The Flathead Forum — HET Club Open forum

Engine color

53jetzabu — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:49:04 +0000

What is the correct engine color for a 54 Hornet Special. Current color is a reddish orange, if this is correct is there an on the shelf brand that will work? Since the engine is out and being rebuilt now is the time to dress up the motor. Thanks Mick

232 head on 7X 308

Martin — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 19:25:39 +0000

Told there are some pics of 232 head prepped by factory for use on 7X 308
Rudy Bennet is said to have posted some awhile back...???

308 cylinder sleeves

blondwookie — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 23:10:04 +0000

My 308 engine may need a sleeve or two for the cylinder walls. Does anyone know where I can find some cylinder wall sleeves?

308 Flathead machine shop needed

blondwookie — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 01:53:39 +0000

Tomorrow I will get back my 308 engine from a machine shop that's had it for 2 years and has done nothing with it. I'm looking for a machine shop that can deal with a flathead engine including boring the engine oversized in the valve Chambers and installing new valves. The shop needs to be either in Wyoming or Montana or Colorado preferably. Please let me know if there's one available

Needed Engine Rebuild

53jetzabu — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 01:35:58 +0000

I am located in Ashtabula, Ohio, is there someone who is familiar with Hudson the 308, nearby willing to take on the task? Engine is tired and plugs 5-6 quickly foul, also the compression is low at all cylinders. Call or text Mick at 440-344-8183 thanks

Time for a valve job?

53jetzabu — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 01:02:16 +0000

on my 54 Hornet special plugs 5&6 are carbon fouled. The other 4 plugs appear normal. I cleaned them and reinstalled them and in short they were fouled again. Any suggestions?

Good Used Hydramatic Tramission

thekid1950 — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 21:15:30 +0000

I have a very nice shifting dual range 1953 Hydramatic transmission. We pulled it due to a malfunctioning fluid coupling. Replaced it with a 350 turbo. Fluid was changed every couple years. No problems other than the fluid coupling. Located in Syracuse NY. Make offer.

Hudson Carburetor Climatic Control

brookhaven — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 17:18:54 +0000

I have a 1948 Hudson Commodore. Recently, I had the two-barrel Carter carb rebuilt and noticed that the Climatic Control model # 170 64S attached is actually for a single-barrel carb.

Not being Mr. Goodwrench, I don't know if this is compatible. My vehicle has a problem with dying when I engage the clutch to downshift so I am hoping this might explain some of the problem. Any thoughts?

Flathead questions

blondwookie — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 02:20:18 +0000

I'm building my first Flathead engine. I've seen others on here that have built flooded engines on number of times.

When they start up do they spend slow and slowly spend and run? I'm simply asking this question out of curiosity. Like I said I'm building my first Flathead engine.

I'm building as close to old school as possible. I have Jack Clifford intake and exhaust. I'm using a Spanish Weber carburetor. I'm also using the new vortec head on my engine. Any information would be gratefully appreciated thanks

Dual spark plug 308 ?

Martin — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 20:47:23 +0000

Got these from estate of land speed record racer..Washington State...one has 3 inch thick dual sparkplug fabricated head...other is Clifford headed...anyone seen or heard of such ? Thanks. !!

308 Powered Jet Gasser

Martin — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 21:29:14 +0000

Haven't posted in a while, a couple asked for updates on my 308 in a Jet drag car.I built this engine myself....1st 308...firewall was cut and engine set back and down .Cooper parts was a big help..It is a .060 block with Clifford intake and H145 aluminum head...these are old school parts.I removed the 4th ring and cut the pistons, I designed my own port and relief on the block...converted a 6 cyl chevy HEI ignition system...running a 500 cfm Holley and E85 fuel with electric fuel and water pump .I found this engine very easy to build and did not use rope seals at the rear main.I read numerous articles about this engine from Sloan and Teague.It is not a high tech stroker motor,but runs great.I installed a a very big hot race cam . This is mated with a Wilcap adapter to a bilt Turbo 350 with a trans brake.The Wilcap is the best adapter I've seen...imo,very high quality. I using a narrowed 9 inch Ford rear end with Moser axles and a spool.Been to track once,and correcting issues (not engine related) I encountered. I saw my first jet in 1969...had to have one..lol..Testing will continue with warmer weather...I will attempt to post pics.

