Moved to "Hudson" category

Speaking of step downs... The transmission ,bell housing, etc. is the same for a six as an eight. So the adapter kit should work for an eight. The six cylinder engines from 1951 and forward have a pilot bearing recess in the flywheel end of the crank. I also don't know if the kit requires that pilot bearing recess. I don't know if the eight has the recess, but probably does since they used the HD tranny in the eight cars..I don't have my parts book handy to check that out. Hope this helps.

Mine's a little earlier-1942 Commodore. I am going to try to make this myself but I was really hoping someone has already done it or has some knowledge that might help.

Try this forum with your question. http://forum.hetclub.org/
I bet you will get the straight scoop.
I have a feeling that the late hydro kit uses a standard flywheel drilled to accept the torque converter and should work perfectly for you.... just a guess....
Do you have enough room with the X cross member?

As Dave has described here. The machined hole in the crank is not required. The flywheel is modified to accept torque converter. The only exception here is the length of the crankshaft on earlier splasher engines- '47 and down, they are about 3/8th'sin.shorter. I guess you would need to make the provision for this. You also need to verify what year your engine block is. If you were to use a Hydramatic from a Hudson, you definitely have to have the hole in the end of the crankshaft. when doing that conversion, you have to alter the floor pan and the cross-member, rear end gears,etc.