7X 308 exhaust question

dougson
dougson Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I have seen pictures of stepdown racers, presumably 7X equipped, with the dual exhaust pipes exiting in front of the rear wheels on the passenger side. I already know about the split exhaust connector that was part of the 7X package, but were the side exiting pipes also part of the package? I am asking this because I would like to set up this kind of an exhaust system on my '54 coupe but in its wisdom, Massachsuetts (no kidding) is now enforcing a "stock" or "factory available" exhaust system restriction on the annual inspection. Now if this reg. is actually enforced by the registry, half of the pickups and all of the tuners in the state will get rejection stickers. Anyway, if the side exit was part of the 7X package I will have an argument.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I may be wrong but I believe the 7X package stopped with the split exhaust connector.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    dougson-



    Sorry, but you would not have an argument based on your post. There were no "factory available" 7X engines or packages.



    Sever Usage parts (7X parts included) were available from the dealers, not the factory. Your brand new '54 could not be picked up at the factory or delivered to your local dealer with a 7X engine installed. Typically, your local dealer would order parts for you to install or install them in house, or have them installed by a local garage.



    Basically, it was a factory-supplied dealer option, if you want to look at it that way. 7X's really were for the racing cars and race drivers, but could be had by the regular population from Hudson (indirectly) simply to offset the cost of the manufacturing.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Because of the rules of stock car racing at the time any part that was on the car during the race had to offered by the factory. Hence the severe usage program. The exhaust pipes exiting under the passenger door were not an option from the factory. The split connector was.



    Hudson was the first car company to actually support stock car racing as a formal factory program with factory parts. It all happened kind of ad hoc the sales division out of New York sanctioned the program as it made good advertising sense. It really lay in the hands of a small group that were helping the effort on company time but mostly on their own time. A lot of folk lore surrounds the effort of the few at Hudson to build this successful effort. Its kind of amazing when you look at the resources Hudson had available and what the big 3 had available and we still beat them.
  • 53jetman
    53jetman Senior Contributor
    Dougson - according to General Parts Policies & Information bulletin #6, dt'd 3-20-53: A twin exhaust manifold and pipe kit is available for models 5B, 6B, 7B, 5C & 7C when they are equipped with "Twin-H-Power". This kit is part number SP307604, twin exhaust manifold and pipe kit having a list price of $50.00 and dealer net of $30.00. This kit includes the exhaust manifold assy w/gaskets, the elbow-exhaust manifold outlet, and pipe assy - front exhaust. The 1948-1954 master parts catalog bears this information out, and I believe the pipe referred to simply attaches back into the single exhaust system muffler. Of course, the racing fraturnity was quick to make "adjustments" and run twin straight pipes out in front of the right rear wheel just under the edge of the right rocker panel. I can find no further reference to a dual exhaust system that would have been available from the factory parts department.



    Jerry

    53jetman
  • dougson
    dougson Senior Contributor
    All useful info. The fact that the dealer was responsible installing the kits does not, I think, invalidate the factory equipped aspect of the argument. The stuff was made available by the factory, not Pepboyz or Jegs. My registry guy who does inspections says that if they were on a car leaving the dealer, they're ok. The question remains did anyone have the rest of the exhaust (from muffler back) built at the dealership. Academic at this point.
  • harry54
    harry54 Senior Contributor
    Dougson, Question, if this is indeed an antique registry, why would it be subject to this law?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    If you live in Illinois, just slip the guy a Benjamin and you'll be all set...
  • dougson
    dougson Senior Contributor
    In Mass., any and all vehicles are subject to (and require an) annual inspection. It depends on the inspection station how thourough the inspection. A fellow showed up at a cruise night the other day with a 1927 AMILCAR with Antique plates. Tne windscreen is barely big enough for the sticker, but he nevertheless was told he needed one.
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