1936 Hudson Terraplane 2dr sedan

Rocket

could someone tell me if you can put a 1936 Hudson 8 cylinder motor in a 1936 Terraplane 2 dr sedan also dose any one know if 1936 Hudson front fenders will fit on a 1936 Terraplane I have a spare front clip for a 1936 Hudson 8 and I would like to use it.If it will not fit  dose any one need one I am willing to sell . I also have two 1936  8 cylinder motors if some one is interested.

Jon B

I'm guessing the body of the Terraplane would fit the front clip of the Hudson, with the correct frame.

If I were you I'd advertise the engine in the WTN, there are more readers there than here at either Forum.

terraplane8

I recall Park Ward mentioning that a long time ago he put an 8 in a '35 Terraplane and it went very well. The engine had a split exhaust manifold and higher compression plus tappets ground to a better radius, 30 thou overbore and a Mallory twin-point distributor. The major factor in increased performance though being the split manifold. This engine in his '38 H8 was doing some very good 1/4 times ie 17 seconds and 84 mph. From memory the front cross part of the chassis under the radiator had to be modified to fit into the '35 Terraplane but he can confirm exactly what needed doing. I suspect it's a matter of taking some measurements and seeing how to fit it in given that the block is not that much longer, 6 inches or so.

Continuing the tale his '35 Terraplane could smoke the then new '56 Corvettes, back in the day. For reference the '56 Corvette times seem to be from what I can find 0-60 mph in 7.4 and the 1/4 in 15.7 with the standard 265 cu in V8 rated at 210hp. The Terraplane was much lighter of course than the relatively heavy H8 car by several hundreds of pounds.

On the H8 front fenders - I think you'll find that the rear part of the fenders that joins the running boards is longer on the H8 than the Terraplane. The Terraplane of course being 115" wheelbase and the H8 either 120" or 127". The H8 engine will be heavier than the 212 so I would think the steering will not be as nice and light. In terms of weight distribution the '36 Terraplane is significantly heavier at the back than the front so some extra weight in front would not be as bad as on a car that is already nose-heavy. I posted some info on that a while back.

Huddy42

Where are you Rocket.? The 8 cylinder motor won't fit in a 6 cylinder chassis ,the front guards will not fit either.

Richard E.

Rocket, put a 202 Jet engine in it, it is the exact same length as the 212 Terraplane 6 plus it has an oil pump.  The 8 cylinder will not fit nor will the Hudson fenders!  Good luck.

Geoff

 There is something like 8 inches difference in chassis length between the front and rear engine mounts, so without some major surgery you are not going to  shoehorn it in. Only way would be to shift the rear cross member back and  have the rear of the engine block back  into the cab area.  not impossible, but a lot of  messing around.  The only cars you could transplant the eight into were the '42-'27's which had the radiator set way  back for the 6's.

Park_W

I recall Park Ward mentioning that a long time ago he put an 8 in a '35 Terraplane and it went very well. The engine had a split exhaust manifold and higher compression plus tappets ground to a better radius, 30 thou overbore and a Mallory twin-point distributor. The major factor in increased performance though being the split manifold. This engine in his '38 H8 was doing some very good 1/4 times ie 17 seconds and 84 mph. From memory the front cross part of the chassis under the radiator had to be modified to fit into the '35 Terraplane but he can confirm exactly what needed doing.

T8, I wouldn't recommend an attempt to install an 8 in a '36 Terraplane.  My '35 was a joy to drive with the 8 up front, but the small radiator required, plus the absence of a fan, made it a challenge in traffic.  BTW, the 17 second quarter times were with that same engine, but in a '38 sedan that weighed 800 lbs. more than the '35T!

[Deleted User]

I would be interested in front clip or parts if you are not going to use them. Mike

Rocket

I live in MN

Rocket

two36tpforlater I sent you a message.

hudsontech

Bottom line is you can fit just about anything into just about anything - if you have the expertise to do the work. If you don't believe it look at some of the cars that were built by hot rodders in the '40s and '50s.  I built 3 rods back in the '50s using a 1938, 1939 and 1941 Dodge coupe - put a 1953 Dodge small block hemi 241 with a Dodge 4 speed truck trany and heavy duty truck rear end.  Those things would do everything - except stop.  But, back then that wasn't much of a big deal as the traffic was way lower than it is now.  If I were building something like that today I would, at least, put disc brakes in the front.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN