General 308 Questions

beaverbikes

So far my experience is limited to a 53 Hornet with dual range Hydramatic. Now I'd like to go look at a 51 Hornet parts car, condition unknown except for a couple photos. Here's what I'm wondering: Is a 51 308 the same engine as a 53? And when it comes to the transmission, does a Hydramatic use a different flywheel than the 3 speed? I have a 51 Commodore in another state to drag home, I know the engine is pretty worn. It has 3 speed with OD, how about fitting a 51 308 in there?

Thanks a lot and if I do all this I'll join the Hudson club!

Geoff

You can pretty well interchange any engine  1948-54, but there are differences in pre'50 versions, having a narrower block.  The hydramatic do use a different flywheel. It's been know to swap a Hornet engine for an 8, and vice-versa. Of course 202's were limited to the Jet and  '55-'56 wasp.   '48'-49's had either a 262 6cyl, or a 254  8cyl, and the first 232 was 1950, and thru to '54.   308's went from '51 to 56 ( and '57 in Australia),  But the  '55 '56's had a different flywheel and other things to make them compatible with the Nash body. 

54coupe

Transmission crossmembers are different from stick to automatic, and stick crossmembers are welded in.

54coupe

Also, the floorboard above the transmission differs as well.

Lance

54coupe said:

Also, the floorboard above the transmission differs as well.

Thats true to a point. The transmission floor cover was the same from 1948-1950. Starting in 1951, the transmission floor cover was changed for LWB Hudsons to allow for a new hydramatic transmission. All cars from then on had that floor cover Hydramatic or 3 speed-it didn't matter.  I.E.  You can install a 51 floor tranny cover on a 48 with a 3 speed tranny but you can't use a 48 trans cover on a 52 with a hydramatic.

beaverbikes

Thanks guys.