1953 Hudson 7-X

Dave53-7C · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:03 am Post subject: 1953 Hudson 7-X

Soneffs has a 1953 7-X on ebay starting at $5,000.00 with a reserve. I've noticed the following, maybe others will discover more.

Double pulleys, like for a car with power steering.
Why two vacuum taps from balancing tube?
Single action fuel pump.
Wrong breather cap.
Why is the engine red?

51hornet · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:22 pm Post subject: Re: 1953 Hudson 7-X

If its a true factory 7X engine the block will have a serial number that is prefaced with a state code like CA115679 would be a 7X engine sold and installed in California. The correct stamped head proves nothing. The rest of the components are correct for the 7X. A true 7X engine ran rough and if the cam is the original factory cam and not the replacement it will jump timing gear. Its red because he painted it red may have been installed in a 54.

Looking over the part numbers he indeed does have the factory timing chain eater cam. The factory had lots of complaints about 309742 so they replaced it with 306344A. The best cam for this is Cliffords mechanical grind cam HK 117.

Dave53-7C · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: 1953 Hudson 7-X

I'll admit this is a rare animal, but it looks a little iffy for the $. Especially considering what you've said.

51hornet · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: 1953 Hudson 7-X

Sent an email to the owner he said the block has no serial number just a number 2 stamped in it. This leads me to think its a genuine 7X engine that was crated and not installed. The dealer stamped the engine when they installed it or before you took it away. Must have been a crated engine from a dealer that went under or one of the ones that was sold by JC Whitney in the late 50's early 60's after they stopped producing Hudsons.

Still a lot of money.

Dave53-7C · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:47 pm Post subject: Re: 1953 Hudson 7-X

How cool. Oh, to be to go back in time with a few thousand dollars to shop with.

indianracing · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:19 am Post subject: Re: 1953 Hudson 7-X

51 Hornet:
What can you tell us about the aluminum Super Dome Head?
Was this the head used on the 7X engine or was this a police option for a 308 ci? Can this head be used on a 262 with good results with or without the Twin H ? Also, IYO what would be the best bang for the buck on a 262 ci for performance, without having to go to a cam change and with what kind of results? I know, questions, questions. Thanx, Indianracing

51hornet · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: 1953 Hudson 7-X

The Aluminum Super Dome head was an option on all Hudson engines. They shipped with either a Aluminum head or a cast iron head. So you can find a 308 Aluminum head or a 262 head etc. Using a 308 head on a 262 will get you nothing other than a head. The 262 head on a 308 will raise the compression slightly and more so when using a 232 head on a 308.

The 7X engine shipped with a modified 232 head from the factory. The chamber had been milled to match the over size valves of the 7X engine. The part number of the 7X severe duty head is different from the stock 232 head.

So to answer your question on the 262 you would want to use the 232 head with Twin H if you were aiming for performance. You would also want to use the 7X relieving around the valves in the block to get it to breath better if you were going there you would find changing the cam not much more work.

But for just bolt on better performance use the Twin H and the 232 head and you will find you have plenty of power for a cruiser.

indianracing · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 5:36 pm Post subject: Re: 1953 Hudson 7-X

What are the stampings on these heads? The 308 Aluminum says " Super Dome" 145 ? What about the others. What does someone look for on Ebay or the swaps in reference to a 262 or 232 aluminum head?

51hornet · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject: Re: 1953 Hudson 7-X

Super Power Dome 145 was stamped on the 1951 heads only. Others have Power Dome on them.

Here is the nicest example of a 51 Aluminum head for sale that I have seen.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotor...500wt_1182

indianracing · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject: Re: 1953 Hudson 7-X

I saw this head also. Seems to me to have been glass beaded for appearance. I read somewhere to look closely at the water jacket areas of these heads? Also, being aluminum, I wonder if there were ever problems with used ones that were warped from someone over torquing a head bolt or two? Can you take any of the other Super Domes and duplicate the 232 by relieving (copying the 7X profile) and planing down the gasket surface for additional squish value?

indianracing · Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject: Re: 1953 Hudson 7-X

Found alot of answers on the 232 vs 262 head on a 308 on the Hudson Collectors site. Interesting talk from Walt about Smokey Yunicks` take on planing a head to a certain amount and then it cuts into the performance. Working and finding HP on Indian flathead motors all these years, it put it into perspective and answered alot of questions on performance on a flathead car motor.