64V2488 Rehabilitation
64V2488 Rehabilitation
This engine was rebuilt by a ex-Studebaker dealer in 1978, and never started until 1996. It was driven 3500 miles since the rebuild and exhibited good and bad signs after looking it over.
Started repair on 12 August 2000,
The heads were removed and disassembled. The black color of most of the exhaust valves told the story that the heads were never rebuilt as part of the job. The #4 exhaust valve, after lifting off the seat, could be moved 1/4" sideways, so the guides were obviously shot. These heads have replaceable guides and will be fine.
to be continued..........
It was reported to have had an R1 cam installed and idled a bit lumpy.
A new 4bbl carb was installed, replacing the old leaky 2 bbl and improved the
operation, but after warming up it started smoking very slightly on the
passenger side. When changing the plugs, it was noted that #4 was black and
appeared to be not firing. The new plugs didn't help. When removed for this
repair, the #4 plug was wet and had no indication of ever doing any work. In
testing, the car pulled adequately moving up and down the driveway but still
felt like there was a problem, sounding like late timing. It was apparent that
one cylinder was bad, so a leakdown test was done. #4 cylinder was the first
tested and compressed air blew right out of the cylinder into the exhaust pipe,
throughout the rotation. This required closer inspection.
Lots of RTV....UGH!
...Starting to open it up. Keeping track of parts.
Have to remove water manifold
Painted interior is a good sign
Cam lobes / lifters look good.
cylinder bores still have cross
hatching..no ridge, No oversize
markings either, standard size pistons?
The colors tell all. Light tan on
the exhaust valve is good. #1 on
Drivers side is best one of the bunch
The second from right is the bad one.
Once off the seat, you could
move the exhaust 1/4" in
either direction
The exhaust pipes on both sides were dropped, , removed exhaust manifolds and rocker arms, water manifold. The interior of the lifter valley was painted with, what appeared to be Glyptol, a sign that the work was done by a professional shop. All lifters were new and no ridge was evident on the upper cylinders. The pistons were standard size. The crosshatching to seat new rings was still evident in the cylinder bores with no scratches.