Engine question

Hudsonrules
Hudsonrules Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
:rolleyes:I am still trying to decide which engine I should use in my '41 traveller. The car currently has a 212 that did start, how well it is, I do not know. I have a low mileage 232 that has not been run in probably twenty years, and a mid eighties Ford 302 with fuel injection and all the computor non sense. I admit I do not have much understanding or patience with newer stuff and the complexity of wiring frustrates me. I am also considering perhaps a 232 or 258 "6" from an AMC product Has anyone put a stepdown engine in the short wheelbase travelller. Having done some measuring, a stepdown engine would appear to fit, but no room for the stock radiator due to the narrow front of the hood. Any Ideas? Some hot rod shop wanted to go with the SBC, auto, Mustang 2 front suspension etc. But I do not want to go that route. I do not really want to stay with the splasher212. Thanks, Arnie

Comments

  • 7XPacemaker
    7XPacemaker Senior Contributor
    Don't quote me on this- I think in order to put a Hornet in a SWB car requires cutting the firewall back quite a bit. I believe that an engine out of a Jet goes in with minimal effort. The long wheelbase travelers are a different story, as they will take a later model engine with minimal work.
  • junkcarfann
    junkcarfann Expert Adviser
    The Stepdown engine will not fit easily into the short wheelbase Traveler cars without significant surgery. (The Stepdown engine does fit in the long wheelbase cars, however, as it is virtually the same dimensions as the 254" eight. Long wheelbase cars came with either the 212" 6 or the eight.)



    I do not know the length of the AMC 6, but with the Traveler, length is the problem. The only cars I have seen with brand X sixes, such as AMC or Chevy 6's, were long wheelbase cars. (Saw one with a OHV Studebaker 6 once!)



    The Ford 302 is a good choice as it has three things going for it:



    1. It is very narrow compared to other V8 engines. I saw a 1941 Hudson with a 302 in it and the engine just cleared the stock Hudson steering box, using stock cast iron exhaust manifolds. For comparison, the Chevy small block is about 4" wider.



    2. The Ford 302 weighs considerably less than other V8 engines, and thus you may not have to change front springs, and will have a car that does not understeer (plow) into corners.



    3. The distributor on the Ford is on the front of the engine, allowing more freedom in firewall positioning.



    Also, you can strip off all the EFI stuff, and not have to hassle with the computer and wiring, by replacing it with an aftermarket aluminum 4 barrel intake and carburetor.
  • junkcarfann
    junkcarfann Expert Adviser
    "The long wheelbase travelers are a different story, as they will take a later model engine with minimal work."



    All Travelers are short wheelbase.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Please don't think me impertinent, but might I ask why you don't want to stay with the 212? (Speaking as one who has "stayed with my 212" for 36 years, I felt an obligation to at least inquire!)
  • 7XPacemaker
    7XPacemaker Senior Contributor
    I guess you missed the "don't quote me on this" excerpt. I don't know much about the earlier model cars....:rolleyes:
  • junkcarfann
    junkcarfann Expert Adviser
    No sir, I didn't miss the "don't quote me" excerpt...I wanted to make sure readers of this thread did not accept your statement as factual. No offense intended.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    7XPacemaker wrote:
    I guess you missed the "don't quote me on this" excerpt. I don't know much about the earlier model cars....:rolleyes:



    he quoted you on that... the nerve....



    :p
  • junkcarfann
    junkcarfann Expert Adviser
    hudsonkid wrote:
    he quoted you on that... the nerve....



    :p



    Good one!:)
  • 7XPacemaker
    7XPacemaker Senior Contributor
    That's why I like this forum.. we can have a little bit of fun with each other with no hard feelings!~C.J.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    My vote is keep it original with the 212 splasher Im with Jon it belongs in there and it sounds like you really donot want to go to a lot of work replacing it.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Hudsonrules wrote:
    :rolleyes:I am still trying to decide which engine I should use in my '41 traveller. The car currently has a 212 that did start, how well it is, I do not know. I have a low mileage 232 that has not been run in probably twenty years, and a mid eighties Ford 302 with fuel injection and all the computor non sense. I admit I do not have much understanding or patience with newer stuff and the complexity of wiring frustrates me. I am also considering perhaps a 232 or 258 "6" from an AMC product Has anyone put a stepdown engine in the short wheelbase travelller. Having done some measuring, a stepdown engine would appear to fit, but no room for the stock radiator due to the narrow front of the hood. Any Ideas? Some hot rod shop wanted to go with the SBC, auto, Mustang 2 front suspension etc. But I do not want to go that route. I do not really want to stay with the splasher212. Thanks, Arnie
    Hi Arnie---Are you sure that engine is a 212 since the factory engine for the Traveler was a 175". The 212 was available as an option. Cliff Minard.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    7XPacemaker wrote:
    That's why I like this forum.. we can have a little bit of fun with each other with no hard feelings!~C.J.



    7X, you still got the pace coupe? Since you're not using it for an avatar anymore, why don't you let me come down and get it for safe keeping? :D
  • 7XPacemaker
    7XPacemaker Senior Contributor
    If I would let you come down and get it for safe keeping, you wouldn't stick with your project! we want to see your car at Doc's meet! At the speedy rate that my upholstery is being done, I may be sitting on a box in order to get my sedan to Docs! It has taken me 14 months to completely do my car with the exception of my interior. It is looking like it will take 10-14 months for the shop to do the interior! In retrospect, if you are restoring a car from top to bottom- start by ordering your fabric and the sending the interior out. With any luck at all, you may have the interior back before you finish the car!
  • Hudsonrules
    Hudsonrules Senior Contributor
    ;) I want to thank everyone who responded to my question regarding switch or stay with my 212 in my '41 traveler. I doubt if I will take long trips with the caras I have a trailer to transport it. Most of the miles we will put onit will be local. The 302 interests me if I can get past the fuel injection and computor controlled ignition. I hjave everything from an '86 Merc to make the change, pedals, linkage and so on. Whichever way I go, it will be a good winter project. Thanks again, Arnie























    arnie
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Never done a swap to an injected engine,but been wanting to try it. I was told you have to have the computer rebuilt/reprogramed even if EVERYTHING came from the same car. Now that don't make any logical sense to me so does anyone know what the deal is ?
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Many years ago I put a 289 Ford engine in a 46 Pickup. Was the easieast swap i ever did. The 302 is the same engine externally. No doubt you could bolt up all the earlier carb and manifolds to a later engine and ditch all the computer stuff. You might have to provide a electric fuel pump. I know some other later Ford fuel enjected engines don't have provisions for the cam driven pump. I used the Ford automatic transmission and didn't have to alter the drive shaft since the universal joints were the same. A piece of angle iron bolted to the X member made the rear transmission mount and some home made mounts did the fronts. Single lever standard shift linkage off the Hudson lined up with the selector on the Ford transmission with no alterations. Just used a bolt and some misc. nuts and washers. I used the cable throttle linkage off the ford, just screwed it to the floorboard. How the Traveler differs from the standard car ?.. i have no clue. What ever you do.. drive it.
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