Water manifold in block ~ removal

dougson
dougson Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Has anyone removed the copper? coolant distribution manifold from a 262/308 motor? Is it a nightmare or are they fairly easy to remove? And can they be replaced once removed or does removing them destroy them?

Comments

  • GrimGreaser
    GrimGreaser Senior Contributor
    edited October 2010
    They're long, you'll have to remove the radiator and parts of the grill (at least, I did). Mine came out pretty easy, it had lots of "gunk" on it though so it's not like it just popped out. Slid right in when clean. It's pretty stout, really.
  • tigermoth
    tigermoth Expert Adviser
    does anyone know what year hudson started using these manifolds in the cooling system? regards, tom
  • dougson
    dougson Senior Contributor
    Thanks, I guessed that it would be crappy and need cleaning. The engine is still out of the car so I should be able to get at easily.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    I am in the process of a restoration on my '50C6. The water manifold on my 262 engine slid right out, no problemo. I found that the back 4 inches of it were jammed with crap, so I cleaned it out. The engine is all finished and ready to test run before it goes back in the car. I don't know when these started, but I assume that it was with the total engine redesign in '48. All of the earlier engines have the water jacket on the outside of the engine.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    These water distribution tubes were used in Hudson engines from 48 thru 56, their purpose is to direct coolant at the exhaust valve seats, from the underside. Without them or with one that's corroded away the engine will run hot and probably burn exhaust valves.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I recently had the opportunity to attempt to pull one of these brass tubes out of a '52 Super 6 that was about to meet......"THE-CRUSHER!" at a local junk yard. Anyway, since someone had removed the water pump core and radiator, the water tube was exposed ready to be pulled out. As suggested in these intructions, you want to bend the tab at the front of the tube in order to get a grip on it with some pliers and thus, the entire tube. Suprisingly, despite the very rough condition of this Hudson, the water tube pulled straight out of the engine block with little difficulty. But, beware, you must pull it straight out and not to the side or up or down or you'll bend and crimp the entire tube.
  • tigermoth
    tigermoth Expert Adviser
    edited October 2010
    thanks for the info on the introduction of the distribution tubes in the hudson engines.
    for removal,i know someone who had a hook bent in the end of a long piece of music wire he purchased at his local hobby shop. the length enabled him to reach in, hook the tube on the far end and effectively "push" the tube out. he said he has left fewer pieces of tubes in blocks by effectively "pushing" the tube out with his hook wire used in combination with the pliers on the outside end of the tube. he shaped the held end into a "T" handle shape. regards, tom
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    We remove our water tube about 4 months ago, and as posted by others, be careful and pull straight out. After removing it, I inserted a 1/2 inch copper pipe with a water hose on the other end. Engine still in the car, radiator out, pump off, some may need the engine jacked up an inch or two to clear the grille. We were able to do a fair job of flushing the block where the tube goes in and flushed to the back of the block, noticed grit and rust/mud. Only way to do it better would be to remove the freeze plugs and head. Suggest taking pics of your tube and measuring the placement of the holes and diameters, they arent all the same. Good luck, Bob P
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    my parts connection reckons he has hoisted blocks via the tube and still not had it come out in some cases. yet to do it for myself but will some day as i prepare my 308, its missing one and i have a complete 232 spare
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Hudson308 wrote:
    half baked wrote:
    my parts connection reckons he has hoisted blocks via the tube and still not had it come out in some cases. yet to do it for myself but will some day as i prepare my 308, its missing one and i have a complete 232 spare

    Just be sure it's from a later 262, Baked... unless you can do some drilling and soldering. I posted some pictures of the differences between the early and later stepdown tubes back on page 3 of this post;

    http://www.classiccar.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=13&id=124816&Itemid=129#124816

    Good clear pictures of the early and late stepdown distribution tubes. I tried to print a copy but the paper comes out blank. I used to be able to with the old system. I hope there can be a change in this new system and be able to print pictures off the forum.

    Lee O'Dell
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    its a 52, but i plan on drilling it to 55/56 specs since ive got a 55 block. ill see if rudy bennets article is still doing the rounds.
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