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308 into 38 Terraplane???
  • 38Terraplane
    Posts: 2Hitchhiker
    I have a '38 Terraplane mdl 81 brougham which I've had for over 30 years. Finally getting around to doing something with it. I don't exactly want to street rod it, but the old 212 has a knock and I was thinking of exploring the possibility of putting a 308/Twin-H motor in it.

    Anyone out there have some advice for this, or want to tell me how stupid this idea is??? Appreciate any thoughts. Brent
  • StillOutThereStillOutThere
    Posts: 423Gold Member
    Let me just ask if you own any sort of measuring device longer than a one foot ruler. That is to say there isn't enough length in the Terraplane engine compartment.
  • hudsontechhudsontech
    Posts: 4,042Platinum Member
    Anything is possible - it just depends on ambition and stubborness. I know of at lest one case where a 308 was put into a 34 Terraplane - only thing it couldn't do was stop, the owner said!!!

    From my own experience of shoving 1953 Dodge 241 small block hemi engines into earlier 1938-1940 Dodge coupes I would, if you decided to tackle this project, strongly recommend disk brakes, at least in front. I know if I was crazy enough to do it over again I would DEFINITELY go the disk brake route. We must have been out of our minds back in the wild and wooly growing up days of the early 1950's.

    But it was a hoot :woohoo: - even if the state and local cops didn't think so.

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN
  • bent metalbent metal
    Posts: 1,348Platinum Member
    I have a '38 Terraplane mdl 81 brougham which I've had for over 30 years. Finally getting around to doing something with it. I don't exactly want to street rod it, but the old 212 has a knock and I was thinking of exploring the possibility of putting a 308/Twin-H motor in it.

    Anyone out there have some advice for this, or want to tell me how stupid this idea is??? Appreciate any thoughts. Brent

    Well I think it's a good idea! Wouldn't be a bad idea to get the 212 running right either. I think anything that gets the car back on the road is a good idea.

    As far as the 308 going into the engine compartment goes. I don't know what you would have to alter to get it to fit. Something, for sure. But you could do it, no doubt about it.:)
  • 53jetman53jetman
    Posts: 873Platinum Member
    '38 T - Contact Wayne Funk, 14834 30 Mile Rd., Washington MI 48093-2108 PHONR: (586) 752-5341. He has a '36 Terraplane Sedan that he installed a 308 Twin H in some time ago, and it looks like it came from the factory that way. I'm sure he could give you the ins and outs of the idea.

    Jerry
    Jerry
    email: HudsonJetman@mail.com
    2nd Generation Hud-Nut
    HET Tech Adviser on Hudson Jets 1953 & 1954
    HET Registrar of all Hudson Jets
  • terraplane8terraplane8
    Posts: 357Platinum Member
    Let me just ask if you own any sort of measuring device longer than a one foot ruler. That is to say there isn't enough length in the Terraplane engine compartment.

    Oh dear that's hardly helpful, giving up before you start! Of course everything has been done before, even putting a Hudson Eight engine into a mid-30's Terraplane without much major hassle (without touching the centre crossmember for example - ask Park Ward).

    Interesting topic, would like to hear what Wayne Funk has done and even to see an image of his engine bay here would be great.

    It would be interesting to know the weight of the 308 v. the 212, it may be that there isn't a lot of difference as the 308 is a fair bit lighter than the eight from what I can work out. The next question is what transmission to use?
  • Geoff C., N.Z.Geoff C., N.Z.
    Posts: 2,270Platinum Member
    Rear engine mounts are the same, as are the clucth throw-out mechanism. Your major hassle would be movin g the radiator forward. You would have to fit a thicker radiator or you will have major cooling problems, andyou will have to fit at least one extra leaf i n the front springs, as the 308 is much heavier and at least 7 inches longer.
    If you're stuck in a hole, stop digging.
  • terraplane8terraplane8
    Posts: 357Platinum Member
    Rear engine mounts are the same, as are the clucth throw-out mechanism. Your major hassle would be movin g the radiator forward. You would have to fit a thicker radiator or you will have major cooling problems, andyou will have to fit at least one extra leaf i n the front springs, as the 308 is much heavier and at least 7 inches longer.

