Hudson RearEnd Swap? (& Merc-Cougar 2 speed rear-ends)

Hey Hudson nuts,
I'm 'bout to go pick up another '49 Hudson, this time it's a 2D Brougham, no motor or ******. I was 'bout to stab in the SBC in my other 4D when the city made me haul it off. So, I got motor mounts made an ready to weld in an just 'bout everything else. Would like to try to take it to Hangin' Dice if possible, two months off.

What I was wondering what rearend did you guys use? The stock isn't beefy enough for a V8 is it? I've been looking at Mercury Cougar (mid 80's) 2 speed rearends, has the 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern but not sure on the width, anybody know any thing 'bout these?
-HL

 

Heard both good and bad bout the stock ones. Usually the bad accompanies a "I swapped in a BB-something and..."

Be gentle on it, you'll probably be OK till you find something else.

 

When I pulled the drive line out of the 4d it was the tiniest thing I had ever seen. That's what got me wondering if a drive shaft designed for a flat head 6 could stand up to a OHV V8.

Nobody know anything 'bout the Cougar 2 speed rear ends?
-HL

 

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Nobody know anything 'bout the Cougar 2 speed rear ends?
-HL

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I have read about them in Car Craft or Hot Rod back in the time when they were going to come out. I believe it was another "factory option deals" that never came out. I have never seen one. IF they did indeed made some...........they are right along side Ardun heads as far as price and availability.

 

...hmmm.
Not exactly what I wanted to hear on the cougar rearends.
Was a good idea for 'bout 15 min.

Any other ideas on rearends for the Hudson?
-HL

 

I swapped in a rear from a mid 90's explorer in mine. Perfect width. I also know that the older mustang 8.8's work along with the ranger rear.
Good luck. Mine is a 49 brougham as well...

 

Thanx HudsonCustom.

Lookin' forward to dragin' it home, got it for a song.

-HL

 

http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs&rearend.htm

http://dfwmotorsport.com/Fairlane/9inchrearends.htm


here's a couple of good pages to keep...joe

 

I swapped a '56 Desoto Hemi into my '49 coupe. 341 cubic inches of torque. I broke the stock rearend in it, was getting on it a few times here and there. I have had the Dana 44 style axle in it for about a year now and it has held up so far. I also killed the 700R4 in it. So now I am going to swap in a newer 700R4 and see how it all works. I would think the dana 44 style rear would be good for a small block. 8.5" ring gear and all.

Let us know how the swap goes

 

I got it planned out on my 4d, looks pretty straight forward for a SB Chevy (pretty borin' I know). Knotch the cross member so the oil pan clears, make some motor mounts, ****** mount, diff rearend an you're done.
Aside from small inconsquntial details like, shifter linkage, throttle linkeage, drive shaft, wiring an other minor details that's 'bout it, right?

How'd you guys end up doin' it?

-HL