Interesting step down tid bit

SuperDave
SuperDave Senior Contributor
edited May 2013 in HUDSON
I recently picked up a 262 engine for my 49 project Brougham. The Block had a casting date of February 19, 1953. The engine was painted red.. That's not correct for a 53 ... Then I checked the number stamped on the block and discovered it was from a 1954 Super Wasp. The number is 5273266. The numbers for 54 SW started at 5269075. So this block sat for how many months before being machined and installed? Sales must have really tumbled.. I guess I enjoy the forensics of the hobby.

Comments

  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Me too, Dave. Me too.
  • 37 CTS
    37 CTS Senior Contributor
    I belive the blocks had to be "cured" for some time period. after casting and before assembly. No doubt the slow sale of cars in 1953 and 1954 had some imput on this.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Dave, If you ever saw a blue block on a stepdown there is a reason for that. After AMC took over all the inventory that was left in Detroit post merger, they wholesaled a bunch of blocks to J.C. Whitney. A number of those blocks were blue in color. Some would up as replacement blocks in stepdowns. Went to an auction a couple of years ago and someone went crazy on bidding for one of those blocks still in the crate. I had to chuckle. Seemed like like a lot of money for a cast iron block-no chrome moly here.
  • StillOutThere
    StillOutThere Expert Adviser
    To my knowledge (grew up in Chicago reading JC Warshawsky ("Whitney" nationally) catalogs. I only recall JCW selling Hornet 308 and Jet 202 crate motors.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    As an aside, Dr. Robert Blake's Old Spokes Museum in New Smithville, Pa., actually has one of these legendary Whitney / Warshawsky Hudson engines still in the crate, for all to see! http://www.oldspokes.com/
  • lostmind
    lostmind Expert Adviser
    I'm pretty sure they came complete with twin H and air cleaners. I think they had a flywheel available to use in earlier models. They may have been 55/56 engines?
  • 54SuperWasp
    54SuperWasp Expert Adviser
    @Jon B ; Found these 3 pictures I took from the crate engine displayed at Dr. Blake's Old Spokes Museum. The crate is still quite intact. Michel
  • 53jetman
    53jetman Senior Contributor
    Have attached a copy of one of JC Whitney Ad for the Hudson Engines
  • lostmind
    lostmind Expert Adviser
    Wrong on the air cleaners , but it says 12 volt , so must be 56?
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    These engines were popular here in Florida. Some used for irrigation pumps for citrus groves as well as large fans on towers to keep the frost from settling. I think Dave Nelson had a couple he found. I well remember the catalog ads. At that time, I was trying to keep a Model A Ford alive to get back and forth to work!
    I may have one of those standard shift flywheels that had dual, bolt patterns.. Anyone need one?
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