Water distribution tubes
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At a very recent local Hudson meet I purchased a stepdown brass water distribution tube in pretty good condition that the previous owner claimed came out of a Hornet 308. He said that it will fit my Pacemaker 232 as well as a 262. However, he stated you cannot take a 232 or 262 distribution tube and fit it into a 308. Just to play it safe, I'd like to get a second opinion on interchangability of stepdown (except Jet) six cylinder distribution tubes. Thanks for any responses!
Dan
Dan
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Comments
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Dan, Whoever told you that was misinformed. ALL stepdown water distribution tubes will interchange. The thing you need to watch is for the ocasional aftermarket steel water distribution tube. Don't know why they made them (!) but they are out there. Make sure the top holes are open on the tube. That is critical for cooling around the cylinders. If they are pinched they will not allow water to circulate and cool.0
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Hudzilla wrote:Dan, Whoever told you that was misinformed. ALL stepdown water distribution tubes will interchange. The thing you need to watch is for the ocasional aftermarket steel water distribution tube. Don't know why they made them (!) but they are out there. Make sure the top holes are open on the tube. That is critical for cooling around the cylinders. If they are pinched they will not allow water to circulate and cool.
After I posted this question I checked out my Hudson Master Parts Catalog and saw that the water distribution tube does indeed fit ALL six cylinder (except Jet) stepdown engines. But, sometimes there is still something out there you need to be aware of. Thanks for the help! By the way, the tube is, for its age, in very good condition with no pinched or clogged holes. Looks ready to slide right in should the need arise. I believe it is made of brass judging from its light weight and lack of any surface rust in the metal. It was $20.00 and I thought that was a fair price to pay for it.0 -
1049superg wrote:
Walt here; Yes all water jacket tubes look the same but they are not. Early 232 and 262 will not work in a Hornet engine. The valve cooling holes on the narrow top are large in the front and smaller as it goes to the rear. Don't put one of these in a Hornet engine as you will have nothing but overheating and crack a valve seat. The Hornet water tube, the holes on top start small and get bigger as it goes to the rear, and has 4 5/16 holes at the end, one up and one down, and 8 inches forward 2 more holes, one up and one down. This is on the right side. On the left side, 5 inches from the end, at the top,has one more 5/16 holes, and two inches ahead of that is another hole, same size that sends water to the left side. Using one of these in a 232 or 262 really cools the engine.At a very recent local Hudson meet I purchased a stepdown brass water distribution tube in pretty good condition that the previous owner claimed came out of a Hornet 308. He said that it will fit my Pacemaker 232 as well as a 262. However, he stated you cannot take a 232 or 262 distribution tube and fit it into a 308. Just to play it safe, I'd like to get a second opinion on interchangability of stepdown (except Jet) six cylinder distribution tubes. Thanks for any responses!
Dan0 -
Walt,
I know the 55-56 tubes are different yet--I think Ken Cates amy talk about them on his web site. How are they different from the earlier Hornet tubes?
ivan0 -
What Hudson must have meant was that they will all interchange but the cooling capacity of the earlier tubes was not as efficient in later model wide head blocks. I went out and double checked my inventory and every one was exactly the same. I know they didn't all come from Hornets, but I also know that I haven't stripped too many 48-9 blocks 1049superg is right when he says the book indicates they all interchange but now we know better.0
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A search of previous posts on "water tubes" reveals several discussions on water tube interchangability. I know that the '55-56 tubes (manifolds) were improved by adding additional holes for better water distribution, another reason I went for the '56 block.0
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walt's garage-53 wrote:
Walt, first, thanks for the detailed information on the water distribution tube used in a Hornet. This Hornet water tube you described with its' 5/16 holes in the back and the top open slots getting larger toward the rear is exactly what I have. Guess the person who sold me this really did know his stepdown 6 cylinder water tubes. You mentioned that putting one of these Hornet tubes in a 232 or 262 would really cool these engines. Would that be too much cooling whereby it would make a 232 or 262 engine less efficient? DanWalt here; Yes all water jacket tubes look the same but they are not. Early 232 and 262 will not work in a Hornet engine. The valve cooling holes on the narrow top are large in the front and smaller as it goes to the rear. Don't put one of these in a Hornet engine as you will have nothing but overheating and crack a valve seat. The Hornet water tube, the holes on top start small and get bigger as it goes to the rear, and has 4 5/16 holes at the end, one up and one down, and 8 inches forward 2 more holes, one up and one down. This is on the right side. On the left side, 5 inches from the end, at the top,has one more 5/16 holes, and two inches ahead of that is another hole, same size that sends water to the left side. Using one of these in a 232 or 262 really cools the engine.0 -
1049superg wrote:
All Hornet engines have the same water jacket,1951 to 1956. You can use the tube in your 48 to 1950 and all Pacemakers and wasps. Just shut off the bypass and install a modern 160 degree thermostat to keep the engine at 160 to 170 degrees. That is why I make and sell bypass shut off plate kits. Talk to anyone that uses my kit. Use that tube in your engine and save yourself the valve seats. Walt.Walt, first, thanks for the detailed information on the water distribution tube used in a Hornet. This Hornet water tube you described with its' 5/16 holes in the back and the top open slots getting larger toward the rear is exactly what I have. Guess the person who sold me this really did know his stepdown 6 cylinder water tubes. You mentioned that putting one of these Hornet tubes in a 232 or 262 would really cool these engines. Would that be too much cooling whereby it would make a 232 or 262 engine less efficient? Dan0 -
Ha! That figures! Two and a half weeks ago I replaced the defective water pump on my Hudson Pacemaker Deluxe. Then, this past Sunday I picked up the Hornet water distribution tube. Talk about bad timing! Well, at least I replaced the old thermostat with a modern 160 degree one and a gasket that plugs off the bypass portion. The change in engine temperature is quite remarkable. The 232 now runs about 25% cooler than before with the old bypass thermostat.0
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1049superg wrote:
A gasket will not work to shut off the bypass. The water pressure will blow it open and there goes 30 per cent of your water not reaching the radiator. Walt.Ha! That figures! Two and a half weeks ago I replaced the defective water pump on my Hudson Pacemaker Deluxe. Then, this past Sunday I picked up the Hornet water distribution tube. Talk about bad timing! Well, at least I replaced the old thermostat with a modern 160 degree one and a gasket that plugs off the bypass portion. The change in engine temperature is quite remarkable. The 232 now runs about 25% cooler than before with the old bypass thermostat.0 -
walt's garage-53 wrote:
I purchased both the thermostat and the thermostat gasket without the bypass retangular hole in it from Dave Kostansek last year at the National at Pontiac. Dave said that the gasket seals the bypass. Also, he's been selling them for four years now and so far no one's had any problems. I noticed the thermostat gasket I purchased from Dave is thicker and of an apparently stronger material than the ones I've used in the past.A gasket will not work to shut off the bypass. The water pressure will blow it open and there goes 30 per cent of your water not reaching the radiator. Walt.0 -
I believe this is the link previously referred to:
http://hudsonrestoration1948-54.com/PDFFiles/RudyBCooling%20modifications.pdf
Dr. Dave0
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