1930 Erskine Model 53, need a throw out bearing

[wilsonsk]

I am a new owner of a 1930 Erskine 53. I have it running but it appears there is no throw out bearing. The previous owner had it apart a year ago or so and painted the bell housing and put it back together. He has since passed away but his son thinks he may have just plain forgotten to put it back in. His widow has moved and it was likely thrown away if it was still around. I need a source for a replacement, any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

I will be asking MANY more questions as I move forward with this project.

I also need the spark advance lever as well.

Steve

[dictator27]

I can't give you a source, but it will be the same as a 1930 Studebaker 6-53 as they are the same car. From the informatioon I have it shouild also be the same as 1930 Dictator 6 & 8, possibly 1931 as well.

Terry

[wilsonsk]

For some reason there I can find them staring in about 1933 and some from the twenties but the 1930 must have been a little different. I will get it apart and take some measurements, there has to be somthing out there that will work. I'll keep looking in the meantime.

[Tom Bredehoft]

And Welcome to the Forum. This IS the place for information.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
....On the road, again....
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[Eugene]

Steve Welcome to the Forum.. Gene. <<lACY

[wilsonsk]

Thanks Guys,

I am on a steep learning curve.

[Swifster]

Nothing at the dealer? [)]

I'd also check with the Antique Studebaker Club because many there are pre-war buffs.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom - Mulberry, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona - 289 4V, 4-Speed (Cost To Date: $2161.27)

1964 Studebaker Commander 170-1V, 3-speed w/OD (Cost to Date: $623.67)

[wilsonsk]

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

[dpson]

Steve,
Are you sure it's missing. According to the 1928 thru 1940 Six Chassis parts book the throw-out bearings used in the Model 53 are a graphite block and not a true "bearing" as were used later models. I don't know of a source but they are out there.

Dan Peterson
Montpelier, VT
1960 Lark V-8 Convertible
1960 Lark V-8 Convertible (parts car)
1961 Lark Crusier
1962 Lark V-8 Regal Convertible

[wilsonsk]

That is possible that it was a block. I am pretty sure it is missing. I tried to take a picture through the inspection plate. The picture is taken with the clutch pedal released, when it is depressed completely to the floor, the fork still does not quite thouch the smooth surface on the pressure plate. The fork looks like it could be meant for a block, it is more like a connecting rod than a fork. Hopefully the pitures help.

[wilsonsk]

I guess I don't know how to post pictures but here is a link to a picture of the clutch.

http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae158/wilsonsk/1930%20Erskine/GEDC0206.jpg

Thanks,

Steve

[wilsonsk]

I looked in my manual and it looks like it was a block. There is a collar with a pinch bolt that can be seen in the picture. the block should be clamped in the collar and extend out of it. I didn't try to feel if there was the remnants of a block or if it was just plain removed. Regardless, I need a new one.

Can these be machined? I have access to a lathe and mill and enough knowledge of them to make a part like this.

Would another material work? teflon??

I could possible make a holder for an off the shelf thrust bearing to clamp in the collar as well.

I'll have to get it apart and see what I have.
Here are more pictures of the car as well.

http://s967.photobucket.com/albums/ae158/wilsonsk/1930%20Erskine/

[sweetolbob]

Steve

From the pictures I'll bet you can find a throwout bearing that can be made to fit.

I think you are on the right track if you measure the gap and then pull the release/throwout assembly. Measure the available space in the assembly and find a throwout bearing that could be machined to fit and also make up the difference between the clutch and the release. Should work fine.

Before that, I would go to the Antique Studebaker web site and ask if it has been done before. I had to do something like that to mate a Chevy clutch to an old Ford tranny years before the computer. I went to the local clutch and drive shaft shop and they had fun helping because it was not something they got to do every day.

Good luck, It sounds like you are well on your way already. The biggest obstacle will be to find the bearing that will fit the input shaft of the trans.

Bob

,

[wilsonsk]

I think I have a plan.

I found these thrust bearings at McMaster-Carr. They are bronze with graphite plugs so they are self lubricating. My plan is to machine a sleeve that will clamp in the collar and either braize or screw (with brass screws)this thrust bearing to it. It would not be quite as slippery as solid graphite but with the limited miles this thing will see for the rest of it's life would probably be the last one put in. I will get it apart and get some measurements.

Here is the link to the page in McMaster.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#graphite-sae-841-bronze-bearings/=4veb9r

[dpson]

Before you do that you might want to check with some folks in the Antique Studebaker Club to see if they might have the bearing you need. I checked with my local source, Dennis Dupont of Derry, NH while he doesn't have the original graphite bearing 133337 that was used in the Model 53's and part way through the Model 54 there was a change part way through the Model 54 production to a different bearing, 633334 (BCA 2065). Dennis does have one 633334 in stock. Keep in mind this bearing is not an exact replacement for 133337 as the parts book shows that a different collar and levers were used, so it may take some work to adapt it (or the parts from a later model parts car) to work. You may also want to check with Dave Thibeault of Maynard, MA or Steve Munts of Spokane, WA as they are also parts vendors who advertise regularly in the Antique Studebaker Review. Let us know how you come out.

Dan Peterson
Montpelier, VT
1960 Lark V-8 Convertible
1960 Lark V-8 Convertible (parts car)
1961 Lark Crusier
1962 Lark V-8 Regal Convertible