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Projects 1941 Studebaker Champion Sedan Gasser Resurrection

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Chucky, Sep 9, 2024.

  1. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    After a few measurements, I made a wooden stand that put the engine close to where I wanted it.
    IMG_2944.jpeg
     
    porkshop, TRAVLR, Okie Pete and 3 others like this.
  2. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
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    I try not to buy parts until I need them, but these came in handy at $150.
    IMG_2922.jpeg
     
  3. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I ordered the fat fendered Speedway headers and proceeded to cut them up. I’ll be cutting more and adding a different collector eventually.
    IMG_3011.jpeg IMG_3013.jpeg
     
    porkshop, Thor1, TRAVLR and 9 others like this.
  4. choptop40
    Joined: Dec 23, 2009
    Posts: 5,593

    choptop40
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The mock up engine crate jig is a good one...Love these Studes...nice build..
     
    porkshop, Chucky and RodStRace like this.
  5. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 5,429

    RodStRace
    Member

    The only concern with a solid mount for stuff like that engine is that the chassis is on springs and tires (not solid). Adding weight to the body/chassis or even a tire gone low could mess with stuff. @Chucky seems to be a pretty handy guy, so I doubt this is a problem for him. More a caution for anyone emulating this.
     
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  6. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    This picture was taken today. I removed everything up front and then split the body from the chassis. Most of the welds on the front axle were completed. Lower shock mounts, steering stabilizer mount, and steering stops are done. Holding off on spring pads (only tacked) until full weight mock up.;)
    IMG_0783.png
     
  7. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Here’s the 327 I grabbed from a drug addict on FB marketplace. It was an experience I’d rather not repeat, but it was a “smoking deal”.:rolleyes:
    IMG_2961.jpeg
     
  8. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
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    Although it looked good, I like to check things over. So, I tore it apart.
    IMG_2963.jpeg
     
  9. lumpy 63
    Joined: Aug 2, 2010
    Posts: 3,101

    lumpy 63
    Member

    What pistons are those?
     
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  10. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,468

    bchctybob
    Member

    I’ve always wanted a Stude like that, especially a two door sedan, I just never found the right car at the right time. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.
     
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  11. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
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    @lumpy 63
    The pistons are Keith Black hyper’s. I have them bagged / soaked in lube right now so I don’t have the exact part number.
     
  12. lumpy 63
    Joined: Aug 2, 2010
    Posts: 3,101

    lumpy 63
    Member

    You may already know this but you need to open the top ring end gap with those.... Make sure you check it Chucky.
     
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  13. John Metzker
    Joined: Sep 12, 2024
    Posts: 2

    John Metzker

    I have a 40 champ available if you’re serious, I’m in So. Cal
     
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  14. John Metzker
    Joined: Sep 12, 2024
    Posts: 2

    John Metzker

    I have a ‘40 Champion business coupe. Tri5 rear end, non posi, ratio unknown. Front suspension and steering stock. Frame is uncut. 6” fire wall recess done with a torch. SW gages. Body is straight. Appears to be original paint with much red primer. Trunk floor
    is rusty, some rust in front floor boards. No title, bill of sale. Vin tag matches hidden number on frame. Was going to install a sb 360 mopar engine which is included in sale.
    Looking to get 2500.00 for it.
     
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  15. Balljoint
    Joined: Dec 3, 2021
    Posts: 218

    Balljoint
    Member

    My grandfather was a Studebaker fan, when he passed there were three of them sitting in front of his home. He’d drive one until it wasn’t economical to repair, then get another and do the same. He wasn’t a hot rodder but he was a mechanical genius, self taught and he could fix or build most anything. If he were still around he would like the direction of this build.
     
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  16. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    @Balljoint I’m humbled to hear my simple home brewed thread invokes fond memories for others.

    The plan is to head to north Minneapolis tomorrow for a variety of steel products. I’m looking forward to a complete redesign of the front of the chassis. Here’s a close up color photo of the Speedway shackle mount. The chassis is up-side-down in this picture. Most Speedway parts need close inspection and often times modification, but these mounts are terrible. You can clearly see how not “centered” they are, WTF? Not to mention the leaf springs were 3/16” difference in length unloaded, and stayed different lengths even when loaded. I ended up ordering a 3rd spring which netted me 2 springs within a 16th of each other.
    IMG_0223.jpeg
     
  17. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Flashing back to my initial mock-up…I used exhaust clamps to mount the Speedway column. The column drop is 2 threaded rod couplings welded together and ground smooth.
    IMG_3041.jpeg IMG_3040.jpeg
     
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  18. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,468

    bchctybob
    Member

    Those Speedway basic steering columns are great. I just put a longer one in my Austin to improve the driving position. I like that intake manifold too, taller than most. Great progress.
     
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  19. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
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    I welded high grade fine thread nuts to the steering box bracket, in place of the provided spacers. Since the bracket is 1/4” thick, it allows the bolts to completely pass through the welded nuts. The coarse threads in the box itself were drilled out and the cheap button head Allen bolts, that hold on the cover, were swapped to hex head bolts. After I adjusted the big nut, which often is too tight (ruins the bearings), the box went from not smooth to…oh my goodness, that is one smooth steering box. YMMV.
    IMG_0211.jpeg IMG_2892.jpeg
     
    porkshop, RMR&C, 427 sleeper and 4 others like this.
  20. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    There’s a lot going on in this picture…Adjustable steering stops were set to give 1.5 steering wheel revolutions in either direction, which is slightly less than the capacity of the box. A traditional VW steering damper is installed with a single mini bike handle bar mount (clamped the tie rod perfectly). The calipers were modified (grinder) to allow the brake hoses to be installed up-side-down. The hoses are angled at the banjo bolt and I wanted them to point slightly up, instead of slightly down. The double sided steering arm was tweaked to allow proper caliper movement. And, you can see the shackles were mounted beyond the end of the factory frame. I’ve recently extended the frame by 6”.
    IMG_3110.jpeg
     
    porkshop, RMR&C, 427 sleeper and 6 others like this.
  21. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    This thread is now mostly “caught up” and chassis mods have begun. The cool weather makes for excellent working conditions. Please keep in mind this is a low budget build, so no frame table for me. But, I have saw horses, several levels and a speed square.;)
    IMG_0209.jpeg
     
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  22. Chucky
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,779

    Chucky
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The driveshaft pass-through passes through the cross-member at a slight angle. I wanted it done before I cut the front of the frame apart. The frame is up-side-down in these photos.
    IMG_0796.png IMG_0798.png
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2024
    In_The_Pink, porkshop, RMR&C and 7 others like this.

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