Hudson motor

I

Inline6Merc

Well-known member
Im looking into hudson flathead sixes. What cars did they come inn? Any idea where performance parts could be bought for these cool motors?

later,

curtis
 
Clifford still catalogues a pile of speed parts for the Hudson six, but their ability to actually DELIVER said parts has been called into question
 
What cars did they come in? Hudsons! Seriously you probably want a 308 out of a Hornet (built from '51 to '56). Be aware that the oiling system in these is strange. If I remember correctly the oil pump is a piston type, which makes for pulsating oil pressure (one reason Hudson went to an oil idiot light so early). Also be aware that the factory clutch is cork faced and runs in an oil know as Hudsonite. This is still available from some Hudson specialists as old stock. Someone may make a conversion kit or different flywheel so you can put in a normal dry plate clutch. The best speed equipment is factory stuff; two carb intakes, the head off 262 motors, basically anthing used on the factory 7X NASCAR engines. Keep us up to date on your search.
 
HERE I AM!!!
Hudson went to a modern style rotary gear pump in 1948 on the six cyl. engines, and they work well. Anything you need for a complete rebuild is readily available. What are you trying to accomplish with your Hudson engine? The 308's were in the '51 - 56 Hornets. 262's and 232's were iin the 48 - 54 Wasp and Pacemaker series cars. The wet clutch works well, and most of us use ATF in them nowadays. I make an adapter to put a Chevy trans behind them as well. My wife's daily driver has a 700r4 in it.
 
Hey, any of you guys need machine work done on your Hudson inline engines send me a pm. There is exactly one guy I know out here in the midwest who is just nuts about working on inline engines. He did a Hudson 6 last winter while helping me with my 300 Ford. Has a 302 GMC six going together currently. Vintage machine shop complete with vintage machinist, last of a dying breed. Excellent work, competitve prices. Also figured out how to put BOTH valve seats into a Hudson block. In the past most experts said that it wasn't possible. Well.......he got r done.

Best Regards/
Worken2much
 
I'd like some more info on what my dad and I have with his '54 Hudson Jet. It has a 202 ci inline six in it now, but I'd like to finish the car eventually (just needs paint and a floor patch--72,000 original miles and runs great when it wants to start). I like the idea of a 308 motor but I don't know if it would fit in a Jet's engine bay. Does anyone have any pics, diagrams, dimensions, etc. of these motors? I know jack about flatheads other than the very basics.
 
I also have a couple of Hudson Jets. The 308 hornet engine will not fit the engine bay without major surgery. The hornet engine is at least six inches longer. The firewall needs to be moved back to about an inch in front of the back side of the dash board.
 
Hmm, that sucks. Thanks for the info, though. I guess I'll have to do some measurements the next time I visit to see what will fit in there if I decide not to keep the 202. Not like it's a big deal right now anyway, the Hudson is, unfortunately for it, a little further down the project list than some others right now.

I still wouldn't mind seeing some pics of 308s, though!
 
Ask, and ye shall receive! This car is down at the Don Garlits museum of drag racing in FL. It took some cajoling, but the guy finally opened the hood.
hudson4.jpg

hudson5.jpg

hudson6frnt.jpg


more next post...
 
OK- read the sign. This was Smokey Yunick's engine for a bit. For some odd reson, he wouldn't let me crank it up.

smokeyhudson1.jpg

smokeyhudson2.jpg

smokeyhudson3.jpg
 
That blue car is nicely preserved. Good pics!

I pester people for underbonnet shots, too. Can't see the point of entering a car in a show and hiding that stuff, especially when it's so different. Often the entrants are surprised to see anyone interested beyond the exterior.
 
Hmm, it doesn't look like it would take a TON of work to make a 308 fit in a Jet. That blue one is SWEET. :shock: I'd love to have one, stroke it like Hudson Nut, and throw a Roots blower with twin carbs on it. Or possibly twin 4-bbl throttle bodies with some "hidden" fuel injection. Dream on for now, though...I really need to win the lottery.

Thanks for the pics!
 
The Jet was campaigned by Sloan McCauley in the 60's and early 70's. It was an nhra and ahra record holder. It ran high 13's all over the country.
 
Thats some great photos from don garlits muesum.

I wonder what kind of HP that engine put out in herb thomas nascar winner?? William
 
I love the pics of the blue Hornet 308 8)

Those are cool carbs. It looks like they modified them for Holley bowls. Can anybody tell me what they are/were?
 
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