"New" Hornet Engine

Rebuilding non splasher Hudson engine is pretty much the same as rebuilding any other flat head 6. The real magic is in the preparation and the cleanliness of the rebuild. Granted there is a major loss of knowledge in the machining of Hudson engine blocks and turning components. When I last tested the availability of qualified local talent I was surprised to find a local shop (Central Texas) where there is still a machinist who has 308 engine machining and rebuild experience. The biggest IF in the process is the machinist. The parts are all available NORS and the price is comparable to what you would pay for parts to rebuild a FUARD or CHEBBIE. I am an advocate of using the folks who build Hudson engines everyday, but that is an expense some can not afford. So, if you are mechanically inclined, and have access to a qualified machinist have at it. I can tell you the most satisfying part of this hobby has been when "my fresh rebuilt 308 engine fired on the first turn over and ran!"

So, collect the engine rebuild information available on my site and other INTERNET locations, read and digest and if you are ready for an adventure... rebuild your own engine.

Good Luck!

Your price range for a "new" 308 with Twin H is going to be between 3-7K I doubt you will get a rebuilt engine ready to drop in with Twin H for less than 5K. If you price the parts to rebuild a 308 you are looking at minimum $2500 when you add machining and labor you are over 5K. Sometimes in very rare instances you can find deals but I have not seen any lately.

If you found a NEW 308 with twin h it would be at least 60 years old now. I would not dare use a crate engine without checking it good. Not every machine shop knows the Hudson engines and if someone works on them they are usually in worse shape when you get them back as when you left them at the shop A friend had a 308 bored and all by a shop here in Tennessee that has a name of really knowing his stuff. When my friend told me the shop said he would have to put valve seats in the 53 block. I told the friend he better go get his motor that the shop owner was full of bs and would mess it up. Also sold him on putting 1/2 studs in place of the 7/16 head bolts. The friend assembled the engine and sealed the studs when he put them in the block. Then when he set the head down on the studs thats just what he done. Set it on top of the studs. Shop owner told him they were bent. He did get the head on after removeing the studs and put them backthrough the head one at a time. Always think of what my dad told me when I srtated working on cars over 60 years ago. EVERY BODY WHO WORKS OH CARS ARE NOT MECHANICS..

Mike is giving you good advice here. I got three 308 engines from guys who were replacing their Hudson power trains. I just got two 262 engines from a guy who said he was cleaning out his "junk"