Hornet crank Hydro to standard modification

Courtesy Man
Courtesy Man Expert Adviser
in "How To" - Skills, mechanical and other wise

Hi can the crank end be modified from Hydromatic to standard transmission? Considering putting Hornet engine in 1948 Convertible - frames not drilled with Hydro motor mount crossmember untill 1951 - the crank I have I believe it is for Hydro. Seems to me if I remember correctly that standard transmission cars had ball bearings retainer placed in flywheel and Hydro had crank drilled for trans. input shaft. Has anyone done this? I would like to use Hydro crank (machined) and rebuilt Hornet engine in my 1948 Hudson. Gert

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  • KenU_Tx
    KenU_Tx Member

    Gert: Yes, you can use the 308 crank with the bronze bushing for Hydramatic with the stick shift flywheel, since the pilot bearing for the stickshift mainshaft is pressed into the stickshift flywheel itself. In fact, all 308 cranks were drilled for the Hydramatic bushing, whether the engine was mated to a Hydramatic or a stickshift.....Now I don't know if all the 308 cranks had the bronze bushing pressed in, but it shouldn't interfere with the pilot bearing on the stickshift flywheel as it is recessed in the crank ahead of the stick flywheel. As long as you have a 51-54 308 with the six 3/8-24 studs, the Stepdown stickshift flywheel will fit. Now if you have the 55-56 308 with it's 1/2" shorter crank, using six 7/16-20 bolts, you will need the 1/2" thick adapter to use the Stepdown stickshift flywheel.

  • Courtesy Man
    Courtesy Man Expert Adviser

    Thank you so much Ken - what I needed to know - Gert

  • paulrhd29nz
    paulrhd29nz Member

    Ken , I have to say , your wealth of information that you give this site does not go unnoticed.

    I thank you for what you do to our club.

  • 54coupe
    54coupe Member

    A 48-54 standard issue flywheel will not fit on a 55-56 crankshaft. The 55-56 crank has a larger diameter flange, and the bolt pattern doesn't match.

  • KenU_Tx
    KenU_Tx Member
    https://openforum.hetclub.org/discussion/comment/255484#Comment_255484

    "Now if you have the 55-56 308 with it's 1/2" shorter crank, using six 7/16-20 bolts, you will need the 1/2" thick adapter to use the Stepdown stickshift flywheel." Russ Maas has an adapter on his 21st Century Hudson website to use the 48-54 stick shift flywheel on the 55-56 short crank with the bigger flange and six 7/16-20 bolts.

  • Courtesy Man
    Courtesy Man Expert Adviser

    Thank you for the responses - appreciate it. The block and crank are 1952 Hornet. Gert

  • 54coupe
    54coupe Member
    https://openforum.hetclub.org/discussion/comment/255488#Comment_255488

    Hi Ken, I only see the one for a hydramatic...

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