I have this 53 commander engine in a 58 stude p/u rolling frame and would like to sell it. It was a great runner when parked 10 years ago but now ??? Any idea of what it's worth in todays market with no paper work ? Thanks in advance. Jeff near modesto
Worth more if it runs, spend some time to get it going if it will go. Probably looking at $750 or so with the OD trans - of course, the Studebaker guys are cheap *******s who will try to tell you it's worth like $75, I was just on one of their forums the other day and doubt I will be buying any more Studebakers in the future. The racing guys may be another story, and someone who wants one for a hot rod is also less likely to be unrealisically tight. Otherwise just put a price on it and go, you can always come down later.
Hey wait a minute. I'm not tight just frugal. So tell me is it a Blown Commander engine or ???? Well maybe they didn't come out with the blower motor until '54. They make neat and unique hot rod motors. I don't think the ch***is is worth much but if you were closer after you sold the motor I would be after you giving me the ch***is for a spare. Bset thing you can do is get it running enough to say that it runs. Then price it according to what you think someone would pay for a hot rod motor. Not running it is just good for a core and a core that will be pricey to build.
The engine needs to find out what size. If it really is a 53 engine, it could be a 224 or 259. Either are not really worth much, core maybe $50, running maybe $200-300. The OD trans is around $100. The engine rocker arms are what the Cad and early Olds guys like to use for higher ratio and adjustable. They are worth $100-125 for the set. If 4 barrel factory intake it is worth $50-75. Rolling frame ??? My best guesses based on needing a lot more information. The Stude V8 that is desireable is the 289.
The correct term for us Stude guys is 'CASO' Cheap *** Studebaker Owner As for the engine, as 224 or a 232 really isn't worth a lot. If it was a 259, it might be worth a little more and an older (pre '63) 289 a little more than that. The '63-'64 are full flow engines (259-289) and these are what the Stude guys want. My '64 289 with 50K on it from a running car was $650. The 3-spd w/OD is worth more than $100 but it also depends on condition. You might get $250-300 for a good one. The frame depends on who needs one. If I had a lot of space, and you lived near me, I might give $100 for it. A frame is what anyone will give for it. None of these are extremely rare items. Unless someone is restoring a car to showroom new, those 224 and 232 engines get as much love as the flathead six (none). The trans will be worth more than the engine or frame. Maybe you could put an S-10 cab & bed on the frame...
The '53 V-8 is a 232, no 224 or 259 until '55 but the 2 to 300 in running condition is about right and the same for the $100 on the OD trans because it's not in a driveable car so it can be tested. Not really a big demand for the 232's and there isn't really a shortage of cores. As far as Studebaker people being cheap......... Well, we refer to ourselves as CASO's ( Cheap *** Studebaker Owners ) so what's that tell you?
Back about '64 or so, I bought '51 Stude 232" w/ a 3-stick OD out of a car that was backed into a boneyards parking space for $25! I coulda bought the whole car for $35... Old junk car engine ran great!!! Right, a 232"er, I figure too! One hell of a little motor that will run like the wind if you have enough nerve to hold the pedal DOWN!! I installed it in my '52 Willys Areo Eagle HT car along with a 4-barrel carb and intake off a '57 259" Silver Hawk that my Buddy Jerry had! Boy did he trash it!! I know different now, but to me, the little Stude 232" engine is almost a baby 331" Cad. pdq67
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