ClassicCar

Hudson308

Hey, guys;

Paul (Teddy) Sibole is looking for a useable '51-54 308 crank for a decent price. Can anyone help? It would be nice if it were somewhere close to Minnesota so it won't cost him an arm and a leg to ship. You can contact him directly through the roster or email me at:

HETwaye2hot@usiwireless.com (drop the HET)

m6ride

Here's one ('54 308):

http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/1478481371.html

Hudson308

Thanks for the lead, m6. I'll forward that info, although I think Walt Mordenti might have what he needs.

walt norem

54 won't work, 51-3 is what he needs.

Hudson308

walt norem wrote:

54 won't work, 51-3 is what he needs.

Huh... didn't know that! What's different about the '54?

Nevada Hudson

Lester Harris has several at (775) 267-2559. Lester does not have a computer.

dougson

walt norem wrote:

54 won't work, 51-3 is what he needs.

Yes, what's the difference? All 51-54 should be the same, except that the standard shift is different from the auto. '55-56 are different from 51-54, but will work for either stick or auto.

SuperDave

Hudson308 wrote:

Huh... didn't know that! What's different about the '54?

Good question?:confused:

walt norem

I was told they changed the rear seal area in 54, and did away with the little seal holder on the top. Was I misinformed?

SuperDave

walt norem wrote:

I was told they changed the rear seal area in 54, and did away with the little seal holder on the top. Was I misinformed?

I don't know about the block seal area. I can't remember what the last 54 308 that I overhauled looked like but I THINK it was the same as all stepdown sixes. At least I don't recall it looking any different than the previous years. The parts book calls for the crank to be the same number for 52 thru 54. Blocks seem to be the same too.:confused:

dougson

In '55 a rubber seal relaced the cork(?), is it possible that late '54's started using the '55 changes?

walts garage-53 · walts garage-53 November 2009 Posts: 1,468Platinum Member

Hudson308 wrote:

Hey, guys;

Paul (Teddy) Sibole is looking for a useable '51-54 308 crank for a decent price. Can anyone help? It would be nice if it were somewhere close to Minnesota so it won't cost him an arm and a leg to ship. You can contact him directly through the roster or email me at:

HETwaye2hot@usiwireless.com (drop the HET)

1951-52-53 and 1954 are all the same, std or auto. Blocks are all the same as they all have the upper rear main seal housing. 1955 and 56 blocks are different as well as the cranks. You can use a 55-56 crank in the 51 to 54 blocks but you have to use a 1/2 inch spacer, we have a supplier that is making them. You can use a 51 to 54 crank in the 55-56 block as long as you use the same year trans, std or auto. 51 to 54 are packing rear main seals and 55-56 are neoprene oil seals. You can have the 51 to 54 block machined to take the neoprene seals, but big dollars. Walt.

walt norem

Thanks Walt! That was very educational!

dougson

Concerning the crankshaft, changes were made sometime between 1951 and 1954 that resulted the crankshaft being able to accept both standard and auto trans. As mentioned in previous posts, the cranks from '51 to at least late '52 were different for each transmission. Am I wrong?

HornetSpecial

That was very educational for us younger folks in the club!! These crankshafts are getting harder to find as are the 308 blocks. Thanks everybody. I now have a crank.

Hudzilla

Starting with the 1952 production all Hudson crankshafts were made to accomodate a pilot hole for an automatic tranny whether they had an auto tranny in the car or not. That way all like crankshafts would interchange with like crankshafts. That is, A 308 standard tranny crankshaft would interchange with a 308 auto crankshaft. Prior to the 52 model year all cranks had to be drilled to put a subsequent model automatic tranny in a car. Hudson actually had started to send out Hydramatic cranks for all 308's as replacements in 1951 but the switch in production to all bored Hydramatic cranks cranks didn't happen until later.

Clutch guy

Replacement Neoprene seals for the rope graphite rear main seals-[48-54] will be availible in the near future. No, it is not for something else,this is specifically made for the big 6 hudson engine. It will work/works very well and easily installed. You still need to make everything clean and all the old seal removed. Like any seal, there can't be any abrasions in the sealing surface because the seal will be damaged and probably leak. You will also still need to pack the side bearing cap slots with the rope supplied in the O/H set. If you have ordered a Big 6 O/H gasket set in the past 2 years,it has been equipped with a man-made teflon rope seal. This seal when installed correctly works VERY well. It has the instructions in it for proper installation. I have used this teflon type many times and have had great success everytime. The only problem with it is if you need to replace it for any reason,it is real difficult. It is designed to use and install when the crankshaft is out. Another note is always inspect the rear main sealing surface when rebuilding your engine. These are usually pitted because of the cotton rope graphite seal drew moisture when the engine had set for awhile-you know, the 20,30 or 40 ++ years prior to you purchasing it. I have found you can have your machine shop cut/grind this surface up to .010 without any concerns of being undersize and not sealing. CG

Hudson308

Thanks for all the responses and emails, guys... looks like Paul is all cranked up for now! :rolleyes:

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