Dumb Stude Questions

[Daan]

1. Can the typical Stude fuel system be modified to deal with our ethanol added gas? (Not E-85, just the E-10 or whatever every gas station near me has)
When adding a Turner brake kit, do you have to work up a Hydrovac (or similar) brake booster or is the pedal “feel” decent enough without a booster of some sort? A friend added a disc brake conversion on an off-brand 60’s car and the pedal was rock hard after. (Assuming he didn’t just do something wrong)
Can a 259 block be rebuilt into a 289 and/or R-1 type engine, also adding an oil filter to it-a 56 can come sans any oil filter, right?
Or is it just easier/less work to find a late engine to start with?
If everything works right, I’ll be the proud new owner of a 56 Hawk in March. It’ll need a moderate amount of work, so I’m sure I’ll have a bunch more dumb questions. Thank you!

[JoeHall]

NO dumb questions. To run the typical 90/10 fuel in a Stude, just be sure to change all rubber fuel hoses out with modern FI hoses that are designed for the stuff. If you add front disc brakes, and no HV, the pedal will be harder; especially if the car originally had PBs, and has the factory PB pedal, which has less leverage in pushing the MC piston in. A 259 can be made into a 289 by changing crank and pistons, but probably easier to just find a 289. Then too, the 259 is a real good motor and, stock for stock, the 289's extra 30 HP is barely discernible most of the time. Hope the deal comes through on the 56 Hawk. Is is a Power Hawk?

[Daan]

I know this is really not the point to 50+ year old vehicles, but what sort of MPG (ballpark) would a 56, 259/3OD Hawk get? It would be at least double digits if things were reasonably working properly, right?

[Daan]

Would replacing the Generator with some sort of Alternator necessitate rewiring a lot of the car? I may have to rewire anyway...

[rockne10]

... what sort of MPG (ballpark) would a 56, 259/3OD Hawk get? It would be at least double digits if things were reasonably working properly, right?

Well of course!
Much would depend on the rear axle ratio but, with a T86 OD, if you aren't seeing double digit mpg there is an issue. With tall rear gears you should see mpg in excess of 23 . Short gears should be in the 15-18 range.

[Mrs K Corbin]

In going to an ethanol fuel, I would also rebuild the carb for modern gaskets, etc. Plus the fuel pump diaphram too. May need to do the fuel pump diaphram just for GP.

[Daan]

Thank you for the
replies!

More Q’s:
How hard is it to put seatbelts in these? I mean modern(ish) retractable shoulder belts. A friend put some in a 50’s Ford, but he was able to order a kit and it bolted up once he drilled a few holes. I don’t mind drilling, but if I gotta fabricate and weld Metal I may have to hire some help for that...
Years ago I remember reading a “So you bought a Studebaker, here’s the typical things to do to get it back on the road” post (like adjusting brakes, rebuilding the Carb, etc) and for the life of me, I can’t find that post again. Does anybody else remember that, or did I imagine it?

[StudeRich]

Welcome Dan, looks like you are buying a '56 Power Hawk!

You were NOT imagining that, it is from the Home Page under Resources/Tech Tips and Data.

http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/TechThings2do.asp

Do not fear the 10% Ethanol, here on the West Coast we have been running that just fine in Hundreds of Studebakers since I think the 1980's, just Pray they don't INCREASE it anymore!

Would replacing the Generator with some sort of Alternator necessitate rewiring a lot of the car? I may have to rewire anyway...

The "Basic" difference with an Alternator will be a "Trigger Wire" you add from the 'Run" position of the Ignition Switch to the Voltage Regulator.
That is, if you use a "Original" looking, simple, dependable system like Studebaker used on 1963 to 1966 Models Using a separate Voltage Regulator.

[Daan]

I really didn’t want to “jinx” anything by posting on here so soon, but... I sure am buying a 56 Power Hawk. The $ has been sent, and a shipping company has been hired to get the car from California (where it’s been sitting for 20+ years) to Wisconsin where I am. The seller says the classic “ran when parked” but I know it’ll need brakes and probably the fuel system. Oh, and some floor work. I’m just too excited about finally getting a Hawk of my own to not start asking questions about it.

[Daan]

I should add that I’ve already sent away for a Production Order, and gotten a 56 Shop Manual. My dad has a Welder (and did that as a career for many years) so I plan on hitting him up for some lessons once they come back North in the spring.

[Daan]

StudeRich, that Hawk is gorgeous, is it yours? The one I’m getting won’t be quite as pretty, but it’ll be all mine!

[Daan]

Oh yeah, more Q:
There’s no battery in my car. What size are these supposed to come with?
Did Hawks ever come with Vacuum wipers? Or were they always Electric ones? I’ve seen kits online to add Electric wipers to cars, but should maybe make sure I actually need such a thing before I spend $ on it...

[62champ]

Oh yeah, more Q:
There’s no battery in my car. What size are these supposed to come with?
Did Hawks ever come with Vacuum wipers? Or were they always Electric ones? I’ve seen kits online to add Electric wipers to cars, but should maybe make sure I actually need such a thing before I spend $ on it...

The battery is a group 24. IIRC, I think all the Hawks had electric wipers. Good luck.

[6hk71400]

Dan, or Daan,

Welcome to the forum. Lots of good information here. The car that StudeRich posted is the color of your car back when new. Lots of things to do first like brakes and get her running.

When you do get to paint, here is a good guide to use.

https://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorco...et+Paint+Codes.

Your car is Sunglow Gold and Snow Cap White. One of my favorite 1956 Color combinations. My dad brought home a 1956 Commander Sedan in the color combination when I was 4 years old and it made an impression on me.

There are 5 chapters of the Studebaker Drivers Club listed on the contacts header on the SDC home page. If you have not already joined, check out which is near you and contact one of the chapter officers.

Bob Miles

[StudeRich]

StudeRich, that Hawk is gorgeous, is it yours? The one I’m getting won’t be quite as pretty, but it’ll be all mine!

Not mine Dan, I collect Pictures of all the Colorful and Pretty Stude's that people post here and sell on eBay.
Among my Dozens of Studes, I do have a Red with White Top Power Hawk that my Dad sold New at the Dealer he worked for in Inglewood, CA. it has NEVER been stored outside since new.