My Half A$$ Studebaker Rebuild

[Buzzard]

Roland, Thanks for posting the Willys link. I'd never have guessed that so many have survived. Where is that property located?
Junior, Over the years I have "manufactured" several straight through dual exhaust cross members(mostly GM) by taking 6" heavy wall pipe, heating it and crushing it into an oval shape with about a 4" opening, then grafting it into the single exhaust crossover.
With header equipped vehicles such as my wife's '83 Sedan Deville d'elegance, it gives a perfectly straight shot from the collectors back to the custom dual exhaust. OH I forgot to tell you, it is equipped with a '75 Olds 455 W30 replacing the Caddie aluminum POS. Mileage didn't change but performance sure did.
Bill

[Jerry Forrester]

That 64ish Ford is so 'wrong' that it's so cool.

That's a 63 1/2. I bought one new in '63 (390CI 4 speed) and a used one in '64 (427CI 4 speed).

I always wonder why Studebaker never put two bumps in those crossmembers for dual exhaust systems

They did. It's called a 1956 Golden Hawk.

I think I read somewhere that some of the sedans had crossmembers with two bumps.

They do, but they won't fit a C-K.

[lumpy]

That 64ish Ford is so 'wrong' that it's so cool. Typically I'm not a Ford fan, but this car and the black one that is featured in the latest edition of HOTROD magazine are exceptions!

I always wonder why Studebaker never put two bumps in those crossmembers for dual exhaust systems...the system on my car there was no room to route the driver's side pipe on top of the crossmember so it had to go under...doesn't look good to me. I think I read somewhere that some of the sedans had crossmembers with two bumps. cheers, junior

. My Lark has two bumps in the batwing..thank goodness ground clearance was a major issue.

[Skinnys Garage]

That's a 63 1/2. I bought one new in '63 (390CI 4 speed) and a used one in '64 (427CI 4 speed).

Hate to be a nitpicker Jerry, but that's a '64. Check out the bodyline spear on the front fender into the door. (I had a '63 1/2 with a 289/3 on the tree!)

[Jerry Forrester]

Hate to be a nitpicker Jerry, but that's a '64. Check out the bodyline spear on the front fender into the door. (I had a '63 1/2 with a 289/3 on the tree!)

Went back and had another look.
You are right, my bad.

[Topper2011]

That 64ish Ford is so 'wrong' that it's so cool. Typically I'm not a Ford fan, but this car and the black one that is featured in the latest edition of HOTROD magazine are exceptions!

I always wonder why Studebaker never put two bumps in those crossmembers for dual exhaust systems...the system on my car there was no room to route the driver's side pipe on top of the crossmember so it had to go under...doesn't look good to me. I think I read somewhere that some of the sedans had crossmembers with two bumps. cheers, junior

I'm glad you mentioned that as I was suspecting I had single exhaust, but someone added dual exhaust. It's an awkward setup, one above and one below, makes for a very crowded undercarriage.

[Topper2011]

Roland, Thanks for posting the Willys link. I'd never have guessed that so many have survived. Where is that property located?
Junior, Over the years I have "manufactured" several straight through dual exhaust cross members(mostly GM) by taking 6" heavy wall pipe, heating it and crushing it into an oval shape with about a 4" opening, then grafting it into the single exhaust crossover.
With header equipped vehicles such as my wife's '83 Sedan Deville d'elegance, it gives a perfectly straight shot from the collectors back to the custom dual exhaust. OH I forgot to tell you, it is equipped with a '75 Olds 455 W30 replacing the Caddie aluminum POS. Mileage didn't change but performance sure did.
Bill

Bill, thanks. The place is Willys America, in Cazadero, CA. They have an open house every year and we attended it for several years.

http://www.willysamerica.com

Cool that you were using an Olds engine. I had three Olds at one time. A 64' Cutlass coupe with 330, PG, ps and a/c. A 69 Cutlass with a 350 and a 69 Hurst Olds. Like the Studebaker, it has siamese center exhaust ports. Never did seem to make as much horse power as an equivalent Chevy engine though.

[studegary]

Bill, thanks. The place is Willys America, in Cazadero, CA. They have an open house every year and we attended it for several years.

http://www.willysamerica.com

Cool that you were using an Olds engine. I had three Olds at one time. A 64' Cutlass coupe with 330, PG, ps and a/c. A 69 Cutlass with a 350 and a 69 Hurst Olds. Like the Studebaker, it has siamese center exhaust ports. Never did seem to make as much horse power as an equivalent Chevy engine though.

In the relatively small world of Studebakers - I owned a '64 Cutlass hardtop with 330, AT, ps and factory A/C. Mine was brought up to NY from Texas.

[Topper2011]

Got the call from the rebuilder that the clutch parts are ready.



It's beautiful.



New ring gear installed and new throw out bearing.



Old ring gear has multiple bad spots. I will check out the Bendix drive and get this clutch back in this long weekend.

[Topper2011]

This guys seems to have a few cars available. I like the black Hawk.

https://chico.craigslist.org/pts/d/studebakers-for-sale-hawk/6680133170.html

Anyone have a right front fender, a couple of headlamp rings and the rear trunk panel for sale?

[studegary]

Why would it need a new RF fender? Are you CA guys afraid of fixing a little rust?
You can purchase new repro. headlight rims.

[TWChamp]

Yes, the Hawk looks to be the most savable of the bunch. What a shame to have stored such a special car out in the weather all these years.
Wonder what the story is on it?

[Stude Shoo-wop!]

Personally, if I were to rescue one of these cars from CA, I'd save the 1955 Champion sedan. It's interesting enough for me to do it with enthusiasm while being "undesirable" enough so that it is unlikely anyone else will. Basically, I would be acting as a missionary.

[Topper2011]

Why would it need a new RF fender? Are you CA guys afraid of fixing a little rust?
You can purchase new repro. headlight rims.

Hi Gary, I should have used a different reply, I need those parts for my 62.

[Topper2011]

Frame is actually in good shape, just surface rust that the Por-15 should take care of.





I was able to remove the entire rear brake line to see if it could be done and the new one won't have to be in two pieces. I also removed a lot of parts to get access to the frame for painting.







I also think the Bendix drive is ok to run, but at the first sign of problems, it gets changed out.