New Owner of a 41 De Lux

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I recently purchased a 41 2 door coupe, and was informed that it was the 212 w/overdrive. How do I accurately determine if this is in fact true.

I was my intention to convert it to a Merc Flathead(wanted to clone my grandfathers racer), but if it is the 212 I may be inclined to keep it stock.

Also, does anyone make a trans. adapter for the smaller inline six for late model automatic?

How about intake or exhaust upgrades?



I just sent in my app. for the HET club .

Any help would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks



Ray

Comments

  • Clutchguy
    Clutchguy Senior Contributor
    44 Bulldog wrote:
    I recently purchased a 41 2 door coupe, and was informed that it was the 212 w/overdrive. How do I accurately determine if this is in fact true.

    I was my intention to convert it to a Merc Flathead(wanted to clone my grandfathers racer), but if it is the 212 I may be inclined to keep it stock.

    Also, does anyone make a trans. adapter for the smaller inline six for late model automatic?

    How about intake or exhaust upgrades?



    I just sent in my app. for the HET club .

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.



    Thanks



    Ray



    Ray,is this the 41 Cpe.that was on Ebay?.,Valparaso,In.? If it has O/Dr.there should be a 6 pin relay under the hood,also should be a cable under the dash,and if it is factory,there should be an electrical switch on top of that cable.Do you have any pictures of it under the hood?.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Yes, this the one off E-Bay (Indiana)

    I'll check it out and get back.

    Thanks!!
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Ray, you might want to "drive it around the block" before you go converting the engine and transmission! The 212 has about 101 hp which pulls it around quite nicely, and gets fairly decent gasoline mileage as well. The clutch is smooth (don't forget you need to make sure it's got Hudsonite in it), and the overdrive would mean you can cruise at a respectable 60 mph or more.



    Quickest way to find of you have overdrive, is to look below the dashboard for a silvery flat knob, about 1-1/2" in diameter, with a couple of concentric rings stamped into it.



    Here's a 212. This is a '37; yours would have the distributor on the top, at the rear of the engine. Actually, they offered a similar-looking but somewhat more anemic engine in 1941, which you would want to "chuck"; what is your car's serial number, and what are the markings on the head?



    1937_Terraplane_engine%20(29).jpg
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    How do I determine if it is actually a 212
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    You'll have to give us the engine number which is stamped on the front of the block between the exhaust manifold and the head. The 175 and 212 shared the same block and the difference was in the crank so it's hard to tell at a glance. However, the 175s in 41 had the compression ratio raised to 7.25 which is cast in the head about 2/3 of the way back on the top. The 212 wouldn't have this unless of course somebody had tried to hop up the 212.



    Another thing, that leads us to the 212 is the Overdrive, as the OD in the 175 would have made it pretty wimpy.l



    The motor S/N will tell us.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    OK Gents

    Here is what I got.



    Vehicle serial # P 1045529



    on top of head: F 8 9 59569

    3

    CWC



    Power Dome



    on drivers side of block:

    (just above cover) BN V 34943

    41









    On raised script lower on block:

    166270

    CWC

    2



    On front of block:

    5 4 3 6





    I hope this helps( The numbers and letters are laid out how they are positioned on the block and head)



    Thanks
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    If it has a P in the serial number (located on the right front door post), than it's a Model 10P DeLuxe six with the smaller 3"x4-1/8" 175 cid engine.



    Models in 41 ran as follows:

    With the 175 engine:

    10T Traveller Six

    10P Deluxe Six

    10C Business Six

    Cars in the 10 series using a 212 engine will have the letter "L" in the serial number, but not in the engine number.

    All 10 series vehicle serial numbers started at 10-101;



    with the 212 engine:

    11 Super Six (11-101)

    12 Commodore Six (12-101)



    For more information check my web site @ www.freewebs.com/hudsontech - for serial numbers click on "Hudson Serial Numbers".



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    HudsonTech

    Memphis, TN
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I understand the serial number listing, but it was supposedly ordered with the 212 upgrade option.

    I will add some photos.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Also the text didn't appear as I typed it in my previous post, I will take a photo to show the layout of te numbers and script
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    So if a guy had a 175 block can he add pistons, rods and crank and make a 212 motor?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Does it have a Carter WDO (dual throat), or is the carburetor a single throat? The 212 would use the WDO in 1941, I believe. DK
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    FYI

    I would table thinking about switching motors until after your in the Hudson Club and read about all the Speed & Endurance Records that Hudson'set set through-out the years. However, If you must upgrade, consider a later model Hudson motor with Automatic to help appreciate your investment..
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    It could use a Carter 1bbl. 454s carb on a model 10 or 20
  • bellbigdawg
    bellbigdawg Expert Adviser
    if you ever want to get rid of that overdrive, I got a 41 hudson pickup just begging for an overdrive! anyway, it has an original WAI 454S single barrel carberator on an original 212.
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Well, you could pull the head or the pan and check the stroke, but it just occurred to me that I think you could check the stroke using a piece of coat hanger with a 'U' bent in the end that would cup the bottom of a rod cap.



    Stick it thru the fuel pump hole so half of the wire is outside the block, and rests on the bottom of the pump hole.



    Measure the hight of the end at top dead center as determined by the timing mark, then rotate half a turn and measure the hight again. Let me know if it works as I haven't actually done it...but I'm gonna try it.
  • Clutchguy
    Clutchguy Senior Contributor
    Ray,there is something you should do before you start this engine up.You should drop the oil pan and clean it out.This is something the shop manual says to do anyway and my experience has been that they are always full of old sludge,especially after setting for awhile.You don't want this circulating in the engine anyway.It is a VERY easy job.Obtain the shop manual,and if you don't have one yet,contact someone in the DFW area,they have a big chapter and someone will loan it to you until yours arrives.When you have the pan down,look at the last 3 digits on the connecting rods,they will end in either 369 or 381,the last 3 being "381"means it is the short stroke,175 cid engine.You can get the oil pan gasket set from Dale Cooper.Do not use silicone when doing this job,it just makes a mess!!! If you need further instructions or assistance,just ask.DW:)
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    The Wise Clutch Man speaks with a wisdom that transcends his years. Heed ye well his teachings, lest there be much wailing and gnashing of teeth and rending of garments in thy garage...
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Thanks alot Gents, I will update as soon as I know what I've got!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    It does have the WA1 454S Carb.
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Carburetors on six cylinder were used as follows:



    WA1-454S - 1940 "40" series (40T Traveler, 40P Deluxe and 40C commercial;

    - 1941 "10" series (same as above)

    - 1942 "20" series (same as above)

    This series used the 3" x 4-1/8" 175 cid engine



    WDO-430SV - 1940 Models 41, 43 to s/n 3115

    WDO-461S - 1940 Models 41, 43 after s/n 3115; 1941 before s/n 2140; and models 10, 18, 20 and 28 with 212 cid engine; 1942 six exc "20" series.



    Check out the Manufacturers Number link on my web page:

    www.freewebs.com/hudsontech



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    HudsonTech

    Memphis, TN
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Well its a little disheartening that it is most likely the smaller six, maybe I can find a later model alternative before opting for different V-8 option.



    Going to pick up a another frame with no rust, tommorrow, so that's where it will start.

    Hope to have it done to drive to Vegas for Viva weekend in April.



    If anyone has any power train suggestions, feel free to let me know.



    Thanks guys!



    Ray
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    I'm glad to hear you're considering using a Hudson powerplant. Let's face it, a unique car like a Hudson deserves a unique engine....like a Hudson! I'm fairly sure that the 3x5 will drop right in (but verify this beforehand!) and you may be able to find one from someone who's street rodding a Hudson.



    I don't think you mentioned whether or not you actually had overdrive. If not, it's a worthwhile item to have, and will extend the life (and speed) of your 3x5, allowing you to cruise at 60 or more while giving you decent gasoline mileage (my '37 with overdrive got around 18 mpg. overall on a trip to the National this summer, which isn't bad for the era. And that was after correcting for speedometer error. You may be able to do better). I'm fairly sure you can use an overdrive from the later models as well, not just for your year -- but again, you'd want to verify this.
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