    Quickly comparing various models in Butler's book, the 308 engine looks to be around 135lbs heavier than the 212. Given that my '36 Terraplane at least has a rearward weight bias, the heavier engine hopefully will not upset the handling.
  • Ol racerOl racer
    Posts: 1,677Platinum Member
    FYI
    I installed a modified 308 in my '37 Terraplane cpe. I notched the top of the firewall slightly (Black Area) then notched the front crossmember a little for the damper and reinforced the crossmember. I instslled a modern radiator core 'forward' inside the straps and use an electric fan. Later I installed a aluminum crossflow radiator. The motor is coupled to a GM Turbo 350 trans. Regarding Wt, that little 212 was extremly heavy too so I had heavier front main leafs made anyway. I never regretted the installation. The Headers run nicely inside & outside of the frame rail...
    [attachment=11175]37MtrPic.JPG[/attachment]
    37MtrPic.JPG
    598 x 405 - 53K
  • 38Terraplane
    Posts: 2Hitchhiker
    Thanks much! Any recommendations on a possible transmission? If I had my druthers, I'd like to use a 3-speed w/OD, just like my old '52 had.
  • Marconi
    Posts: 549Platinum Member
    If you use a late 52 to 54 O.D. trans, Warner T-86, you can remove the shifter forks and shafts and bolt on a top cover from a Jeep with the T-86 trans. Put welch plugs in the holes for the original shifter shafts and you'll have to lock out the O.D. before you use reverse gear.
  • Marconi
    Posts: 549Platinum Member
    Oh, forgot, I don't know what kind of, if any , clearance problems you'll have with frame members, solenoid, governor, etc.
  • essexcoupe3131essexcoupe3131
    Posts: 1,219Platinum Member
    Ol racer wrote:
    FYI
    I installed a modified 308 in my '37 Terraplane cpe. I notched the top of the firewall slightly (Black Area) then notched the front crossmember a little for the damper and reinforced the crossmember. I instslled a modern radiator core 'forward' inside the straps and use an electric fan. Later I installed a aluminum crossflow radiator. The motor is coupled to a GM Turbo 350 trans. Regarding Wt, that little 212 was extremly heavy too so I had heavier front main leafs made anyway. I never regretted the installation. The Headers run nicely inside & outside of the frame rail...
    [attachment=11175]37MtrPic.JPG[/attachment]


    Very nice looking ride, love to see alot more pics

    Mike
  • terraplane8terraplane8
    Posts: 357Platinum Member
    ol racer tell us how well it goes!! The power to weight ratio should be pretty good.
  • Ol racerOl racer
    Posts: 1,677Platinum Member
    FYI
    The '37 Terraplane runs real well, however its not really built for burn outs, etc with 2.87 gears and a stock stall GM converter, its a Cruiser.
    I have a stepdown Hudson just for Drags that ive been building forever it seems because of one delay after another...
  • 46HudsonPU46HudsonPU
    Posts: 5,150Moderator
    I have an interest in this thread - I am considering putting a '54 232 into my 1939 Hudson Model 90 pickup (eventually)...

    Reason - I have the 232, and have a Clifford dual exhaust, 4bbl intake & small Holley carb for it as well.

    It is supposed to be the same size as a 262 or 308 - and am looking for any info on this I can find as well.

    Rick
  • Ol racerOl racer
    Posts: 1,677Platinum Member
    Rick,
    Plan to put in your truck because you have the Mtr, Intake, Carb, & Exhaust. If its a '54 it will be a 262......I never had a '39, but think it may have more engine room. If not, may have to notch a bit to fit
  • 46HudsonPU46HudsonPU
    Posts: 5,150Moderator
    Ol racer wrote:
    Rick,
    Plan to put in your truck because you have the Mtr, Intake, Carb, & Exhaust. If its a '54 it will be a 262......I never had a '39, but think it may have more engine room. If not, may have to notch a bit to fit
    'Ol racer',
    The engine in question has a 232 powerdome head, and not too much else on the engine to go by. The 232 head by itselft doesn't necessarily mean it is a 232 - many a 232 head ended up on 262 engines.

    I didn't find any serial numbers on it, however I did find some numbers cast into it - 11 17 53 (casting date?), and a larger number - 310110.

    From the casting date(?), it was produced late in 1953, and most likely installed in a '54 Hudson. It came with a 1bbl carb & intake (carb secured to intake by 2 bolts), which to me is an indication that it is a 232 - didn't all 262 engines come with 2bbl carbs (carb secured to intake by 4 bolts)? (other than those 262s that were 'Twin H', with dual 1bbl carbs)...
  • Ol racerOl racer
    Posts: 1,677Platinum Member
    Rick,
    Im not up on engine numbers like some guys, but take a look at the crank (flywheel end)... If its drilled its a likey a 262" because Hudson never drilled 232 cranks for hydro's ...Yes, 262 had 2bbl and some had smaller carb Twin H, however, the Intake may have been switched over time.
  • 46HudsonPU46HudsonPU
    Posts: 5,150Moderator
    Ol racer wrote:
    Rick,
    Im not up on engine numbers like some guys, but take a look at the crank (flywheel end)... If its drilled its a likey a 262" because Hudson never drilled 232 cranks for hydro's ...Yes, 262 had 2bbl and some had smaller carb Twin H, however, the Intake may have been switched over time.
    My thoughts also - concerning the intake/exhaust. It was not attached, just provided with the engine (tape over the intake & exhaust ports to keep out pests). The flywheel end of the crank is drilled and tapped for bolts - and whoever took the flywheel off was nice enough to put the bolts back in.