1950 Commander drivetrain

[georgeE]

A while back I bought a Commander Starlight without motor or trans. Got sidetracked on Larks but would really like to get the 50 project moving.I ain't gettin any younger!
As it is apparently next to impossible to install a Stude V8 and putting in a SBC would be a chore also, I'm wondering what are the chances of finding a Commander 6 engine trans for it and also how late a model could it come from? I don't seem to see any advertised in TW so don't really know if they are rare or just undesirable. Never seen one on Ebay either.
Thanks for any help.

[Robert Crandall]

This was advertised earlier in the month. I don't know about their current availability.

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?104247-Extra-engines-that-need-to-leave-my-garage-and-live-in-yours

[TWChamp]

1949 and 1950 Commanders used the 245 engine, and I think it's a great cruising package with the overdrive.
My 1950 Commanders with overdrive always got 28 MPG on the highway. That was in the 60's and 70's with better gas.
They shouldn't be too hard to come by. Roy offered an engine for free, but he's on the left coast.

[rockne10]

The Commander 6 started life as the 189 cid Rockne 6 in 1932 and was bored and stroked to an eventual 245 cid; used in Commanders through 1950 model year and some trucks in to 1961

Check with Rex Miltenberger. I believe he recently came in to possession of several Commander 6 engines. He also picked up a few V-8's for those who might be interested.
He's primarily a pre-war aficionado and what doesn't get moved will be scrapped.
He's on this forum as studerex.

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/member.php?278-studerex

[PackardV8]

I'm wondering what are the chances of finding a Commander 6 engine trans for it and also how late a model could it come from? I don't seem to see any advertised in TW so don't really know if they are rare or just undesirable. Never seen one on Ebay either.

Agree, if it were mine, I'd rebuild the latest Commander 245" six I could find, put it with an overdrive and cruise happily ever after.

Just the other day, someone was saying how dirt-common Commander sixes have been recently. But they're mostly cores; the days one could pull a running engine out of a junked/wrecked car, drop it in and drive for another ten years are long in the past. You won't have any difficulty finding core engines to rebuild. The bad news is CASOs will choke at today's cost to rebuild any engine, but especially the Commander.

jack vines

[TWChamp]

I know French Lake Auto Parts in Minnesota has some, and they are about 50 miles northwest of Minneapolis.
Cooley's in Wisconsin has a 1949 and 1950 Commanders. They are about 12 miles east of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

[RadioRoy]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-Studebaker-commander-226-motor-engine-and-OD-trans-/323022546158?hash=item4b35a4e4ee%3Ag%3Avt0AAOSwB09YH%7E6G&vxp=mtr&nma=true&si=RTgN24rzgTYSLmaPwIIVn61GMZE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[georgeE]

So they are not too rare then. My feeling is though that I have to find something closer to New York State. Otherwise between cost,crating,shipping and rebuild I'll be in the poor house. I've got a few months to search. Well actually as long as it takes.
Thanks gents.

[georgeE]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-Studeb...p2047675.l2557

Listing has ended but thanks.

[Lothar]

"...between cost,crating,shipping and rebuild I'll be in the poor house."
Thanks gents.

It depends who you work with, George. A "core engine" doesn't need to be crated, it can be strapped on a pallet and shrink-wrapped. Shipping can be as little as $250-350 even coast-to-coast, if you play your cards right.

[TWChamp]

I understand store to store Fastenal is reasonable. I'm not sure if they have stores nationwide, but I think so.

[RadioRoy]

Listing has ended but thanks.

Yes, but it didn't sell. That means the seller still has it.