Engine: 1950 3/4 Ton Engine Swap

[pressley]

Good morning. I have a 3/4 ton currently with a 1953 Champ 170 cu in with 3spd. I have just picked up a running 259 and 289 V8. I have attached pictures of the engines. My thought is to install the 289 with a 4 spd on the floor.
1 Engine is 7E978, the other is a V521812. Any thoughts on if one better than the other?
289 was automatic.
Can anyone provide some guidance on this swap?
Any specific trans/bellhousing?
Has anyone done this swap? Any help much appreciated.

[PackardV8]

I thought most 3/4-tons had the Commander 6-cyl, but with a seventy-five-year-old truck, anything is possible.

From '55 on the C-cabs were available with V8s. The most cost-effective swap is to find a rusted out truck with a complete V8 setup. That way you get all the linkages, transmission cover, motor mounts, driveshaft and rear axle.

The rear axle is especially important because most '53 6-cyl 3/4-tons came with a 4.88 Timken rear gear and guarantee you won't be happy with that on the highway. The V8 3/4-tons usually had a 4.10 rear gear and with the 4-speed, that's still pretty low.

In a pickup, there's not a great deal of difference between the performance of the 259" and the 289". Build whichever is in the best condition. If they're equal, go with the 289".



jack vines

[r1lark]

What Jack said.

If you already don't have the '49 thru '56 truck parts manual, you need to get one. Maybe even the '57 thru '62 parts manual. Study the manual to see what Studebaker parts you need to do the conversion. As Jack said, stay with Studebaker truck parts (front mounts, bellhousing, rear mounts, etc).

As far as what bellhousing to use, it will need to match whatever truck transmission you are planning on using. (I'm assuming here that the 4 speed you mention is a Studebaker truck 4 speed??) There were a number of different transmissions used in the V8 trucks, study up on them here and on the Studebaker Truck Talk forum (https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/studebakertrucktalk/) and determine which on fits your usage of the truck the best. A great all-around transmission in my opinion is the T89 with overdrive.

You will need to change the front springs to a set of V8 truck springs. Consider finding a set of '63 or '64 Studebaker Champ truck brakes to upgrade the stopping power, or go with Turner front disc brakes.

As Jack mentioned above, a V8 parts truck would really make your task easier, but they are few and far between these days.

[pressley]

Thanks for the responses. I have a lead on a 4spd with bell housing and shifter. Need to confirm from a truck. I also have a line on a dana 60. Need to measure track width. Will that work as replacement for the 3/4 ton rear. Someone had changed the engine out to the champ car engine. I have already installed Turner Brakes. Will check out link provided.

[Skip Lackie]

Just another recommendation that you try to find a junk C-cab truck with a V8. There are literally dozens of parts that are different on a V8 truck from the Champion 6. A V8 truck will provide them all, and the truck parts book will tell you which ones are the same and which ones are different Otherwise, you will have to fabricate them.

[PackardV8]

. I also have a line on a dana 60. Need to measure track width. Will that work as replacement for the 3/4 ton rear.

Yes, No, Maybe. There are a dozen widths, spring pads, brakes, bolt patterns, gear ratios. Only way to know is to measure.

In mid-'56 Studebaker switched from the Timken rear axle to the much better Dana 60. Unfortunately, at that time they also switched to the inferior, much less attractive Ford 8-lug wheels and brakes.

jack vines

[mbstude]

Rick, this is Matt at Stephen Allen's. Remember the '55 E38 two ton truck I've got out back that you pulled the front bumper off of? It has a 259" with a 4 speed in it. Engine mounts, bell housing, transmission, water pump manifold.. All the stuff you need to install a V8 into your pickup.

For $300 you can come up and take whatever you want from it. Take the whole engine and trans if you'd like. I can pull the rusted cab and front sheet metal off to make things easier to get to. Just let me know.

[jetboat]

That sounds like a great deal,I have a 54 c-cab with engine swap to a 259 that was done wrong .a few things out of line.

[Skip Lackie]

Pressley: Unless you enjoy fabricating a bunch of parts, both big and small (some people do), take Matt up on his deal. Studebaker has already done the engineering for you -- might as well take advantage of it.