engine swap

Hudsonrules · February 2007

I have a '41 Hudson tudor sedan on the 116 inch wheelbase that I plan on updating to a restore rod. I have a complete '86 Mercury Marques that has a good 302 engine and automatic transmission, I am thinking that a rear end from a granada will hold up far better than the stock Hudson rear end. I am saving all the wiring and computor components from the Merc. Any pointers,? ideas will be appreciated. Thanks, A.M.

Unknown · February 2007

Hi,

I am restoring a 41 sedan to the original. When there comes a time you may want to clear out your original parts give a yell. Good luck on your project.

kamzack · February 2007

My kindly hint would be to build a 308 with K-gap kit for 700R4 trans. with Ford rear. Saw a beautiful 46 coupe a few years ago with perfect paint all modern creature comforts and a built 308. Dare to be different. At least most of it will Hudson. Hudson Engines can be built to very dependable, ask Walt Mordenti.

Be encouraged,

Kim

Unknown · February 2007

Hi A.M.,

You have found the right place for help on your Hudson project, whether you decide to restore or hotrod it. As mentioned above there is a sub-forum for hot rods in addition to this one, which is great for getting help on making conversions to the Hudsons.

You'll find a lot of encouragement from this forum to keep the Hudson "all Hudson". (There are a LOT of purists(sp) here.) They do a pretty good job of tolerating those of us with modified Hudsons, and without them and their willingness to share their knowledge, many of us would be screwed .

Don't be intimidated by those that will chastise you for using a late model drive-train in your Hudson, because they will probably be the first to help you with other issues in putting your Hudson on the road.

Good luck with your build!

Terry

Unknown · February 2007

YEA. And at least you will be driving it instead of looking at it. Go for it. Also the Granada rear is a good choice and the small block Ford is a whole lot lighter than the Hudson engine and a added benifit is that by moving the engine weight back it will handle better.

terraplane8 · February 2007

tombia wrote:

YEA. And at least you will be driving it instead of looking at it. Go for it. Also the Granada rear is a good choice and the small block Ford is a whole lot lighter than the Hudson engine and a added benifit is that by moving the engine weight back it will handle better.

So how much lighter is a 302 than a 254 then? With ancillaries.

SuperDave · February 2007

Since a small block Ford has been mentioned as a suitable installation in a pre stepdown, i would like to add to that vote. Many years ago i installed a 289 Ford with an FMX automatic in a 46-47 Pickup Truck that had already had a worn out 308 installed. It was the easiest swap i have ever done. There is more than ample room for everything. A simple transmission crossmember made of angle iron. Some home fabricated front motor mounts to match up to the Ford engine were the hardest to make. I used plate steel cut and welded aftwer making cardboard patterns..I used the stock Hudson rear and drive line. The U joints were the same. I used the cable throttle linkage off the ford and it went in in about ten minutes. I had to run a fuel line around under the radiator to go to the left front Ford pump. The single lever Hudson transmission shift rod connected directly to the FMX tranny with a few washers and nuts. I did have a pressure cap put on the radiator and a different lower outlet installed just to make it a little neater. No alterations to the chassis. Just had to put some much softer springs in the front. The 260-289-302 and some 351's are all the same outside dimensions and very plentiful. And with an AOD.. Wow..

Davew

Unknown · February 2007

terraplane8 wrote:

So how much lighter is a 302 than a 254 then? With ancillaries.

Could not tell you weight diff., but maybe 200#, But in 1980 I put a 289 in my Terraplane 8 and it was a real pleasure to drive including 2 cross country trips pulling a trailer. Handled beautifully, no front end push which was due to engine weight being located 12" back from Hudson 8 engine. very easy swap, only drilled 2 holes in crossmember for transmission mount, used 51 Hudson rear for awhile, then put 8" ford under for better gearing. Why did I put the Hudson 8 back in it? Being that it is maybe 1 of possibly 4 or 5 coupes in existance. I thought that I should before I lost parts that were almost impossible to find and I had my fun. But I will tell you this it handles terrible as compared to the way it did with the small block Ford. but that is the way cars were built in 1933.

Hudsonrules · February 2007

I really want to thank everyone who passed on information and experience about replacing the 212 "6" in my '41 hudson tudor, with a Ford 302 and automatic transmission. My '41 is the traveler delux "6" which rides on a 116 inch wheelbase. The super and commodores were on a 121 inch wheelbase except for the Commodore Custom "8" which i think was on a 125 inch wheelbase. So I have the shorter front end, but if my measuring is right, the 302 should go in withlittle problem. I know a Hudson Jet engine will fit, however the engine compartment is to short for a step-down "6". I have a couple "49"'s that are all Hudson and they will be kept that way whille in my possesion. Again I say thanks, and I will keep you posted on the progress once the weather warms up a bit more. Arnie M.

terraplane8 · February 2007

Tombia,

It would have been interesting to have put your car over a weighbridge to see what the difference in weight was over the front wheels with the different engines. I guess what you are saying is that with the original engine the weight is further forward as well as being heavier.

Unknown · February 2007

You are right on.

engine swap

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