studebaker champ truck with diesel

[t walgamuth]

It has a mercedes motor.

Looks like it might have possibilities.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1960-Studebaker-Champ-Turbo-Diesel-Rat-Rod-/121108508757?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c32a13055#v4-41

Arizona.

[Bordeaux Daytona]

Somebody had a purple Champ with a diesel at the South Bend meet recently. I took a couple of pics that I'll post later. Not sure what brand engine was in it but it was interesting.

[rockinhawk]

Stephen Cade once owned a Champ with a Detriot 353 in it.

[Dean McHenry]

Same setup that I have in my 63 Champ The engine is a Mercedes 300D 5 cyl. Durable but noisy mine gets good fuel milage (about28mpg) I use the truck as my daily driver shagging parts for the repair shop so doesnt do any heavy hauling. I always kid people that all my buddys have diesel pickups so I have to keep up with them.haha DMc

[evilhawk]

I like it! Weren't Studebaker and Mercedes sold at the same dealership? I think that the Mercedes engine works well for this truck as the Champ/Lark and Hawk's grills always made me think of a Benz.

[LeoH]

We had a 240D for a few years. Engine lasted longer than the chassis. I guess a Champ (Lark) engine bay would be adequate to fit one in, I would have thought the diesel from the 190 series (2.3?) would be smaller and easier to install, but that's just my imagination, without a doubt.

The death knell for our 240 was while it was in for a fuel pump issue ($450 Refurbished f/p, not NOS, in 1988!), there was also a problem with the suspension. Turns out an A-arm had cracked, but that attachment point on the frame, when the mechanic looked was too rusted to reattach! Good ole Ohio road salt did its job on that car. We didn't have too many problems with that powertrain, but it taught us the fact that diesels may not need repairs as often as gas engines, but when they do, BOAT.

[unclemiltie]

One of our local chapter members has a VW diesel in his m series pickup, it is a real nice ride

[Warren Webb]

This Champ looks like it has the 240 engine although he states it's a turbo. I haven't seen a turbo 240D but based on my wifes car when it had the 240 engine it was so slow you measured 0-60 with a calendar! I replaced it with a 300D turbo that made the world of difference. I would use that engine in a Champ, better torque & power. How's yours Dean?

[t walgamuth]

I believe it is the five cylinder turbo motor. There is plenty of room for one of these. For heavens sake a fellow stuffed a 392 hemi in a 53 coupe!

[rockinhawk]

Same setup that I have in my 63 Champ The engine is a Mercedes 300D 5 cyl. Durable but noisy mine gets good fuel milage (about28mpg) I use the truck as my daily driver shagging parts for the repair shop so doesnt do any heavy hauling. I always kid people that all my buddys have diesel pickups so I have to keep up with them.haha DMc

How did you handle the Transmission/ driveshaft issue? I considered putting a M/B engine and trans in a Lark. I disscused this with a M/B mechanic. He told me the driveshaft attatches differently on a M/B than most any other car.

[t walgamuth]

He is correct. The benz driveshaft is two piece with a fully independent suspension in the rear so it does not really have any ds angle change to speak of. Still it has a rubber donut with six bolts on the back of the tranny and same at the diff with a small u joint in the middle.

[Milaca]

Somebody had a purple Champ with a diesel at the South Bend meet recently. I took a couple of pics that I'll post later. Not sure what brand engine was in it but it was interesting.

I spoke with the guy with the purple or burgundy Champ pickup when he pulled a heavy duty trailer into my motel's parking lot with it on Friday night in South Bend. He lives in New York and installed a 5-cylinder Mercedes in it himself. I didnt see the Champ with the hood open though and I forgot the fella's name.

[mbstude]

I spoke with the guy with the purple or burgundy Champ pickup when he pulled a heavy duty trailer into my motel's parking lot with it on Friday night in South Bend. He lives in New York and installed a 5-cylinder Mercedes in it himself. I didnt see the Champ with the hood open though and I forgot the fella's name.

Ted Jensen. He has a long history of completely rebuilding Stude pickups, then driving them around the country and using the snot out of them.

[Bordeaux Daytona]

I spoke with the guy with the purple or burgundy Champ pickup when he pulled a heavy duty trailer into my motel's parking lot with it on Friday night in South Bend. He lives in New York and installed a 5-cylinder Mercedes in it himself. I didnt see the Champ with the hood open though and I forgot the fella's name.

Here's the pics I took of the champ.

[t walgamuth]

That's sweet! Is that fellow a member here? I'd love to have a conversation with him about that truck!