Piston or bearing swap - please help!

BigSky
BigSky Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Does anyone know if there is a good option for doing away with my babbitted bearings? Also, if there is a replacement Piston which may be better and/or cheaper?



Basically, I am looking to rebuild the straight 8 engine in the 37' and want to see if there is a good upgrade instead using factory style replacements? I would like to bring it a little more up to date internally if possible since I am planning to soup it up.



Thanks!

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    I have heard of guys replacing the babbitted rod bearings with insert-type bearings. Requires a bit of machining but should be do-able. I'm told the bearings are for a Jeep; Federal Mogul #9955 SB
  • BigSky
    BigSky Senior Contributor
    Jon,



    Any idea who has done this? I am interested in talking to them first hand if possible!



    Have you heard of other "up-grades" which are done or have been done which have been a benefit or improvement on the old style? I'd love to pressurize it but that could be quite a process if not down right impossible.



    Thanks, I always appreciate your knowledge and input!
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Well, unfortunately, two fellows I knew who had this done, and were quite happy with the results, have passed away!



    There is one fellow who did it but was not happy with the results (Cliff? Are you out there???) Send me your e-mail and I'll give you his name and e-mail address, and you can query him on his experience with it.



    Jon



    HETdetailed@verizon.net (delete the HET first...)
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Husker Nation wrote:
    Does anyone know if there is a good option for doing away with my babbitted bearings? Also, if there is a replacement Piston which may be better and/or cheaper?



    Basically, I am looking to rebuild the straight 8 engine in the 37' and want to see if there is a good upgrade instead using factory style replacements? I would like to bring it a little more up to date internally if possible since I am planning to soup it up.



    Thanks!

    There are not other pistons that will fit as far as I am aware. there are replacement pistons available, but do not use the sets that only have 3 ring grooves. Hudson pistons need the oil ring below the piston pin, otherwise you will never stop them burning gobs of oil. As for the babbitted bearings, I have successfully converted a 1930 Hudson8 over to shell bearings in the con rods, using Continental C4 rod bearings. these engines were used in Clark Forklifts. The conversion is not that easy however in engines from '34 onwards, as the bolts are closer together, and machining the rods out to the required tunnel size cuts into the bolts, so there is some fiddling with relieving the sides of the bearing shells after the machining is done. the rods have to be bored out to 2.1625". I have used Hillman Hunter main bearing shells to convert the Mains in 6 cylinder motors, but you have to allow extra clearance, and cut criss-cross oil grooves, or they will tend to sieze, as they are designed for pressure lubrication. I'm not convinced that this is an acceptable conversion, as compared to a good re-metalling job. In both cases, there is line-boring necessary. The original bronze shells have to bored out and the new shells inserted inside them. You have to use .060" undersize shells for the front bearing, and either standard or undersize for the others. Altogether, a lot of messing around for a questionable advantage.

    Geoff.

    Geoff.
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