ClassicCar

Ottobethere

I decided to look for a 308 engine for the 41 C6S. After doing a compression test I've concluded that if I'm going to get any more out of the engine I will have to rebuild or replace. So I'm reaching out to you for a little help. I know a 308 has a little more juice and where I'm at I need it to get up the hills. Thanks.

ski4life65

Where are you located?

Canadian Hud

Ottobethere,

You've tweaked a thought in me that's been brewing for a bit -- does a 308 fit into an older Hudson (i.e. a '47 Super Six) without too much hassle?

I've got a 308 and other parts for a '51 Pacemaker I'm scrapping and am wondering what to do with them. Nobody seems to want to come 90 minutes north of Buffalo to pick stuff up. So, the thought occured to me that I could drop the 308 into my Super Six.

Do you know how easily or with how much difficulty this may be done?

Appreciate your thoughts ...

Tallent R

I have a 308 in my 47 pick-up ,its a close fit to the pitman arm. but it fits.
Roger

hudsontech

It is my understanding a 308 is, as the man says, almost a bolt it. I know for a fact that it was a popular exchange in 1946 and 1947 pick-up trucks.

When I was racing, back in the mid- to late -50's I remember a fellow came to one of the races with a '46 or '47 Hudson pickup, towing a '41 or so Hudson coupe with a 308 engine. The pickup also had a 308. In one of the early heats the fellow blew the engine in the race car - so they yanked the engine out of the truck and made the main event with time to spare.

Wild and crazy days - long, long way from NASCAR.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

Tallent R

The only thing that complicated mine was they put a Hydamatic in at the same time.
So a new crossmember had to be put in. It looks like one out of a stepdown witch makes sense,
Roger

Canadian Hud

hudsontech wrote:

It is my understanding a 308 is, as the man says, almost a bolt it. I know for a fact that it was a popular exchange in 1946 and 1947 pick-up trucks.

When I was racing, back in the mid- to late -50's I remember a fellow came to one of the races with a '46 or '47 Hudson pickup, towing a '41 or so Hudson coupe with a 308 engine. The pickup also had a 308. In one of the early heats the fellow blew the engine in the race car - so they yanked the engine out of the truck and made the main event with time to spare.

Thanks Alex and Roger. I guess I know what I will be doing for the winter -- finishing the build on the 308! Woo-hoo!:woohoo:

Ol racer

FYI

I've slid 262 and 308's into several 40's era Hudson's always coupled to an Automatic and they all dropped right in. The Automatic required fabricating rear mounts but the longer motor sets right onto the front 8 cyl mounts.(I been told standard shift Trans works too, but the 40's transmission wont handle the additional torque)..
The only tight spot is the pan rail is close to the Pitman arm, so people have ground the rail a little, but i've never had that problem. I never had to beef up the front springs either. If you have a later motor I suggest installing....

Steve E

A couple of things have to be done to drop the 308 into the earlier chassis, first there's a vertical rib that comes up from the oil pan rail. This needs to be ground away to clear the pitman shaft that comes out of the steering box. Second you need to have an 8 cyl radia the 6cyl mount brackets have to be cut off bthe frametor to cool it, the six cyl radiator WILL cause overheating. The 308 drops onto the 8cyl mounts but the 6 cyl mounts have to be cut off the frame,[ drill out the rivets],I'm not sure about the earlier bell housing bolting up mto the 308, think it does, but not sure. Also change your front brakes to Hornets. It's a bolt on swap that involves using one wheel bearing from the 47 & the other one from the Hornet. This makess a nice conversion.

Hudson308

Canadian Hud wrote:

Thanks Alex and Roger. I guess I know what I will be doing for the winter -- finishing the build on the 308! Woo-hoo!:woohoo:

Another thread on the subject...

http://www.classiccar.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=13&id=130313&Itemid=129#130323

Ottobethere

I'm in Nor Cal. At one time I was able to catch big rigs going up the hills now they are catching up to me. I thought the 308 would be great still running a Hudson engine. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.

Hudson308

Ottobethere wrote:

I'm in Nor Cal. At one time I was able to catch big rigs going up the hills now they are catching up to me. I thought the 308 would be great still running a Hudson engine. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.

Bolt in a Hornet with a header and you'll no longer see those Freightliner grilles growing in your rearview.

walt norem

If you are going to install a newer engine I would suggest a 262. They are easier to obtain and (IMHO) a lot more reliable.

I am restoring a 47 2dr coupe I put a 308 twin H setup in it with a three speed o/d.I cut a piece out of the oil pan flange on the motor to get pitman arm clearance. I also have a larger radiator in it that I had to move forward and make a lower mount for it,clearance under the hood is no problem with a little modification of the side flanges on the radiator. I am not done with my project but I have driven the car with no
problems.

Chuck

Clutch guy

Some other items to pay attention too. I have found if you are trying to put a big 6 in the earlier car/truck,you need to check for clearence at the firewall for the exhaust manifold. Also,if you are doing this conversion in a short w.b.,it is a whole different situation,there is interference in several places. Just some things to add. good luck

Tallent R

Did you use a transmission out of a stepdown or an older car? If so did it fit OK?
Roger

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