Reasons pro/con on Engine swap solicited

[JoeHall]

I have a TBI with a SDC pushing up past the ECM up the butt of 5 different and
disunited Caso's.TBI.

Robert Kapteyn

What does that mean?

[Pancho]

I had many old parts I sold in bulk to a friend who is an engine builder. The 305 parts went straight out of the bed of my truck and into the scrap metal bin.

[StudeRich]

There are many of us unlike Mike V.V that "BELIEVE" in using an adequate amount of ZDDP in our Oil as Valvoline admits is needed and is in Valvoline VR1 Racing or ZDDPlus additive.

In that case Phillip, it will make no difference if you use a Chev. Engine or a Stude. you will NOT get around the need for ZDDP since IMHO, all Flat Tappet Engines, even your Lawn Mower need it!
They have no Roller Cam, Roller Lifters or Overhead Cam.

And those that say they have been using Brand X Oil for many, many years with no problem, have not driven those cars long enough since the needed additives were removed in I believe, Nov. 2007 to report on the damage to the Cam, and Lifters.

[parts2]

Having just replaced the Comp 267 in my 53 Coupe..350 SBC .. I would suggest Valvoline racing oil. My XK120 w/350 I built,,has always used Valvoline VR1 or similar.. No problems. The Stude is the first car I bought and di not build myself..so I don't know what was used for the first 30K miles..just the last 6K.
I just got it back on road..did by the book cam break in etc..
The faliure wasa rounded lobe that eventually broke a PUSHROD. The lifter was 1/4" concave on bottom. After throughly cleaning the lower end..and luckily finding metal/paste only in the filter (WIX !)..

Now at 400 mikes and will be doing 1st oil/filter change. Cheap protection..

I like my carb 350 with 4L60e converted to 700R with manual lockup switch. But if I do another project (I have a 75 280Z bought new that is very nice..but motor tired) the carb 350 will go in the Z. A LS motor swap is what I would prefer..but we'll see. My 53 runs so well now..and the MPG isn't bad..and Arizona is quite easy on cars. Especially with two to alternate and maybe a third..

[pbrown]

Thanks for the 19 posts so far

[pbrown]

it will make no difference if you use a Chev. Engine or a Stude. you will NOT get around the need for ZDDP since IMHO, all Flat Tappet Engines, even your Lawn Mower need it!

Thanks for this. I never thought about ZDDP until I came to the world of Studes.

[64studeavanti]

IMHO, I would put the Stude 289 engine in the 57 as I think that would have the most value. The largest engine in the 59 was 259 and is most likely less desirable from a collector point of view. Since you plan on keeping the 59, why not enjoy the pluses from having a more modern drive train.

[pbrown]

I had many old parts I sold in bulk to a friend who is an engine builder. The 305 parts went straight out of the bed of my truck and into the scrap metal bin.

I believe this entirely. If you are going to build an engine, it would be stupid to start with a 305. The value of a 305 is only if you buy it complete and running and never plan to modify it.

[pbrown]

IMHO, I would put the Stude 289 engine in the 57 as I think that would have the most value. The largest engine in the 59 was 259 and is most likely less desirable from a collector point of view. Since you plan on keeping the 59, why not enjoy the pluses from having a more modern drive train.

Thank you! That is exactly the type of response I was soliciting!

[Dick Steinkamp]

I think if you put the TPI 305/700R4 into the 57 and drive it, you'll end up keeping the 57 and selling the 59.

Which ever car you put it in, make sure to make a plan and budget for the switch. Think through all the possible changes that need to be made, which of them you can do yourself and which need to be farmed out, and the parts needed. Some of us here that have done similar conversions can help you with the plan/budget.

[t walgamuth]

I'd put a Mercedes 617 turbodiesel in it!

(just kidding).

[pbrown]

I think if you put the TPI 305/700R4 into the 57 and drive it, you'll end up keeping the 57 and selling the 59.

Which ever car you put it in, make sure to make a plan and budget for the switch. Think through all the possible changes that need to be made, which of them you can do yourself and which need to be farmed out, and the parts needed. Some of us here that have done similar conversions can help you with the plan/budget.

[pbrown]

I'd put a Mercedes 617 turbodiesel in it!

(just kidding).

If I could I would - I love low end torque!

[pbrown]

And so I don't hijack my own thread, I've started a new one in the tech forum:

"Why I picked a 305 instead of a 350"

[gordr]

Well, if you are changing the engine just because you need a bracket for a power steering pump, that, IMHO, is a pretty lame reason. Brackets are easy to make. The big issue with power steering in a Studebaker is the business end. Either you use the clumsy-looking Bendix linkage type, with all the little hoses, or you do extensive mods to mount a rack and pinion unit or some sort of in-box power unit. Neither course is easy.

I don't see a problem with the 305 and 700R4. That combo has worked fine in thousands of GM cars and pickups. The 305 is a "lesser" engine than the 350, in terms of raw power, but I don't think it's any less reliable. If you plan to keep the car that way, go for it. If you plan to sell the modified car, probably a 350 would be easier to sell.