Engine and drive train swapp'n

bobbydamit
bobbydamit Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Can I take a complete '53 Hornet 308 engine, Hydromatic GM, drive shaft and the rear end, and put it in a '51 Pacemaker without too much trouble? The Pacemaker is a cable stick with OD., and that alone is a problem, but even if I could swap the engines, a 262 single bbl, with a 308 Twin H, would be great. And the '53 differential should be a boost in mileage and a lower rpm at 70 too. What say you older swapers. The Hornet is complete so stearing column is there, but body rusted way too bad. :eek:

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    It will all swap pretty easy. You will need to use the crossmember for the Hydro of course as well as the steering column from the '53 if nothing else so all your linkage will work. Keep going with the 308, you'll be happy with it.
  • vmike
    vmike Member
    I have a related question. Is there somewhere, a book, tech sheet, website, whatever that contains specifications for the Hudson engines? I've been looking but haven't stumbled on to exactly what I'm looking for. Things like dimensions, oil passage layout, water passage layout as well as all the normal specs. I have a 232, 262 and a 308 headed my way, but in the interum I'd like to study up a little. This is my first venture into modifying of a Hudson engine, so I'd like to learn as much as I can about them. It's the engineer in me. If someone can point me in the right direction I'd greatly appreciate it. I was reading this post and started wondering if the transmission bolt pattern was the same on all three engines so I can fabricate an adapter for my dyno.



    Thanks,



    mike
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    You'll probably have to do something about the driveshaft, also, because of the different wheelbases between the two models. Also, I think the hydro transmission is longer (so shorter driveshaft)- you'll probably have to "cut and paste" between the two to get the right length.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Also, keep in mind, the hydro linkage/accelerator pedal linkage will be different for a short wheelbase car.



    you will need to find that, I do believe....





    Ohh.... and the 53 rear is different than the 51 rear... you will need to swap the whole thing, not just the differential, If I am not mistaken...
  • PAULARGETYPE
    PAULARGETYPE Senior Contributor
    HI WELL THESE GUYS ARE ALMOST RIGHT THE ORIGNAL CROSS MEMBER HAS TO BE REMOVED THAT IS EASYER SAID THAN DONE AS IT'S RIVITED AND WELDED IN PLACE NOW ON TO THE STEERING COLUMN WILL BE A DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THE PACEMAKERS SHORT WHEEL BASE AND THE REAR END IN THE PACEMAKER IS A HUDSON (3RD MEMBER TYPE) AND THE 53 HAS A SPICER44 3.07 REAR END AND THE LINKAGE AS HAS BEEN STATED WILL HAVE TO BE HAND BUILT THE PACEMAKER GAS PEDDEL IS HINDGED DIFFERENT ON THE FLOOR BOARD AND THE DRIVE SHAFT WILL HAVE TO BE SHORTED I DID THE ENGINE SWAP AND REAR END SWAP ON MY 'BABY' PROJECT A FEW YEARS AGO IT TOOK SOME DOING BUT IT ALL WORKS FINE AND THE ENGINE TRANS AND REAR END WILL ALL FIT IT JUST MAKING EVERY THING HOOK UP

    http://groups.msn.com/HudsonEssexTerraplaneBulletinBoard/50hudsonpcvrestobaby.msnw?Page=1



    GOOD LUCK

    HUDSONLY

    PAUL
  • bobbydamit
    bobbydamit Expert Adviser
    I was all set to do this thing but Paul scared me into thinking the best thing is to swap out the engines only and have the twin H 308 power in the lighter Pacemaker. This is probably not that difficult I'm guessing. What say you guru's about that one.

    P.S. I have a new heavy duty, large dia. clutch in there now and the O.D. is rebuilt as well. I'm not sure about the rear end but I will put in the higher ratio geared one to get the best/lowest cruzing rpm. Bobby
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    Swaping in a stick O/D would be easier than a hydro but both are quite doable. Here in Chicago Jim Moran the famous Hudson dealer used to take in short wheelbase Pacemakers and in order to make them more saleable on his used car lot he would have his mechanics put Hornet 308 engines in these cars and put a badge on the trunk that said "Baby Hornet". He would also bolt on aftermarket fins to keep things current in the mid-'50's if a customer wanted them to look more like '54's. The physical dimensions on the 232 262 & 308 are the some as far as motor mounts go. I'm pretty sure there's not mount difference between wide and narrow blocks of the earlier step-down years but as others have indicated the Hydramatic transmission mounts are indeed different.
  • bobbydamit
    bobbydamit Expert Adviser
    "Baby Hornet" I like that ring. I wish I had thought of that back in my racing days when I ran a Jet body with a 308 stuffed into it, with twin H and a low geared rear end. I ran in J stock and did a 14.92 one day and blew the doors off a Rambler Rebel V8, Caddy V8 and a Ford Flat head V8. They couldn't believe there eyes. I still have the Gopher State Timing Association GSTA ticket to prove it. I think I will go for the power again. thanks all for the input. Maybe even punch it out to .080 over if I can still fine pistons for it.
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