The talk about aerodynamics of trucks got me to thinking about my 53 Studebaker. It has a somewhat more aerodynamic shape than the 54 Ford that I have. I think there was an OHV V8 of about 244 ci for the 53 Studebaker. It looks like the 54 Studebaker is even better as a potential race truck.



I'll have to download the rules to see what the possibilities are. I already have too many projects, but it's fun to think about what could be done. Someone local is trying to sell his 55 'Baker truck 289 engine and 3sp/OD together with a 56 parts engine and transmission.

Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho

Paul,

You are on the right track (but you have to run a Y-Block in it).  Norris Anderson (#898) goes just under 200mph with his AA/MP.  It is over 500 cu. in., and he currently holds the record at Bonneville.

You hit the nail on the head.  It is fun just to see what is possible.  Remember, "first you say it, then you do it" (I think that expression started about dung ).  Also, the saying is true if you think about me, "Heck, if he can do it, anybody can do it".

Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)



BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

Charlie, Thanks for the kind words. I'm going to look at those engines tomorrow with the intention of putting one into my 53. Because I have other vehicles, I can afford to ease my way into building this one. From what I read about how you approached racing, you chose a class partially based on what was affordable; a small cubic inch class in the pickup truck category. You read the rule book and then made your plans. Pretty smart way to go.



I wish I could use a y-block in the Studebaker, but I don't want to get into a class that's too competitive. But with what I've learned about y-blocks, I think I can do a decent job with the Studebaker.



The seller is only asking $400 for two engines; one that's running but has low oil pressure, and another that's parts. And two 3sp/OD transmissions. And some other 12volt conversion parts. Seems like a reasonable deal.

Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho

Studebaker did make a 259ci V8, not sure if it was out in '53 though, that would put you right in class. I have another friend that thought of this when he heard what Charlie was doing. 

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

Studebaker's first OHV V-8 came out in the 1951 Commander model. Their low price field model was the Champion. The engine was 232 cu. inches. Next it was upped to 259 (in 1953?) and lastly to 289 cu.inches. I don't have any experience with those engines, but have been told they were solid designs. In the NASCAR chronicle a 51 coupe is pictured twice, driven by Frank Mundy. He took 4 poles & won three races..

Paul

The 53 Studes( cars and trucks) are the best looking vehicles of the era in my opinion. I remember something about one running in the Mexican road race. I think it was Ak Miller that put it in his T roadster race car and ran the race. Seems at the time OHV engines over 260 ci were not allowed, to keep it a flathead class, but they forgot about the 256 ford and the stude engines. I thing I read this in a Hot Rod mag back in the late fifties, so if anyone has those old mags, maybe they can check my memory.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

The Studebakers were good solid engines. the 352 Packard V8 of 1955 was the most powerful engine (off the showroom floor) in it's day and was also a Studebaker desgin.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

I had a 53 studebaker back in the early days with that Packard engine in it. Great engine. But, in retrospect I should have left it stock.  Oh well... 

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Hey Roy,

Thanks for the tip on cleaning up the undercarriage.  That is something I never thought about.  I have a good mental image of the bottom of the truck and I'm going over it now.  I don't see anything major, however, like you said, every little bit helps an you bet I will be under it tomorrow looking for anything that can be eliminated.

That is a great testament for using belly pans.  That was the first thing Seppo from Finland had suggested.  Too bad they are outlawed in the pickup classes.

Very interesting about the 62 unibody (I have not run into him).  (Did you see that Charlie M?  By the way Charlie, the record for D/PP at Maxton is 120.000, set in April, 2006 and they are liberal on the safety rules for that speed, I don't think they even require a roll cage or 5-point harness, but better ask).

If the unibody is in D/PP he must be running a 292 as the cubic inch limit for "D" is 305.99.  If you run into him in your home state of Washington, invite him to log on and share with us.

I know what you mean about gear ratios.  I started with 3.25 (what a rookie!), then worked my way through 3.73, 3.89 skipped 4.11 and went to 4.33 and finally found the sweet spot.  Tire changes has fine tuned the final drive ratio from there.  When I tell people about the 4.33's, they get a scrunched up look on their face.  That little 258 just needs a lot of breathing room.  If I had four or five hundred hp, it would be a different story.

For anyone reading this that has not read all the threads, Roy is a MOPAR man and the current record holder in the class I run in (E/PP).  As you can see, people on the salt (just like the Y-Block forum group) will do whatever they can to help a fellow racer, even in the same class.

I see you read that 2009 will be the last season for the truck.  It will be turned out to pasture (back on the streets).  It was a street rod for over 20 years and I believe it has another 20 in er' (question is, do I?).  After the truck, I will run a sedan.  It is very difficult to stay focused on the current season coming up when my mind wanders to what we want to accomplish in the next life for the Y-Block.

Dreamin' isn't bad, I join dreamers like Seppo, Paul, Charlie M, Reed, Alan, Chuck, Tim, (you too Roy) and with enough hard work, perseverance and dogged determination, who knows what we can come up with (oh yes, a sponsor or two would be nice) (Social Security only goes so far).

Thanks again Roy,

   

Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)



BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

Now, what is the slickest body a y-block ever came in? Maybe the 61 Starliner? But I think they are heavy too aren't they? The slicker body you can start with the easier it will be to go really fast. I wonder if any of the old time NASCAR Ford guys could give some pointers here? They surely know what cut through the air the best. Chuck in NH

PS social security dosen't provide much in the way of sponsorship funds. Although we could talk about doing some decals or bumper stickers to peddle along the way? That I can work on.

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire