R-1 engine # & color

[JBOYLE]

Allen Barth just pulled by Avantis engine prior to a repaint.

He says the engine # seems to be R-2008 and was originally red (or at least some of the the harder to reach areas are red).

I'm at work and don't have access to my build sheet but does that number jive for a car built in Jan 63 (R-2788)?
And was it originally red?

Based on converstaions with the PO and a couple of Stude knowledgeable mechanics who have looked at the engine, we assumed it was original...I hope it is.

63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[PackardV8]

I thought most R1s were black.

thnx, jack vines

PackardV8

[JDP]

The number sounds about right, but the build sheet will tell the tale. BTW, the engine would have been black.

JDP/Maryland
"I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."
Thomas Jefferson

[Warren Webb]

Engine color is black- Studebaker used a red oxide material (sealer?) on the inside of their engines. This too is a step they took that engine builders of more common makes have to do themselves to aid in the oil getting down to the pan smoothly. Later built R-3 & 4's were red, but even then not all, so it seems.

60 Lark convertible
61 Champ
62 Daytona convertible
63 G.T. R-2,4 speed
63 Avanti (2)
66 Daytona Sport Sedan

[JBOYLE]

The engine number checks out from the build sheet.
That doesn't explain the red paint unless it was painted in a rebuild (less likely no history from POs or sign of a rebuild) or if it were out of the car (more likely since the car was painted 20 years ago).

Oh, the wonders of Studebakers and mysteries of 45 year old cars...

BTW: According to the buld sheet, it's Line # was 1755 (as opposed to its serial of 2788 and engine 2008)...does that relate to when it was built or is it less formal than that?



63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[Bellingham Studenut]

The red engine color would be incorrect and probably had some work done on it at some point.
It should be black (on the outside) if it's R1, or R2.
Of 4 I have, one had a dealer installed red engine but it's an R3.
Some cars got transplants, but your engine # is R1 and looks correct for that sequence serial #.

James

The Bell Collection
Bellingham, WA.