Guest Commander55 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I was wondering if anyone had retrofitted a Commander 245 ci engine into a 1937 Coupe Express? I'd like to do the swap and include the 3-speed OD transmission with the package. I have the original engine and transmission in the CE but have no idea if the engine runs or is rebuildable. The 245 and OD transmission that I'd like to put into the CE is a known commodity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlightcoupe Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I believe Jerry Kurtz has done just that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowtown Commander Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I hope others that have done this will respond but this has been many times. I recently did this swap on my 38 Coupe but I used the original 38 trans. The 37 had a different bell housing so there is some adapting that must be done to get it properly to the 245 engine. You don't give source of your donor engine and transmission, but the 37 is a floor shift and I do not know how compatible that will be with the transmission that you are going to use. Jerry Kurtz does offer 37 overdrive transmissions. I think if you provide the year and model of your donor drive train it will help establish what must be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studerex Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I did it to Dick Quinns 38 coupe express. Also added overdrive. Made it look original also. The starter was on the wrong side but changed that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GeorgeCagle Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I put a 245 in my '37 Dictator. It bolted up to the '37 overdrive transmission with no trouble and I also used the '37 flywheel and clutch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlightcoupe Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 The 245 that was used in cars through 1950 and some trucks through 1961 was a design by Roy Cole in 1931 for the '32 Rockne 65 and introduced as a 189 cid. Aside from displacement/horsepower, it is a bolt in for thirty years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbk Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Do not forget the role of Mr.Vail.http://vinson.hagleyblogs.org/2012/08/rockne-a-line-of-cars-named-for-a-college-football-legend/Robert Kapteyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 My L5 Coupe Express has a 4E truck motor. I replace it's 1938 OD gearbox with a 1939 OD gearbox. The clutch plate is 10 or 10.5" dia, whereas I think the '39 is 9 or 9.5"? I think I used the '38 housing with the '39 'box (it was a while ago!). The engine mounts are all the same but the '39 'box rear transverse support is further back to allow for the overdrive solenoid plate. And the driveshaft is shorter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Commander55 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Yeah. I'd anticipated having to shorten the driveshaft (if the swap could be made). I was also concerned that there would be problems with linking the stick shift in the floor. Did Studebaker build of the '37 J5s with factory over-drive transmissions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowtown Commander Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Yes their Studebaker did offer overdrive transmissions as an option - I have 2 of them but would recommend that you det one from Jerry Kurtz as he completely rebuilds them and adds the post war overdrive. Jerry really knows the 37 and other pre war Studes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabolst Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 (edited) On 4/1/2015 at 8:04 PM, Guest GeorgeCagle said: I put a 245 in my '37 Dictator. It bolted up to the '37 overdrive transmission with no trouble and I also used the '37 flywheel and clutch. I did the same thing to my '36 dictator sedan except my '36 overdrive trans was siezed so I used the 50's commander trans that came with the motor but the 2 trannys looked identical. I even put the '36 starter on the 245ci because I wanted to keep the original start knob. I also had no issues with any mounting issues only thing I did have to do was remove fenders and front grille/ radiator to get the motor in but once in everything lined up like it belongs. Edited August 6, 2022 by Parabolst (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris piazza Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Sadly, I don't believe Jerry is doing much in the way of overdrive transmissions anymore due to his health. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John DePrey Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 On 8/5/2022 at 7:58 PM, chris piazza said: Sadly, I don't believe Jerry is doing much in the way of overdrive transmissions anymore due to his health. this was an old thread that got bumped, I did a double take myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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