Transmission alternatives for a 308?

[Deleted User]

Hey guys!
Not sure if you will love it or hate it, but I've got a wild hair to put a 308 into a Model A roadster.
I'm gathering parts and taking measurements and there's a big, fuzzy blank spot in my plans: What transmission will I run?

I've searched this forum and parsed through about 14 pages of various topics relating to transmissions, but aside from a few vague references, I couldn't find any specifics as to what my options are.

I'd like to have a manual transmission with overdrive - and before I start an argument about the virtues of a wet cork clutch vs. more modern hardware, let me just say that as much as I admire and appreciate the ingenuity and function and just general coolness of a stock Hudson transmission, I also recognize the dwindling resources for parts and that in the last 60+ years some advances have been made whether we choose to admit it or not. Durability, availability, rebuildability, in-my-budget-ability all play a factor in the decision making process.

I read a couple threads on here talking about stripping the splines on input shafts or just shearing the shaft etc., and while I have no illusions that this can happen with any transmission, I also don't have directions to the fabled tree that grows new Hudson transmissions these days.

With that said, what transmissions have you run or seen others run on the back of a stout 308? A T5? A Muncie perhaps? Who makes adapters for such things? I heard a 50's Chevy truck bellhousing can be employed to mate a transmission... is that true or was that old dirt-tracker just blowing smoke?

I really appreciate your input. Ahead of time, allow me to say thank you for sharing your thoughts and knowledge.

One more 308 on the road, proudly displayed without a hood or fenders, can't be a bad thing, right? Even if it is sitting in a Ford... right? :side:

GrimGreaser

i know a couple adapter makers, though I have no experience with them. All mate a 308 to a GM transmission, usually a automatic, but since GM trannys all share the same bolt pattern a manual would require some clutch configuring.

www.wilcap.com/webdoc8.html

www.transmissionadapters.com

I think K-Gap listed a kit too.

This may be more for the truck guys, but this Ranger Overdrive unit is compact and fits between the bellhousing and tranny and has a lever shift. I'd like one for my 65 Chevy C20 and its 4.56 rear-end.

www.high-impact.net/transmission_and_gear/rangeroverdrive.htm

Ol racer

FYI
Additionally Randy Maas maasfh@ntslink.net and Dany Spring springspeeddemon@aol.com sell nice Transmission Conversion Adaptors to bolt GM Turbo Transmissions to a Hudson...

[Deleted User]

Hmmm... seeing as how dear space is in that tiny car already, I don't think adding another gear shifter is an option. Cool idea though.
Since I started this thread, I had lunch and was pawing through the latest Rod & custom magazine and was checking out the new column shift from Limewire.
I think it's cool that in this day and age their offering kits to convert old cars back to "three on the tree".

GM turbos are automatic, right? But if they share the same bolt pattern as manual transmissions I'm guessing the adapter would work. Would it just be a matter of configuring the linkage at that point?

Anyone else have a non-Hudson manual transmission on their 308?

[Deleted User]

A 3 speed Saginaw just popped up in my neck of the woods for cheap on CL. what would it take to make that work? Would a 4 or 5 speed be better suited to the 308?

A 4 speed Saginaw for twice the money with a Hurst shifter is for sale too...

GrimGreaser

I'm not sure what comes in the Wilcap manual kit, but if you have just the adapter plate, you'll have to figure out the flywheel-clutch arangement. That I'll defer to those with more experience.

Ol racer

FYI

Some guys put 4SPD's in their Hudson's nowdays. Go up to the St Rod Section and look at the pictures of a '49 from the Lone Star Show posted today.

'Back in the day' 'Modified' Hudson racers were putting Ford Clutch & Transmissions in because the Slicks and ruts on the Track would twist the Hudson Input Shaft.

[Deleted User]

Back in the day the Hudson racers were running Ford transmission and clutches? Do you know what year range we're talking? Pre-overhead valve Ford engines?

Thanks. Gonna go check out that photo now.

mars55

Wilcap offers everything to put a GM manual trans behind a Hudson six. See site. below.

http://www.wilcap.com/hudson.html

Ol racer

FYI

Those Hudson Racers had big stroker motors with multiple carbs on log manifolds in the early 60's. I dont know what year Ford set Up they used though....I think they were from Flat head V8..... Those guys were pretty inovative but secretive even to point milling off the numbers from the heads...
(I installed a dry clutch by removing the corks and riveted lining to the disc then installed heavier springs in the P/Plate. I had to shim the P/Plate out slightly, but then Input shafts would snap....However, Never had a Wet Clutch problem up to 329 cu In Motor....Larger than 329" needed a dry Set Up....

ivanz62

I received an email from Wilcap within the last two weeks saying they no longer sell a stick shift Chevy to Hudson set-up. They do still sell the automatic trans conversion.

