Alright looks like I'm really going to dump the old original straight 8 in my Hudson in favor of a newer inline motor. After much consulting with some cool old Hudson guys at the antique nats, who I thought would chew me a new one for dumping the original mill, they all said "dump that boat anchor!". Now my quesstions are do any HAMBers have much experiance with either of these engines? Three of the Hudson guys are running Ford 300's due to the fact that they damn near drop in and the intake & exhaust are on the same side as the original Hudson setup so no steering clearance problems. Also one of the guys has the "hot setup" on his Ford 300, Chrysler flat top pistons, cam headers Clifford intake etc... He says the Chevy 292 is a better bet for performance though, and from what I've heard about Leo Santucchis work with them you can really get a 292 to haul ass. Just wondering what 292's came in , casting numbers etc....Also what trannys (auto prefferd so the wife could drive it too) bolt up to the 292. Guess a C-6 or an AOD will hook up to the Ford 300. I'd love to keep the car "inline" but I want something that can get out of its own way too!
Ya know, in a way, I'd hafta say it comes down to what engine/trans combo you or your local mechanic feels more familiar with. Both of these inline engines can be built to make some real serious power on the dragstrip, and both of them can provide plenty of low rpm torque to get you moving. Having a low axle ratio and an OD trans are all part of this, too. There is a lot of technical info available for the 292", such as the Chevrolet Inline Six Cylinder Power Manual by Leo Santucci (Motorbooks, 1-800-826-6600). In addition to Leo, lots of other well know inliners have raced the 292", like Jamie Frankland on the east coast, and Dick Bertolucci and Mike Kirby of Sissell's Automotive (www.sissellsautomotive.com). Tom Langdon (www.stoveboltengineco.com) is a retired GM driveline engineer and a great source for parts and build info. On the other side of the street, Tom will tell you that the Ford 300" actually may have the potential to make more power than the stock head 292", mainly due to the Chevy having siamesed intake (3) and exhaust (2 out of 4) ports in the head, while the Ford is a twelve port head. Neither of them are a crossflow design. There is a racer up in Ohio known as the Frenchtown Flyer who makes some big power with the 300", and they are also popular with the off-roaders for their torque. You might want to go ask this question over at Inliners.org and Fordsix.com, and see what responses you get. Either one will get you down the road in your Hudson just fine.
Kinky: Thanks for the reply, I lurk on Inliners fairly often and just discovered Fordsix while researching this. The Hudson guy I spoke with who is running a Ford 300 has an AOD & 4.11 gears, he said his will really get up an move off the line (for a big ol car with a 6 in it) and he can cruise 75-80 all day. Guess I have to be honest and say I'm a bit leary of Fords, but sounds like the 300 is a good engine, I know Clifford has some cool stuff for em!
I'm not a Ford guy at all, but if I had to choose between the 292 and 300, i would go with the Ford. The 300 is kind of like the Chevy 235. been around forever and has lots of torque. If you are pushing around a heavy car, I vote 300.-MIKE 5
292 Chev has been around since the very early 60's. Came in trucks never in a car. It's what Bob K has in his vert.
The Chevy 292 was produced from 1963 untill I think 1990? It was used in pickups and vans. The block on the 292 is approx. 1 1/2" taller than the 194, 230 and 250. The side cover is approx 6" high on the 292 The 292 will hook up to any chevy pg, th300, th400, th700 or th200r4.
Ford 300 is the way to go in my opinion. It has better potential with its 12 port head, and is easy to get parts for and make power. I have one in my 1 ton Ford Van (tow vehicle) and it has tons of low end power, and pulls about as good as the 351W that was in my old Van. Its very easy to make a 3 carb manifold for them (they are really really undercarbed - 170cfm on a 300ci motor!) and stick on a set of EFI manifolds (they are pretty much a pair of 3 port cast iron headers) with a good exhaust and they wake right up. And any 300 is fine to do up. Certain years can use 351W pistons in them or change the rods to the early style that use 351W size pins. Clifford, comp cams, hedman, and others all make speed parts for the 300 also. The 292 is a good motor, but its a lot harder to find than a ford 300.
Chevy all the way. More parts. all the external goodies from a 250 fit other than side covers. im a little partial have on in my Tmod. if you go thru the trouble to lump port your head, it can flow VERY well. IMO the chevy is better looking too.
