0 compression in cylinder 4. 55psi in cyl 3. 128 in cyl 6. rest are between 90-110.

jrenda

thank you Josh.  very informative post.

as it is clear that I will not be running the car this fall I have a decision to make regarding how far I go with resurrecting the original engine based on time and more importantly skill level (not much).

As for the comment about my choice of hobby, everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.  He is listed a an expert on this forum and has offered advice - which I followed and thanked him for - and it helped me to free the stuck valve.  To become an expert takes a vast amount of knowledge no one is born with.  I applaud anyone who has amassed such a wealth of knowledge that the subject becomes second nature and I am humbled by those willing to share it.

Anything I do with the car will be a combination of sheer will, luck and a full complement of help from whomever is willing to offer it.  I am not a natural mechanic.  Things don't just "come to me".  But I work hard.  And I overthink each thing.  But I have done my best to remain true to the car until a time comes where I am ready to go in a different direction.  I had every intention of running the 8.  I was told it would run easily enough.  Clearly that isn't the case.  So instead of simply cutting and swapping I am trying my best to get the engine going - of which I have 0 knowledge and am at the mercy of whatever I can discover and learn.  I do get frustrated but I keep at it and am not afraid to prove my ignorance by asking rudimentary questions.  

I have taught people to play drums, build websites, build and ride motorcycles.  They all started from 0 as did I.  Some stuck with it and some moved on.  But i never chided someone's decision to attempt a new hobby.  After all what good does that do - push people away from continuing a hobby or craft I have come to love and try to impart upon others.  Again we all have choices we can make.  These are merely mine.

People can assist if they choose.  Or they can deride and sneer.  Also their choice.  At the end of the day it' s me doing the effort, paying the costs and making the decisions as best I can.  And the harder it is the more satisfying the first ride will be, whenever that happens.

As always thank you for all the advice.  It has truly helped and I am very thankful for those who have shared their expertise.  

If anyone wants drum lessons let me know lol ............

- jason

Ric West IN

Some people are mechanically inclined, some work at it but never get proficient. Others are excellent writers, 

(as Jason seems to be)  .   The degree of frustration shown at fairly basic mechanical operations doesn't bode well in the long run.  I wish Jason well, and do enjoy his writing about his adventures!

Good Luck,

"Ric"

EssexAdv

Gotta say, Josh is right. I've been doing low mileage, original cars for almost 50 years. Anything less than a good clean-out and check over runs the risk of causing problems. I am amazed how often I give this advice and people argue. But, think of it, the old oil left sludge in the pan, it stuck to everything inside, not to mention that you were supposed to Chang it fairly often. So, why is it ok to leave that deteriorated, oil based goo in there. Oh and by the way, valve jobs were maintenance.. So.Open it up, clean it out and check it over. You'll be glad you did in the long run.

EssexAdv

Now to be constructive.. Get the shop manual. All the questions you have raised about hoy to do normal things can be answered in there. The manual is cheep and available from the Hudson Club store. And as an added bonus, you will get your answers from the actual engineers who made the car. If that doesn't work for you, shoot me pm. And I'll try to point you in the right direction. I still remember what I went through when I started working on Hudsons.

50C8DAN

Well I made some comments early on on this project, but I add some more.  I purchased a 50C8 with 32K miles (I am the second owner!).  It had been setting for 20+ years collecting dust.  I was intrigued by the engine and its uniqueness and heritage.  You don't see many Hudsons at car shows and even fewer 8s.  My first inclination was to get it started, but also had the idea that I wanted to fully restore it.  Well the full restore, thankfully never happened (I earned an HPOF at Hershey in 2012!), however the engine was another story.  In my quest to get it "restored" I decided to do the engine and lucky I did at least that much.  I pulled the engine and dropped the pan, wow a soccer sized ball of sludge dropped out, so lucky me on that one.  Being a splasher it would have never gotten the lubrication it needed.  Next I pulled the head and found #8 cylinder had been running lean, burnt valve and start of a cracked/burnt piston.  So those were replaced.  The local machine shop owner, an old timer (long passed away now) was thrilled when I brought in the block (his son was not so thrilled and would not touch it).  He tanked it, honed the cylinders, no boring was necessary, put in new cam bearings (he had a box on the shelf, go figure!).  I think the whole bill was about $250.  Except for the piston and valve, I used all of the original bearings, rods, bolts, etc.  Basically just a freshen up (did find a nice aluminum head to go with it).  It has now been running for 11 years, never a problem, smooth as silk, quiet, and 18 mpg on the highway.  I actually won a 1st place trophy at a car show for my engine and engine compartment due to its uniqueness.   The 8 is not that hard to work on, although some will disagree.  If I were you I would pull the engine and take a look inside.  If I had tried to start mine it would have destroyed it, now I have a cool piece of history.

KustomKreeps

jrenda said:

 an expert on this forum

Its a post rating system. more you post the higher / better title you get.
Not saying the people dont know what they are on about - cus many seem to. I see it more as an indication how long these people have been on this forum and how active.

As for the manual - free to download. Take it to work and print the mechanical and the body ones off like i did then get em bound up.
If you need the links i will flick em over.
On laptop at moment or other wise i would of done right now. - has documentation for the radio, interchange, and good knows what.

Im sure you already have them know with the amount you seem to plan and think things over.

the body one is great with old panel beating section - something i haven't really came across before in a car manual.

Stripping down an engine aint as hard as you might think but can get expensive. For me its one of those things... well since i have apart i guess i could bore it, port it, deck it, new cam... list goes on.
Still if you dont think it will be going in the near future and your not in a huge hurry give it ago. take lots of vids and pics for reference. kids can help. label everything and record where you put it.

Not sure how much rebuild kits are for Hudsons im guessing about $2k USD + all the other crap you will need. Thats with out any engineering or electrical & induction. lest from memory that was about the price for my Buick I8 kit.

So cheaper than what you would pay for a reconditioned I8 - guessing they are $4k? or a  worked one twice that.

Of course my prices may be WAYY off im located on the other side of the world so im bound to be overpriced.

Staying 6v?

Really i think you should sit down and really think what you want in the end. then stay with that. Stay inline or go V. also ask your self how often do you plan to show your engine off. no one is going to know whats under the good unless you drive around no hood or open it.

Its cool n novel to have a I8 for some people. if you want it to be different - sweet done. if you want it to show off then work out who you want to impress. As i have said they only attract a certain demographic.

Do what you & your bird wants man. stuff the rest of us. not like you have to sit with us at the table and i doubt you will sink a few brews with anyone here as you ponder the mysteries of yesteryear together.

< also a drummer and bass player. looking at double bass these days thinking ohhh i likes that thump. offer those lessons and you got yourself a new wrench hand.

Alex

Per

     It seems that various responders have not been reading all of Jason's posts from the beginning.  Jason lowered the front crossmember in order to remove the oil pan and the oil tray.  He found surprisingly little oil sludge.  He has followed suggestions about getting oil into all the necessary spots.  (I have advised him to take a look in the oil pump, to be sure it is not dry, which I am not sure he has done yet.)

     I wish I still had the energy to do so many things so quickly.

                                    Per