big block/automatic in 49' sedan

Unknown

Hi folks, I'm in tear down mode at the moment, and i'm wanting to ask if anyone has any experience with stuffing a bigblock(none specific) in one. Are there any tight spots with the firewall braces or front end or steering box?.....Looks to me theres PLENTY OF ROOM between the fenderwells and the shock towers don't seem to be an issue much to my relief. I would like to hear anyones experience with this. I'm REAL FAMILIAR with drag cars, just never done anything with a Hudson, so maybe you fellas can help.

Thanks for your time, Smasher.

rambos_ride

Smasher O'Brannan wrote:

Hi folks, I'm in tear down mode at the moment, and i'm wanting to ask if anyone has any experience with stuffing a bigblock(none specific) in one. Are there any tight spots with the firewall braces or front end or steering box?.....Looks to me theres PLENTY OF ROOM between the fenderwells and the shock towers don't seem to be an issue much to my relief. I would like to hear anyones experience with this. I'm REAL FAMILIAR with drag cars, just never done anything with a Hudson, so maybe you fellas can help.
Thanks for your time, Smasher.

Haven't spent much time on my website yet, have you? There's a "454 Exhaust" link on the left and then under the Restoration->Chassis section there are step by step pictures...

It will fit - the big issue is are you utilizing the existing Hudson sub-frame or a later model, or Fatmans clip?

My 49 has been outfitted for a BBC454/TH400 combination, using a 2pc driveshaft from a 75 GMC truck and using the original Hudson sub-frame and suspension.

Block hugger headers are a must, I had to modify the pitman arm, drag-link and center-body-x-member - but not as much work as replacing the clip!

Unknown

Actually found it right after I typed the thread!.......Man, It looks like so much room with the ol' 262 still in place. I walked back and forth between my 71' mustang drag car and its bigblock and my Hudson almost positive full headers would fit......I guess not!......It takes up alot more than I anticipated.

Why did you have to modify the pitman arm and associated parts and how did you do it?....what needed the clearance? the exhaust or the oil pan? or both!............update.......Never mind, went back and read the whole thing throughly. Great job on the body work Rambo!

rambos_ride

Smasher O'Brannan wrote:

Actually found it right after I typed the thread!.......Man, It looks like so much room with the ol' 262 still in place. I walked back and forth between my 71' mustang drag car and its bigblock and my Hudson almost positive full headers would fit......I guess not!......It takes up alot more than I anticipated.
Why did you have to modify the pitman arm and associated parts and how did you do it?....what needed the clearance? the exhaust or the oil pan? or both!............update.......Never mind, went back and read the whole thing throughly. Great job on the body work Rambo!

Thanks!

The ball end of the pitman arm was turned inwards to allow for exhaust clearance. You can't just turn it around because of the shaft splines so to do this I removed and then carefully heated and bent the ball end 180 degrees so that it pointed inwards towards the frame.

I had a little trepidation doing this, but when the original pitman arm when cleaned it actually showed heat rings from this exact procedure being done at the factory!

The drag-link modification allows for the difference in the pitman arm position. The only thing I'll change there is to beef up the modified arm to make it a little more robust, since I have better tools now than I did then!

The Sanderson headers had the closest profile and the shortest outlet length - plus I liked the look. A block Hugger tube header would probably fit but might require further mods to clear the top A-Arms.

My current setup has about 3/4" on each side of the upper A-Arms which is plenty of room for movement.

Unknown

Dan, glad to see you're still working on your '49. I guess we'll finish our cars..... eventually. Great work so far!

rambos_ride

wkitchens wrote:

Dan, glad to see you're still working on your '49. I guess we'll finish our cars..... eventually. Great work so far!

Hi Wes

Good to hear from you!

Sadly, these are "archive" photos - I've been actually working on a 50 Super 6 - the 49 is still relegated to the trailer outside, maybe someday....;)

MikeWA

And speaking of the '50- howzit comin'? Got that Supermatic working like a Chinese watch yet?

Unknown

A BB Ford fits right in a '49 Hudson too, I did a 429 with a C6 in my '49 Hudson Commodore 6 pickup. Also, an IRS out of a Cougar/Thunderbird/Lincoln MKVIII fits in there perfectly. I REALLY need to get this car back, I should have never sold it.

Unknown

PLEASE TELL ME MORE!!!!!!.......being a member of 460ford.com and my wanting to shoehorn a BBF into mine has me itching to hear of your build. I love that rearend!......what year and model exactly did it come out of?.....and did you run full headers??......

Unknown

Ask and ye shall receive! The Hudtruck



The rear end came out of a 1996 Cougar V8 car with an 8.8" diff and rear disc brakes. If I was going to do it all over again I'd go with a Lincoln MkVIII rear, since the diff and lower control arms are aluminum instead of cast iron. The Thunderbird/Cougar IRS has cast iron lower control arms which make the thing weigh a ton. The front was a AMC Pacer welded into place. I wish I had it back, as the car is now parted out and laying in a field with nothing more than the shell left. Moral of the story is, NEVER SELL YOUR CARS!!!

Unknown

Thanks!!....You had quite a project there. I bet that was fun to drive!....thanks for the pics!

Unknown

It was, and I miss it. But, the same guy I sold it too has a '51 Commodore 6 that runs and drives and has a rebuilt engine with a Hydramatic for $1000, and I'm currently saving up the dough to buy it and get back into Hudsons. This one will be left stock, other than a flat black paint job.