Pros & Cons to each - all have been covered well so far. I think it's going to come down to personal preference. I have experience with both the 300 & it's little brother the 240 - reliable, reliable, reliable. Literally hundreds of thousands of miles on both. I think the 240 had 280K before we sold it - still running strong & would still chirp the tires when it hit second in the C4! No experience with the 292, but never hear anything bad about them. Both have lots of trans choices. I think the 292 has had more time/attention devoted to it for speed equipment (as a natural evolution of the original Chev sixes), but there are loads of parts avail for the 300 too. If the intake/exhaust could be an issue, perhaps the Ford is the way to go - just one of many considerations. Like I said, I think it'll come down to personal preference.
Around here you cant give a good running 300 away simply because they rarely need replacing. I picked up an 89 van with the 300/C6 setup for $100 and the only thing it needed was kingpins which many garages wont touch any more. Over 200K miles and doesnt use no oil to speak of between changes. This one has the EFI and computer so it dont get moving very fast but it is very stingy on gas. For the street I wouldnt get carried away, no long stroke inliner likes hi revs without some work. A couple of carbs, headers and a recurved ignition will move that Hudson very well. The C6 is the easiest of all to work on yourself and lots of beef stuff available if you want it. Simplest mod is the 460 truck pump and clutch pak. If its been rebuilt it may alrady have been included.
Both are good. That being said I am building a 35 Pickup with a 292 (301) +0.060 pistons 8.5 x1 comp. Saginaw 4 speed 3.08 rear and expect low end torque and high end cruising. I have a reworked head (studs/ stainless valves /double crower springs 4 angle valve job). This is not cheap machine work on the right head will cost about #2 grand. I started with the Chevy because it was more readily available in this area. The 300 is where I wanted to start but they are harder to find here. Look at any exhaust / steering issues and they are both suitable. Which do you prefer Ford Or Chevy thats what it comes down to.
We ran a 300 six in a dirt track car.........in the late 60's and early 70's. Use the 240 connecting rods........they are longer and allow the use of stock 302 Chevrolet V8 pistons...... The 300 would fit and look better in the old Hudson...IMHO....
Don't have experience with 300 Ford but, do with 292 Chev. Based on what others are saying about 300, seems like a toss up. -300 very reliable -292 definitely reliable -easy to find parts, speed equip. for both (i.e. grab an HEI from boneyard out of 70's Nova w/ 250 for $15 for your 292) -head design difference not really an issue for street use -good options for tranny hookup Here's something that may be an issue if you're hopping up a 292. You'll probably have to use propane pistons or have a set made which'll set you back $600+. A Chevy 250 can use sbc pistons which is not the case with 292. What's the piston situation for the 300? -David
Here's another option. Forget Ford & Chevy and bolt in a later model Hudson six. My 49 commodore 8 now sports a 50 something 308 six flattie. A version of the infamous 7X hornet engine that ruled Nascar when they really raced stock cars. Factory twin carb (Carter 1bbl) split exhaust or tube headers in my case. Plenty of power and traditional to boot. Plenty of info out there, if your interested in the swap email me. Oh and check out this site. www.uncommonengineering.com
Fuck up everyones mind. Use a big Jag 6 with a brace of Webers. Real traditional, they even come with factory designed oil leaks....
Ok I'm thinking the Ford is winning out here, but I have thought about the Jag route too! I know where there is a 60's MkX with a gold head E-Type engine in it has the triple big SU's and everything! Just sitting in a junk yard......Anyone know if there is a Weber sidedraft intake made for the Ford 300? And will the fuelie split exhaust manifold fit any year of the 300?
I'm pretty sure Clifford makes a weber carb manifold for the 300"Ford and yes the factory split exhaust manifold will fit any year 240- 300" Ford six.
http://cliffordperformance.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CP&Product_Code=TWSDIM&Category_Code=F3
If ya want to be really weird find a early 97 dodge Cummins and rob the engine out of it... MMMMM Smoke.... Dawg
Well boys think I'm gonna try and find me a Ford! Thanks for all the input and tips! George get ready as when I get something lined up we WILL be thrashing on the Hudson!!!
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