salt.com

http://Turbostude.com

http://turbostude.com/Tribaker (LP three-wheeler project)

[rockne10]

Later sixes should bolt in but trans/bell housings were changed. That gives you the opportunity to add overdrive which would necessitate other minor changes. Others here will know better than I.

[turbostude]

I think that a 49 or 50' commander 6 would be the ticket, from a car. Were the truck engines which continued into the 50's different?

Greg

http://Salt2Salt.com

http://Turbostude.com

http://turbostude.com/Tribaker (LP three-wheeler project)

[rockne10]

The Commander Six was used in some trucks until 1961. There may also be issues with the oil pan, as well as the trans/bell housing. I would think most parts to make it fit could be swapped from the original engine.

[go-studebaker]

Hi Greg,
I dont think later engines bolt straight into a 37. There is a change at 37, 38 and 39

The bolt patern for the clutch housing is different from 38 onwards.

39 Studebakers have column shift and I think 38's have a splatering of both floor and column shifters.

I have just had an OD gearbox rebuilt in Australia and shipped UK side that changes my 39 to floor shift utilizing a 39 gearbox that was of the odd type that had a cover plate bolted over the top even though it was a side change column unit.

1937 cars are the most common car in that 30's preiod, so if you can just hunt down another 1937 and stick with that. It is far simpler.

Regards
Greg

Greg Diffen
Australian Stude nut living in Warwick, United Kingdom

1933 St Regis Brougham Model 56 Dutch delivered
1937 Dicator sedan. Australian Body by TJ Richards
1939 Packard Seven Passenger monster UK delivered
1939 Commander Sedan Australian Body by TJ Richards
1939 Commander Swiss Cabriolet by Lagenthal
1961 Hawk
1963 Daytona Hardtop
1988 Avanti Convertible

[turbostude]

Thanks Greg,
I think that if I use the engine/clutch/tranny from the same car, a 49' or 50' commander or landcruiser, I can get the tranny to shift on the floor.
Have a good weekend!

Greg

http://Salt2Salt.com

http://Turbostude.com

http://turbostude.com/Tribaker (LP three-wheeler project)

[go-studebaker]

Greg,
I am not sure that later car gearboxes have the removable top plate which sort of helps if you want floor shift.

There are other members with a far better knowledge than I on post war cars and gearboxs


Trucks of the period do but they dont always have Overdrive.

Greg


Greg Diffen
Australian Stude nut living in Warwick, United Kingdom

1933 St Regis Brougham Model 56 Dutch delivered
1937 Dicator sedan. Australian Body by TJ Richards
1939 Packard Seven Passenger monster UK delivered
1939 Commander Sedan Australian Body by TJ Richards
1939 Commander Swiss Cabriolet by Lagenthal
1961 Hawk
1963 Daytona Hardtop
1988 Avanti Convertible

[turbostude]

Here is a thread from Gord Richmond showing a floor shifter conversion on an OD t86. This uses pieces from a Jeep or Bronco.
I have done the other kind with an aftermarket shifter using the linkage on the side. They cost about $100 here in Minnesota.

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19712&SearchTerms=floor,shift

Thanks!



Greg

http://Salt2Salt.com

http://Turbostude.com

http://turbostude.com/Tribaker (LP three-wheeler project)