Pondering 308 engine modifications

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
My 54 Hornet 308 engine is on it's way to the rebuilder. It does not have the Twin H setup. I am considering the following; Installing a 262 head and/or installing exhaust headers. Is this a good option in lieu of a Twin H setup which are difficult to find?



And just for my own education here, can a 308 head be milled down to raise compression in lieu of a 262 head?



I notice at Clifford Performance that they have an intake manifold that takes a 4 barrel carb. What about this?



Decisions decisions.



Your thoughts please.

Doug

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    there is so much information already around this forum on hopping up your hudson engine, just search. we could go on for pages about it. (and do).
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    twin H is not difficult to find. there is almost always one on eBay, and a lot of the guys on here usually have them laying around. Exhaust manifolds crack, and even rust thru, but in the end, this is the cheapest, and all around best mod you can do to a hudson engine for quick cheap HP (okay, maybe not cheap)



    The head would be a welcome addition, as well. If you're pondering the headers, check out clifford, they got 4 barrel intakes, and headders, which would make a sweet set-up
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Hudsonkid,



    Thanks for the feedback. I was kind of leaning in that direction of the headers with the 262 head. My only concern is will the stock two barrell carb be adequate with that configuration?



    Doug
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    If you go with the clifford four bbl manifold, and the internals of your engine are still basically stock, I would recommend the Holley 390 cfm carb. The factory 2bbl will probably work fine as well. You can also get an adapter that will bolt on to your factory manifold, and accept a more modern 2300 series Holley 2bbl.



    Jim Harmon in Bend, Oregon may have a complete twin H setup he would part with.
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    Jim is in Banks, Oregon, in case you're using directory assistance.
  • bob ward
    bob ward Senior Contributor
    Best bang for your buck is a set of headers. 8 or 9 horses are strangled by the factory 'garden rake' cast iron manifold.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    How do the heat risers work with the headers? Do you have to weld in sleeves for the choke tubes or do you put on manual chokes. My Hudson is a little cold blooded as it is.



    Harry
  • bob ward
    bob ward Senior Contributor
    When it is cold, your chokes should come on with or without the choke tubes.



    Heat from the choke tubes tells the chokes when it is time to turn off.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Bob; I understand that, but where does the heat come from if not the headers? Also, the heat from the exhaust manifold warms the carbs when the flapper closes, as the engine heats the spring lets the flapper open and the hot exhaust gasses go out the pipe, I believe that is the heat exchange, how do the carbs heat without that function? I suppose once the engine warms there is enough heat from the exhaust headers and engine heat you don't need it but it seems on cold mornings that will take a while to happen.



    Harry
  • bob ward
    bob ward Senior Contributor
    Harry, engine bay heat will make the chokes cut out, although not as quickly as with the heat tubes. I find with mine that if the chokes are on too long I can get them off by blipping the throttle. That said it is possible to weld/attatch a small piece of pipe to the side of a header pipe and fit the heat tubes into that.



    The exhaust flap is there to bring the inlet manifold and carbs up to normal operating temperature ASAP. Without that, the system will still get up to temperature but takes longer, you may need to nurse it for a while.



    Although I suspect that with the modern high volatile petrols designed for closed fuel systems that we use in old cars nowadays, the warm up period may not be quite as important as it once was.
  • russmaas
    russmaas Senior Contributor
    Might as well put on double roller timing chain. The new ones are junk.



    Cost about the same
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