front sheet metal

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hi every one, I'm getting ready to do some serious work to my 54 wasp. I'm attempting to fit a 308 and hydro to it. Its currently a 232 standard shift no OD. My question is, has any of you ever taken the front end off intact. I am refering to the fenders, grille and rad support as a unit to make engine work a little easier. I am thinking if I did this and put it away there would less danger of scratching the paint as well. Any advice on the mechanicals I am doing would be greatly appreciated as well.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all

Jim

Comments

  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    Only way to do front end removal....Motor & Trans will interchange easily using the rear hydro mounts, etc;Everyone busy tonite so more detail will ptpbably follow....Keep in mind Std has lower gear ratio so plan on chging rear to hydro 3.07. Happy Holiday
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    You will have to use a Hydro crossmember as the stick crossmember has no provision for hydro style transmission mounts. Also you may have to have some driveshaft work done unless donor car has correct length driveshaft. Front part of of the clip is secured by a large bolt in front crossmember, below radiator,mark and remove wiring from inner fenders. Remove bolts from inner fenders to frame and inner fenders to "cab". Lastly remove bolts that secure fenders to firewall. I am assuming that you have already removed the radiator. Find three stong friends ,one on either fender one in front, to assist with removal of the clip. Good Luck Lou Cote
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Jimalberta wrote:
    Hi every one, I'm getting ready to do some serious work to my 54 wasp. I'm attempting to fit a 308 and hydro to it. Its currently a 232 standard shift no OD. My question is, has any of you ever taken the front end off intact. I am refering to the fenders, grille and rad support as a unit to make engine work a little easier. I am thinking if I did this and put it away there would less danger of scratching the paint as well. Any advice on the mechanicals I am doing would be greatly appreciated as well.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all

    Jim



    The front end can be removed as an asembly after removing the inner fender panels and the bumper. You will need an extra hand..invite a friend over for a beer.:eek:
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    I've changed several stepdown engines with trannys attached. Just remove radiator and the grill. Put blankets over the fenders. A lot of unnessary work to remove them in my opinion.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Uncle Josh wrote:
    I've changed several stepdown engines with trannys attached. Just remove radiator and the grill. Put blankets over the fenders. A lot of unnessary work to remove them in my opinion.



    thats the best idea yet , if your worried about paint damage dont take the fenders off.
  • EssexAdv
    EssexAdv Expert Adviser, Member
    Jim, there is a large bolt in the center front cross member which holds the core support to the frame., undo this bolt. Then. undo the bolts (4 each side) which hold the rear of the fenders to the cowl. 3 of them are located behind the interior kick panel and the 4th is at the top of the fender. Open up the door and look between the fender and the door. Then pull all the wires off the inner fenders. Pull the wires off the headlamp terminals. Pull the turn signal wires, if so equipped, at the bayonet fitting in the wire harness. Remove the wiper hose from the right inner fender and anything else which will hold things in place.

    I leave the big inner fenders bolted to the fender and the core support for added rigidity: they keep the fenders from wiggling around. However you must remove the small splash guards from the inner fenders as well as the nuts holding the big inner fenders to the diagonal frame stiffeners.

    I leave the hood on and locked closed for rigidity also. This makes things heavier but easier to handle.


    Before you try to move it, tape off every seam with masking tape to eliminate chips. I usually use 3 to 4 strips of tape on the rear fender edge and another set on the leading front door edge. I also use the same amount on the cowl and side opening for the hood.

    If can be done without damaging any paint if you are careful. I have had to do it several times on very nice cars.

    Hope this helps.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    thanks for the replies so far....I have thought about just leaving the fenders on as well and taping or wrapping blankets around them. might be best to leave them alone.



    I am using 2 cars as donor cars, a 53 super wasp will donate its transmission, crossmember,fly wheel, driveshaft and steering column and a 54 hornet to donate its motor, and twin carb setup.



    I'm not sure about the rear ends. I don't know the ratio of the 53 yet but I do know the 54 wasp has a 4:10 and might be too low for the 308-hydro combination.



    I just wish the steering wheel in the hornet was in better shape. The steering wheel in my 54 wasp is just a plain jane type and not very fancy.

    the steering wheel in the 53 is better but not real good.



    Anyhow it should be an interesting project.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    oh yes, another question....does the center floor pan need to be changed? I haven't done a lot of measuring on it yet but I was thinking that the automatic transmission might be higher into the car a bit...not sure about that.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    DCENTER FLOOR PANS ARE THE SAME AND ACCEPT EEITHER STICK OR AUTO ASSYS. DO NOT PULL FRONT CLIP, A LOT OF UNNECESSARY WORK. YOU WILL HAVE TO CUT OUT STANDARD TRANS CROSS MEMBER TO INSTALL HYDRO CROSS MEMBER USE A CHAINFALL WITH ADJUSTABLE SLING SO ENGINE AND TRANS CAN BE TITLLTED AT ABOUT A 45 DEPGREE ANGLE TO INSTALL. HAVE DONE DOZENS OF THESE JOBS. TAKE MY ADVICE, PLEASE, bill albright
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    thats great Bill, I do appreciate hearing from an expert like yourself and I will definately take your advice.
  • EssexAdv
    EssexAdv Expert Adviser, Member
    Jim, what steering wheel are you looking for. I have a decent 54 Hornet in tan/cream and a really nice one in green.


    Also, if you pull the radiator and the top sheet metal in the core support it will make it a lot easier to pull the motor and transmission out of the car through the front. Check the service manual it tells you how to do it. I too, like Bill would not pull the sheet metal unless it is a real nice car where you are worried about the effects the blankets would have on the paint. Hate to say this but there aren't a lot of Hudson's which fit into that category.
  • duncan
    duncan Expert Adviser
    The 54 steering wheel that you have is it IVORY color because I am looking for an ivory steering wheel for my 54 Hornet Hollywood.



    HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody duncan
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Lew my interior is green so the green one would be great. could you pm me on it..thanks...Jim
  • duncan
    duncan Expert Adviser
    Hi Lew could you pm me on the steering wheel duncan
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    All I did to remove the engine and tranny from my old '50 C6 was remove the hood, rad, grille, and the support - came right out with tilting the assembly up a tad. Took about two hours, and that included the time unbolting the engine and trans from their mounts.
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