Hey guys, I’ve acquired a 1955 Studebaker 259 bearcat with the “speed kit” and it is missing a starter. Hunting around for answers most of what I find send me to other forums many of which are now dead links. So here I am. I’m mocking a few things up and I have a rough idea of how big the starter is but I was curious if someone could throw a tape measure on there’s and tell me how long it is from the flange to the furthest forward point. It is a 3 speed over drive motor, I see that they have a different length nose but I haven't seen any mention of the body itself being different sized than others if you happen to measure what the diameter is as well I wouldn’t be upset either. Just trying to make sure when it’s mocked up in the car everything clears. I’ve got a couple Chevy starters laying around and thought if one was close to the same physical size I could hold it in place pretend it’s the right one Anyhow pretty green when it comes to Studebaker thanks for any help
Someones has to have a spare stare to measure. I'll see if I have any specs when I get home tonight if anyone hasn't posted yet.
Maybe try the Studebakers driver club? I think that’s what it’s called. Years back a buddy had a few he modified, they were a big help and weren’t just purists.
I too would suggest the Studebaker Drives Club, https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/tech-talk
Thanks guys, I’ve google searched around the drivers club and snooped a little bit but havnt found what I’m looking for most the part. I think I need a minute to find my footing after 25 or so years on the hamb lol
I figure nearly a million active users on the hamb dwarfs about anywhere so someone would have something to lay a tape on. Thanks @Six Ball I'm trying to add stude info to threads on the hamb because every time I do a search online it takes me to a hamb thread of someone asking a question which is answered by a link to a forum or page that doesn’t exist anymore. It’s on topic and the hamb has the best likely hood of surviving the passage of time so thats a large amount of why I’m asking here. Regardless of where the information for this specific question ends up coming from I’ll return and add the answer. thanks for the help
I can get a measurement this weekend if needed, but it looks like a Chevy starter. Pic when I had my girls car on a lift just after I got it years ago.
Studebaker used different electrical suppliers at different times. Sometimes Delco. Sometimes Motorcraft. Sometimes Prestolite. It can get interesting at times. It looks completely different but works.
This site: https://studebaker-info.org/ has more Studebaker info than any other place but I find it hard to navigate for that reason. I'm out of town right now but when I return home (Nov 10th) if no one else has given you the info I'll measure the ones I have on the shelf. I have an automatic one from a 55 259 and a manual trans one from an early sixties 259, both are Prestolite. Good luck, Rich
Thanks guys, it’s a whole new rabbit hole for me for sure. Navigating different new forums is always a frustrating learning curve for everyone I think.
You are measuring from the mounting flange face to the back of the motor right? I've got at least a couple I can measure in a few hours after work.
Give me a couple hours and I will get you some info. These Studes are a different breed for sure. I keep getting told to join the Stude forums too... Why??? Let's bring good Stude content to the H.A.M.B. where we don't have to worry about making the purists mad.
I googled six volt Studebaker starter and it brought up hundreds of tractor starters that look identical. In the case of IH the exact same starter was shown for the trucks and tractors. I have a starter, generator, alternator builder connection who also works with a lot of rural clients and I bet if I knew the nose cone depth for my application , I believe the photo above says 2” , and the drive gear tooth count and pitch he could open a Hollander guide and find me one or just make me one with the part bin. I’ve found that the 6 volt starters have a thicker drive shaft and a different tooth pitch than the 12 volt cars. But no one’s listing specifics on what either are.
6V starter that is mated to a truck 4 speed. 12V starter that had a manual of some sort attached. Both are around 4.5" in diameter. Is your car manual or automatic? If you called any of the major studebaker parts suppliers they can probably provide you with a part number if not a N.O.S. starter or a rebuilt one. My neighbor runs a Powermaster starter meant for a Jeep of all things.
Thanks! I have a three speed with an overdrive behind it. I’ve seen mention of guys using a 4 speed unit with it shimmed an 1/8 back for the 3 speed overdrive use Again thank you for the dimensions I’ve been looking for
@Rynothealbino ive been going threw websites and catalogs trying to find part numbers and information. it really looks so generic that with the right starter shop, maybe one that does old tractors, you could build one out of the parts bins. you have both a 6 and a 12 volt starter and from this mornings digging I see they should both have 9 teeth on the drive gear. the 6 volt has a bigger shaft so based on what I read the diameter of that gear should be larger than the 12 volt. I think if I could get a measurement of that drive gear. Tooth count, diameter etc. that you should be able to make something work as long as it bolts on, has a 2” snout and the correct drive gear? That seems pretty straight forward if you have the information on hand to hand the builder
Awesome! Thanks for the info. Sounds like a fantastic source for the 12 volt motors. I found this last night for the six volt starters ( same tooth count on the drive as 12 volt but different diameter from what I can tell) https://vintageautogarage.com/1952-1955-studebaker-gear-reduction-starter-12-volts-3537gr/ Any one used these guys before?
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