Newbie With A Hornet.

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hello everybody, my name is john. I have been involved in the old car hobby my entire life from building a 1928 Chrysler from parts when i was 5 with my uncle to restoring 2 Crosley's with my dad, building a trophy winning 63 F100 with my brother and father, and now I am a Moderator on the Tuckerclub.org message boards.


Why Im here, well my dad purchased a 1953 Hudson Hornet back in 1973. he rebuilt the engine and converted the car to 12 volt, but other than that he didnt really get much else doen to it due to bad health. sadly in november of 09 dad passed away, he left me the hudson in his will and now i want to get it onm the road but im not really shure where to start with this project. The engine has been upgraded with as much of the factory style speed equipment as he could get (the cylanders are also bored .04 with jans pistons) but he never could get any headers so my 308 still has factory manifolds. the engine runs perfect.

Here are a few pics of the hudson.
Photo0032.jpg

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Photo0035.jpg

74812_172949552715677_100000019010667_609276_7872985_n.jpg

My current plan is to put the drive haft in and go through the brakes to see if i can get it to go up and down the driveway under it owne power.

all and any advise is appreciated.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    It looks like your dad did some quality work / mods on it. I see it has electric wipers and very neat engine bay work. If you look back in the forum you will find some one talking about new headers being made. By Clifford I think,
    Roger
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Thanks You for your Comment, yes i forgot that dad did retro fit electric wipers addapted from a ford windstar. I hope to have this car road worthy ugly or not next summer.

    I recently looked on the Clifford website and found nothing for Hudsons accept stickers but i will look through the older posts and see what i can find, unfortunatly this will be a labor of love since i have no job and am having a very hard time finding one.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Clifford carries both headers and heads for the 308. Just call them directly. Together they will set you back about $1,300 or so. Since finances are an issue, just fix the brakes and start driving the car in order to sort it out. Don't worry about looks. Most people appreciate how old and special the car is.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Well keep us informed, if you are going brakes are first I suppose. Wheel cylinders and master cylinders and kits are still available.
    Roger
  • SamJ
    SamJ Senior Contributor
    Phantomrig: If you are interested in receiving a complimentary copy of the White Triangle News, National Hudson Club Magazine, email me with your snail mail address and I'll send you one.

    HETfortyqtpi@earthlink.net (drop the HET)
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Welcome aboard. I agree. Just get it running and stopping and have fun with it. I'd just put factory exhaust on it for now. You won't notice the difference unless you're racing it. The first show you drive it to, you'll get more interest than you thought possible. These will fit my Hornet and yours. New and $12 to $15 each

    Wheel cylinder Coni-Seal WC13600 40-54 Hudson LR 15/16 in Bendix 33600
    Wheel cylinder Coni-Seal WC13221 48-54 Hudson RF 1 1/8 in Bendix 33221
    Wheel cylinder Coni-Seal WC13601 40-54 Hudson RR 15/16 in Bendix 33601
    Wheel cylinder Coni-Seal WC13220 48-54 Hudson LF 1 1/8 in Bendix 33220

    For the driveshaft, U-joints are NAPA 369 Center bearing NAPA BR 88507 or 88506
    Rubber snubbers available from KGap. DON'T get the shafts out of phase.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    I would suggest that you join the H-E-T Club, because it's a great source of information and a way of tapping into the large network of Hudson owners. Most of the people who participate in this Forum are already members.

    You might also look into joining a local chapter of the Club, if their activities take place in your area (some parts of the U.S. are "black holes" for any Hudson activity, unfortunately!). Whether or not you join a chapter, do check the National roster when it's sent to you, and find the people in your area with a Hornet similar to yours. You will find that many Hudson owners are happy to share their knowledge with their fellow owners, and the hands-on information you get from them will be even better than the excellent advice you'll get from this forum.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Thank You everybody for your comments. Joining the HET club is on my todo list as I know that at one time my father was a member but that was in the 80's. dad also owned a 52 and 54 hornet but he got rid of them before i was born. as far as hudson activity goes in my are(West Cleveland Ohio Specifically Brookpark) there are only a few hudsons that im aware of, a 46/7 pickup, 49 commodore with a hornet engine, and a 54 Jet.

    as far as the brakes go dad apparently had them profecionally rebuilt a while ago and all is there accept for a master cylander that jsut needs rebuilt but i will go through the entire system before attempting to drive it.

    Here is a video my brother made last summer about my Hornet.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTal9eH_pJA
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I echo the other comment made on your dads workmanship, he did a great job under the hood, I am sure once you get it going you will have a ball driving it. I bet you will get a great feeling driving it, a real family treasure.
    Good luck on the job front, I hope something comes along for you. You will definately find all the info you need on this site, a great bunch of guys own Hudsons and are very supportive.

    Cheers Mike.
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    edited November 2010
    John,
    Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Erie Area Hudson Owners belong to the Western Reserve Chapter of the Hudson Club. A Chapter Contact is President Chuck Gleydura, @ 330 534 5610. He resides near Hubbard Oh (near Youngstown). Western Reserve has a Meet every Month except Jan & Feb (Due to Winter Storms) and publish a Monthly Newsletter named 'Hornets Nest'.

    Suggest Repairing the Safety Items first to get your Hornet on the road. Later, instead of Headers,(that can rust out) check out this Forum for the nice reproduction dual Exhaust Adapter that helped the Fabulous Hudson Racing Hornets win all the NASCAR Races.....

    If Interested, PM me if you would like a contact Person near Cleveland, a long time Hudson Qwner & Mechanic in the Chapter (not online) for additional advice .
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    ...and don't forget that Dave Kostansek, with lots of Hudson parts and expertise, hangs out in Williamsfield, Ohio, about 1-1/2 hours east of you.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]

    Welcome to the HET forum, please check in often and questions are welcomed.
    The dual outlet exhaust manifold adapter is available for less than $200. The price includes the adapter, the plate (to weld the exhaust pipes to), upper and lower gasket, and shipping. Price doesnt include manifold.
    Thanks for sharing your pictures and info about your Dad and his Hornet(s). Welcome, Bob & Betty
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    thank you all for your comments about dad craftmanship, he always did fine work and i wish he could have finished this car but for some reason or another it alwasy ended up on the back burner all these years. im currently looking into the u Joints and carrier bearing. once it is done i have alot of options with this car as i have a set of standard and wire wheels, a standard trans and over drive trans, and a sun visor. but for now i jsut wish to get it on the road and enjoy it the way dad never could.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    The overdrive is well worth the effort to put in. That may be why the drive shaft is out. Overdrive and Hydromatic use shorter driveshaft. The visor is much sought after and looks real cool. But realy cuts down visibility while driving.
    Roger
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    As I recal i have 2 sets of drive shafts. i do plan on putting in the over drive down the road but for now i jsut want to get it working and all the kinks worked out before i change anything. so that will probably be next winters project.
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Overdrive shaft should be 8 1/2 inches shorter than the standard if I remember right.

    I have a visor on my 49 and the only visibility issue is traffic lights. Stick your head out the window or get one of the prisms for the dash. There is significant wind noise from the visor however. They look cool, but Hudsons still look cool without them.
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    edited November 2010
    FYI
    Phantoming check your PM for a Contact near Cleveland. I talked with this Person at our Chapter Meet today.

    In a side Note from our Chapter Meet...
    Dave Kostansek reluctantly announced that he is cutting his Rebuild Services back further because shorthanded & the competition's pricing is less than he can buy materials.....
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