Hudson straight 8 engine

Unknown

wondering about the 8 cyl. engine -what years was it made , how many cubic inch displacement is it, is it about the same length as a 308 , how does it compare to a 308 performance wise , I assume an 8 cyl. car is more valuable than a 6 cyl. car ??? Thanks

oldhudsons

the Hudson 8 was introduced in '30, the displacement was increased in '31, then again in '32 to 254 cu. in. which it remained 'til the last were built in '52.

The '30 thru '33 Hudson 8s had 2 heads.

In the step down era the Commodore 8 was slightly more expensive than the Hornet but altho far more rare, as every one wanted the big pressure lubricated 6, aren't as valuable as the Hornet became a legendary race/performance car.

Uncle Josh

254 eight rated at 128 HP with iron head (which has HUDSON cast in the top) 138 HP with aluminum head. The Hornet was rated at 145 HP with single carb and around 170 with Twin H



The eight is exactly 2 inches longer than the big 6, which is why the radiator is mounted on 1 inch offset L brackets in the stepdowns. By removing or adding the sheet metal baffle in front of the radiator, and rotating the L brackets, the radiator can be moved 2 inches fore and aft to compensate for the engine you want to use. Otherwise the switch is bolt in.



I ran an eight in the 'Hornadore' for 2 years while I was rebuilding the 308.

Aaron D. IL

Motor mounts are the same of the 6's and 8's so you should be able to bolt either engine into an 8 cyl car. Performance wise the 8 is good....a quiet but strong engine. I'm told it's a different driving experience from the Hornet 308. The 8 was more valuable pricewise when new but maybe not now.

faustmb

I drove my dad's 47 C8 for a summer a few years ago. The engine was unbelievably smooth. That's another car that's on the list to get back together.



Matt

Unknown

faustmb wrote:

I drove my dad's 47 C8 for a summer a few years ago. The engine was unbelievably smooth. That's another car that's on the list to get back together.



Matt

And the exhaust note is so mellow.

faustmb

I used to get tons of comments on the 8 at cruise nights. I love the 8 cylinder engines, but what I found with the C8 is that the aftermarket isn't there. If you want a stocker, I think it's a good way to go. They run great, sound great, and look good on top of it. If you want to add any performance stuff, it will have to basically be custom made.



Someday I will have a clean stock C8 in my stable. First, I guess I have to work on the Stable itself



Matt

50C8DAN

I had my C8 in our recent Christmas parade. It cruised down the street about 5 mph or less most of the time. I could not hear it running, but it just kep rolling along. I heard one older gentleman tell the folks around them, yep it is a Hudson straight 8 it is probably the quietest egine ever made!

Geoff

I go along with that. In my opinion the best engine Hudson ever made in terms of reliability, performance, quietness, and economy. You will get more performance from a 308, but not the smoothness or quiet running, and they are more reliable in the long run.

Geoff.

Park_W

One fellow, upon hearing a Hudson 8, remarked that it seemed like the car just had an electric motor under the hood. Not a bad description.

Unknown

I thought I got the wrong engine - I bought a Commodore 8. Wasn't looking for a Hudson but the neighbor opened his garage door as I was walking by. His wife was upset that her truck was going to sit out in the Chicago winter and wanted that car out. So I ended up with a 49 Commodore 8. During the restoration process, I found this forum and started to learn about Hudsons. Up to now, I was thinking I got a Hudson, but really would have liked to have a Hudson Hornet with the 308 6 ( or maybe a 7X! ). I had heard the the 8 was a holdover of old technology and that the 6 was the cat's meow. Now I have never driven a Hudson with a 6, but maybe the old 8 isn't that bad afterall. Now that I am a member of the newly formed Arkansas HET Cub perhaps I can get a ride in a 6 car and see for myself.



BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

[Deleted User]

Other than what has been mentioned earlier there are the differences of babbited bearings in the 8 vs. shell bearings in the 308. Also there is no pressure lubrication in the 254 8. The only Hudson to be built that way after 1948. Not a problem for some folks ,while it is for others.

harry54

Happychris,

I have driven them both and luv them equal.....