Spencer Yarrow

On the 1st nov 2009 post #114307 there are photos of a Hudson powered Ford A.

He used a Hudson gear box but the photos may give you some ideas, if you need more info I may be able to get his e-mail address.

Cheers Spencer.

[Deleted User]

Man, I was getting really excited when I read that wilcap offered a compete kit and then really sad when I found out they don't carry it anymore.

However, there' obviously a lot more ways to skin a cat, I'm just going to have to do it the hard way...

I was talking to a buddy the other day about the wet cork clutch and he was wondering about the same scenario of riveting clutch pads on in place of the cork and using stouter springs. That input shaft still gives me pause...

I just knew there was someone else out there who was running a 6 in their A. In all the years of hot rodding every combo out there has surely been done or imagined... gotta go find me that post!

Thanks guys!

ivanz62

Here's the response to the place in the midwest, Bentsen's, who seems to have an answer.



Hello,
I see that you do a chev automatic to Hudson kit. Have you ever built an
aluminum Hudson flywheel to use a Chevy clutch and adapter for Chevy trans?

Cheers,
Ivan


Our kit can do exactly what you want to do. 763 767 4480 Bob

Call and post what you find out.

Clutchguy

I really wanted to clear some things up. First ,Hudson clutch parts? From where I'm standing-there is no shortage of good useable parts,and needless to say,completely reconditioned,VERY reliable Hudson clutch parts.. Sounds like you didn't do much research and might be listening to someone that isn't familiar with the"Wet Cork Clutch". If you are wanting Hudson clutch parts,I am just one person that has them. If there is a weak link here,it is as mentioned by Ol racer,the input shaft will twist. If you would like, I will put the bunch of twisted ones I have and take a picture., The wet cork clutch,with the heavy duty or severe usage as described in the Hudson parts manual,held up well. If you are wanting to do burn outs,it really depends on the weight of your roadster-weight vs.traction. The Hudson clutch with S/U parts,holds up VERY WELL. For those of you that were fortunate enough to attend the International HET meet in Orlando 2000,put on by the Orange Blossum chapter-, had several tech sessions,one being Hudson clutches. Jack Clifford was present at this,and he testify what a Hudson clutch was capable of,and what it wouldn't do. He stated that the solid type hub[spring steel plates and solid cover] would hold up the best. He also talked about adding extra fluid to make it stay a little cooler. I had several conversations with him about HUDSON wet Clutches and found that what Jack had told me, really is the case! If you are going to go the automatic route,the possibilities numerous. If you are wanting the cheapest way out,which appears to be the situation,a HUDSON dry clutch,10 spline,T-86 trans. is a great place to start. The flywheels are out there,and parts are availible also. This requires you to have a 55-6 crankshaft. this would make the starter availible,the rear support plate is standard and makes it so you can buy a floor shifter. Some may even have O/drives and this would just be another bonus. Standard,bolt on,stock or Severe usage parts are the cheapest way to resolve your concerns. I'm sure this will make some questions.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Doug, Bob

[Deleted User]

Thank you for the post Clutch Guy.
You're right, a lot of my information comes from those less informed than yourself. A lot of my thinking is based on my own lack of knowledge and what I've learned from greybeards and "experts" over time. I have no illusions that I definitively know what the heck I'm really talking about when it comes to the Hudson transmissions and clutches.
Clearly I will have to do some more research before making a decision and I appreciate your willingness to share your hard earned knowledge. As you can see from just this discussion, there are a lot of ways to skin a cat and I welcome all options and opinions.
Sure, finances are always a consideration, but if I need to save up to get the right transmission for the job then that is what I will have to do. Some things as important as a transmission can not be solely based on funds or lack thereof. No one said being an old car nut was cheap.

464Saloon

This is an interesting thread as I have a 54 that I am looking into converting to a dry clutch. I have a fairly modified motor and I had the clutch redone a couple of years ago. At times under load it will slip right after a gear change then grab. I had a few issues with the motor so I pulled it out to correct them and the clutch didn't look good to me and it only has 5000 miles on it. I wanted to do a dry clutch before but got talked out of it and now I have a chance to do it again. I was thinking of pursuing the Wilcap conversion, but with that off the table it is looking like either Ford parts of 55-56 Hudson pieces. What is really our options here? With so many advances with dry clutches today I can't see not biting the bullet and convert now and never worry about it again.