intro and stuff

Unknown

Hi guys....... I'm Dan and I'm from Depere Wi..... I'm an old car guy but not the high gloss show car type.. I own a 31 model A coupe with a 55 nailhead ( no paint ) a 48 pontiac 2 door streamliner W/ an early 70s 403 olds ( painted with too much gloss .. yuk ) and i'm now the proud owner of a 51 hornet club coupe I pick-up in So. Dakota...........



It's got no motor or tranny , so I plan to hotrod it........ My motor options are a 454 with a gm auto........ An olds 455 and a 400 tranny from a 70 442......



This being a new venture for me I'd like to hear from you guys as to what works well in these cars....... Do I need to front clip or can I upgrade to discs? What rear end? Do I need to box any part of the frame ? you know what I mean..... I have bounced around the site and I'm sure I could gather the info in time..... Sorry also if this has all been discussed......... What may work also is a phone discussion so if you will email your # i'd give you a call...( dans123@aol.com )........ Thanks for any input,, this looks like a great informative site....... Big Dan

Jon B

Hi, Dan, elcome to the madhouse! If you're not the high gloss show car type, you've come to the right place!



You'll get a lot of ideas on what drive train to use in the car, so I'll start out with my two cents worth: a '51 Hudson engine and tranny, LOL!



Hey, my rusty old '37 splasher six just got me to the National Meet and back, 1500 miles in a week, with no problems. (The canvas top...that was another story...) The '51 Hornet engine is a much more modern engine and should work even better. And think of all the shocked stares you'll get at the next car show when they peep under the hood and DON'T discover a Ford or Chevy engine! What a concept!



Anyway, whatever your choice, welcome to the group.

Unknown

Yes Jon B ,, that also is still an option I have not abandoned ... B Dan

mrsbojigger

Dan,
check out "Rambo's Ride" which is at www.49C8.com for info on installing a bb engine in your "new" Hudson. Lots of other information on modifying and updating your car.
Peace,
Chaz

Unknown

Hey Big Dan,



You will find more information (and opinions) here on Hudsons than anywhere else that I can think of. There are a lot of really good people here willing to help.



I gotta warn ya though, you will have to take your lumps for hot roddin' a hudson! lol (Personally, I like the Olds engine idea.) There are a lot of closet hot rodders here, and I don't think there is a question that can't get answered. I am not going to try to answer your questions because there are a lot more qualified people to do that. I am sure they will be along shortly to help.



I have a 52 Hornet with Chrysler running gear including front disc brakes, and still have the Hudson front clip. A lot of guys have gone to other front clips for various reasons.



Welcome to the board.



Terry

MikeWA

Welcome aboard, Dan! Like Terry said, you'll catch some gas for an engine swap, but all in all, Hudson guys seem more tolerant than most groups when it comes to that. I have a customized '48 coupe, with a '51 Hornet Twin-H (factory dual carb) engine- when you get it painted body color, some chrome acorn head nuts, maybe a polished aluminum head, clean up the engine compartment, etc., it gets lots of favorable comments at the shows. Also decent motive power- nothing like a big block, of course, but how many speeding tickets does a guy need, really? Also, there is a "street rodding" sub-forum, at the top of the Hudson forum page- most of the modified fanciers hang out there, and giving you heat about proposed modifications is considered bad form.