Projects 1957 Hillman Husky 392 hemi build thread

Was quiet for too long. I am motivated now to get it ready now that I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Looking for an air cleaner now. Probably oval and polished. Can't be too high as the hood is close.

 

Any room for something like this unit from a '55 Studebaker coupe?

 

There are hundreds of oval air cleaners, and many of them are pretty thin. They will all add at least 2.5" from where they sit on the top of the carb. But I've never seen an oval drop base air cleaner. Most drop base will sit lower than even the thinnest non drop base air cleaner. A drop base can be purchased that will only add about 1.25" to the height.

 

Bet that would work great Husky
Just try and find one though!!

 

I just found this thread last night. and have finished going through all 15 pages. Fantastic build!!

My Dad was in the Army and while we were stationed in Austria he bought an all grey Hillman Husky. That must have been around 1954. When Dad got transferred back to the States we ended up in California where he was with the Armed Forces Broadcasting. The Hillman came with us and I remember that we made two round trips from our home in North Hollywood to Omaha, Nebraska in that Hillman. My brother and I in the back seat and Mom and Dad up front. The Hillman followed us from there to Asmara, Eritrea (east Africa) where it took us on many an adventure throughout the area. Having been taken from the Italians by the British during WWII parts and all were readily available for the Hillman. Unfortunately the cool little wagon was left behind in Asmara.

When I happened upon this thread I really perked up as I still have such fond memories of our Hillman. Still think they are cool little wagons. Of course you have upped the cool factor with your build. I love it.

Oh and if you are looking for a Studebaker air cleaner like was described earlier. I might be able to help with that . Of course the key word is might, but I do know a few folks that have Studebaker parts. Let me know.

 

HAHAHA, look what I found.
http://www.oldparkedcars.com/2010/11/1954-hillman-husky-mk1-3-door-estate.html

 

I had to drive a long way to get that car. I think it was 25 hours with no sleep.

 

Give you a hint for next time you need a belt for a fresh build. Move the alternator (or whatever adjusts the belt you need) to it inner travel, take an old belt that is way too long and cut it, wrap around pullies and trim the end so it just meets the other end. Take that to the auto supply and let them put it on their belt gauge to get a measurement and add 1/2" to that length (to allow belt to slip over last pulley) ..... you should be able to do this in one trip in the future !!! Also.... once you settle on the belt length, put the sleeve from the belt in the glove box and mark it as to what it is for (i.e. Alt, P/S, A/C etc.) makes it easy on one of those long road trips. Do the same with hoses, keep a record of the brand and part number in the car.

 

That's a good idea. Thanks for the tip. I do save the part number or sleeve from the hoses etc. Learned that the hard way when I needed to replace a belt on my 302 powered Husky.

Thanks again for the old belt trick. That will work way better than the tape measure method I tried. Doesn't sit in the "V" on the pulleys so it was way off.

 

I've been quiet but have been making progress on the car. The fuel system is now 99% done. It's all plumbed and just needs the fuel sender to the gauge hooked up I think I finally have the air cleaner housing I'm going to use. Went through quite a few trying to find one that looked good and would clear the hood.

I'll try to get some update photos soon.

 

Any news?

 

Here are some shots of the fuel system. Air cleaner may or may not be used. I may powder coat it to match the valve covers.

Fuel lines are all stainless....not polished yet but will probably add a little shine. Rubber lines are teflon lined to resist PTFE (bad gas).


This shows the dropped base air cleaner. I'll use this filter and base but am deciding which lid to use. I'd like to find an old Golden Commando lid.....that would look just right in there.

 

Spent all of Saturday cleaning the interior. I've got to have it ready for a headliner and seats so had to do some general clean-up. Took out the last of the old headliner and vacuumed the interior. Also coated the rest of the floor so am starting to think of carpeting etc. Not quite ready for that but I have to at least start thinking of what will need to be done.

