262 or 308 ?

Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
in my 51 hornet sedan i have 262 but i was told it might be a 308 with a 262 head how can you tell if its a 308 or 262 ?

Comments

  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    I believe there is a rib in the block, running front to back, just an inch or so above the oil pan flange, on the 308 but not the 262. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but gently, as is the custom on this board ;>)
  • I don't know about other years/models, but the block in my '53 Hornet sedan has a very clear '308' stamped right on top, near the front.
  • nick s
    nick s Senior Contributor
    dak, are you referriing to the raised numbers in the head? i have not seen the blocks actually identified. any wideblock head (232 262 308) will bolt-up to any wide block and either narrow block (232 262) will bolt to either narrow head so this is not a good identifying mark. on a engine just laying around moving up or down is possible just to seal things up, but for a running engine, the intended or next head down (e.g. 262 on a 308 for higher compression) is highly likely as i doubt anyone would intentionally drop the compression. mike is correct about the extra rib on the 308, i don't believe you can discern a 232 from a 262 without measuring the stroke though. other than serial number but there are exceptions as wasps could have either number and i am not sure that all years have the model prefix in the motor serial number.
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    308's have a stiffening rib near the bottom, as pointed out.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex B
  • nick s wrote:
    dak, are you referriing to the raised numbers in the head? i have not seen the blocks actually identified. any wideblock head (232 262 308) will bolt-up to any wide block and either narrow block (232 262) will bolt to either narrow head so this is not a good identifying mark.



    I stand corrected
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    On both sides by the way.
  • Mike (WA) wrote:
    I believe there is a rib in the block, running front to back, just an inch or so above the oil pan flange, on the 308 but not the 262. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but gently, as is the custom on this board ;>)



    Mike is right... see the picture... 308s have the rib... others do not.
  • Yes, the phrase "Ribbed for Pleasure!" comes to mind!

    I use two other features to tell which series the big sixes

    are, narrow block 48-50 series #1, wide block 51-54 series

    #2 & 55-56 AMC series #3.

    The picture above also a extra dipstick boss that is below

    the distributor and to the right about 3" and just above

    the oil pan rail that was used on the series 3 55 & 56 AMC

    bodied Hudsons.

    There is also a number pad in the head gasket surface

    that is above & to the left of the oil fill tube that I have

    been told that only the 55 & 56's used. I am not totally

    sure about this point because I have seen some other

    Hudson engines with this pad.

    The dip stick pad can be used to date, at least as a series #3

    Hudson 308. I find this better than looking for 1/2" head

    studs or bolts as a lot of the series #2 have been converted.

    My personal preference is the series #3 because of the superior

    neoprene crankshaft main seals, larger 1/2 head bolts and

    larger crankshaft flywheel bolts.

    PaceRacer50
  • PaceRacer50 and Hudson 308,



    Can either of you decipher the following numbers?



    Pad # 5321096

    Casting # 5325000



    Thanks!
  • as i look at the pic my block looks just like this one it has the same marks under the starter and in front of the block also if thr rib is the casting marks that stick out on the bottom of the block
  • with the pic on this from where is the rib also just to make sure im looking at the right thing
  • nick s
    nick s Senior Contributor
    madhornet wrote:
    with the pic on this from where is the rib also just to make sure im looking at the right thing
    the "rib" runs front to rear, i tried to highlight it
  • Hudson 308, You're right, the casting number is indeed the same as the one in the photo. Thanks for the heads up on where the casting date is located as well as your assistance.
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