ClassicCar

Hudson53Hornet

Just picked up my dream car 53 hudson hornet!!! Only problem is, it doesnt have engine or tranny, and would like to keep it as original as I can. Any one have any information on where I can pick up a block, incomplete engine, and or engine and tranny?? been looking online and havent found many "good" sources.

Thanks for any help.

nhp1127

you are lucky as you found the right place. This is THE Hudson place for info and help. Someone will have one for you!

bobdriveshudson

What part of the country are you? Might help identify who would be closer. Bob

Hudson53Hornet

I'm located in central coast California, Paso Robles to be exact

46HudsonPU

Welcome to the madness! :rolleyes:

A few suggestions -

Join the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club (HET Club). Go to the website, and you'll find the information on joining there - www.hudsonclub.org;

While at the HET Club website, look for chapter local to you. Make contact, and let them know what you're looking for - they may be able to assist or point you in the right direction. You should probably consider joining the local chapter as well

;

Contact SamJ (His 'Handle' on this forum). He is the editor of the WTN, the award winning magazine of the HET Club. Send him a PM or email him, asking for a courtesy copy of the WTN (you'll need to give him your mailing address). It has a classifieds section as well as quite a bunch of other information which may also assist you in your search and restoration.
Here is a thread, where he makes the offer -
http://classiccar.com/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=62&jfile=showthread.php&t=20546

Lee ODell

Hudson53Hornet wrote:

I'm located in central coast California, Paso Robles to be exact

Contact Richard Smithen 805-467-2966. He lives down the road from you in San Miguel. He has several Hudsons. I believe he is one of the HET chapter officers.

Just tell him Lee O'Dell sent you. I bought one of his Hudson neon window sighs. Nice guy to deal with.

My brother lives in Paso. Most of my relatives live in your area. Atascadero, Templeton, Shandon and surrounding areas.

I'd like to see your car next time I'm up that way.

Have a good day. Lee

Ol racer

Try Dave Kostansek 440 293 4079. He was selling rebuilt 308 Motors.

Hudson308

Sweet dream! My guess is you're looking for an automatic, as that's what most '53 Hornets came with. Let us know what order is shown on the shift indicator on the steering column, and we can tell you whether the car came with a Dual-range Hydramatic or a Borg-Warner automatic trans.

onerare39

If no luck there try Jim Harmon in Banks, Oregon (just west of Portland) (503) 324-7041. He has acres of Hudson parts.

Hudson53Hornet

It had the Twin H 308 and 3 speed transmission.

thanks for all the help already! very helpful!

bigboy308

I've got some 308 engines that are very rebuildable. Complete even to Twin-H manifold if you want.

I can supply everything from head to pan, i have one Dual-Range automatic, or flywheel if you want to keep a standard transmission.

We will be @ Turlock Swap this weekend, Spaces O-30 thru O-36, Hudson is the language of choice!!

Contact me with a PM!

Congrats on joining the HUDSON family!

Hudson308

'53 Hornets with the stick aren't nearly as common as examples with an automatic. By 1953 most buyers wanted to finally give up that third pedal. My understanding is that 3-speed equipped cars were also preferred by stock car racers, decreasing the surviving numbers a bit more.

dougc_portland

If you can bend a little bit, I have a 54 308 with the dual range hydramatic. THe engine does run but both engine and transmission need's rebuilding. I am in Eugene, Oregon.

Anyway, good luck in your search

Doug

Hudson53Hornet

Ok, Im still in the learning phase when it comes to a lot of transmission info- what are the differences between all the different transmissions that came in a hornet and what are the goods and bads??

53jetman

If the car had a three speed trans. it would be a difficult process to convert it over to accept a Hydramatic due to the fact that the #2 crossmember would have to be surgically altered to allow the installation of the automatic trans.

Jerry

53jetm

Browniepetersen

Hudson53Hornet wrote:

Ok, Im still in the learning phase when it comes to a lot of transmission info- what are the differences between all the different transmissions that came in a hornet and what are the goods and bads??

I will not go into a lot of detail so let me make it quick and simple. In 1952 (all Hudson's) you got the hydromatic or you got the 3 on a tree stick. Both are good. The drawbacks with the automatic (my experience) is that it is difficult to get set up properly and tends to give you "hard shifts" between the gears. The good point with the automatic is that several folks on the forum are experienced with putting the more modern GM automatic transmissions that give you the experience you know with your modern cars. This is done so you are the only one who knows you have a modern transmission, unless someone crawls under your car. The standard transmission used by Hudson had the cork clutch that used Hudsonlite transmission fluid. It is available so that is not much of a draw back. Stick or automatic, both are good with the Hudson. I have one each and still have no preference one for the other.

Also, the Twin H Ranch down in Fontana, California (Bill Albright's shop) would be a good source. Also, when it comes to setting up an automatic they are about the best that I have delt with. They can make a transmission shift smooth as melting ice cream...

SuperDave

I have a completely rebuilt 308 less transmission but the shipping would eat you up.. I'm in Central Florida!

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