Hudson transmission --> custom engine?

[chunkypeanutbutter]

I've got the Moebius Fabulous Hudson Hornet kit. It's going to be a light, very clean '50s custom... think mom gets rid of her car, sells it to the kid around the block who swaps a junkyard engine in and terrorized the local elderly with it.

I want to put either the Revell Parts Pack SBC with a blower in it, or the Revell Parts Pack Caddy. Would I still be able to use the Hudson transmission, or would I have to use one from something else? It would make adapting a new engine to the frame easier if I were to use the same transmission, but would it be realistic?

Thanks.

[Chuck Most]

I've actually built two Hornets with the Parts Pack Cadillac engine- both had GM Hydramatic transmissions backing them up. Which is just fine... the GM Hydramatic was actually offered as an option in the Step Down Hudsons. That being said, I see no reason why you couldn't stay with the stock trans- somebody somewhere has probably done it 1:1.

You will need to modify and/or replace the existing transmission crossmember, or move it backward- I just moved the crossmember back on both of mine. You may need to trim the battery tray a tad to avoid possible clearance issues with the left valve cover when installing the body- once the battery is in place this modification likely won't be visible. For the Cadillac engine, I'd suggest using the shorter headers provided in the kit. You could probably also adapt the stock Cadillac manifolds from the Revell '49 Mercury if you have a set kicking around. I can't speak for using the Chevy engine, but I've swapped Cadillac, Pontiac, Mopar, and even an AMC V8 into these kits, and the basic steps are pretty much identical, no matter who made the V8 going in.

You'll need to trim down the mounting pins for the engine- the one on the front suspension crossmember and the one molded to the top of the steering idler. I used the four-carb manifold on one, and one of the rear carbs was almost touching the firewall, but that's because I didn't mount the engine as far forward as I should have.

[chunkypeanutbutter]

What kits are the Hydramatic in? Is there one in resin somewhere?

[Ace-Garageguy]

In reality, it's possible to mate just about any transmission to just about any engine. Some careful measuring and custom machine work is required to build a custom flywheel, or mate a particular clutch to the existing flywheel, or to adapt an auto-trans torque-converter to an engine it wasn't originally designed for. It's usually necessary to make up an adapter to actually bolt the trans to the engine as well. It's been done in the real world for as long as people have been trying to make cars go faster.

Far as the Hydramatic Chuck mentions, it's in this excellent old Revell parts pack...which includes a very good starting point for making an adapter too. These are beautifully tooled and are available on Ebay cheap. The line also includes a 427 Ford FE engine, a Pontiac, and a smallblock Chevy. Buying multiples saves shipping costs, and I usually ending up paying no more than $5 per kit that way.

[Chuck Most]

I realize now I didn't point out the Hydramatic I used was the one included in the Cadillac parts pack. Why jump into the spare parts box if you don't need to? I've seen them in resin, I have a cast metal one somewhere (RB Motion, maybe?) but they're super-easy to find in kits. The Revell '49 Merc I mentioned (coupe and woody) have the Cadillac engine with a Hydramatic already attached. The Revell parts pack caddy includes one, and IIRC so does the AMT parts pack Pontiac engine- and that one's molded separately from the engine block. I believe the Custom version of the Revell '50 Olds has one as well (the 2-in-1 kit had a manual).

Easiest way to get one, though, would just be to use the one from the Cadillac. If you go with the Chevy, you could back it up with a Powerglide. I think the AMT '53 Corvette had a decent one, molded separately from the engine. There are some of those in resin. Of course, the easiest way to to it would be to use whatever transmission came behind the engine you plan to use.. do a little digging around and you might already have all you need to make it work. But if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, like Bill mentioned, you can mate anything to pretty much anything.

On the subject of adapters, here's a link to some transmission adapters for Hudson engines. Kind of the opposite of what you're planning (these are for putting a modern trans behind a Hudson engine), but maybe it'll give you a few ideas. http://www.wilcap.com/hudson.html

[chunkypeanutbutter]

I got all of the Parts Pack engines a while ago in a deal on eBay... $10 with free shipping or somewhere close to that.

I'll get working on this tomorrow.

[Chuck Most]

You're already ahead of the game, then.