254 Speed equipment

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Occaisionally someone will mention headers and multi-carb intakes for the eight, I can visualize both, but headers that I conjure are kind of bizarre. Do they arch over the top of the intake or the cylinder head? Or has my fevered imagination taken me a bit too far? Any pictures would be nice if there are such things.

Joe

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I think an eight with the edmunds dual manifold and finned head would be terrific and get lots of attention. It's got to be 10X rarer than for the six though. If I remember correctly, I think I only ever seen one of each on ebay the last 5-10 years though. (and brought some good $$$$) It would be the ultimate for an early stepdown eight, hope you find what you're looking for!!!! Would love to see pics of this in a stepdown!
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    Here is an article from '50 on the performance of the Hudson 8:



    Hudson8hotrod3-50.jpg



    Hudson8hotrod3-50-2.jpg



    I agree a Hudson 8 with dual carbs and finned head would be hot!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Very interesting read. Thanks for posting this.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    In spite of the article's statement about the ample cross section of the exhaust manifold, as posted elsewhere earlier here on the forum my experience with a slightly modified Eight back in the early fifties indicated that a more free flowing exhaust helped quite a bit. I had a dual exhaust manifold made by adding a second outlet midway in the aft half of the original manifold. Aside from sounding great, the performance with the dual manifold was noticably stronger than without it. The other engine mods were .060" bore, milled head, flattening the contour of the bottom of the tappets, stronger valve springs, and a Mallory distributor. The 3300 pound '38 sedan ran the quarter at 17 seconds and 84 mph. Later, the same engine, stuffed in a 2500 pound '35T coach, would "smoke" a (then new) '56 Corvette.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Great stuff. Thanks for your replies. I've got something to dream about.

    Joe
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    I think there is quite a bit of evidence that the 8 was really hamstrung by the exhaust manifold. The layout of the ports coming out of the top of the engine is too bad and makes headers a PIA to work with on this engine. I do believe that the 8 was used in a quite a bit of racing in the late '30s and mid 40s.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Rudy Bennett of El Paso Texas was a pal of Clive Gibson. Clive was a man who knew how to get peak preformance from Hudson engines and automobiles. The following is an extract of information that Rudy shared with me and granted persmission to pass on. Enjoy.



    http://members.aol.com/RCSACIMT/CLIVE_GIBSON_Hudson8.pdf
  • super651
    super651 Senior Contributor
    Thanks Ken,for the re-print. Clive wrote me a few letters back then and all of them were full of info on the 308 and the in-line 8 cyl. ( WISH I COULD HAVE MEET HIM .

    For more info on the 8 cyl engine some one needs to call WILCAP Company in Pismo Beach Ca. 805-481 7639 and speak with PATRICK. I was talking to him last week to order one of there Adaptors for the GM Trans.to the 308 engine that they make andhe was telling me about a 8 cyl engine that he has and was one of 2- built by Hudson for the INDI.RACe TRACK back in the 1930s the intake is on the ex-valves and the ex is on the intake. Plus more MODS made by hudson.

    That is all the tim i had to talk to him so some one that wants to follow-up on this please give him a call

    Hope this helps Rudy
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