Find A Classic Car
Thousands of listings here >>
sell your classic car
FREE to list - Online until sold

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Apply for Membership

Categories

In this Discussion

Need A New Head?
  • 53hudsonguy
    Posts: 77Senior Contributor
    Worked on my 1950 Hudson today. Took the gooseneck off to replace the thermostat with one of Walt's kits. After taking the bolts out for the gooseneck I noticed two cracks in the head where the outer bolt was. Ultimately this piece fell off. This is a cast aluminum head. My question is can this piece be welded back into place or should I just replace the head. Identifying marks on the head are Powerdome with the number 303648. Also if I replace it would I be better off with a Cast Iron head?


    Thanks, Glenn
  • Tallent RTallent R
    Posts: 1,602Platinum Member
    Im not sure what area you are indicating. The top of the head where the hole for the thermostat is? Or around a head bolt ?
    If the piece fell off around the thermostat I would say a welder that knew what he was doing could fix it.
    If it was around a head bolt It's a lottle mor iify situation - lotts of stress there so Id say no. There are NOS heads still around if you look and have a about $200.00 you dont need. Buying a used aluminum one is a risky thing unless it looks realy clean and is full 2 inch thick
    Roger
    Retired Tech.
  • Uncle JoshUncle Josh
    Posts: 1,863Platinum Member
    I'd go with cast iron. You should be able to find a good used one for $50 or so.
  • Tallent RTallent R
    Posts: 1,602Platinum Member
    Josh is correct the iron one is more reliable . The big thing I like is heat transfer with the aluminium ones. And of course if you shine Em - Up they are Purdy ! !
    Roger
    Retired Tech.
  • dougsondougson
    Posts: 601Platinum Member
    I know very few like the alum head but I have one and am very happy with mine. The thing is you have to be very carefull about the originality and torque sequence.
  • 53hudsonguy
    Posts: 77Senior Contributor
    Have decided to go with a cast iron head. Have determined that the motor is out of a 1951 Hudson. Anyone out there have an available head that they would like to part with?
  • bull islanderbull islander
    Posts: 304Gold Member
    where are you 53? I'm in VA, could help you out. But shipping would probably be as much as the head itself.
  • 53hudsonguy
    Posts: 77Senior Contributor
    I'm in Athol, Massachusetts. What is it that you have?
  • bent metalbent metal
    Posts: 1,356Platinum Member
    How do you pronounce that town in Massachusettes? Every time I say it I feel like I have a lisp.
  • Uncle JoshUncle Josh
    Posts: 1,863Platinum Member
    It ain't dirty, just tricky that's all.
  • 53hudsonguy
    Posts: 77Senior Contributor
    It is pronouced ATH AWL. Named after the Duke of Athol from Scotland. Put an "R" in front of it and an "E" after it and you get RATHOLE.
  • Richard E.Richard E.
    Posts: 774Platinum Member
    You will find that the "narrow block" heads '48 - '50 are very hard to find. Be sure to measure the width, they heads only differ by about 3/8" (this is from memory.) The later head will not fit on your engine & there seem to be lots of the wide block heads available. I rebuilt my '50 6 last year and I must of crack tested 6 iron heads and folks mailed me another 6 aluminum heads that were either cracked or totally corroded inside due to early antifreeze. I finally managed to get a NOS aluminum head that a fellow HETer found at the San Diego Swap Meet. It polished up great and it is on my car. I wasn't prepared for the difficulty in finding one.
  • Richard E.Richard E.
    Posts: 774Platinum Member
    Opps! If your engine is a '51 please disregard my earlier commet!
  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,444Platinum Member
    Just to give you an option, empire Motors, Inc (www.empiremotorainc.com) has an after market aluminum head that in my opinion is to die for. There has been a lot of discussion about these folks in past posts but they are a few years into producing these heads and I expect the order process is rather simple today. They are a remake of the old aftermarked performance heads and the cost a bit more than the used heads available today. I would use one of these or a nice steel head that has not been machined.
    Brownie
  • MikeWAMikeWA
    Posts: 1,459Platinum Member
    Slight typo in your Empire Motors post, Brownie- its www.empiremotorsinc.com. I went to the site, and couldn't find the Hudson head. But there is contact info.

    In the interest of full disclosure, there was quite a flap about this deal when they originally did the Hudson head- couple of Hudson guys walked away from (and dis-avowed) the project. Owner has some "negative feedback", shall we say.

    Wasn't Randy Maas going to try one, and report back? Did that ever happen? Are there any "reviews" by users?
  • brumac
    Posts: 195Expert Adviser
    Hi 53 Hudson guy. I have a good 50 narrow block head and new gasket that are excess to my needs. You can have both for $50. I am traveling to Braintree, MA on 17 Nov and can meet you somewhere near Springfield, MA. Bruce
  • brumac
    Posts: 195Expert Adviser
    oops, just read that you have a wide block. Sorry! Bruce
Add a Comment
ClassicCar

Thousands of Classic Cars for Sale - Free to List.

Since 1996 we're been the place to go to for all things Classic Car. Classifieds, news, events, community and so much more. No clutter. No hassles. Just Classic Cars.

We'd love to hear from you! info@classiccar.com

Copyright 2011-2013 Classic Car
All rights reserved.

We accept no responsibility for inaccuracies. All trademarks acknowledged.