The Studebaker series of "R" engines

[landman]

Since we are now on the bench, I decided to continue here. I started on the R2, using a Starliner engine and some Avanti engines bought on eBay. The background story is here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/117564-a-studebaker-story/#comment-1703106

The belt & pulley assembly is in place. It needed a bit more than the shim I mentioned earlier to make the alternator and compressor fit the pulleys. they are from different kits.

 

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[landman]

Here is a quick rundown to explain the differences between the different R engines, from an article by Doug Crall who looks like the expert on the matter.

R1-289 CID,10.5-1 compression, flat top pistons, 4barrel AFB, 260 degree cam. estimated 240hp.

R2-289 CID, 9.0-1 compression, flat top pistons, belt driven Paxton supercharger, AFB carb, Estimated 290-300hp

R3-304.5 CID, 276 or 288 degree cam, Paxton supercharger,non-sealed AFB carb inside a cast pressure box. Estimated 335hp. There were only 9 production R3s (all 64's) made by Paxton products , a division of Studebaker (Granatelli brothers). There are probably 20 or so factory built (crate engines) and another 50 or so built up to R3 specs.

R4-304.5 CID, 12.0-1 compression, Forged-true pistons, dual 4-barrel AFB carbs, same cam selection as R3. Only one production engine in a 64 Daytona. That engine has been restored.

There was also  an R4 Daytona convertible created at the factory but lost to history. 

R5-By Andy Granatelli, not Studebaker, 304.5 CID. He called it Duo Cento because it was to do 200mph on the salt. Modified bendix FI. Dual Paxton superchargers. Estimated over 500hp.

That engine has also been restored. Apparently some of the parts were missing and had to be made.

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[landman]

For modeling purposes, the only difference between the R2 and R3 is the air box. So I scaled down a photo of the top half to get the shape. It will have to be scratchbuilt.

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[landman]

Meanwhile the R2 is nearing completion. To finish the wiring, some touch-ups and a bit of detailing and it'll be done.

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[vintagercr]

Pat, it looks good!   Love your garage/workshop

[landman]

Pat, it looks good!   Love your garage/workshop

Thank you Stephen. 

[landman]

Some work on the R3 air box.

 

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[landman]

Took another tack with the spark plug wires. I had glued them to the plugs but they broke off when I tried to bend them towards the shield. I'll try the other way. Also started on the ignition shield for the other 3 engines.

 

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[landman]

Worked better this way. They were anchored more solidly allowing manipulation without pulling off.

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[landman]

The R2 is completed. 

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[Dogfish_7]

Great stuff! Planning to build an Avanti Bonneville soon and this fits the bill. Excellent research and upgrades!

[landman]

For some reason I lost one of the manifolds. Made some from those on a junk engine.

It is slowly taking shape. I managed to smear my little R3 plaque. Will have to redo.

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[landman]

Pipe bending using the tea lite method which I picked up here.

 

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[landman]

Made the crankcase breather and wrapped some wire around solder to make the air intake pipe.

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[landman]

This will likely be the last update photos for a while as we just had a sewer backup which resulted in some flooding in the batroom next to my modeling room. Both will have to be stripped to get rid of the contamination.

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[landman]

The R3 is done. I see in the photos it'll need a few touchups, but it is pretty well there.

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[espo]

Engines are looking perfect. I feel your pain on the backup. Had this happen a few years ago and they had to remove sheet rock and base board moldings. The entire basement had to have new carpet thru out. Home owners insurance paid for it as the city would not take responsibility. Hope you have a better outcome.   

[landman]

Engines are looking perfect. I feel your pain on the backup. Had this happen a few years ago and they had to remove sheet rock and base board moldings. The entire basement had to have new carpet thru out. Home owners insurance paid for it as the city would not take responsibility. Hope you have a better outcome.   

Thanks David. In my case, it wasn't the town, there was a blockage under the house somewhere. The subfloors have been removed, the cement scrubbed and sanitized, and the reconstruction should start next week. It is covered by the insurance. I would post a picture but Photobucket won't open again today.

[espo]

Thanks David. In my case, it wasn't the town, there was a blockage under the house somewhere. The subfloors have been removed, the cement scrubbed and sanitized, and the reconstruction should start next week. It is covered by the insurance. I would post a picture but Photobucket won't open again today.

Ours was the cities fault. We have what they call Grinder Pumps to handle the sewer flow. This is maintained by the city, and the grinder and pump failed. There is an alarm that is suppose to sound but that was not wired properly. When the city took over our sewer system so that we could be annexed they put language in that the city could not be held responsible for damage caused by their neglects.     

[Rider]

This is really cool Pat. Love your garage/machine shop dio, really fantastic work.

Edited October 28, 2016 by Rider

[landman]

Thanks guy for the nice words. On with the R4.The R4's dual four intake has a similar appearance to the single as far as runs go. So since kit R4 intakes are non existant I'll attempt to make one using a single four as a base.

The R4 also has a prominent valley cover. Found one in the scrap heap which would work with some trimming. Unfortunately it disappeared from the table later in the evening.

Started carving the carburetor bases out of a tapered block. This is to replicate the rake of the 1:1.

[landman]

I scratched up another valley cover. My wife thinks the dog got the other one off the floor.

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[DumpyDan]

Awesome Pat, but that's the way you do you work, sorry to hear about the basement troubles.

[landman]

Tried my hand on the mini lathe with the milling attachment. The center groove went OK, the side scallops not so.

Finished the engine top parts. Valley cover + stock intake + dual four slanted carb base + carbs.  

 

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman

[landman]

Installed the valley cover, manifold & carbs. Working on linkages and fuel lines.

 

Edited December 24, 2020 by landman