232 V8

[dictator27]

In keeping with the theme of some recent threads regarding preserving Stude parts, I have a 232 V8 block which needs a new home. It is a 1951 block, Canadian #VC1957, and it is completely bare except for the oil pressure relief valve. Not even main bearing caps. It has surface rust and there is no indication of a cylinder ridge. Is anyone interested? It's for sale cheap.

Terry Godkin
BC Coastal Chapter
27 Dictator sedan
54 Commander Starliner

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by dictator27

In keeping with the theme of some recent threads regarding preserving Stude parts, I have a 232 V8 block which needs a new home. It is a 1951 block, Canadian #VC1957, and it is completely bare except for the oil pressure relief valve. Not even main bearing caps. It has surface rust and there is no indication of a cylinder ridge. Is anyone interested? It's for sale cheap.

I hate to tell you this, but a good running, complete 232 is tough to give away. A bare block is even tougher. I hope someone does snag it and keep it for the time it might be needed, but I wouldn't count on it.

[Alan]

Without those main caps it is worth $0.10 a pound.

[pszikszai]

I wish I had known that 232's are that unworthy.
Since I retired over a year ago and having much time on my hand, last year I built up four NOS 232 short blocks. Using 259/289 new heads,
later model front covers and all new parts. Compliments of Herwitch
from few years back.
Maybe all is not lost since I kept two of the engine creates like the ones sold on Ebay for almost $200.
But yes a 232 w/o main bering caps is worthless.
I am realy just trying to say that if you have the parts a 232 can be
updated/ modernized and saved and used.
Mine are running like a clock.

[r1lark]

quote:Originally posted by pszikszai

I wish I had known that 232's are that unworthy.
Since I retired over a year ago and having much time on my hand, last year I built up four NOS 232 short blocks. Using 259/289 new heads,
later model front covers and all new parts. Compliments of Herwitch
from few years back.
Maybe all is not lost since I kept two of the engine creates like the ones sold on Ebay for almost $200.
But yes a 232 w/o main bering caps is worthless.
I am realy just trying to say that if you have the parts a 232 can be
updated/ modernized and saved and used.
Mine are running like a clock.

I bet those are sweet running engines. I have a 224 V8 in my '55 pickup, and I really like it.


Paul

Visit The Studebaker Skytop Registry website at: http://hometown.aol.com/r1skytop/myhomepage/index.html

[PackardV8]

Greetings, pszikszai,

Evidently, you had access to four NOS 232" short blocks. That vastly changes the cost equation. It is not that a 232" is 'unworthy', especially for a 1951-54 restoration. However, they cost the same or more to rebuild from scratch than the still very common 259". You note in your post a 232" needs later heads to perform well. Understandably most Stude owners can see bigger engine, better performance, same cost and just decide to start with the 259".

thnx jv.



PackardV8

[Roscomacaw]

pszikszai, you're to be commended. Any Stude engine saved and or used is a good thing.
But a bare block - without even caps.... He's gonna have to GIVE it to someone to find it a home.
IF you caould find a set of caps and bolts, figure at least a hundred bucks just for the line bore proceedure plus more for a general cleanup of the block just to get it ready for a rebuild.
I've got a running, complete 232 here that you can HEAR run before you pull it. You pull it and you can have it![:0]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[pszikszai]

Mr. Biggs.

Thanks for the offer, but I now have all the rebuilt & new engines that I expect to have a need for. I am not really championing 232s
except that I happened to own them from a previous inexpensive
purchase which included heads and cranks. Those deals are long gone,
even here in South Bend.

[Roscomacaw]

Well, I agreed with your reasoning all the way. And while the "deals" may all be gone in SB, they're STILL out there! Every now and then someone will "improve" their Studebaker and offer a perfectly good engine up for adoption - usually right cheap. And stuff just KEEPS ON surfacing. For instance, I recently got a lead on what was characterized as a "warehouse" full of new, rebuilt stude stuff! Supposedly includes whole engines, trannies, etc.. We'll see! Might be a gold mine and it might be one engine and the remains of a gasket set. There's no tellin' until I see it with my own eyes.[8D]

BTW, a 232's a damned good engine. But the way the clock's played out for Studebakers, there's just more cores and parts to build the 259/289 family than the earlier 232.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[dictator27]

Mr. Biggs

If I wasn't so damn far away, I'd take you up on that free 232. I've got a 54 Commander that needs a transplant. I guess that bare block I've got is only good for a boat anchor, so it is off to the scrap yard.

Terry

[stude freak]

Hey Bob if you pull it I'll throw in a stuck 53 six cyl[}]for trade.

David Baggett Mantachie,Ms.

[Alan]

I would not sell a 232 short. But, the problems with finding new caps, then finding a machine shop that would line bore for less than $150 around here and do it right without moving the crank up and binding the cam gear.