I might point out i encountered a 308 troll on another forum, very narcissistic know it all.Said his biggest fear was that i would think he doesn't know what he is talking about....who says crap like that...

I haven't seen him post here,so that's good.

Looking for advice on running hydraulic lifters

metalchipper2 — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 21:18:24 +0000

Hello,

We have a Hudson 1956- 308 tore apart for a rebuild. It is a low mileage engine with hydraulic lifters and cam that looks to be in good shape. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has run with the hydraulic set up. I have read that they are noisy at idle from low oil preasure.

The engine has sat for many years so no one has heard it run!

But I have read that a few people have used them and like them. If we could reuse the hydraulic set up it would save the cost of a regrind cam and a differant set of lifters. Thanks for your time.

Oil control rings

blondwookie — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 22:08:18 +0000

Can someone tell me why on the 308 engine, they put two sets of oil control rings on the piston. It's the first time I've actually looked at my new pistons and rings.

Tuesday I will be sending my engine to a machinist in Douglas Wyoming to have all the machine work done.

Different Engines

blondwookie — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 02:14:41 +0000

I am bit curious about how many Hudson car or pickup owners have installed a different engine in their vehicle? Besides a rebuilt Hudson engine

47 Pickup Bed Question

beaverbikes — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 01:45:16 +0000

I'm going to lift the bed off this truck to better study some frame problems. Gonna get her up on the lift soon, when I get down and look up there I see rotted wood. From up above the floor of the bed is seriously weathered steel. Is this how it was built, wooden plank topped with steel? I think some Fords were done that way back then. Any info, Thanks!!

looking for 1937 Hudson Terraplane parts

Commander — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 17:00:53 +0000

I need to procure three parts for my 1937 Terraplane

I need a new engine oil pressure switch
I need a rear lower mount for my three speed manual transmission
I need a shroud for the radiator

please contact me if you provide any of these

my phone is 307-751-5571

my email is jameswiltse3@gmail.com

thx

James Wiltse

1952 Hudson Standard Shift transmission Wanted

Donald — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 01:54:13 +0000

Hello, I am looking to purchase a 1952 Hudson Standard shift transmission, Don in central Ohio 740-816-4284

Looking at a 54 Super Wasp…

dcmcc — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 00:44:57 +0000

… it’s a great old survivor. My question: The cylinder head has 232 stamped on it. Shouldn’t the Super Wasp have a 262? Is it possible late in the 54 run that they put a 232 in a Super? Everything is so original with this car — owners say it hasn’t been driven since the 70s — that an engine swap doesn’t seem likely. Block number starts with 53.

thanks so much.

I'm Gonna Join UP!

beaverbikes — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:31:31 +0000

Y'all been very helpful last few years, so after my dinner I'll go over and sign up for the HET club.

46-47 Emergency Brake Parts for Pickup

beaverbikes — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 04:27:05 +0000

Dragged a 47 pickup home and most all the e-brake parts are missing or petrified. First time I ever touched a pre stepdown Hudson. Going to start looking for parts, but what I'm wondering: would the e-brake setup be the same between these pickup and the passenger cars? For any advice, Thanks!!

52 Engine (?) Walker RC-30 Oil Filter Housing

beaverbikes — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 00:26:43 +0000

Got a nice 6 cylinder from a Pacemaker, I think. Filter setup says RC-30 on top. Cartridge has no number on top, I was pulling it out and making a mess, so I stuck it back in there. I can pull it out later and search for a number, maybe a Wix 51006 will work. Google ain't helping me, somebody here knows I bet. Thanks!!