Last weekend I test fit the seats and unstuck the sliders. Seats are now at the upholstery shop. Was told it might take a while.

 

Here are some shots of the valve covers. I'll put them on when it's time to prime the motor.

They turned out pretty nice......not perfect but perfect for this car.


covers were gold powder coated and then lettered by Real Ralph. Then they were cleared for a little protection and shine. Check out those screws holing down the spark plug covers. Good ole Bob Smith made those for me.


The wife has not yet asked why they are getting stored on the dining room table.

 

I'm lining up parts for the exhaust. Here's a question for you hemi guys......I'm using stock exhaust manifolds which have an outlet just a little less than 2". I'm assuming that a pipe bigger than 2" buys me nothing since it is limited by the manifold outlet size.

My plan was to use 2.5" pipes but out the back I may only have room for 2 1/4" or 2". I know I'll lose some power but I just may not have room out the back for anything bigger. I'm using Spin Tech mufflers and they have some cool oval tubing that may help.....but I'm still not sure if anything over 2" will buy me anything since the manifold outlet is less than 2".


Mufflers are by SPINTECH....I've used these before and they work well and sound great.
The case is only 2-1/4” thick, 9” wide by 16” long.

 

The mega-buck 300 4 bolt ex mans are 2 1/2". There are/were some repops out there.

 

That's some nice work.

 

Would love to find a set of these. Hot Heads doesn't have them right now.

 

Thanks. Appreciate that.

 

Any updates? I'm loving it so far. I've got a 65 husky that will get a new heart someday, though not likely a hemi.

 

Tons of progress but still lots to do. Here's where I've done lately. Don't have any photos right now but will try and get some.
Dynamat laid down on all side panels, doors, and roof. Will do the floor when I'm closer to completion.
Air cleaner done.
Fuel system done.
Ignition and door keys done. This was a pain but it now has an original Wilmot Breeden key that fits the door and ignition. Small detail but it was fun to track down the right key.
All floor rust repair done.
Speedo cable getting made.
Coilovers/shocks are on the car. Third set of springs and second set of shocks so it's now done except final adjustments. This took a lot of time and a lot of calls to QA1 to finally get it right. I now have 4 225 lb springs in the back
Grill now on the car.
Hood on the car.


I've done more but can't think of it now. It goes in for exhaust TOMORROW!
Hope to have the seats done soon and then we'll really be getting close.

 

Go See Mike at King Muffler........ He's the Man!

 

Just read the whole thread, really nice job so-far. Love the Hemi and the way you did the engine bay.
A buddy of mine had one of these back in the 80`s, it was set up for the drag stip sometime in the 60`s. Still had the panel paint and the seats were actually behind the b-pillars.
That thing was mean as hell with a small block chevy and an auto tranny.
Keep up the great work, looking forward to seeing it done.

 

I'm taking it a little further to have exhaust put on.....Riverside.

 

...I'll bet that you could recover some of your costs by giving full-throttle rides at $20 each...
Looking good!!

.

 

$25.00

 

Still waiting on the exhaust to be installed so I'm working on the smaller projects.


Here's the dash almost finished. I added a new and longer choke cable and also modified the starter pull switch. Took lots of work to get the original knobs on there. While they were off I painted them including the original white rings. Ignition switch doubles as the headlight switch. The key has two positions....off and on. No accessory position.



A view of the old Lucas cable operated pull switch. Didn't want to have the cable in the engine compartment so I put a new switch behind the dash.


Here is the new Cole Hersee switch installed.



Combo oil pressure and mechanical water temp gauge look nice.

 

Great progress, Riverside is a drive for you.........must be a really good shop .

 

I hope they are good. They are the makers of SpinTech mufflers which I've used for years. This will be the first time having them do a car for me. They manufacture the mufflers and oval tubing onsite so will have all that they need to do a trick set-up at their disposal. Can't wait to see it and eventually hear it.

 

that's freaking awesome getting spin tech to do the whole exhaust!!! Be sure to post pictures