My Half A$$ Studebaker Rebuild

[S2Deluxe]

Between all that junk in the trunk and the cut out trailer support, I've lightened this car but over 150lbs.

Kind of a shame, you had to cut all that out? It probably did improve your rear wheel traction, and, quite well, counter balance the nose heaviness of the Stude 289". I'm impressed, it Needed doing, and you got it Done! Keep it up.

Mark

[Topper2011]

I believe that Stephen Allen's will have repro gasoline tank for your car shortly.

- - - Updated - - -

I believe that Stephen Allen's will have repro gasoline tank for your car shortly.

Thanks Gary, I'm check him out.

[Topper2011]

Kind of a shame, you had to cut all that out? I probably did improve your rear wheel traction, and, quite well, counter balance the nose heaviness of the Stude 289". I'm impressed, it Needed doing, and you got it Done! Keep it up.

Mark

Thanks Mark, I'm actually looking forward to putting some new metal in.

[junior]

Glad to get all that junk out of the trunk. Anyone want a very heavy manifold of which I do not know what Ford it fits. Free for the cost of shipping and my hernia operation.

that is a manifold off of a FE series Ford...when I was in the 7th grade, I was at a friends house and her dad was working on a 390 Ford...he referred to the intake as a 'battle ship'...never heard of an intake called a battle ship. I asked why he called it a battle ship...he told me to pick it up, I tried to pick it up off the top of the engine...no way I could even budge it. Her dad leaned over the fender of the car and grunted the manifold off to the side of the engine, and then up and over the fender of the car. "now you know why its called a battle ship" is pretty much all he said. cheers, junior

[Topper2011]

that is a manifold off of a FE series Ford...when I was in the 7th grade, I was at a friends house and her dad was working on a 390 Ford...he referred to the intake as a 'battle ship'...never heard of an intake called a battle ship. I asked why he called it a battle ship...he told me to pick it up, I tried to pick it up off the top of the engine...no way I could even budge it. Her dad leaned over the fender of the car and grunted the manifold off to the side of the engine, and then up and over the fender of the car. "now you know why its called a battle ship" is pretty much all he said. cheers, junior

Thanks, it felt like lifting a battleship. Junior, you look to be correct, it's an FE manifold.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-THUNDERBIRD-390-4-BARREL-INTAKE-MANIFOLD-CAST-IRON-C3AE-1961-1964-61-64-OEM/113171434823?hash=item1a598b0d47%3Ag%3ABSIAAOSwFb5bWz%7ER&_sacat=36474&_nkw=ford+390+fe+manifold&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=p2499334.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xford+390+fe+manifold.TRS0.TSS0

I have the same thread going on my motorcycle forum and no one knew what kind of manifold it is except you. Thanks.

[Topper2011]

I actually decided to do some work on the Studebaker. I dropped the tank off to the radiator shop. Checking the site Rich mentioned didn't show a tank for a Hawk. At least I know my tank will fit back in anyway. Started tracing the melted blue wire and found a couple of collateral damaged wires.



Someone has been doing some splicing. Like a dog, I have squirrel syndrome and looked around under the dash. Lubing the stuck parking brake lever and OD lever.



My front heater, along with the floor heater will make this car quite toasty for the winter.



This was really frozen, as well as everything else. I pulled it into the engine compartment to straighten the cable as much as possible and lube it with my ATF/Acetone mix, filling the housing and working it back and forth. I knew it was free at the transmission and eventually it freed up.

[Topper2011]

I also received the carb back from the rebuilder that supposedly ran it on a test engine. Looks pretty good, hope it's all set.



I was really torn of weather to even bother to clean and paint the manifold and decided if I could find some engine paint, I would.



It was probably a mistake, as if I left it as is, no excuses for it being dirty.



I'm undecided on the brakes. At the very least, a dual master. I want to go with 4 wheel disc, but without a booster, it would take extra effort. These drum brakes self energize, multiplying braking force, disc brakes don't. Has anyone gone to 4 wheel disc and happy with them? Is it worth it? Is front disc enough for you? After all, many modern cars still use rear drums.

[Topper2011]

As I get distracted easily, I decided to work on getting the filler tube out. The tank is out anyway, but the filler door is frozen in place. Lot's of lube through the opening and through the fender and finally it's open.



Art deco locking cap. I really wanted to save it, but...



No key will fit in there, I have to twist it off and hope to save the filler.



This thing was tough, must have been made with quality parts, not like a lot of stuff made these days.




Glad I didn't bend the door getting this open

[Topper2011]

So glad this car is unmolested, it even still had the tags on the differential.



Would have preferred something more like 3.23's, but...



Way better than the 5.38's the Willys had.

[RadioRoy]

So glad this car is unmolested, it even still had the tags on the differential.



Would have preferred something more like 3.23's, but...



Way better than the 5.38's the Willys had.

3.73 is the perfect ratio for a V-8 and overdrive. You ARE saving/utilizing the overdrive, right?

[Topper2011]

3.73 is the perfect ratio for a V-8 and overdrive. You ARE saving/utilizing the overdrive, right?

Oh, absolutely. I really wanted this setup and very happy I have this car, warts and all.

[cabforward]

I like the looks of the jeep wheels.

[Topper2011]

Can someone help me with measuring the length of their throttle rod. Since I received the carb back, the throttle no longer seems to reach. I've pulled up the gas pedal as high as I can get it and the throttle rod no longer seems to reach the carb correctly. Seems to be short by about 2". Weird. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Maybe a picture would help. Thanks.

[Topper2011]

Good news though...
40lbs oil pressure!

[Topper2011]

I believe that Stephen Allen's will have repro gasoline tank for your car shortly.

- - - Updated - - -

I believe that Stephen Allen's will have repro gasoline tank for your car shortly.

I contacted them and yes, they are on the way. Good thing, since the radiator guy told me the tank is swiss cheese. Thanks for the tip.