Another partial Studebaker rejoins the land of the living.

[gordr]

Some folks here may remember that I have a Studebaker "buggy", a rolling '61 Lark chassis that I have used as a test bed for various engines and transmissions. It currently sports an OHV six from a '63 lark, with a Type 35 automatic transmission. I had tried to start it last fall, but failed to get it running, so I picked it up with the tractor and stuffed it in the barn for the winter. I dragged it out on Sunday, and was able to get the engine going by cranking it with 24 volts. It ran, but soon overheated, so I shut it down. Yesterday was a road trip to haul scrap, which paid off nicely. Today, I got back into it. Took the starter out, opened it up, and found the armature dragging on the pole pieces at the commutator end. Cleaned it up, and found suitable bushings in my box of miscellaneous oilite bushings. Cranks on 12 volts now. Replaced the frost plug in the back of the head; it was leaking. Took the radiator out, and flushed it with the garden hose. Took the thermostat out, and cold, it was slightly open. Found another in my parts bin, put both in a saucepan of water, and heated on the stove. The slightly open one stayed slightly open, the "new" one opened fully before the water came to a boil. As it should. Put the new one in the engine. Got it started, and once well warmed up, I was able to put the auto tranny in gear, and drive it. Did one orbit of the yard with it. Reverse, low, and drive work as expected. This engine and tranny is intended to go into the Zip van.

[RadioRoy]

It's always gratifying when the machine finally wakens. I have been known to dance around crying "it's alive! It's alive! Bwahahahahahaaaaa!"

But then, I'm a bit odd.

Great work!

[gordr]

As it happens, the was a Mexican guy in my yard at the time, a contractor working for the utility company servicing power poles. he saw me run the thing, and gave me a big grin and a thumbs-up.

[tsenecal]

Sounds like it is ready to take to the next car show! LOL. Before the body went back on my Hawk, I had the chassis all painted up, new engine all detailed, radiator temporarily installed. I actually thought about taking it to the local car show and enter it in the "under construction" category. It looked cool, and kids could have seen what a car looks like under the real car.