1960 Studebaker Lark VI 2dr sedan

[MommysLittleMonster]

Incredibly badass build. Love the attention to detail and the respect for the patina.

[btns44]

This is awesome!

[bread_and_water]

Incredibly badass build. Love the attention to detail and the respect for the patina.

Thanks

This is awesome!

Thank you

So I haven't done a whole lot on the car for a couple weeks, but I did pick up a fairly complete '64 studebaker 259 V8 that I will eventually have rebuilt and swap it into the car.

This will be a ways down the road so I'm still going to run the 6 until the V8 is ready to drop in. To handle the added power of the 259 I'm going searching this weekend for a ford 8.8 rear end with matching 3.73 gears.

[bread_and_water]

A lot has changed since my last post on this build, I've changed the direction of the build and instead of a laid out bagged cruiser, I'm moving more towards a pro touring style car with a lot more power and the suspension to handle it on some twisties.

I did some research and found that 70-81 camaro coils fit the front so I ordered a pair of eibach 550lb springs. Why such a stiff rate, well to support a 4.8l LS v8 of course.

For the rear I'm sticking with leaves but adapting a set of hotchkis springs for 67-76 dodge A-body cars i.e. the dodge dart, very close to the same weight as the studebaker. The front bushing to center pin locates the axle the same as factory I just need to weld on a rear shackle hanger about 3" rearward.

For the rearend I'm swapping in a ford 8.8.

Since I want to throw this thing through some turns when it's finished I didn't want to be sliding across a bench seat so I picked up a pair of early 2000's mercedes c class coupe buckets with all manual controls. I'll have these upholstered to match the interior when the time comes.

Here's some pics of what's happening...

high clearance GM oil pan...


eibach coils...


beefy rear shackles and hanger...


and the new seats...

[JHermes]

Holy shiit!

That start made me smile so big!
MORE PLZ!

[bread_and_water]

Little bit of progress the other night, cut out the worst section of the driver side floor pan to begin the repair work.

The passenger side will be similar.

[theseeker411]

Damn this is gonna be so rad.

[loekaaz]

are those w203 sportcoupe seats?

[bread_and_water]

are those w203 sportcoupe seats?

Indeed they are, I also have the headrests but they didn't come with the seats so I had to find them separately on ebay.

[white out]

Not sure how I missed this, but glad I found it.

Good move going with LS power.

[bread_and_water]

Started making the first panel template tonight. I used a heavy but flexible poster board and magnets to hold it in place then backlit it with a shop light and traced the outline leaving about a 1/2" border all around. This is my first attempt at panel repair.

[bread_and_water]

I got the motor last monday and have been mocking things up. As it turns out the 4l60e is too big to fit under the original floor so I'm having to cut that section out and rebuild a tunnel but I'm also recessing the firewall a few inches to move the motor back where I want it and needs to be in my opinion for the best performance and fit.

Leaving Pacific Fab in Gilroy Monday afternoon.


2003 4l60e with 106,000 miles picked up from Cordova Truck Dismantlers in Sacramento, very friendly and honest place.


First mockup with the motor, I had already swapped the oil pan, removed the power streering pump and bracket and installed the underdrive pulleys and Dirty Dingo alternator bracket, it was at this point I realized I was going to need to cut the firewall and floor.


First cut.


More mockup with intake and radiator.


Second cut with trans bolted up.

[bread_and_water]

I turned my attention to the rear suspension and axle today and began cleaning up the axle and relocating the spring perches. I'm also replacing the outer bearings, seals, and parking brake shoes while it's apart.

[bread_and_water]

Got the axle all squared away, cleaned up, paint, brakes, outer bearings and seals, and a fresh new Moser cover.

[bread_and_water]

Made some progress over the weekend but at the same time hit a little snag with the steering. One step forward, two steps back I guess. I got the rear shackle hangers all burned in so it's half a roller again but then I tried to fit the motor with the high clearance Hooker manifolds and they still don't clear the steering so I'll probably be going to a rack and pinion setup.

I have basically two options for this one being a full replacement crossmember and mustang 2 suspension or try and mount a rack behind the factory crossmember on a cradle. The factory steering knuckles attach the tie rods behind the axle centerline which is why I would try and mount the rack behind the crossmember. I'll probably try this method first because if worst comes to worst I can use the rack and rotors I already bought for the other suspension as well.

Don't mind the mark that was an early measurement.






Test fit with the radiator, I'll most likely move the motor back at least another inch from this location.



It's all looking very snug and I'm still contemplating what to do with the firewall.