Block #

[curt]

Yesterday I gave an alleged engine number that was CAST on the block and located just to the right of the oil filler tube. I have found another number 'cut' into the block :PN 313. This number is to the engines left( drivers side) of the oil filler tube. Does this help identify the year engine? Any help? Any one? I can not find the number in any listing I have for Studebaker V-8s.

[StudHawk60]

What you have is a 289 from a 1964 model, manufactured Dec 13, 1963. (a week before auto production ended in South Bend). The breakdown is as follows:

P= V8 289
N= month of manufacture--December
3= 1963 (last digit)
13= 13th day of month

[Roscomacaw]

curt - what car is this in? A 64? Should be REAL close to the last ones built if it wasn't Canadian issue.

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[curt]

This engine, PN 313,is in my 1955 President.I suspect the traney is of the same time frame as the engine. Engine and traney look like a proper fit in the engine compartment and underneath the car. I noticed the oil splash from the U-joint just behind the present traney is more to the rear of the car than an oil splash that looks like it has nothing to have spun from. Conclusion, this traney is longer than the original used in 1955. Also the drive shaft is so clean it could be a new or custom drive shaft.

[curt]

I do not have a 64 shop manual for my 64 engine. What are the valve and dwell settings? As well as timing?

[N8N]

Do you have a single piece drive shaft or one with a center U-joint and support bearing? If you have a single piece drive shaft it is '58 at the oldest and would tend to confirm your suspicions.

It is longer than the stock tranny BTW...

Just curious, what rear end do you have in the car, and do you have any drivetrain vibration at about 35 MPH or so? I have a commander coupe with a stock rear end but a similar drivetrain transplant and I have a little vibration, due to various parts of the car fighting me I have not had a chance to adjust the pinion angle yet, am hoping that will solve it.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[studeclunker]

And I quote:"set both the intake and exhaust valve clearance to .023" to .025" (0,584 mm. to 0,635 mm.: with the engine hot, or to .025" to .027" (o,635 mm to 0,686 mm.) with the engine cold."
Also;"Reset the electrode gap to .035" (0,89 mm.)on the 6cyl. OHV and V8 models.(my bolding) Check the gap with a wire gage."

Hope this helps. I can copy the page and e-mail it to you if you like. Maybe someday I will learn to type too.



Lotsa Larks!
Studeclunker
A.K.A: out2lunch

[Roscomacaw]

As N8N suggests, if you have a late tranny, the car has to have been changed to a single-piece driveshaft. That is to say - one straight driveshaft tube with no center support bearing involved. While this CAN be done, there's issues with clearing the floorpan if you use a single-piece DS on a car that came with a 2-piece unit.
It's NOT just a matter of swapping in the one-piece DS as the center support involves a frame crossmember that would have to have been cut away. And likely, there'd have been some modification done to the floorpan to alleviate interferance with the one-piece shaft.[:I]
Since the engine's are virtually the same 55 or 64, it would indeed look "right at home".

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[N8N]

The engine and trans may look right at home, but there are some minor issues with that conversion, and I think I have found most of them

Seriously, someone dropped a '63 Lark engine and tranny in my '55 coupe before I bought it and really didn't think through the whole procedure. I've rectified most of the issues; I've discovered issues that I didn't even anticipate! Everything looks right, BUT... some stuff just does not fit.

If you think you may be going down this road with this '55 of yours feel free to drop me a note and I will try to describe all the little things I've had to do.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[curt]

Rear end looks original 13:43 = 3.3+ ratio. The cross menber is cut and I have zero vibration at 75 mph, true speed. The floor looks stock and the under the seat vent/heater is in place. Now it does have a modern non-stock vent tube from the heater motor /side vent door to the under seat vent and heater coil.This car has radial tires.