Engine: Engine into '51 Commander questions

[DougHolverson]

I bought somebody else's abandoned project '51 Commander that was half disassembled with the engine already removed. I'm going to try to start lowering the 232 engine back in later today or tomorrow. I have a bunch of questions about this.

Which are the two best bolts to tie the hoisting chain too?

Does the battery ground to the block? And to which bolt?

How does the block ground to the rest of the Studebaker?

Does the hose to Climatizer go to the upper or lower outlet on the water pump?

Thanks!

There will probably be more questions as this project rolls on....

[Mike Van Veghten]

Which are the two best bolts to tie the hoisting chain too?
Depends on the setup you have. If you have a manifold plate, a cradle (with chains) or just a long chain... If just a chain, the widest spread, using 3/8" fasteners, doesn't matter.

Does the battery ground to the block? And to which bolt?
Yes. Whichever one you think is the cleanest looking (motor mount, waterpump manifold, exhaust manifold, etc.). Be sure to remove any paint under the wire connection.

How does the block ground to the rest of the Studebaker?
Stude used several small grounds. Mostly at the motormounts. Go from an engine fastener to a frame fastener. Not a huge deal.

Does the hose to Climatizer go to the upper or lower outlet on the water pump?
Can't help on this one.

Mike

[fatboylust]

Climatizer: Hope this helps.

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

If you're going for originality the battery grounds to the block, if you want good starting with the 6 volt at all times, ground it at one of the starter mounting bolts.
Clean, no rust, grease, paint, etc.
The flat woven ground strap from engine to frame will take care of grounding the rest of the car.
It is a positive ground system if it hasn't been changed.

[DougHolverson]

Thanks so far! I got a manifold plate and the engine is sitting on its two mounts and the two transmission mounts.

On those automatic transmission mounts, do the studs take regular nuts or lock nuts? Do I torque them down or will that hurt the rubber? Thanks!

[jclary]

Doug, pardon me if you've already heard this, but for the project you are undertaking...you need to buy three manuals. Shop, body, and chassis. They usually are available from some of our vendors. I have an original '51 Land Cruiser which from the back of the front seat forward is the same as your Commander. I have not had the engine out, and don't have the answers to your questions on the tip of my tongue.

Having the manuals would go a long way to helping you get the car back together. You'll probably still have questions, but the information in the manuals would be much more clear and quicker than waiting for an answer here. Also, more accurate. I have mistakenly given answers (I know...I know...hard to believe ) from either misunderstanding the questions, or passing on information given in error from others.

Some may think the manuals are "pricey"...but in time, you'll realize it is one of the best money you will spend when restoring and maintaining these cars.

[StudeMann]

Hi Doug,

Here is a photo of my 51 Commander engine with everything exposed. I hope this helps.

Jim

[DougHolverson]

Thanks, so far!

I got the car put together this far:

And then some, since the brake lines came and I got the wheels back on since that video was shot.

The car will run from a jerry can, but not from the gas tank. My first three guesses are that I have gas in the tank but not enough, the strainer is plugged, or the gas line is leaking air with little rust holes.

After that's licked, I'm going to work on why the generator "don't gen no more". I'm going to start with cleaning up the brushes and commutator.

[deco_droid]

Sounds nice -- Keep up the good work! We need more guys like this getting these Studes on the road so the public can see and enjoy them!

[DougHolverson]

It turns out that I have a rust hole in the gas line. I'm going to start bending a new one tomorrow.

I was going to start bending tonight, but I got sidetracked by the battery dying in Wee Beastie, my Ford chimera beater parts getter.... Grrr!