jclars

I am still kicking power plant ideas around, but admitting to why I asked about weight distribution - the car always struck me as a very viable EV (yes, as in "Electric Vehicle") 😈 candidate. With so much room in front of the rear axle, one could easily contain enough cells to power over 250 HP with decent range. I am just in the middle of an EV conversion on a 1961 Volvo PV544, and have managed with quite limited space to get 120GO/172ft-lb, so if it is successful, this business coupe may be the next victim. While the Volvo was from scratch, I am considering buying a salvage car as a donor. I would like to attain a good IRS at the same time, so may have to split those into two different parts. From what I gather on the 50's era three speed, they were perhaps not robust enough to take double the torque output? I really like the feel and uniqueness of the three-on-the-tree. If it can't handle it, I will probably go direct drive. Maybe convert the shift to a FWD and REV switch.

Saving for future refence! Very nice work!

Thanks QEC - I am trying a bit of everything within the suggestions proposed, to see who the winner is! After finding the sludge in the lower block, however, several things became clearer to me. One is finding the reason for it running so hot. Secondly, this block has to come out for a good dip in a hot tank. Confronted with a complete tear-down of an engine that I was not considering even using in the first place, it may just sit for awhile. I can think of a lot more fun engines/motors for this thing if they fit without chopping anything, other than a driveline. John

Plugged with crud was my situation. When I took that exact plug out, there was a dribble, even though I could see water from the block jacket holes. I took an awl and poked in from below and a screw driver from above and the dribble turned to a 73 year olds piddle stream. It appears empty now. Thanks for the welded washer tip. I tried a nut only, and like you say, there was not enough penetration. The reason I drilled the HH tops off, was the first three twisted off studs were measured to be close to the head surface. I did not want any more of that. At least now I can soak them, heat them and weld nuts on without obstruction. Booger - will an owners manual have cargo weights? Seems like a basic spec but no one seems to know what it is. Thanks all!

Thanks. No relief needed for sure! But good to know!

Thanks Sniper - No prob with urgency on this one! It sits right next to the project I am currently engrossed in - a 1961 Volvo PV544. But convenient enough I squirt some penetrating oil on a few studs, bang on them and go back to work. And find time to repair my granddaughters bird house. But draining the rest of the block should help the heat penetration some!

The four sided bung at the edge of the starter?

Thanks - That reminds me to ask - I did not get all water out of the block - is there a lower drain port I am not seeing?

Thanks - I have both gasket and studs waiting in the wings. Its the stuck studs that worry me, especially the three broken off at the head surface which may need drilling. And what if there is more to come? Not expensive if I can do it myself, but how to hit dead center on drill out? So payload might be in line with the passenger + cargo of a 4 door sedan. At least 500# extra, plus the difference in wheelbase. I think they both had the same frame and drive train from what I've studied, but no weights listed in the sedan category either.

Good info! But every bolt?? Oh well, It was not a runner when I got it, and quite frankly, my intent was a different powerplant anyway, so low probability that this motor will get revitalized. It was only because it started up so easily that I pursued what I thought would be a few quick fixes for a runner. At $1250, I guess I was expecting too much! I take it that there is no official data on what makes a business coupe a hauler? Any extra payload given all the added cargo area?

Thanks for the encouragement! After twisting off three almost flush to the block surface, I decided to drill the heads off the rest. Giving me at least a shank to work with. These are the most stubborn I have ever faced, and so many. There is evidence of some sort of gunk on the three I got out - Loctite? But so far no progress. I will also be looking to weld oversized nuts on the heads to give something to grab onto. I was actually not looking for a project as I have one I am in the middle of. But when it actually started I thought it would be fun to drive around. Now I can't even move it easily! And I have a new water pump, head gasket and bolts already invested in it. Oh well, I keep doing those things you mention in passing, as I putter on the other project. A pic of the car, as I found it. Almost looks like a staged barn find, except this was a typical scene throughout this mans hoard.

Last September, while still on vacation, a friend sent me a pic of a business coupe for sale. I recognized the place immediately and regretted I would not be home for a couple of days. But it waited for me! It has a bit of history. Owned by famous Mopar sponsored drag racer Dave Wren, it was one of two drivers he used before passing away the year before. As it turns out he had about six of them scattered over his farm, most of which looked like a parts source for the others. They sat out in an open field with many of his 70's era racing cars. I was lucky enough to get one that had been indoors for awhile at least. I got it running within a couple of days, but when I replaced the water pump, the extra flow blew out a weak spot in the head gasket. It went downhill from there, with 3 head bolts removed, 3 broken off and 18 still stuck in the block. Anyway, I haven't decided fully what to do with the thing as it came to me unexpected. For the 1 mile I was able to drive it, it sure glided along! These have always been an attraction to me reminding me of those little armored sowbugs that seemed to float along as they moved. My first question is how these business coupes were outfitted for the travelling salesman. I cant find any pix or examples. I understand there were even shelving systems available like for a cargo van. And in relation to that, what was their payload? Is this stated on a published spec sheet? Thanks in advance, John