She isn't gonna carry a Sbc

nesdam1098 · Pacemaker Joined: Feb 01, 2012 Posts: 18

Hi everyone,

I Have 1951 Hudson Commodore Super Six fresh out of the barn. Unfortunatly when I took the head off the engine, it was seized no suprise there. But I tried mulitple time to get the engine to unseize but no luck. I took the engine out and tried to pop the cylinders out from the bottom up but they aren't moving. So I decided to reassemble the engine and put a tarp on it in my shed to keep it untill, I re-restore it. So I decided instead of putting a Sbc 350 in her I might as well make her a true hot rod, I have bought a complete 308 Hornet engine. And plan on putting it in.

It would be great if anyone could give me feed back, It would be appreciated

nesdam1098 · Pacemaker Joined: Feb 01, 2012 Posts: 18

By the way I forgot my name its Paul and thanks for the help, and feed back

51hornet · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 5:15 pm Post subject: Re: She isn't gonna carry a Sbc

Welcome aboard Paul,

good choice on the 308 it will drop right in and give you all the umph you need. Plus will not affect the value of the car. Hudsons are weird like that. Drop on to eBay and look at rodded Hudsons you cannot give them away.

Hudsons have not hit mainstream yet so rodded cars are not valued. Personally I have nothing against rodding a Hudson but keep in mind you better plan on keeping it.

Back to the 308 it was actually a dealer option to go order a 308 short or long block and drop it in your 48-54 Hudson and its historically correct. My Hornets have 308's and they are reliable as hell and have plenty of power plus look, sound and run so good.

For that engine you can place oil mixed with either Marvel Mystery oil or penetrating oil and leave it for at least a month. Trying to turn it over little by little. It will break free. I have done it many times. Just a little patience.

Keep us informed ask any questions you like and lets get that Hudson back on the road.

nesdam1098 · Pacemaker Joined: Feb 01, 2012 Posts: 18

Hey thanks

It is suprising if you keep it an orignal Hudson engine it doesn't affect the value.

But I think in the up an comming years they will hit mainstream, due to disneys pixars Cars. But that is why I am also keeping the original engine, and drive train.

Though I have a not gotten a transmission, and want to switch it from automatic to manuel, do I need to cut a hole in my tranny hump, or is it a 3 on the tree?

Thanks again
-Paul

51hornet · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:52 am Post subject: Re: She isn't gonna carry a Sbc

Manual is three on the tree. You will need to get some parts like a 3 on the tree steering column and the connections. Plus there is a 3spd with OD which is nice.

nesdam1098 · Pacemaker Joined: Feb 01, 2012 Posts: 18

I'm going to try to get the three with an overdrive

Do you have any PDF's on a 51 body, and engine, I have found one on the internet, but it just briefly touches on the cars engine, brakes, ect. IS there a full shop manual on this car

thank you alot
-Paul

51hornet · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 3:43 pm Post subject: Re: She isn't gonna carry a Sbc

Yes you can find the manuals for sale on eBay from seller Faxon. Also you need to join the Hudson Essex Terraplane club as you will find a great resource for Hudsons plus lots of internal part sources.

Here is a link to HET member Alex Burr he scans and uploads Hudson literature. You can find the 48-54 Body manual. The 51 service manual is not there but the 50 is and its close. hetclub.org/burr/lithomepage.htm

nesdam1098 · Pacemaker Joined: Feb 01, 2012 Posts: 18

Hey thank you for the links

I have a question in the 1950 Manual it says the battery is a positive ground, I thought mine was a negative ground

Thanks
-Paul

51hornet · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:09 pm Post subject: Re: She isn't gonna carry a Sbc

Nope your Hudson is positive ground. Keep that is mind as you are putting the 308 in. Make sure you have the beefy six volt cables.

nesdam1098 · Pacemaker Joined: Feb 01, 2012 Posts: 18

I have never worked on a 6 volt system, are they problematic?

51hornet · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:20 am Post subject: Re: She isn't gonna carry a Sbc

I have had zero problems on my Hudsons. As part of your 308 install you can convert to 12v neg ground but thats a bit of work. 6v worked fine for me. Part of the fun of running a classic.

nesdam1098 · Pacemaker Joined: Feb 01, 2012 Posts: 18

I'll probably keep it the 6 volt, it would be easier, rather then changing out all the fuses, and ligths to 12 volt

51hornet · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: She isn't gonna carry a Sbc

Only thing to remember on 6V positive ground is good battery cables and make sure you have solid grounding. Make sure all connections are corrosion free and tight and you should have zero problems.

nesdam1098 · Pacemaker Joined: Feb 01, 2012 Posts: 18

Hey thanks alot

51hornet · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: She isn't gonna carry a Sbc

No problem you will soon be listening to the unmistakable burble of a 308 ticking over. Best sound in the world.