Engine: 1940 Inline 8 Engine Rebuild

[Okiejoe86]

Her.. We.. Go..

I picked up a spare inline 8 engine for my 1940 Studebaker President last summer. Found it on a farm in Northern MinnisotaThe tear down will began tomorrow. Once I get it torn down and inspected, I will post up a parts list of "Please Help Me Find" parts. Wanting to start this thread so some of yall can see the process and hopefuly see where I find parts. I will try to keep this thread up to date as best as I can in hopes it can help people in the future.

Over the last year, I have already spoke with some people about locating parts. The common response I got back was to post up a parts list and good luck. Fun times ahead!!

Today I washed down the outside and got the shop ready for some potential long time storage.

[Hallabutt]

Good luck I'll be watching. Keep us up to date.

[PackardV8]

Over the last year, I have already spoke with some people about locating parts. The common response I got back was to post up a parts list and good luck. Fun times ahead!!

For true. Seems Studebaker just made too many versions of the low-production I8 and there hasn't been enough demand for the aftermarket to cover them all. We get calls asking for bearings and pistons and have to say can't help with parts.

If the existing main bearings aren't too bad, what we do is polish the crankshaft, nip the main cap mating surfaces a couple of thou and line hone the mains to the low side of the tolerance. No more miles than these hobby cars get, this usually works.

For pistons, again, if they aren't too worn, we hone the block and knurl the piston skirts oversize.

jack vines

[Okiejoe86]

I started the tear down today. Manifolds removed, valve covers removed, coolant cover removed, head removed. The T-Stat housing bolts broke, every bolt on the coolant cover snapped, but the Head came off easily. Coolant passages show alot of rust, found some Acorns in the the coolant... Probably from a mouse or squirrel? How the hell did they pout the Acorns in there? Removed the water pump, and unfortunelty, the coolant triangle tube is completley rusted out. Has anyone dealt with the broken bolts? Are they removable? I still need to remove the valves, cam, and crankshaft. here are my current pictures. Feel free to give me your input.

[Okiejoe86]

Some more pictures

[tsenecal]

For the broken thermostat bolts, I would clean them up with a wire brush, slip a nut over them, and weld through the center of the nut. Let them cool completely so that they shrink, then use penetrating oil and try to turn them out. I have had good luck with this method.

[Rafe Hollister]

Eight in a row, very impressive looking! I hope you find away to overcome all obstacles. Just curious, what might engine performance be on these engines?
Rafe Hollister

[PackardV8]

Eight in a row, very impressive looking! I hope you find away to overcome all obstacles. Just curious, what might engine performance be on these engines?
Rafe Hollister

In stock form, 110 hp @ 3600 RPM. In racing tune, the success of the Studebaker-powered racers in 1930 and 1931 led to a full-fledged factory backed effort in 1932. Using the Hunt Special as a template, Studebaker built four additional racers for the 1932 race and fielded a five-car team. All five cars finished the race, with Cliff Bergere finishing 3rd.



jack vines

[mbstude]

Jack,

The Indy racers were powered by the big 336” Eight, which was last used in the 1933 President. From 1934-1942, the President used the smaller 250” Eight.

[6hk71400]

In 1934, there was an optional 4 carburetor set up for the President straight eight with an aluminum head and a magneto. There is a 1935 engine at the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed located in Lincoln Nebraska. The cost in 1935 was $750.00. Average yearly income in 1935 was around $1,100 dollars

[Studebaker Wheel]

The casting date on the engine in that museum is not consistent with 1935 so it would not be one of the original Studebaker race engines.

[Hallabutt]

Although they were not the engines used so successfully during the early 30's, the 250cu'" I-8 were quit successfully campaigned at race venues around the country, including Indy. As far as performance goes, Studebaker I-8's were probably more then competitive against most of the like engines of the day. It would be a mistake to try and compare them to the short stroked post war V8's. Cars tended to be heaver and lower gearing and low end torque was needed to get car moving. Overdrive like Studebaker used cut down on RPM's, which made for good driving flexibility. These were not hot rods but could and can cruise quite effortlessly at about 65MPH in OD.

[mbstude]

OkieJoe- This is an admirable endeavor and I hope you continue to share your progress. I like the Straight 8 Stude engines and it’ll be fun to see one go through the rebuild process.

As you’ve already mentioned, parts are scarce on the open market. There are prts out there, but most guys tend to “hoard” them as spares for the cars they own.

Good luck and thanks for sharing.

[studerex]

OkieJoe- This is an admirable endeavor and I hope you continue to share your progress. I like the Straight 8 Stude engines and it’ll be fun to see one go through the rebuild process.

As you’ve already mentioned, parts are scarce on the open market. There are prts out there, but most guys tend to “hoard” them as spares for the cars they own.

Good luck and thanks for sharing.

Hoarding for the need someday, but those somedays are running down. Two top right boxes.

[Okiejoe86]

Hoarding for the need someday, but those somedays are running down. Two top right boxes.

If you have bearings in that box for this engine, I am in need!

[Okiejoe86]

Yesterday I began removing the rockers and valves. They look yummy...

[Rafe Hollister]

That does not look usable! We are looking forward to see what you can do with this.
Rafe Hollister