1955 truck may be joining the family

[lark63]

I have come across a 1955 truck, v 8 litteraly 1 mile from my house....attempting to make it mine. Can anyone give an opinion on the 224 v8 in it. are they a good motor to keep, how are parts to get for them, is this a 6 or 12 volt system

[Mrs K Corbin]

post a picture! varied opinions of the engine. 55 was the changeover year, so may be either. Tag on the Generator should say, or remove a bulb and check to see what it says.

[jclary]

Being a C-Cab truck, any year, it is hard to go wrong if it is solid. For a basic truck, the C-Cab (any year) is one of the best ever produced...by any company. As long as your expectations are in line with the reality of its intended purpose, you should never be disappointed, regardless of the year on the registration. While the small six cylinder engine may leave it a bit under-powered, it is adequate and very durable. The bigger six, and the V8's, usually equipped with work geared transmissions and rear ends, don't make them high-speed interstate stars either.

But, as what I call "honest" transportation...I think they are unequaled. There is no pretense that they are anything more than a utility truck. From the king pins, straight front axle, clever fresh air vents, accessible instrumentation, simple wiring, to the all metal, dual wall constructed bed...no mysteries to deal with. After owning my six cylinder powered '55 truck for over forty years, I am now in the process of installing a V8. I have acquired several V8's, and am building a test station to evaluate them before choosing which engine to use. My decision will not be dictated by the "largest displacement," but by which one I deem is in the best mechanical condition. 224, 232, 259, or 289, I expect any of the V8's will be OK after being used to the six for decades.

As to the 224, it does not seem to be anyone's "favorite," as in the category of "bigger is better"...the 224 never seemed to enjoy a huge following. I have read, and been told, that parts are not as available as the larger displacement engines, and that it is more expensive to build one. But, don't let that discourage you in any way. Since the external dimensions of these engines are about the same, it shouldn't be too big a challenge to "upgrade" if the need arises.

My personal experience is, that after all these years of exposure to these trucks, now that I am serious about installing the V8 in my truck...how ignorant I am, of things that I either overlooked, and just plain don't know about the mechanical differences and specs of the different models offered. If the truck you are looking at is reasonably solid, negotiate your deal and go for it. You could be in for decades of enjoyment.

[PackardV8]

JMHO, but the '55 is the best looking pickup ever produced by anyone, any time, anywhere. You didn't mention if yours was an E7 or E12. Either will make a nice hobby truck. Having said that, to answer your questions:

The 224" is literally unbreakable. It's possible to wear one to the point of replacement, but with the short stroke and low compression, it's so much stronger than the horsepower it makes, it can't hurt itself. When equipped with the 3-speed overdrive, it's a good all-around engine. I've got two core engines in the shed if you should need a rebuild. Other than pistons and crankshaft, parts are pretty much the same as any '55-64 Studebaker V8.

All '55s were 6-volt. When everything is as it should be, 6 volts will always start the 224" V8. If it doesn't start, it's the owner's lack of maintenance.

jack vines

[Sam Ensley]

I have a 949 truck that had the 170 c.u. engine, with OD transmission when I bought it. I bought it in Minneapolis and drove it home to Georgia. No trouble running up to 75 mph. After a few years of driving it in the southern Appalachian mountains, I began to want more power. It now has a built Ford 289, C6 transmission, Ford rear-end, and the rest of the running gear from a Ford Areostar van. It runs and sounds well, but sometimes I wish I had stayed with the original equipment.

[candbstudebakers]

I have in the shop right now a either 232 0r 224 , I know nothing about the engine except that it turns over and I can see in the spark plug hole that the pistons are unused and still bright, this could be either an NOS original, rebuilt 232, 224 or rebuilt into a 259, it has the small heads and exhaust manifolds, any body want this engine can come and pick it up for free or I will deliver it to S/B for $100.00 and it will be up to you to get it off my trailer there.My scrap man would love the extra 500 lbs.

[PackardV8]

I have in the shop right now a either 232 0r 224 , I know nothing about the engine except that it turns over and I can see in the spark plug hole that the pistons are unused and still bright, this could be either an NOS original, rebuilt 232, 224 or rebuilt into a 259, it has the small heads and exhaust manifolds, any body want this engine can come and pick it up for free or I will deliver it to S/B for $100.00 and it will be up to you to get it off my trailer there.My scrap man would love the extra 500 lbs.

Incredibly generous offer, Bob. Next you're walking by it, the serial number would clear up where the block began life. Never a guarantee of what's inside it at present. Even with the small port 232" heads, it would make a great engine for the V8 conversion many here are considering. The small ports make great torque and MPG in a truck up to 3500 RPMs and most will never exceed that anyway.

jack vines

[zbutch]

I have a 1955 E-7 with the 224 V8. It is the original engine to the truck and still runs great. I have had the truck only four years and have been completely happy with the engine. I can not find any evidence my engine has ever been overhauled. It does not smoke but it does leak a little oil.

[r1lark]

I have a 224 in my E7 pickup, and IMHO it's a great engine. Plenty of low end torque, plus revs up well too. Maybe my rear axle gear is just matched well with the engine size and overdrive tranny, but I believe there is not much difference between it and a 259. Most parts for the 259s and 289s are the same, so parts are not an issue.