I spy an with my little eye an R1 engine

[GThawkwind]

I spotted this ad on craigslist today http://sd.craigslist.org/pts/3818207645.html . Sitting on the hood of a four door lark I notice chrome valve cover and black paint, I think it's an R1. I don't know if it's any good considering where its sitting but maybe worth a look or two. Wonder if theres anyone in sturgis that would help with pick/shipping, how bad would short distance shipping freight be on a 700 pound engine?

[studeski]

Don't look like anR1 to me

[GThawkwind]

Don't look like anR1 to me

not the one in the garage but the one on the hood of the car.

[studeski]

Still no. Small vibration damper.

[GThawkwind]

Still no. Small vibration damper.

AH HA so it's junk..... I was hoping one of you guys would help figure that out. I'm not famillar with how to spot an r engine. Wierd that it has both black paint and the valve covers though

[61Lark]

It's worth a look. That appears to be a chrome valve cover, who knows what else it has for parts. Sturgis is only 30 miles from Rapid City.....

"One dealer at least was exceptional. Motor Service Company in Rapid City SD. He sold a bigger percentage of Avanti powered cars than any other dealer and wrote letters to the factory criticizing their lack of marketing for hi performance Studebakers." - JDP/Maryland

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?27977-Differences-Betwen-63-and-64-Avanti-R2

[sals54]

Don't be too quick to dismiss that being an R1 engine. The chrome valve covers and black paint may be the tell tale signs you need. The pulley is less of a factor in my opinion. I have an R1 in my Coupe and I run the standard pulley for sheer convenience. One belt makes it far simpler and lighter. Besides, the engine may have originally been acquired without the lower pulley. An investigation should be in order. For $500 you could hardly go wrong if you have the storage.

[53k]

I spotted this ad on craigslist today http://sd.craigslist.org/pts/3818207645.html . Sitting on the hood of a four door lark I notice chrome valve cover and black paint, I think it's an R1. I don't know if it's any good considering where its sitting but maybe worth a look or two. Wonder if theres anyone in sturgis that would help with pick/shipping, how bad would short distance shipping freight be on a 700 pound engine?

Chrome valve covers were available as parts of an engine dress-up kits (included chrome breather caps and a chrome dipstick. I believe the old Standard Surplus had a bunch of then- $9.95 for the kit. I bought a kit at a Studebaker dealer for the same price. So, chrome valve covers can indicate a R engine, but not always.

[StudeRich]

There are some interesting things you can see in these pics. The person who years ago tried his best to save these cars and parts had the black plastic cover over what he thought was the most valuable, the engine on the hood!

The engine in the shed tells me that MOST LIKELY, he had a low mileage '56 or '57 Turquoise Green Block, he wanted to put it in one of his '63's, so he installed a '63 Intake Manifold with Carb., a '63 Water Manifold with Fan Pulley (Black) and the Yellow Valve Covers and Oil Caps so he could use the '56/'57 Engine in one of his '63 Larks. He may have gotten too old or died before finishing, and they were left to rust.
So this guy was pretty good at swapping Stude. Parts around!

Hey, it COULD have happened!
While, I could never compete with Roscoe/Biggs/Bob or Bob Palma for story telling, I tried!

[ROADRACELARK]

One very obvious tell-tale for the "R" engines is the crankcase breather pipe mounted to the passenger side of the oil pan. Most have the dip stick tube incorporated with the pipe mounting at the pan. Hope this helps.

Dan Miller
Auburn, GA

[JimC]

Lots of good parts there, even if that's not an R series. The paint and chrome do lead one to suspect it could be possible. I guess you'll just have to drive up there and find out.

While you're there, pull those chrome valve covers for me. I'd love a set.

[GThawkwind]

One very obvious tell-tale for the "R" engines is the crankcase breather pipe mounted to the passenger side of the oil pan. Most have the dip stick tube incorporated with the pipe mounting at the pan. Hope this helps.

Dan Miller
Auburn, GA

So is it an R1 or not? I'm confused.

[JimC]

I think he's saying that might help identify it if someone were there to look. As it is, the passenger side isn't shown in the photos.

[GThawkwind]

I think he's saying that might help identify it if someone were there to look. As it is, the passenger side isn't shown in the photos.

Oh I get it now!!! Duh.

[Warren Webb]

A 30 mile drive is worth the trip. If it was that close to me I'd be in the car now going down the road. Once your there see the engine number, that will tell the story. If it starts with a P or V then its a regular Stude V-8 but if it has the beginning JT or R or if the passengers side has this funny looking tube coming out of the oil pan then it's a grab now!