Hornet crank Hydro to standard modification

Courtesy Man

Hi can the crank end be modified from Hydromatic to standard transmission? Considering putting Hornet engine in 1948 Convertible - frames not drilled with Hydro motor mount crossmember untill 1951 - the crank I have I believe it is for Hydro. Seems to me if I remember correctly that standard transmission cars had ball bearings retainer placed in flywheel and Hydro had crank drilled for trans. input shaft. Has anyone done this? I would like to use Hydro crank (machined) and rebuilt Hornet engine in my 1948 Hudson. Gert

KenU_Tx

Gert: Yes, you can use the 308 crank with the bronze bushing for Hydramatic with the stick shift flywheel, since the pilot bearing for the stickshift mainshaft is pressed into the stickshift flywheel itself. In fact, all 308 cranks were drilled for the Hydramatic bushing, whether the engine was mated to a Hydramatic or a stickshift.....Now I don't know if all the 308 cranks had the bronze bushing pressed in, but it shouldn't interfere with the pilot bearing on the stickshift flywheel as it is recessed in the crank ahead of the stick flywheel. As long as you have a 51-54 308 with the six 3/8-24 studs, the Stepdown stickshift flywheel will fit. Now if you have the 55-56 308 with it's 1/2" shorter crank, using six 7/16-20 bolts, you will need the 1/2" thick adapter to use the Stepdown stickshift flywheel.