Hello, Has anyone put a 259 or 289 motor in a 1950 Commander. I would like to put one in. Since the car did not come with a 245 6 cylinder motor, I need to do the next thing. Note. If someone in Northern Ca has a 245 complete motor with automatic tranny, please contact me. If you are willing to sell.
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V8 in a 1950 Commander?
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Biggest problem is entirely different frame and motor mount design.
You can put a Northstar in there with a torch and a welder if you want.
Adapting a V-8 is a design problem not to be discouraged but, to be well thought out in advance.
Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander StarlightBrad Johnson,
SDC since 1975, ASC since 1990
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight. '53 Commander Starlight
'56 Sky Hawk in process
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What Brad said! The frame and engine mount design is main diff. Being a Commander it would be better up to the task than a Champion, but not designed for a V-8 since '51's are more plentiful and designed for it, that is why nobody I have ever heard of has tried it! [:0]
quote:Originally posted by barnlark
Rich, were the frames still the same gauge, but the suspension and brakes not up to the V/8 in '50? Is the problem the weight, or the power produced?
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WAStudeRich
Second Generation Stude Driver,
Proud '54 Starliner Owner
SDC Member Since 1967
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No go. The '50 has a longer chassis with more length ahead of the cowl and a longer hood.
A '51 Commander is a Champion with a V8, but a '50 Commander is a completely different car.
You would be better off converting your car to a V8 or better yet, finding a good 6 cyl. they are out there.
Barry'd in Studes
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I don't know if this would work, but the wheelbase is only 4 inches shorter on a Hawk frame, compared to the 50 Commander frame. And it will fit a V8 engine.
[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 510 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars
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The Hawk frame wouldn't be an easy fit, as the hawk mounts the engine way back, maybe 15 inches or so back from the front axle. The engine needs to be just about even with the front axle on the bulletnose. I think the best fit might be something like a 4.3 liter V6 Vortex. Or get the Commander six engine that is supposed to be there in the first place. You know, the Commander six was used as a truck engine for years after the Commanders went to V8, and with all the trucks getting rodded now, you should be able to get a Commander six for not much. Even if you have to pay shipping on a good engine, it would probably be less trouble and expense than trying to jury rig some other engine into it.
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Let me quote myself.quote:You can put a Northstar in there with a torch and a welder if you want.
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander StarlightBrad Johnson,
SDC since 1975, ASC since 1990
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight. '53 Commander Starlight
'56 Sky Hawk in process
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Brad--
Yep...at one of the M'view cruises this summer there was a Pontiac Fiero in which someone had done precisely that...installed a Caddy Northstar V8. Had to lengthen it a bit, and the decklid/engine cover was a "bubble" hatch off an F-body...but anything is possible!
S.
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1950 was the first year for the Borg Warner DG200 automatic in the Studebaker. It is a very, very stout nearly bullet-proof performer. Rebuild kits are available. I don't know enough to say if a later FOM can be bolted up, or what other options can be explored. I like my DG200. Behind my '51 232cid I can thrash it and it will run up to 72mph before shifting to third.
Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander StarlightBrad Johnson,
SDC since 1975, ASC since 1990
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight. '53 Commander Starlight
'56 Sky Hawk in process
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