Help, Please, Rebuilding a 1936 Hudson Eight Motor.

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hi, all of you out there...........



I'm sure all the answers to my questions have been answered before, but it is hard to track them down on the Forum.



This is my first time on this forum so forgive me if I tread on any toes. As a foreigner, well I'm a Scot living in England, with a British car using US running gear, it will be easy for me to get things wrong.



I have had quite a bit of experience rebuilding US cars, including Stutz, (both 4 & 8 cyl) and Ford As also a Mercury flathead motor for my racer, as well as lots of British and European prewar stuff.



However I still need some basic info on the Hudson engine.



I recently bought a 1936 Railton (basically a 1936 Terraplane with a British body) that has a 30 year history of racing in England, and the engine wrecked itself pretty comprehensively on my second outing. To be completely honest, I probably over-revved it, but it was a piston that gave way, probably, looking at the others, made by Egge. (No surprise there.)



Here goes........



(1) What is the maximum safe overbore? The current pistons are marked +30 assuming that they are Hudson pistons and not some one else's.........



I intend to get Ross to make me a new set.



(2) Do the con rods survive regular use up to 4,500 rpm or is there a history of failure?



(3) What is the minimum crank diameter that is safe? Mine will need a regrind after the latest blow up.



(4) Also, I'm looking for a set of Hudson 5 stud wire wheels, if anyone has some in their garage.





Many thanks in advance to all of you, please be patient with me!



Mike

Comments

  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Mike,

    Welcome to the forum. I am a Scott living in America and driving an English built car that carries an American name. Mine is also a 36 and runs an 8. The down side is that I do not have the answers to your questions.



    Never fear though, there are several here on the forum that once they wake up they will have the right answers. A gentleman named Vick will weight in and since he also races His Railton he will have a few good pointers for you.



    By the way, when you have a minute would you post a few photos of your car?



    Thanks



    I never miss an opportunity to post a photo of mine......
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Ok, here is a shot of it at the Prescott Hill Climb in August.



    Sorry, this website does not seem to work with the 'new' Flickr.



    Advice on posting pictures would be welcome, I tried clicking on the icon for photos and using the flickr url, also the HTML link, both with no success.



    Apparently, flickr recently changed its system for the worse, sometimes photos will post sometimes not, it must be costing them business.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    You may want to join the Hudson Eight e-group at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hudson8/ .



    This link, and other helpful Hudson links, can be found at the Club's main webpage over at http://www.hetclub.org/
  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    I think the person who can answer your questions best is Ivan Zaremba who also owns & races a Railton + it part owner of a restoration business in the San Francisco area. He has done extensive research on the Hudson 8 engine & his Railton 8 engine is modified for racing inc. having devised a full pressure oiling system for it.
  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    I've posted a photo of Ivan's Railton + one of the engine on the Hudson 8 site.
  • terraplane8
    terraplane8 Senior Contributor
    Mike,



    I'd suggest joining the Railton Club as there is a wealth of knowledge among the members in the UK, as well as a great new and used parts resource if you ever get stuck for a part.



    Looking forward to seeing some images of your car.
  • Old Fogey UK
    Old Fogey UK Expert Adviser
    I'm a 1934 Hudson Eight owner in the UK.

    The advice to join the ROC is spot on. I don't find it such an overwhelmingly friendly club as the HET but they have a brilliant parts service and Geoff Moore gives expert advice.
  • Old Fogey UK
    Old Fogey UK Expert Adviser
    Can't resist posting a pic of my '34 here !
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