56 hydraulic lifters v earlier solid lifters

bob ward
bob ward Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Can the hydraulic lifters from a 56 308 be successfully fitted to the earlier stepdown engines?

Comments

  • PAULARGETYPE
    PAULARGETYPE Senior Contributor
    Bob That Is A Very Good Question I've Never Heard Of It Being Done Being I'm The 55,56,57 Tec Advisor You Would Think I Would Know But I Don't!! Sorry But No Help From This End But Good Luck In Your Quest And I'll Be Looking In To See The Answer And Will Be Marking It Down In My Book Of Tricks If And When Some One Answers

    Hudson Hashly

    Paulargetype
  • super651
    super651 Senior Contributor
    Bob, Yes the HYD. lifters will work in the 1948-1956 engines. 232-262-308.

    The bores and oil ports are the same.

    Thanks Rudy.
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    How about the cams. Hydraulic cams and solid lifter cams are usually different grinds?
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    My understanding is that the camshaft will have to be changed along with the lifters. The hydraulic lifters are smaller on the bottom, so the cam would have to be different.

    Geoff.
  • super651
    super651 Senior Contributor
    The lifters that i have are the same size. HYD-STD.

    Thanks Rudy.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Actually in 1955, Hudson used up the 742 cams with the hyd. lifter it had developed in "54 and recalled back due to pre-mature timing chain stretch and rough idle. When the motor idles the hyd. lifter actually bleeds--net result is lower lift and less duration on the camshaft. As the motor revs up oil pressure rises and keeps the lifter fully pumped up for total lift and duration, thus smooth idle with the 742 cam and good power at driving speeds. Good thinking by hudson to use up their cams.



    Randy
  • super651
    super651 Senior Contributor
    Caution, Do not use HYD-Lifters on the 309742-Flat-Top cam. The flat cam lobes will cause the lifters to bounce and can brake the Plunger-Spring.

    They can be used on all other NON FLAT TYPE cams. I had a set in a 308 with the ISKE-446 cam and all ran well.

    Thanks Rudy.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Rudy--have torn down several late motors with the 742 cam that had not previously been torn down. Al Saffrahn has mentioned to he has also.



    Randy
  • super651
    super651 Senior Contributor
    Randy, thanks for the input.

    The Springs in the lifters that i was using could have been weeker causing them to brake. This one 308 would shift around 6000 with a B.M Hydro. ( but we all know that the 308 is not made for that kind of R.P.M.)

    Hudsonly Rudy.

    ( would that R.P.M. cause them to brake?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Hooooley turbocharge Rudy. Hang on to your lifters and flywheel bolts.



    Randy
  • bob ward
    bob ward Senior Contributor
    Are new 308 hydraulic lifters available or do we need to keep recycling the old ones? Did other car makers use the hydraulic lifter that Hudson used?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Randy,

    can you use hydraulic lifters with the mechanical grind cam that you sell? and are they a better option than the solid adjustable ones?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Yes, you can use the hyd. lifters with my regrinds. I have never been a fan of the hyd. lifter in the hudson, but to each his own.



    Randy
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    super651 wrote:
    The Springs in the lifters that i was using could have been weeker causing them to brake. This one 308 would shift around 6000 with a B.M Hydro. ( but we all know that the 308 is not made for that kind of R.P.M.)

    Hudsonly Rudy.

    ( would that R.P.M. cause them to brake?



    Yes, excessive RPMs can cause the springs to break. Big block Chevrolet truck engines (366s and 427s) are known for it. Everytime my tow truck driver would let the 366 over-rev going down hill, it would break a spring. I got really good at changing them. :rolleyes:
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