Barry - another guess (and it IS a guess) is that the old engines had a much lower compression ratio and therefore made less heat per unit of displacement. The fuel simply wasn't burned as efficiently. So now Tom has a pretty efficient engine in a bay made for a not very efficient engine and with appropriate air thru-flow for the old engine so there might be lots of compounded issues based on the old/newer engine situation.

Like I said - it's a guess.

Dan

I appreciate all the thoughtful comments.

I am using the actual mb radiator and oil cooler. Together they occupy the space of the original stude radiator which weighed about 60# (unbelievable). But I did not really ever mean to imply that the car is running too hot.

Actually I thought it was all about acting right. While with all the power this and that I do believe the mb engine restricts the flow more than the stude but the fan must be twice as powerful. If it proves to be a problem, I can add a scoop on the bottom or get a rad with more tubes.

I doubt I'll want to run faster than 75 though and it seems to run about the right temp at that speed. About 190f.

I drove up to Kentland today with the Mrs to a little car show there. We took the VW though instead of the Stude as I am not sufficiently confident of it yet.

Today I looked at my turn signals in front. Pitiful little needle dick things. Are some folks using those 5" diameter fog lamps for turn signals? How is that? i want to be seen for sure.

Bettie top-of-fender turn signals? Semaphores?

I see some CEs with era fog lights on the bumper that could be for turn signals. What are the needle dick things you have now?

Sixto
83 300SD can be yours
98 E320 wagon

I know some of the street rod guys put an LED in the headlamp bucket but I suppose that eliminates sealed beams. I wonder if you can buy a sealed beam replacement/turn signal combo already made up? Worth a look.

I went surfing and here's a link - if they'll let me post it. Anyhow, I Googled for "sealed beam conversion lamps with turn signal" and if the link is allowed it showed 7" replacements, hi and lo beam, with a built-in LED turn signal. https://www.streetrodhq.com/dept/Lights/cat/Headlights.html

Dan

I don't have sealed beams. I could have gotten a headlight bulb with a built in turn signal. I am told they aren't very effective. The ones I have are not very effective either....just too small. they are mounted out on the ends of the bumper and are about 1" diameter.

I hate to break up the clean lines with a top of fender mounted light, though they are very effective visually for...well, visibility.;)

How about cowl mounted turn signals like in a 190c?

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMj...BX3Bv0/$_1.JPG

http://13252-presscdn-0-94.pagely.ne...AM-940x629.png

Sixto
83 300SD can be yours
98 E320 wagon

I've got a couple of ideas....

Embed strip signals in your bumper - you've already got a nice orange stripe in the bumper and if you put the signal in that stripe, maybe 6" custom LED setup, it would be almost invisible but quite effective.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1496981493

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1496981511

LED signals behind the grill - below is an example of what I have in mind. I'd suggest doing a "blackout" on the lens so it's virtually invisible. You could go as big as you need. It may not be legal based on state requirements, but hopefully because of the year it would be exempt

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1496980704

That's all I've got right now.....

Actually I've got one more idea....a bit out of the box, but could be cool.

If you fabbed up a hinged bracket for a strip LED and had it hidden behind the bumper when not in use. When activated a solenoid would pop up the signals for use. A simple timer circuit would keep the solenoid activated for say 10 sec after the last flash then restow...kind of on the order of the old VW semaphore signals

Here's some ideas for design components

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1496982414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1496982710

Yeah, I had those on my 62 190c...I always thought they were pretty cool!

The third option looks doable. I don't think I want to block the grill at all and I am reluctant now to cut into my bumper which has cost me a figure approaching a grand. The third thing I might mount on top of the bumper.

His name is Bond.....James Bond....009 (in honor of the 39
Studie);)

That is a pretty sweet idea. I'm not sure I have the expertise to pull it off though.

It would take some thought and planning. Still worth it to keep the front end clean. You are not going to use the car in temperatures where the system could freeze up I expect. Anyway the posters ideal was quite creative.

I suspect those small indicators just might respond to very high output leds. The duty cycle is low so heat is not an issue.

Might be worth a thought and you of course would run them in parallel with some form of load so the flasher responds normally. You are right in that you do want them to show up well.

They could pump out a massive amount of lumens I suspect with the right led. Heating would normally be your enemy in a constant on situation but should not be a concern in yours.

As for cost picking up a couple of high output leds direct from China on ebay would not break the bank. Probably not available as a bulb and their size may or may not be an issue. I am making an assumption here that the visability of the signals is poor because the light output is lower than needed. I know assumptions are dangerous.

Now if the physical area of the signal lens is really the issue is another thing. Although if they were lighting like a constant much longer duration on and off strobe light should do it. A five watt led might almost blow your sox off. Three watts may be enough. I just do not know. Remember the warm up delay is not present like a filament bulb either. I also think you are safe as to the lowest temperature they operate at.

It is just me but I like the ideal of a pop up signal light. It could be mounted behind the nut that holds the bumper bracket to the bumper.

The light housing can be a commercial unit so it looks good when popped up as well. Some fabrication and design issues to work out so you want to get it right the first time.

Thanks very much for your thoughts!

You guys have expertise that leaves me in the dust.

I'm hoping to find a light fixture with chrome trim and an amber bulb and or lense which looks appropriate and will fasten onto the little angle iron bracket Michael made for me.

You are far from being left in the dust. You are already applying thought to the problem. You want signals that do not ruin the clean appearance of the front end. Or seem not to belong. A minor but important item.

For variety look at motorcycle accessory lights. Perhaps on ebay as you may preffer an older design. They came in multitudes of designs, sizes and types.

Early ones with even some interesting face glass designs. An earlier fully decked out Harley had almost endless variety of them available from the aftermarket. Some even art deco perhaps.

Design is your thing remember. Making something appear to have always been present and belong is an art at times. I was even wondering if a rectangular light say 1 inch plus by about 3 inches tucked against the side of the bumperet and under the bumper might look okay.

I persist in random lighting thoughts. Only because I always wanted some driving lights on the old Buick. No matter how I tried I could not find anything I thought would work out esthetically well. As for signal lights the 39 Buick was the first year they were made standard equipment. On that brand.

As the saying goes and there is some validity. The devil is in the details.


This truck is a really clean design to start with in my opinion. It deserves the respect you have shown it so far. Perhaps the best looking light truck in general ever produced design wise. From a tasteful perspective.