Busmans holiday

[1954khardtop]

I took a day off from my truckdriving job and drove 3 and 1/2 hours to pick up the Studebaker engine Dave Taibeault rebuilt it for me.
We had planned on my picking it up tomorrow, but with possible rain in the forecast decided to do it today. I got to watch as he put on the finishing touches, the fuel and water pumps, plugs and oil filter.
He estimated 6 weeks when I dropped it off, as it needed everything, and today was six weeks to the day!
When I got it home I put on the flex plate, torque converter and housing, and set it in the chassis. Happy day!

[StudeRich]

Very nice looking Engine Dwight, I find it interesting that many people just can't resist putting their own little "special" touches on otherwise original Parts.
The good news is it will be easy to re-paint the Crank pulleys and upper dipstick tube the correct Olive Green, and then you can paint the Converter Housing bolts too!

[1954khardtop]

Thanks Rich, I planned on touching everything up when the install is finished, and was going to paint the bolts then. I didn't know about the tube and pulleys.

[55coupe]

Hello Dwight I just picked up a p/s unit like yours. It's a bit crusty sat in a car for some 15-20 yrs. What I was wondering was did you rebuild your unit or just go with new seals and gaskets? When mine came off the oil looked real nice but after all that time whatever crud could be in there would have settled. I'll look insde and inspect it the best I can before install, in a 55 coupe hopefuly all will be good. Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice. Stephen

[1954khardtop]

55coupe, My steering gear came from a friends car who prefers manual steering. It worked and was tight, so only needed seals and hoses. If it looks good inside and doesn't have excessive play I'd put seals in it and try it.

[nickaboni2]

Dave Thibeault does nice engine work. He built a modified r4 for my 51 starlight project that is nearing completion and I could not be happier with the looks and quality of the work done on it. Dave has also supplied the majority of parts for this project in a timely and cost efficient way.

[55coupe]

Thanks again 54 Hardtop I'll start cleaning this unit and look forward to installing.