Looking for a running 308

vmike

I'd like to find a reasonably priced running 308 within a reasonable distance from north central Oklahoma. There seems to be no shortage in Maine, California, Indiana or Michigan, but the shipping is more than the engine and I can't get away for that long of a road trip. (probably cost as much as the shipping anyway) I haven't checked with the local chapter yet, I just made the decision to ask in this moment while looking at the tag renewal for my Pacemaker. I've had it since 05 and don't have it on the road. My desire is to put a Hudson engine back in the car, I have collected a 53 and a 55 hornet engine, both stuck. It seems with everything else I'm involved in, time to rebuild one never arrives. The gang around here keeps telling me to stuff one of the mopar small blocks I have in it and drive it. I'm beginning to waver. $500 or less for an engine is reasonable, I could take just the short block, would consider trading the hornet engines. No air cleaners for either twin H set up, to save the asking. Let me know if anyone knows of one.

Thanks,

mike

[Deleted User]

Mike check your PM.

raidmagic

$500 or less for a running 308? You are dreaming. I just sold one, I'm going the small block route myself, and a $500 offer wouldn't have even gotten a return e mail on it.

54SuperWasp

Just curious...What would be the value for a running 308? Michel

raidmagic

I don't want to say what I sold mine for as I don't know the position of the new owner. But I gave the guy a great deal and got considerably more than $500 for it. If the new owner wants to say what he paid he can, he's on this forum.

RL Chilton

And the quality shops start from $7000-$7500 for mildly hopped up engines.

For all purposes far and wide, a Hudson is not a Chevy or a Ford. Why are there 6000 chevy engines at a 7000-car Car Show? Because they're cheap and readily available. Just call 1-800-Send-Me-A-Chevy-Engine and you've got one on your door step. Plug and Play. Couldn't be easier.

Folks who put Hudson engines into Hudsons don't do it for practicality. They do it for the love of the marque and also, simply BECAUSE it's not a run-of-the-mill car. It's something very special and unique.

. . . a reasonably priced 308 . . . I guess it just depends what your definition of "reasonable" would be. Frankly, with what I have put into Hudson engines, I don't think reasonable ever actually entered my thinking. I could have had a slightly used Indy engine for what I put into the latest one. That's not a brag, or boast, believe me. Just a fact.

Geoff

Local guy just acquired a '49 Hudson, threw the original engine out and intends to put a sbc in it because it's cheaper. Same guy now wants all original gauges, radiator, etc to put in the car. I say, use Chevy gauges and radiator, they work just the same.

[Deleted User]

I have a heavily modified by me Vette engine in my 66 GMC pickup it puts out more horse power than I have sense. Coupled to a magna flow exhaust I sound like a Nascar circuit at full tilt. Its cool and all and I could build that engine again in my sleep. But my Hudson engines they are a passion. I go overboard simply because I can. In my mind there is nothing quite like the sound and feel of a Hudson flat top ticking over like a fine clock. The fact you are blasting down the road and I mean blasting as these are beasts of low end torque with an engine that is 60+ years old is just a gas. In my garage I have 2 engines given to me by guys who went SBC route and its all cool going that route and I will even help you LOL as I get your old engine. But like Russell said price is relative. You can still find 308's for around $500 some that would even run in a pinch but you cannot rebuild one for the price you could a SBC but once you pull the Hudson iron and drop in the SBC your car now becomes unsellable. If you build it for you, bravo if you build as an investment and maybe sell on you will lose your shirt. Orphan brands have a minuscule resale market. Once you get the flattop fever you cannot get rid of it. I just rebuilt a 50's Ford(I know I am aghast too)flat top for a friends roadster. Polished everything its old as the hills technology which automagically makes it cool. So in my long rambling this went nowhere post I am saying I like Hudson engines )

54SuperWasp

Wow! Got a runnin Twin-H 262 in my 54 Super Wasp. And a runnin 308 in my 53 parts car. This is my spare engine just in case my 262 would fail..I'll take good care of it..Thanks for the infos. Michel

[Deleted User]

I've got a nice 308 in albuquerque, I am willing to sell it. Came out of a 1954 hornet

Browniepetersen

I built a 308 and added twin H and ran it on the Bonneville Salt Flats setting a new speed record for a stock 52 Hudson. Did several modifications to the engine short of a high performance cam and it was just under $4K. That was in 2008.

[Deleted User]

Pulled the head has .060 pistons and stainless steel intake valves.

[Deleted User]

Here's a few pics with the head off.

Kdancy

Pull the gasket off and inspect block carefully for cracks between pistons and the valve areas.