my 617 powered 39 Studebaker coupe express
 

For all you guys who don't venture over to the OD:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/open-discussion/327903-39-studebaker-coupe-express.html

Enjoy!

Read the whole thread and got pretty dizzy the number of times the powerplant choice switched. Looks like you're pretty well committed now.

Seems like maybe you didn't take enough time to consider the 107 subframe as an option. Maybe it was totally obvious it wouldn't work... That having been said your solution looks good.

I did not have one. I did consider it briefly.

The fatman is the default front end for street rods. It is a pretty together company with an excellent rep for quality. When it came, all the parts fitted and it installed exactly as advertised. When it comes time to sell it will be a plus. The chassis on this truck is uber rugged and would swallow without a hiccup a hemi motor with its front end, 12" vented disc brakes and ford 9" in case the new buyer was not into diesels.

I only have about a half inch vertically clearance between my ac compressor and the knuckle on the steering shaft. Will that be enough to accommodate the 617 bounce at idle with stock mounts?

Post all your updates here from now on! Pictures!

Depends on your injectors/timing/valve adjustment/fuel pressure/fuel quality/mythical cigar hose :D

You can always pour polyurethane into the voids to reinforce the motor mounts. I'd at least zip tie some radiator hose over the steering knuckle. I actually have a pillow filled with radiator hoses :P

Pretty interesting stuff. I've got a '59 Fairlane with junk drivetrain that may be a candidate for this swap....without herculean efforts in frame work.

I need to get out there and do some measuring.

I used to drive a '57, does the '59 still have vacuum powered wipers?

X2 You're living the dream Tom.

Yup, vac wipers.

Mine is missing the vac wiper motor....the car is pretty rusty, I bought another '59 and started using this one for parts, wife got in one of her every two decade snits and I sold the 'good' '59 and several Saab Sonett's. Went to junk this one and she flipped a bit switch and decided she wants it kept and eventually restored.

With no drivetrain, rust, and parts (like the vac motor) missing, it's a good candidate for a conversion. The glass is good, frame intact, and powering with a 617 is going to be cheaper than finding and rebuilding an original 223. I'll adapt another electric wiper motor, and will have to bodge a heater core since that is gone.

I could go the hot rod route and drop an FE block right in, same mounts, but that's been done to death and guzzles fuel.

I might be able to find you a 312... and vac wiper motor...

It has a 3 speed auto in it, no torque converter. Original motor was a 223. I drove it for years with a 332. Sadly the 332, torque converter, manifolds were lost in a Navy move while it was out of the car for a rebuild.

Don't know anything about Yblock hookups, I know they were an option in that car (292 or 312, can't remember and too lazy to wiki at the moment :)).

Thanks buddy! Sometimes I think I'm just hallucinating!:P

I hate you!! Well, not really but I've had a love affair with Coupe Expresses for years. Prettiest pickup EVER! I have a buddy with a Packard 352 that would have to go in there, though, just 'cause......

Dan

I was trying to buy some 50's American tin this summer but other stuff got in the way - I wanted to stick my OM617 in it and be diesel free as a bird too. Lots of 50s American drive line gearing ratios seem to suit the OM617 though it might be prudent to uprate the speed rating on the tyres!!!

There would be folks who would appreciate the Packard in it.

I totally agree its the prettiest ever pickup....that or the 37 coupe express. The 38 Coupe express front end is just unfortunate, but the rest of the truck is sweet!

I had bought a hot rod 240 ci Studebaker v8 I was going to put in there but ran into trouble finding brackets for AC and PS...just non existent at least I had no luck acquiring them.

I really always wanted to do the mb engine so it was a good excuse to use it when I decided I was not going to restore the wagon it came from.

The one engine I would consider if I were to find one is a little Dodge Red Ram hemi....I know a few fellows who have some but will not even talk about selling them. I did find one a fellow wanted 2500 for and it was frozen solid and would have required a full rebuild....and of course brackets for the ac and ps would have been a problem with it too. (Aluminum heads are available though;))

Did I mention the Mercedes steering column dash clamp went into the study dash without drilling any new holes?:P