I was wondering if any Hambers can tell me what the wheel bolt pattern is for a 49 hudson Super Six 2 dr coupe? Also, who makes/sells hop up parts for the 308 six other than Uncommon Engineering? Anyone know? Thanx Rat
What a cool car! Love the 2-door Hudons from 48-53. I don't have any personal experience, but I found this on the web: http://www.volksrods.com/bolt_pattern_reference.htm Shows them to be 5 x 4 1/2. Nice reference there for wheel interchangeability. Of course, the usual caveats apply with information found on the web... Wife and I are trying to get preggers. Would like to get another project, but if we're successful, a two-passenger car won't be very family-friendly. Been thinking a Hudson would be a cool hamb-a-rific machine down the road. They come "pre-chopped" in a way, and its something different. Even the 4-doors are cool, and I never thought I'd say that. Good luck with whatever you're working on.
Same as small Ford and Mopar, 5x4 3/4". You'll need rims with holes for the locator pin, they use bolts instead of studs and lugs. And the rears in particular need to be fairly skinny. If the thing has old rims and tires on, try airing them up. You'd be surprised how well old tubes will hold air. Just try not to put more than 20-25 lbs in them.
I don't know if Clifford is still in business but they were the last known producer of special heads and intakes for the Hudsons. Even if they are, I'm not sure they would still have Hudson stuff available. Before Clifford it was Edmunds who went out of business long ago. Most of what Uncommon Engineering uses is modified stock, Clifford, or in the case of blower drives, headers, transmission/clutch adapters custom made. He's been known to have Moldex make a crank ($$$$); there are still a few custom cam grinders out there; injectors from late V-6 engines have been adapted; etc. Anybody with fabricating skills can make intake manifolds for in-line engines; headers the same.
Also suggest you Google Hudson Boys. Don Wilson from Washington state has been campaigning a series of (wild) Hudson powerd cars at Bonneville the past several years. He's made most of his stuff including a billet head (cross drilled for water). He holds quite a few records in streamliner and lakester classes.
Clifford is still in business and makes high-comp aluminum heads ($$$), 4 barrel intakes, and headers. They used to offer MUCH more. http://www.cliffordperformance.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CP&Category_Code=H8 Other speed parts are available from 21st Century Hudson (cams, lifters, pistons, roller timing chains, lifters, gasket sets, etc.) : 21st Century Hudson I see you already found Uncommon Engineering: http://www.uncommonengineering.com/
Hey thanx for the info guys; 5 x 4 1/2" is Mopar/Ford pattern yes. Wasnt aware they use bolts instead of studs. Thanx for the links too Hugh, didint know Clifford was doin stuff for 308 engines. Now you know why we love the HAMB hehe !!! THANX A BUNCH !! Rat
Rat- Glad to help. Also check the Hudson forum at Classic Cars; there's a Hudson hot rods section. Hudson - Classic Car - Where Car Lovers Click
The best cams for the Hudson are the Maas' cams: http://www.21stcenturyhudson.net/ 21st Century also has some other goodies, like the mopar lifters for a bit larger diameter "foot", same effect as rocker ratio in ohv engines. They also have custom 7x valves, etc. The mopar lifters require a smidge shorter valve stem. Randy and Russ can walk you through the parts choices. They can get downright exotic, for less money and more actual track experiance than Uncommon Engineering - still not cheap. Bearings, gaskets, and lower priced 7x valves (as well as stock) can be had from Dale Cooper http://www.hudsonmotorcarco.com/parts.htm Iskenderian still has valve springs and their proprietary cam regrinds, but you'll have to contact them directly. Clifford still offers the aluminum head, single 4 barrel intake, and a triple weber intake. The center hub-hole on the Ford 5 x 4 1/2" rim is different and won't work properly. Mopar rear wheel drive rims are spot-on identical. Mopar rally wheels look sharp on a Hudson and the old heavy-duty mopar police rims are really a good choice. A P-255/70 will fit on the rear with the 7" wide mopar police rims - barely. Having the lug bolt arrangement makes a set of Torque Thrusts a really nice/easy Hudson option, they look killer on a Super Six coupe. Sounds like you have the makings of a really nice ride! Nothing wrong with a hot 262 engine either, if you have problems finding a good 308. Hud
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