Engine: 232 replacement options

[NEWSTUDIE]

Hey guys. i have a 53 landcruiser with a bad motor. Car has the 3spd trans. I would like to get it on the road asap. I found a few studebakers locally with 259 automatics. I would like to keep my car 3spd. Is the swap a simple bolt in or am i looking at some fab. work converting the auto motor to a 3spd. Thanks !

[SN-60]

To: NEWSTUDIE,----Nice car!.... and the 259 CI swap makes sense...it's simply a better engine. The 259 will 'bolt right in' biggest issue being the need to take off the oil pan and rear main cap
to swap in the longer flywheel bolts from the 232.....No big deal as the 259 probably would benefit from a new crankshaft rear seal anyway. Good Luck!

[r1lark]

And dial indicate the new bellhousing in per the Shop manual (or do a search on this forum......there will be lots of threads on this). Unlike most other makes of that era, you can't swap bellhousings and 'assume' the bellhousing will be centered correctly in relation to the crankshaft centerline.

[NEWSTUDIE]

Thanks guys appreciate the help!!

[StudeMann]

I have been told the exhaust manifolds are different on the 259 so you might need to tweak the exhaust a bit as well.

[RadioRoy]

I have been told the exhaust manifolds are different on the 259 so you might need to tweak the exhaust a bit as well.

Yes, you definitely want the 259 exhaust manifolds. They have larger ports/bores than the 232.

You can use the 232 intake manifold and carb if you want to retain the stock look under the hood (disregarding the fuel pump location, that is).