1950 Stude Build

[dmw56]

Originally Posted by bob w

Nice project you have there. The pictures are excellent. Must be nice to have a good body to start with. Around here you can count on replacing the lower 6" of the body! It always surprises me that the firewall has to be moved back when replacing a 6 with a V8. I ran into the same thing putting a sbc in a '49 Plymouth. Keep posting as you make progress.

We've had that car since 1969 and always in the west. It spent almost 30 years in Calif. So it never had a rust problem. The only place there was rust was on the drivers side floor and body mount.



When I built the trans tunnel I used the old tunnel just raised it up about 4". I left a removable panel so I could get the linkage easier.

Yeah, the original front crossmember was way up front and the motor mounts were there also. So to get the V8 to fit right I had to move the firewall!

[dmw56]

Originally Posted by Tripper

DMW,
Nice build & really nice motor there but if there's anymore just sittin' around in your sister's garage... please lemme know!!! ; - >

BoB

Well there's a bare 396 block she keeps telling me to come get! She's in CA and I'm in NM now.Gonna have to make a road trip soon.
DMW

[dmw56]

Here's the body mount I had to replace. I found a replacement on a site on the internet. So I didn't have to fabricate one.


Front view with new recessed firewall. I think on 51 Studes the year of their first V8 they had a recessed firewall to make room for their V8. The booster and master cylinder were out of a 78 Firebird.


As was the brake pedal assembly and steering column (with key). The seats are 6 way power, heated leatherfrom a 2003 Trailblazer $300 for the pair. I also got the center console and over head console for another $100.

[dmw56]

The driveshaft tunnel I made on a 3' sheetmetal brake making a small bend every 1/8"-1/4". Sure wish I had a slip roller.


Here's a shot of the dash. I had to add 4" to widen the original dash to clear the Vintage air conditioning condenser. Yeah, I know what your thinking a Rat with AC? It gets hot here in NM!


There's a view of the console too. It fit perfect!

[dmw56]

Another view of the dash


I made a cardboard template for the front of the dash and cut it out of 18 gauge.


Finished dash with Auto Meter Gauges in Billet Specialties Bezel. I used the original glove box door.


Test fit in car.

[Old Gold]

Nice fab work! This is gonna be a sweet build. Keep the pix coming.

[T2T]

Great job.........................I like the inspirational picture on the windshield, I do the same thing.........

[RoddingRon]

Looking good. Looking forward to the rest of the pics as the build progresses. When the weather warms up here a little more (was 4 ths morning), I gotta get back on my Studebaker.
oh yeah....free is a great price!!!!!

[bob w]

That's the beauty of this site; lots of people can appreciate the fine work you are doing. Once it's done, so much of it will be hidden and folks looking at your Stude won't be able to tell all that went into it.

[Gastrick]

That's coming out real nice dmw56. Everthing looks well thought out and nicely executed.