Pistons 1930 hudson 8

Trevor J
Trevor J Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Can anyone give me an idea where I can purchase pistons for a 1930 hudson 8 Bore size 2.85

Comments

  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    As it is an oddball size you might either have to have them made or bore it out to 3" & those should be readily avail.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Google Egge Machine. If they do not have them they can make/get them. You have the option to machine the block or make pistons. I like the idea of minimum work on the block (they can be used several times that way) and machining your pistons. That also permits you to use slotted rings that increase the compression and improves the performance and wear. It also permits close tolerence machining. This is my preference.....
  • Trevor J
    Trevor J Expert Adviser
    I had a look at the Egge machine company website earlier and they did not seem to have a listing for the 30 8cyl.
  • hudsonsplasher1
    hudsonsplasher1 Senior Contributor
    I would only use Egge as a last resort. I was told it would cost $1,500 to get pistons make for my 17 Super Six. Needless to say they lost my business. Try Northwestern Auto in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 616-241-5611 or northwesternautosupply.com. They may have what you need.

    Gene.
  • Spencer Yarrow
    Spencer Yarrow Expert Adviser
    Go to your nearest Caterpillar dealer & get pistons to suit the small petrol engine that was used as a starter engine on their diesel engines. They are the same bore size,same pin height & pin dia.The second oil ring is below the pin so don't use it. It is a much better piston with more piston above the top ring not like the Hudson pistron which is very thin in this area & prone to breakage. I have had them in my car for many years & had no trouble at all.

    This has been a common fix in AUS. for a long time & i know of a number of 29 Essex {same piston as 30 H} using them & for a longer time than me again with no trouble.

    Spencer.
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    You need to check that bore size, as the original size is 2.75". which would indicate .100" oversize. This is getting a bit marginal for cylinder thickness. JP Pistons, Australia have these pistons in stock any size you want, but you will have to use CX3 oil rings for oil control.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Hi Trevor, if you are interested I have a set of used '30 pistons and rods that are available and in good condition. They are at my shop so will have to mic them tomorrow and let you know the size. I have another solution if they don't work.

    Del Fast
  • Nevada Hudson
    Nevada Hudson Senior Contributor
    Or try Lester Harris at (775) 267-2559. He does not have a computer. The best source anywhere for hard to find pistons.He machines pistons also.
  • ESSX28-1
    ESSX28-1 Senior Contributor
    Nevada Hudson wrote:
    Or try Lester Harris at (775) 267-2559. He does not have a computer. The best source anywhere for hard to find pistons.He machines pistons also.



    I also recommend Lester, he had NOS pistons, gudgeon (wrist) pins & rings for my std bore 29 Essex engine at a very reasonable cost.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Hudson308 wrote:
    Yeah, what he said.

    Egge's quality as compared with the rest of the industry just doesn't justify the price premium, IMHO.

    I had good luck having custom pistons machined by Ross.



    http://www.rosspistons.com/



    It is curious to me how some folks have bad experiences from some suppliers and some folks have a totally different experience. I would guess that over the past 25 years I have built twenty plus engines from parts from Egge's. A 327 Chevrolet engine that I built for a good friend six years ago just turned 200,000 miles trouble free. I have built rare engines and common and yes a few Hudsons including one that I raced on the Bonneville Salt Flats. I just do not understand the differences; however, I have had the same experience with other suppliers such as chrome vendors and interior products. I guess we all like our own specific suppliers?
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Browniepetersen wrote:
    It is curious to me how some folks have bad experiences from some suppliers and some folks have a totally different experience. I would guess that over the past 25 years I have built twenty plus engines from parts from Egge's. A 327 Chevrolet engine that I built for a good friend six years ago just turned 200,000 miles trouble free. I have built rare engines and common and yes a few Hudsons including one that I raced on the Bonneville Salt Flats. I just do not understand the differences; however, I have had the same experience with other suppliers such as chrome vendors and interior products. I guess we all like our own specific suppliers?



    And there you put your finger on the problem Egge probably has a truck load of 327 pistons, plus overbore variations, on the shelf. Like most companies today they don't want to have inventory that's going to sit on the shelf for many many years before it moves.



    Compare the cost of rebuilding a Ford or Chevy engine against a Hudson engine. Reason - parts are not "shelf" items for the Hudson, unless the rebuilder works on Hudson engines exclusively. In that case he may have parts readily available - but it is still going to cost you more than a more common engine as the builder wants to make a few bucks on the deal.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    Memphis, TN
  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    I remember going thru the throes of piston acquisition for an 1/8" over Hornet. Egge's pistons were "slugs" compared to the '55 Pontiac (not sure if right year) we were able to get.

    Several members blew Egge pistons as wouldn't hold up under hard driving, were "rough" castings comparatively.

    If you are going to use them for just "potting around town" they would probably be fine.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Trevor, I measured the set of used pistons I have and they are 2.75" or standard bore for '30. I would be happy to send a picture or discuss another option if you want to call me at 817-999-6070. This thread appears to have gone off subject to a discussion of merits of suppliers.....................

    Del
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    OK, I give up. But as a closing shot here are the prices for some recent builds. I do my own machine work:



    1967 327/375 hp $1,680.00

    1952 308/215 hp $1,255.00

    1969 V12 Jag $2,870.00

    1952 Morgan Vangard 4cyl $985.00

    1979 Pont 455/520 hp $2,450.00



    By the way, I machine all my pistons from castings so that I can control size, ballance and ring type/placement. All were built in the last 5 years and I no longer own any of them. I'm out of here--got to go to NAPA and pick up some parts.
  • hudsonsplasher1
    hudsonsplasher1 Senior Contributor
    Hudson308 wrote:
    Don't give up, Brownie... this isn't a "win or lose" situation! Just a few "Hudnuts" trying to help each other out. :p



    The prices you quoted are roughly half of the going rate on the retail side up here. I burned through $3500 five years ago pretty quick on parts and machining for my Hornet motor. The forged slugs from Ross were $600 alone.

    They ended up the same length with the same pin height as the stockers, but with modern rings. When they ended up on the heavy side, Ross took 'em back for some lightening underneath free of charge.



    I agree. This isn't a win or lose thing. It's just expressing the experiance we have had with ventors. It's all good info to take into concideration when making a choise on your pistons.
  • Trevor J
    Trevor J Expert Adviser
    Thanks to all who replied.

    I will work through this and decide which is the best option.

    Regards Trevor
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