289 2-barrel
1956–1964210 hp / 300 lb-ft representative early-1960s
Standard production 289
Studebaker 289 V8 enginePhoto: Herranderssvensson · CC BY-SA 3.0
Studebaker · Studebaker OHV V8
Studebaker 289 V8
The 3.625-inch-stroke Studebaker V8 that became the foundation for Hawk and Avanti performance.
289
Cubic inches
Studebaker lengthened stroke to 3.625 inches, creating the 289 that powered Hawks and became the base engine architecture for the R1 and supercharged R2 Avanti programs.
Key variants
All variants289 2-barrel289 4-barrelR-series 289 derivatives
Displacement
289 ci
Bore
3.5625"
Stroke
3.625"
Years
1956–1964 Studebaker production era
Key Takeaway
The 289 used Studebaker's 3.5625-inch bore with a longer 3.625-inch stroke. The extra displacement delivered stronger torque while retaining the same rugged cast-iron OHV architecture, making it the ideal base for the later R1 and supercharged R2 programs.
Technical Specifications
- Compression
- Approximately 8.25–8.8:1 in common non-R performance versions
- Horsepower
- Common ratings ranged roughly 200–225 hp before R-series performance versions
- Torque
- Up to 305 lb-ft in documented four-barrel early-1960s specification
- Architecture
- 90-degree OHV V8
- Block
- Cast iron
- Cylinder heads
- Cast iron
- Valvetrain
- Pushrod OHV
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Fuel delivery
- Two-barrel or four-barrel carburetion
- Firing order
- 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
The 289 used Studebaker's 3.5625-inch bore with a longer 3.625-inch stroke. The extra displacement delivered stronger torque while retaining the same rugged cast-iron OHV architecture, making it the ideal base for the later R1 and supercharged R2 programs.
Internal Specifications
Variant-specific values are labeled. Engine families that span multiple years or RPOs can have different heads, cams, induction and rotating parts, so the exact code/year always takes priority.
Identification & Output
- Engine codes / RPO
- P = standard 289 passenger-car engine serial prefix in the late Studebaker era; performance R-series engines use their own R/RS/JT/JTS/R3S/R4 prefixes
- Casting numbers
- 537424 (289 crankshaft forging reference), 1556444 (verified long-snout 289 crankshaft forging used in later/R-series applications), 1554641 is associated with later full-flow Studebaker V8 blocks but does not prove 289 displacement without serial/stroke verification
- Power rating
- Period brake horsepower / SAE gross-era rating
- Horsepower RPM
- 210 hp @ 4500 rpm representative two-barrel; 225 hp @ 4500 rpm representative four-barrel
- Torque RPM
- 300 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm two-barrel; 305 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm four-barrel representative
Rotating Assembly
- Rod length
- 6.6255 in
- Main journal
- 2.4995–2.5000 in
- Rod journal
- Approximately 2.000 in
Operating Specs
- Production notes
- Introduced for 1956, the 289 retained the 3.5625-inch bore and lengthened stroke to 3.625 inches. Later full-flow blocks and long-snout forged cranks formed the basis for Studebaker’s R1/R2 performance engines.
Compatibility Notes
- A P-prefix normally identifies a standard 289, but R-series 289s use performance-specific serial prefixes. Verify stroke, full-flow/bypass block type and engine number.
- R-series heads, camshafts, ignition, induction and supercharger hardware are not represented by a standard 289 short-block alone.
Notable Applications
Studebaker HawkStudebaker GT HawkStudebaker PresidentStudebaker Lark performance modelsStudebaker Avanti in R-series form
Strengths
- Strong torque
- Robust block and crank architecture
- Excellent foundation for factory R-series tuning
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Heavy iron construction
- Cylinder-head airflow modest compared with later performance V8s
Common Upgrades
- R1/R2-style induction and camshaft packages
- Headers
- Modern ignition
Racing History & Legacy
The standard 289 became the foundation of Studebaker’s 1963–1964 Jet Thrust/R-series performance program. R1 and R2 derivatives powered Avantis, Super Hawks and Super Larks during Studebaker’s Bonneville record campaign.
The 289 is the core Studebaker performance V8 and the engine from which the famous Avanti R-series was developed.
References & Image Credit
Engine image: Herranderssvensson · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Studebaker Drivers Club — 1962 GT Hawk 289 specs
club reference
Studebaker Drivers Club — V8 blueprint dimensions
technical reference
Studebaker Drivers Club — Studebaker V8 engine history
club technical history
Studebaker Drivers Club — Studebaker V8 blueprint dimensions
technical reference
Studebaker Drivers Club — V8 identification and serial-prefix guidance
club identification reference
Studebaker Drivers Club — V8 crankshaft forging-number reference
club technical reference
Studebaker 1960s general engine specifications
historical specification
Approved catalog media — Studebaker Avanti 289 engine
licensed media
Key Factory / Build Variants
289 4-barrel
1956–1964225 hp / 305 lb-ft representative
Pre-R-series performance version
R-series 289 derivatives
1963–1964240–289 hp factory ratings
R1 naturally aspirated and R2 supercharged performance development
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
01
289 cu in / 4.7 L with 3.5625 x 3.625-inch bore and stroke.
02
Cast-iron 90-degree OHV V8.
03
Two- and four-barrel carburetion in standard applications.
04
Common non-R performance versions produced roughly 200–225 hp and up to about 305 lb-ft.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind Studebaker 289 V8
The 289 became the heart of Studebaker performance. It powered Hawks and performance Larks, then served as the foundation for the Avanti's entire R-series program.
TorqueList Garage Reference Series
See this engine inside the full Studebaker reference catalog.
The same Engine Library data now powers a more detailed mobile-friendly catalog with technical specs, variants, engineering notes, history and related stories.