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Jim Talbot's Black, Hemi powered 4spd 1954 k

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  • Jim Talbot's Black, Hemi powered 4spd 1954 k

    About a year ago I bought the above from Dan Ellis (no kin to me) outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Mr Talbot had the car built 25 or 30 years ago and apparently never drove it except on and off a trailer. It was and still is a spectacular vehicle and was featured some years back in John Bridges book about 53/54 C/Ks.

    Talbot and Dan were close friends and Dan ended up with the vehicle when Jim died. While Dan loved the car he knew next to nothing about the drive line builder. He also never drove it and after a few years decided to sell it.

    The car was advertised as inoperative and priced accordingly so I went ahead and did the deal and had the car shipped in to me. I had just moved into a new home so I rolled it in to the garage and shut the door. About 4 months ago I began to sort the vehicle out and quickly identified why it would not start and pulled the starter out for a rebuild.

    Long story short the starter was lost at the rebuilder and now I'm trying to figure out just what starter was used on the 56 Chrysler hemi. The engine has what looks like a Lakewood bellhousing behind it and the 56 starter doesn't fit and neither does the 57 and up version. I will one way or the other figure out what starter will work but this whole adventure has caused me to wonder if the guy that built the car for Mr Talbot originally might still be alive and kicking.

    Besides the starter issue the builder might have a recollection of the engine internals which might come in handy some day. With the "deep bench" of talent here in Studebaker land who knows there might be somebody here in the forum that might know something about the car.

    Can anybody out there fill in the blanks?
    ed ellis

    sigpic

    the "SUPER COUPE"

  • #2
    I saw it about a decade ago at Hunters custom auto show in Nashville. A year or so previous to that, they pulled the Chevy and 4 speed out of it. Put in Low Mustang 2 front. Pulled the slightly narrowed Dana 44, swapped for a 9 inch and painted the front fenders. From the firewall back, it was still the original lacquer paint from many moons ago. Kept in a dehumidified dark room. I think it was probably a shop in or around Nashville that performed the Hemi feat. Someone that's in the Nashville hot rod-street rod builder bunch will remember it. Can't forget that car! I think I would call Hunters automotive shop in Nashville 615-227-6584. It's in my all time top 5 favorite Studes. Good luck on your starter.
    My 1st car. "A TRANSTAR"

    Starliner
    sigpic
    Somewhere between Culture and Agriculture
    in the Geographic center of Tennessee

    Comment


    • #3
      Like I said the Studebaker forum has a very "DEEP BENCH"

      Originally posted by Studeous View Post
      I saw it about a decade ago at Hunters custom auto show in Nashville. A year or so previous to that, they pulled the Chevy and 4 speed out of it. Put in Low Mustang 2 front. Pulled the slightly narrowed Dana 44, swapped for a 9 inch and painted the front fenders. From the firewall back, it was still the original lacquer paint from many moons ago. Kept in a dehumidified dark room. I think it was probably a shop in or around Nashville that performed the Hemi feat. Someone that's in the Nashville hot rod-street rod builder bunch will remember it. Can't forget that car! I think I would call Hunters automotive shop in Nashville 615-227-6584. It's in my all time top 5 favorite Studes. Good luck on your starter.
      Studeous, you have given me more info than I have been able to dig out on my own in 4 months of trying. I have a call into Hunter's and will let you know what I find out.

      Stay tuned,
      ed ellis

      sigpic

      the "SUPER COUPE"

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      • #4
        Studeous,

        I just spoke to the guy who manages the shop. He has some vague memory of the car. That's the bad news. The good news is the owner of Hunters is away for about 2 weeks and he apparently knew JIm Talbot very well. I tried without success to get the owners name and cell number but after awhile I realized I could get a hold of Obama easier.

        Another couple of weeks hopefully won't hurt.
        ed ellis

        sigpic

        the "SUPER COUPE"

        Comment


        • #5
          Ed, do you think Rene Harger may know anything about the car?

          JS
          I was STUDEBAKER, when STUDEBAKER wasn't "KOOL".

          Comment


          • #6
            Have you tried calling Lakewood. They should be able to tell you which starter fits that bellhousing.

            Comment


            • #7
              You need to check with original hemi people... not Stude people (imho). Also, "Hot Heads" (hothemiheads.com), the ol' hemi specialist might be able to help. I've played with 392s forever but only using OEM bellhousings. Sorry.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by 70Avanti2 View Post
                Have you tried calling Lakewood. They should be able to tell you which starter fits that bellhousing.
                It seems that Lakewood has been bought by Holley and they have been no help. In fairness to them I'm not even sure who made the bell housing. I can find no part number on it so I'm just ASSuming it's a Lakewood.
                ed ellis

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                the "SUPER COUPE"

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                • #9
                  Barlow,

                  I reached out to "Hot Heads" for advice and even bought a high torque starter from them for a 56 which they were kind enough to return. I then did a tracing of the "mounting hole" which I sent to them when I returned the starter. I followed that up with a cell picture of the "mounting" hole.

                  They came back and suggested that judging by the bolt pattern it might need a starter for a Chrysler 318. However Chrysler 318s did not use a 172 tooth flywheel. From memory I think the 318 uses a 130 tooth flywheel.

                  My next step I think is to visit my FLAPS and look at a 318 starter and if the bolt pattern works I'll start there. Hopefully I will be able to find a Bendix gear set for a 172 tooth flywheel and hopefully it will interchange onto the 318 starter.

                  Either way thanks for your help and guidance! I hope everybody on our "Deep Bench" realizes I checked my ego at the door and I am looking for all possible help and suggestions.....
                  ed ellis

                  sigpic

                  the "SUPER COUPE"

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by LarkTruck View Post
                    Ed, do you think Rene Harger may know anything about the car?

                    JS
                    JS, good suggestion. I'm on it.
                    ed ellis

                    sigpic

                    the "SUPER COUPE"

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      see if you can find out what starter works with there current bellhousing for that appalaction

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by 70Avanti2 View Post
                        see if you can find out what starter works with there current bellhousing for that appalaction
                        70, Great minds think alike! I looked on the Lakewood web site some time ago and there is no such animal.
                        ed ellis

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                        the "SUPER COUPE"

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by ed ellis View Post
                          JS, good suggestion. I'm on it.

                          Turns out that Rene' is on vacation till later in the month.
                          ed ellis

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                          the "SUPER COUPE"

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                          • #14
                            Just a thought but SBC's also use different teethed ring gears but they are interchangeable after a fashion. If you can find the appropriate bolt pattern and snout length, which should be relatively easy to measure, is it possible to just use the appropriate ring gear/flywheel to mate it up.

                            Great ride IAC.

                            Bob

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Studeous View Post
                              I saw it about a decade ago at Hunters custom auto show in Nashville. A year or so previous to that, they pulled the Chevy and 4 speed out of it. Put in Low Mustang 2 front. Pulled the slightly narrowed Dana 44, swapped for a 9 inch and painted the front fenders. From the firewall back, it was still the original lacquer paint from many moons ago. Kept in a dehumidified dark room. I think it was probably a shop in or around Nashville that performed the Hemi feat. Someone that's in the Nashville hot rod-street rod builder bunch will remember it. Can't forget that car! I think I would call Hunters automotive shop in Nashville 615-227-6584. It's in my all time top 5 favorite Studes. Good luck on your starter.
                              I have tried to respond to your PM with no success. I don't know if the problem is on my end or with the "forum". Stay tuned.

                              Ed
                              ed ellis

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                              the "SUPER COUPE"

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