Dave and his Studebaker

Hi Everyone, I am the owner of a 1960 Lark Wagon, v8 - 3 speed od. Its a decent car, looks and runs good. I am going to lower the car 2-3" does anyone have suggestions on springs or cutting the ones I have? I am also converting to Dual exhaust. Has anyone used a mail order kit, or is it best taking to my local exhaust shop. Thank you for all the tips and suggestions.


Dave

 

Hey studedude60,
Welcome to the forum.Lots of good people and info here.

 

Thank you Ranunculous, That's what I have been told by other hotrodders. have a great weekend.

Dave-

 

Welcome to the board.

Try these guys out for an alternative to cutting your springs.

http://www.eatonsprings.com/

They can make, or have, lowered springs for just about anything.

That includes both coils and leaves at your specified drop, from stock height. Prices are pretty cheap.

Then you can keep the old ones and return the car back to stock later if you want.

You may want to try to get stock measurements though. I know some guys that have ordered lowered springs, to find out that the stock ones were sagging. Didn't get as much drop as they expected.
In this case you may need to order more drop than you're planning for to compensate.

 

Thank you Gulfwarsubvet, I'll check it out. By the way, my first car was a 63' Comet 2 door, black with red interior... great car.

 

I bought new springs for my 62 Lark and cut one turn off. It rubbed on really sharp turns. I put a rubber in and now it's happy. About an inch down from stock, or where it was with the old springs.

 

try silvertone exhaust systems 519-485-1966 in ontario. they list a dual stainless system less mufflers for 350(catalog is a few years old) stainless mufflers, quiet or loud 110 ea

 

Alright another Stude owner! Pictures, we need pictures!

 

Ditto.

 

Hi Richfox, thanks for ther tip. Did that give your car a nice lowered stance? What kind of rubber are you talking about?

 

Thats a good price for stainless, I'll check this out. I found a place in Ohio that has a $250 kit less mufflers.. my local shop says $300-500....

 

OK, I get some out, my father-inlaw has been bugging for pics as well.

 

I'll take some.

 

Hey Dave - Try also posting this question on th forum at www.Studebaker driversclub.com

Most of those folks at that site (including me!) have done almost everything possible to Studebakers - there's a lot of knowledge there, and friendly people. Ignore any of the comments that say you should leave it stock. Most of the folks agree that it's your car and you should do whatever you like with it.

 

Here is my car with 1 3/4 coils cut from the front suspension.
54 stude coupe, 6 cyl, stock springs.
http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/sdc_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16425

 

Thanks Vegas Paul. I'll check out the Stude website.

 

Nice car! thanks for the pic.

 

I am liking this one. Love the color and with the black wheels too.

 

So, Let's see pics of the Wagon.

 

I'm working on it, coming soon.

 

I should have some pictures of the car this weekend.

I do have another question if you don't mind me asking...

Lug nuts? did Studebaker share the same size/thread as Ford? I'm asking as I want to go to Chrome lug nut and center cap.

Thank you

 

Yes 1/2 - 20 lug nuts same as Ford and lots of others. 205/65 R15 Picture is before I put the rubbers in

 

you have a very cool Lark, you lowered this car correct? What kind of wheels does it have?

 

Yes it's lowered in front. It's the one I wrote about 10 days ago. Those are American Torqu Thrust D wheels

 

Very nice! The Torque Thrusts are my favorite retro style wheel. They also look nice on the late model mustangs. I'll snap some pics of my car and post em this weekend...

Did you replace your carpeting? Just wondering... Mine has no carpet but freshly recovered seats.. not sure where to go here. any ideas?

 

My car was a So Cal desert car. No rust but the entire interor dried out and trashed. I took my tax refund and spent $3400 on a complete new interior in a local shop. Before that I had put in a 383 inch SBC and four speed. Thaqt made the Turner power front disk brake seem like a good idea. (It is). My buddy Al was trying it out and punched it around a corner that was pretty bumpy and then I decided it needed a 9 inch Ford rear end to replace the now trash Stude six rear. And so it goes.

 

Try John Poulous. Nice carpet kits--fit well, good price:

http://stude.com/covers/carpet.htm

 

Yes it does... but It sure sounds like a very fun ride.

 

thanks for the tip! I'll check it out.. nothing like carpet that fits like its suppose to.

 

Smaller diameter tires in the front are an easy ,safe way to lower also .