From the archives (last Service Letter 1968 and Supercharger exchange 1965)

[Studebaker Wheel]

A few years ago a member sent an email asking when Studebaker issued its last Service Letter. Priding myself in having one of everything Studebaker ever published I did a search (the old fashion way) and found Service Letter #N-9861-1was issued on January 12, 1968. Someone from the factory had hand written a new prefix G (General Information). Interesting that they were still being issued at that late date. Ironically I found none at all issued in 1967?

While doing the search I also found a Letter from Nov. 23, 1965 that pertained to Supercharger exchange prices. Thought that too was interesting.

Both shown below.

[8E45E]

And with that, 1566004 must be Studebakers last new part number?

Craig

[BobPalma]

And with that, 1566004 must be Studebakers last new part number? Craig

That's a good question, Craig. Answer, Dick?

I say that because I wonder if new part numbers might have been assigned to improved replacement parts that might have superseded older numbers while SASCO was still supplying servicing dealers with new replacement parts, but without a Service Bulletin issued to explain the change. BP

[r1lark]

Ironically I found none at all issued in 1967?

I have Service Letter N-1967-2 which relates to OHV replacement engines. Assume that the -2 indicates that there was another 1967 Letter in the 'N' category?

[Skip Lackie]

Re the above: Service Letter N-1967-1 was entitled "Cylinder head exchange - part no. 1561582 used on 1961-64 6-cylinder model passenger cars and trucks".

And I have copies of two later SASCO (not Studebaker) Service Letters:
M-1969-1 "Special Purchase - muffler outlet pipe - 1964-5-6 models"
M-1969-2 "Remanufactured stripped engine assembly - overhead valve - 6-cylinder model used in passenger cars & trucks"

M-1969-1 announced a new tail pipe, part number 1566005, which might be the highest Studebaker part number.

[Milaca]

In regards to Richard's service letter, I had assumed that only the Studebaker built engines used dropped-forged crankshafts (as opposed to cast iron). Did GM equip all small block V8s in 1965 with drop-forged crankshafts or did only the Studebaker-fitted engines have these?

[PackardV8]

All Chevrolet 283" crankshafts up through late-'65 were forged. From late-'65 through the end of production in 1967, the cranks could have been either forged or cast.

jack vines

[StudeRich]

All Chevrolet 283" crankshafts up through late-'65 were forged. From late-'65 through the end of production in 1967, the cranks could have been either forged or cast.
jack vines

That would explain the Cast Replacement Cranks in the Service Letter from 1968.

[2R2]

Dick

Thanks for posting - I'm the guy who asked you concerning the last service letters. As we have discussed, the whole SASCO 1964 - 1972(?) era is something I find interesting. On a somewhat related note, I have a letter dated 10/16/69 from Ed Dunbar to authorized Studebaker service outlets informing them that all Avanti parts have been sold to Avanti Motors. I also have a letter dated 5/23/72 from Carl Thompson at SASCO concerning a shop manual inquiry. I would assume this has to be really close to the end of SASCO, as I believe they ceased to exist in 1972; someone feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

[clonelark]

1968 was the first year for the 307 and 350's in the Camaro the crankshaft had larger mains.

[BobPalma]

Dick

Thanks for posting - I'm the guy who asked you concerning the last service letters. As we have discussed, the whole SASCO 1964 - 1972(?) era is something I find interesting. On a somewhat related note, I have a letter dated 10/16/69 from Ed Dunbar to authorized Studebaker service outlets informing them that all Avanti parts have been sold to Avanti Motors. I also have a letter dated 5/23/72 from Carl Thompson at SASCO concerning a shop manual inquiry. I would assume this has to be really close to the end of SASCO, as I believe they ceased to exist in 1972; someone feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

That's correct, Eric; they closed SASCO in 1972. Someone else will have to supply the day, but you have the year right. BP

[8E45E]

M-1969-1 announced a new tail pipe, part number 1566005, which might be the highest Studebaker part number.

Until someone documents a number issued after this one, I guess we can accept 1566005 as the final new part number issued. (Numerically, it is not the 'highest' as trucks appear to go as high as 169xxxx.)

It would also be interesting to know how many in total new part numbers were issued 'posthumously', after March 17, 1966.

Craig

[Dwain G.]

For dramatic effect, here is the last page of 7 digit '15xxxxx' part numbers from a 1968-69 parts price book 'F'.

And from a 1981 Avanti Parts catalog we see that several more 1566 numbers have been added.

[StudeRich]

Wow those are priceless Dwain!
A near the very Last Studebaker Parts Listing, I used those everyday in 1970-'71 at Frost and French Studebaker Sales, Parts, Service and West Coast Studebaker Parts Distribution Center, but since they were not mine, I have none that late.

It must be remembered that at this time the Avanti Parts Corp. was a owned by Newman and Altman/Standard Surplus after they bought the original (Studebaker) SASCO, so that is why it includes ALL Studebaker Parts for Cars, Trucks and Avantis, not just Avanti.