buying a 259

[tstclr]

Well, I missed out on a local concourse restored R2 motor. However, all is not lost. The fellow who did buy it is swapping out his good running 259 for the R2 in his 64. He gave me a good deal on his good running 259. With the money I saved, I should be able to buy a T10, the 4 speed bits I need to convert my 63, plus perhaps an R1 cam and valve springs. Does anyone make headers for this engine?
Todd


63 Lark 2dr Sedan

[whacker]

I think you can still buy NOS Avanti headers. Cast iron, require a special mount for the alternator, as one header fits either side. There used to be a company that made header blank plates to fit the exhaust ports so you could make your own, but they are gone. Once in a while you see a set come up on ebay.

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by tstclr
Does anyone make headers for this engine?

Here was a good thread on that subject...

http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com...hTerms=headers

...including some good advice from Ted.

[Donald Erickson]

Check out Headers By "ED" INC. out of Minneapolis MN. This guy builds headers and header parts. I ordered an info pack with a CD from him and I learned lots about building headers. He should still have all the parts needed for a Studebaker V8 that he would sell you are build up for you!

Donald Erickson
Bemidji, MN
1953 Champion (project)
1956 Commander (driver)http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...tudes_0015.jpg

[Donald Erickson]

I just looked at the thread posted by Dick Steinkamp and I guess you guys have found ED. Has anyone ordered from him? I would say buy the information pack from this guy before doing anything with headers.

Donald Erickson
Bemidji, MN
1953 Champion (project)
1956 Commander (driver)http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...tudes_0015.jpg

[tstclr]

Well I got the engine today It is resting comforably on my engine stand. I was suprised to see someone swaped a delco distributor. What mods would have had to be made for this to work? The engine is very clean and looks like it had been rebuilt at some point. It's a full flow motor. I'll have to get the numbers off it and have one of you experts decode it for me. It also has a fairly new Edelbrock 4bbl on it! I paid CDN $500 which I think is more than fair as it ran great.

The engine has the mounts still on it. Can I use my 6cyl frame pads or do I need to find different ones?
Thanks
Todd


63 Lark 2dr Sedan

[Roscomacaw]

Well, an Edelbrock's worth over $200 US and a good window type Delco will bring $125 easy, so, yeah, I think you done good!

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle!!

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

[1956 Hawk]

After seeing the prices headers by Ed I decided to make my own header flanges. Thats the easy part though, its routing the pipes around the stearing that is difficult. Unfortunatly I don't know how much of a horsepower difference the headers made, because I changed some other things on my engine at the same time.
David

[tstclr]

I'll likely stick to the manifolds for now. That way I can buy my exhaust from Silvertone (a stones throw from my house) and bolt it in. Has anyone investigated extrude honing the stock manifolds? I remember an article in Hot Rod a few years ago noting some pretty good hp gains with this method. A corrosive paste like material is forced into the manifolds under pressure. This material smoothens the inside of the manifold, making them more efficient. Here is the company website: http://www.extrudehone.com/auto-oem.html

Todd


63 Lark 2dr Sedan

[ROADRACELARK]

Todd,
I had one done for an early "A" body Mopar,(Valiant) with a 300Hp 360. It was the drivers side, the one that is very bizare looking, (to clear the steering box), and also very rare. It came back, looked great, almost chrome plated inside. It didn't appear to be any larger in diameter, but boy was it slick. Very pricey[:0] bsck then (6 or 7 yrs ago)but it wasn't my money,$400. Only other option was fender-well headers[xx(] which would have ruined the "sleeper" look.
Dan Miller

[img=left]http://static.flickr.com/57/228744729_7aff5f0118_m.jpg[/img=left]
Road Racers turn left AND right.

[Jessie J.]

Todd, glad to hear that you were able to find yourself a good 'ol Stude V-8. That Delco window distributor was a drop in, being OEM equippment for '60-61, (non windowed Delco's were also used from '56-59) the latter Prestolite's (AKA as "Prestojunk") were a cost cutting move with a lousy advance mechanisim that was prone wear and sticking.
Being based on G.M's most popular and common distributor of the '50s-'70s, restoration parts for the advance mechanisim of the Delco are readily available, and conversion to a Pertronix electronic ignition is (relatively) cheap and easy.
Extrude honing the stock manifolds would be overkill (and the process is very expensive) an hour or so's work with a die grinder will give you a set of manifolds that will perform practically as well as those R-3 castings, saving your $$$ to spend on parts that will really wake up that little 259.

I'm off to the P.S.M.C.D.'s in Stanton Michigan the morning (only an enthusiastic spectator though) funny thing is, that after living in mid-Michigan for my entire 57 years, I am now in the process of moving to [u]Stanton</u> Kentucky! (all 7 of my Studebakers's are going along too) and now will have a good dragstrip only 5 miles from my new digs, maybe, at long last?

[tstclr]

Thanks Jessie. I truly am excited to have the Stude engine! I cant wait until the garage is finally completed so I can start playing.
The garage is up, the door is in. Next week we dig the trench for the electrical supply, then install the heater and then insulate. The engine is the first item to grace the floor of the new garage. []

Can anyone answer my question regarding the engine mounts?
Todd

63 Lark 2dr Sedan

[N8N]

I think the frame mounts are the same, but check your parts book to be sure. you will need new V-8 rubber mounts though if your new engine doesn't come with them, they are nothing like the six mounts.

good luck,

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[Roscomacaw]

Specifically, they're not the same. Part number-wise anyway. I don't know WHAT the difference is but that dictates different part numbers, but if you take your existing mounts and swap left for right, they'll accomodate that V8.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle!!

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

[tstclr]

Finally got a photo of this puppy. I got a bit of a shock when I looked closer at the valve covers where some yellow paint has flaked off. It looks like they are Chrome!


I'll eventually replace the leaking rear main seal, degrease and repaint the engine and strip the valve covers just to see if they are chrome and in decent shape.
Todd


63 Lark 2dr Sedan