Looking for a good water distribution tube for a 308

Kdancy

Just broke down a 51 308 that I am going to rebuild and install in a 52 Wasp. When I pulled the water pump I discovered that the water distribution tube is missing. Looking for a good one to put back in.

RL Chilton

That's a new one on me. I don't know of anyone making them.

[Deleted User]

5 years ago, I sent a tube to a company that was going to reproduce them, but after they saw how Hudson made them they gave up and returned my original tube. Never heard from them again. Walt.

Frankvintagefullflowcom

If that engine had been run much without it, look closely for cracks in the block particularly at the rear. Leaving it out results in "short-circuiting" of coolant flow through the front of the block leaving dead areas at the rear and local overheating that can lead to cracking. It also removes the directional flow up to the underside of the exhaust valve area.
Some guys believed it was restrictive I guess. Duh.
F

[Deleted User]

I made one for my '38 Packard using stainless steel sheet metal. I had to make it in two halves and then hi-temp solder them together. Works good so far. If you are interested, when my 308 block gets back from the shop, I can make a copy of my tube for you. I use stainless only because it's readily available at my local sheet metal shop. I thought of making some extras anyways. My packard's tube was regular steel...which seems like a bad idea. The Hudson's is brass.

The original tube in the Packard was impossible for me to reproduce exactly because a regular brake can't make a return that sharp or smalll. My guess is the factory made a extruded round tube with a crimped seam, then put it in a die and squeezed it into the final shape. Just a guess. It's how I envisioned doing one if I had to take it to the mat and make it perfect.

Just some thoughts, Erik

Kdancy

So far I haven't seen any cracks, but am going to have the machine shop magnafux the block to check for them.
Erik- I'll pm you about making a tube for me. Are you making them like the 55-56 ones?

Clutchguy

Remember,the water distribution tube for a 308 has extra holes in the back side of them.

Kdancy

Erik,
Any progress on the Hudson water distribution tubes?

RonS

Kerry, Let us know how you make out. I am interested as well. Ron

Hudson Grandpa

Check with Al in tucson where i got mine from. He has parts up the wazoo.

Kdancy

Erik, Any progress?

RonS

Al, has a few of them.

super651

Ken and Kerry, I sent you both a pm about the Brass water tubes. Hudsonly Rudy