Engine: What years 245 engine will bolt up in 39 Commander

[Ken Stewart]

I might half to replace the engine in my 39 Commander and if so I want to put a 245 in her. But what years will look the same the original engine.

[SN-60]

I believe there's an interesting write up on this subject by Andy Beckham in the new 'Turning Wheels'.

[Ken Stewart]

Thank you. It looks like I should keep the original engine in the car. I though I could put a 245 in and still look the same. But that not the case. Anyway I will keep the engine original. I will just look for a new crankshaft. If I do a complete rebuild what the best way to do it. Thanks again for the information

[gordr]

Ken, if you are stuck for a 226 crank, I have a 226 engine from a '38 Commander that I was once able to get running. I ran it for less than a minute, but it developed decent oil pressure and didn't knock. But the pistons are completely shot; some of them you can see the top of the top ring, looking down the bore.

It would still be prudent to assume that the crank should be ground and polished, but at least I know there aren't any spun bearings or other potentially fatal damage on it. $100 for the entire engine. Shipping, of course, is the killer, unless we can use the Studebaker Underground Railroad.

[Ken Stewart]

Thank lets wait and se when I tear down the original engine. How far are you from me anyway?

[royvaldez]

You can use a 245 motor out of a 1950 Commander. Will work. I have 10 motor hear.

[Ken Stewart]

How can you tell a 1950 Commander 245 when looking at it? That what I wanted to install if I need a rebuild engine.

[RadioRoy]

Any year Commander six will fit and look the same. Post war cars are 47-48 = 226 and 49 and newer = 245. 1950 was the last year for the 245 in a car, but they kept using the 245 in trucks until 1960.

Any of them will work/fit/look correct, but you must dial in the bell housing.

You can tell the displacement (226 or 245) by the serial number.

[mbstude]

A good friend has an original '38 Commander (paint, interior, etc). Harry Barnes, SDC's founder, owned the car in the 60's and 70's. Sometime in the mid 60's, Harry bought an NOS factory replacement 245 and put it in the car. It's still in there and looks factory original to anyone that has ever looked under the hood.

The later 245 is definitely the way to go. Just use all of the parts currently bolted to your 39's engine.

[Ken Stewart]

A friend has a 1950 engine but not sure what came out of. He says it a 1950. Is it a 170 or 245 how do I tell?

[StudeRich]

The Engine I.D. info is here, from the "Resources" link on our Main Page:

http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/tech_6data.asp

You will need to get the Engine Serial Number from the Left Front side of the block near the Top.

[RadioRoy]

The Commander six has a curving "ram's horn" exhaust manifold, while the Champion six does not. There are also different number of head bolts between the two engine designs.

[Commander Eddie]

I found Andy's article in TW very enlightening. Perhaps he will cover interchangeability in a future article on this topic.

[Ken Stewart]

I got lucky for once. A good friend has a 245 engine and he traded it to me for a Model T rear end that I have. I delivered the rear end today. He has to take out the engine and deliver it to me that the deal. What shape the 245 is in? We will see. At least I got one now. I will get it rebuilt and in top shape with the help of you fellows. That down the road.