1948 Hudson Commodore subframe

Unknown

I have a 1948 commodore 2 door, the power plat blow up . so rather than find another 8 cylinder. I just wont to update it with 429 ford, c6 and Power steering ,brakes ext. I wood like to know if anyone knows what kind of subframe to use. is a step down.

the body is mint , but the inside is junk. anyone now how to recover seats?

Unknown

phantomofone wrote:

I have a 1948 commodore 2 door, the power plat blow up . so rather than find another 8 cylinder. I just wont to update it with 429 ford, c6 and Power steering ,brakes ext. I wood like to know if anyone knows what kind of subframe to use. is a step down.

the body is mint , but the inside is junk. anyone now how to recover seats?

you'll get as many suggestions as answers on this one...



if you look around the forum, you will find that you have many alternatives.



Jay (jsrail) is using a fatman kit (which would be my route if $$$ was not a major concern) which is probably the best engineered and direct route, not to mention the least hassle down the road.



Dan (Rambos Ride) is using a lot of stock components and some clever modifications. He is a true engineer, of the vanishing breed, and actually has a website devoted to his progress ( or perhaps his current status, since his relocation) His method may appeal to someone that perhaps wants to consider what might be done to the car down the road (if someone would ever turn it back to stock)



there are a ton of others out there as well.



My personal opinion, and you will get a lot of these....



is to leave it stock. find a good 262 or 308 six, and transplant. You will like the six a lot more, and the handling of the car, steering, etc... is what the hudson was legendary for, not to mention a lot of what it owes credit to when it was dominating NASCAR in the early 50's. I have a difficult time seeing how anyone could justify messing with something that is so well engineered, and developed, even by today's standards.



Inside items can be found, and replaced, recovered, etc... as long as the rear perimeter frame is all there structurally, you have a good starting point.



Welcome to the forum!



Hudsonkid



ambassador of goodwill and information to the ClassicCar hudson Forum!

kamzack

Hey Phanto,

As mentioned you get all kinds of suggestions,but I cringe when I hear of someone putting anything but a Hudson power plant in same. Not to be critical, or discouraging, its' so much easier to put a six or a 254 eight back in as opposed to anything else. Hud Kid has and is gently trying to point ya in the right direction for sure. Hudson engines can be rebuilt and put into service much more economiclly, than the expense and hassell of modifing. Rebuild your own or Dave Konstansek and staff have them rebuilt ready to go for around 3k, pretty cheap and your b ack on the road. I drove my 49 Commodore every day for some time out of nessicity, never a problem, road trips included. Made one from Florida to Detroit and back. no problem and much fun.

That's my 25 cents worth. They are very dependable and simple to work on.

No computor.

Thanks for letting me share,

Kim

nick s

to each his own, but if you do opt for the blasphamous route,:eek: please offer to give the parts to a caring home rather than the local scrapman. the parts aren't worth much, but they aren't making anymore of them so the effort to save them will be appreciated by someone at some point down the road. BTW despite your evil ways, Hudson-folk will still help you out when you need it.
hudsonkid wrote:

I have a difficult time seeing how anyone could justify messing with something that is so well engineered, and developed, even by today's standards.

it dosen't happen often (or should i say ever )but 'the kid' probably captured the sentiments of most hudson owners with this line. We know how well these car drive and perform and can't comprehend having them any other way.



as for your seats, i assume matching the origonal isn't a requirement here - you can buy appropriate looking covers to replace the origonals. just remove the old, stretch over and hog ring to the frame. if you opt to duplicate the origonal, a very close wool fabric is available to purchase and supply your local upholsterer.

rambos_ride

phantomofone wrote:

I have a 1948 commodore 2 door, the power plat blow up . so rather than find another 8 cylinder. I just wont to update it with 429 ford, c6 and Power steering ,brakes ext. I wood like to know if anyone knows what kind of subframe to use. is a step down.
the body is mint , but the inside is junk. anyone now how to recover seats?

Don't let all these "stock" guys get you down

Put the biggest darn engine in there you can afford and have fun!

Seriously though - you've asked a pretty broad question and a lot really depends on your budget, skills, and who's doing the work.

There is no "bolt" in replacement for the sub-frame. Fatman Fabrications has what they call a MII Stub Kit http://www.fatmanfab.com/catalogpage.php?page=6

The Fatman stub allows you to use all modern suspension and steering (Mustang II style) even air ride.

But...going this route is spendy so that's why the budget matters. Even using junkyard suspension and steering parts on fatman stub is going to run you 3k + installed.

There are others who've used some camaro clips I believe - but no active members on the forum who've actually done this swap (to my knowledge anyway)

Or you can go the route I did and make it work within the original front sub-frame and parts.

My 49 is a long way from the road - so all is not proven - but I put a BBC454/TH400 in mine with only minor modifications to the steering drag link and the front uni-body x-member (the one under the firewall) for clearances.

Steering and exhaust clearances are the biggest issues - otherwise there is plenty of room.

Check my website out, I have lots of pics on how I fit the BBC in and the type of mods and headers I bought to fit.

Good Luck - ask any questions you want!

Unknown

Thank you all so much for your ancers . Im going to check them all out and I will update as I move along with it , also if I have any parts I will not be sending them to the boneyard so mabe I will have some parts to part with. Thank you agen for your time , I hope if I have anymore questons that you will all have some input on them . After all Is not the end car, but the fun in restoring it to is former Glory.