How Many 232's in Original Car Still Running?

[ozarkman]

[QUOTE=Flashback;504544]I agree with Jack. Here's my 53 sedan with original engine.


Wow! Still a 6 volt too!

[53k]

The "How many cars like yours?" thread got me thinking about the above question. In fact, does anyone know of any customs with their original 232 V-8 engine? Obviously, our custom is a one-of-a-kind on the outside and I am curious as to how unusual our keeping the original drive train is. Our custom work originally was done 1955-60. Thanks.

My '53 Commander Starliner has the original engine, automatic transmission, starter, generator, distributor, etc. It has something over 110,000 miles (speedometer has been broken for a long time). It had a valve grind at 109,000, otherwise it has not been apart. It starts (6-volt), runs, carries good oil pressure, smokes and leaks oil, tranny leaks ATF. I have a leaking "freeze plug" right now plus a brake system fluid leak so it isn't roadable right now. In the picture it has a manual choke rigged, but I have since fixed the automatic choke.

[candbstudebakers]

Crusty looking dude Paul, nice to see you still on the forum, see you in Springfield?? whole family going and using the motor home this next meet.

[rbruner]

I've got a 232 intake manifold that was just pulled from my 63 Champ. Any takers?

[53k]

Crusty looking dude Paul, nice to see you still on the forum, see you in Springfield?? whole family going and using the motor home this next meet.

Already got our reservations made (meet hotel). Great to hear you all are coming. Both wives will have someone to pal around with.

[candbstudebakers]

My daughter and sister in law will be with and maybe Ian's wife and kids again, see you there...Bob

[DougHolverson]

My surviver '51 Land Cruiser and my basket-case '51 Starlight.

[StudeRich]

WHAT about them ?

[2R5]

My ‘51 still has it’s original motor in it with 57,000 miles

[StudeRich]

There is certainly nothing wrong with Studebaker's first attempt at a OHV V8.
A good 232 V8 is a tough little engine, once they got the Lifter/Camshaft issue solved there were few problems.

Certainly a Lot less than Ford's first attempt at a OHV V8, those "Y" Blocks had terrible Rocker Arm oiling issues, so bad that aftermarket Kits were sold to add external Oiler lines to the rockers. I do not believe those were ever fixed by Ford.

[paintim613]

Sadly our original 232 was rebuilt with over bored pistons ultimately somehow leading to metal on metal noise. Another rebuild was ruled out. We bought a 1960 259 from Russ Ware at studebakerparts.com in Phoenix. The increased HP (120 to 180) has been a nice change.

[Al from Eatonville]

My '53 Commander Coupe still has it's original 232 (rebuilt). Maybe 17,000 miles since the rebuild with true mileage unknown but way more than 100,000.

[Randy Bohannon]

I have a '51 Land Cruiser, a '52 starlite coupe and a '52 HT - all three have their original 232.

[PackardV8]

Just realized, in all these years, we've never rebuilt a 232". One main reason is 232" oversize pistons have been NLA for many years now.

"Sadly our original 232 was rebuilt with over bored pistons ultimately somehow leading to metal on metal noise."

Some here have taken the chance and overbored their 232" to 259" diameter and gotten away with it. However, as long as 259" cores are still thick on the ground, we're just going to start with that and have no worries about thin cylinder walls.

jack vines

[Jerry Forrester]

My 232/3sp/od. Pulls my teardrop (Junebug) just fine. 78000 miles. I don't think the engine has ever been rebuilt. Burns a little oil and leaks a little oil. I have a freshly rebuilt 289 ready to go in if the oil burning should get really out of hand.