Painting the tin and hard parts

blondwookie — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 20:45:02 +0000

I have begun to clean and paint my engine to and hard parts. Some are gloss black and some are Chrysler Hemi Orange.

Some time back I asked about the engine colors for a 55, 308 engine. I decided to paint my Chrysler Hemi Orange. This will include my wife doing the lettering on my new head.

My cam and hydraulic lifters have been redone and completed. I'll post the lift on my cam in a bit.

Now I need to get my crank polished and my block bored and the valve chambers enlarged for my 7X valves.

1939-41 Hudson hood wanted

Donald — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 00:02:33 +0000

I am building a "All Hudson" 20's speedster and looking for a hood to make a "Boat Tail" I am in central Ohio but will be at Hershey and could pick it up there. "What have you"? Don 740-816-4284

PCV install on 51 Hudson Super6 262ci

Xerxes — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 02:44:58 +0000

Im gathering everything to install a pcv system with oil catch can, to eliminate the road exhaust/draft tube.
I read several posts about this, but the biggest problem i have is finding a grommet that will fit the hole that the road exhaust came from!

Past posts simply claim that a Chevy V8 PCV grommet fits. NOT.

I have been to NAPA and Autozone and have had them searching their books and shelves, and a Chevy v8 grommet does NOT FIT. Too small
The hole in the engine is approx 1.35", and the center hole in the grommet needs to accommodate something like a 1/2" hose.

Can someone please give me the exact number or specific car year/model/engine of a grommet that they used?

Thanks

Where to buy Autolite IAT distributor springs?

WABOOM — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 20:13:26 +0000

I can't find a source for centrifugal advance springs for Autolite IAT-4009B.
Does any know a good source?

Head stud kits

blondwookie — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 02:16:42 +0000

I am trying to locate a head stud kit for my 308 engine. I'm on the list for the new designed vortex head. At this moment, I have a brand new grade 8 head bolts with hardened washers. Will these head bolts work fine with the new head design?

Thanks Wookie

Hudson v Packard

T_Kelly_Lee — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 03:20:02 +0000

Can anyone tell me the dimensional differences(length,width,height) between the Hudson 8 and a Packard 288ci 8?

Oil change in ‘49 Splasher 8

Ricko — Thu, 04 May 2023 12:12:19 +0000

A ‘49 Commodore 8 in my area was auctioned last night. I did not win it but a nice young guy did. I gave him info on HET club and encouraged him to join. I did a bit of research on the the vehicle and found that the engine has 2 oil pans. When draining and changing the oil, what is the process? Are there 2 drain plugs and 2 oil fill holes? If so, where are they located? I already cautioned him about the 2 pans but would like to give him some direction on this part so he doesn’t create a problem.

Cylinder head

blondwookie — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 04:23:49 +0000

I have read several comparisons between the new vortex head design and the Edmund cylinder head design and Jack Clifford cylinder head.

In my opinion, both of these fellas were trying to place the spark plugs over the piston. Unlike the stock head where the spark plug is over the exhaust valve.

I will never say either Mr Clifford or Mr Edmond did it wrong in what they were trying to improve on the Hudson flathead engine. Back then, the vortex design wasn't even though about.

It's like the hemi cylinder head design. It was originally designed for the B29 bomber engine. It wasn't applied to a car engine until the early 50's.

Again, please show some respect to the men that were trying to improve on the flathead performance. Before the overhead valve engines finally figured out how produce the horse power we all know about today.

I'm enjoying building my first flathead engine. This includes having built a GM HEI distributor for my engine.

Cheers to all flathead performance engine fans.

Wookie

308 Engine?s

Martin — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 21:02:33 +0000

Numbers stamped on pan rails and shim stock under main bearings....had .003 shims under 3 main brgs.....and numbers at all 4 corners on pan rail...your knowledge about this ?...Thanks. !!