. I am getting ready to pull the engine and trans from the chassis of my 1933 Terraplane 8cylinder 2 door sedan. It is a factory eight.
It was a personal car for the owner of the Hudson garage which was 2 doors down from where I grew up. I grew up riding and playing in this car. It took me over 50 years to get it bought from the dealers family.
At sometime in the early 50's the local Hudson dealer converted the transmission from the floor shift model to a column shifted 3 speed with over drive. Since he changed the entire column, it looks good and since it was a Hudson dealer modification, I am not going to change it as I restore the car. I now have the body off from the frame and it is restored and painted; ready to be reinstalled.
I am now beginning work on the chassis. I would like to know a couple things: 1. Who can I take the engine to who will perform an entire overhaul to the highest quality, and 2. Who can fabricate a dual exhaust cast iron manifold like the one pictured. I would like to take the engine and transmission to one specialist and have both of them gone through and ready to install while I simultaneously rebuild the rest of the chassis in my shop. Finally 3, Is there anyone in the club who can coach me on upgrading the brakes to hydraulic as I hope to tour with this beautiful car when it is done. I want the car to look and be original except for the upgraded mods as I stated.
I just don't want to take the engine to a local machine shop and have them learn as they go on it, I would prefer someone who has done a few of these big straight eights and knows the engine inside out as well as the three speed od transmission etc. .
Thank you all for any of your help. Chuck
You could try Charlie Salvato in NY. He's the tech advisor for 8 cyl engine.
Chuck, you didn't mention your location. It could be that someone can suggest a Hudson specialist in your area...if they know what area you're in!
I live outside of Amboy, Il. (about 100 miles west of Chicago) Thanks Chuck
There are a number of people who could do it. Wildrick Restorations is one. Al Saffran is one. The Maas family is one. All of these are listed in the services offered section of the WTN.
Congratulations on seeking qualified assistance and upon beginning what will be a fairly long and exciting journey 🙂
I'd contact Doug Wildrick, who has a professional Hudson restoration business in Ind.
Pete,
Thanks for the suggestion. I journeyed to Indiana and met Doug. He has quite a business and his workmanship seems to be impeccable.
I currently have Randy Maas building a 7x motor for me for my 1951 Commodore. I hope to drive that from Illinois where I live to the California meet this year.
I have been pondering if it would be better to have Randy do the 33 8cylinder motor when he gets done building the 7x motor, or turn Doug loose on it now. They both do great work. The tough part is that they both have a backlog of work.
The part that really concerns me is that I need a taillight for the 33 terraplane 8 cylinder two door, and one of the hood door trim pieces etc etc.... You know how that goes. I have the body done and painted, and am about to begin rebuilding the chassis. Are there any good mods that the smart people in the club have come up with that would make the 33 more dependable when all back together? I want the car to have the original 8 cylinder engine, but I also want it to be reliable. I really want the car to look like it did when it rolled out the factory. I am not building a race car, but I do want dependability. Thanks
in my experience, which was considerable inc. driving one all the way across the country with an unrebuilt engine, they are quite reliable - I've had several T8s over the years
Charles, would be happy to make suggestions etc. Have lived with my 33 T-8 Since 1981. Please call me .
I'm in the roster ,all contact info is there.
Fred "Ric" Pinder
Hi Chuck. I also have a 33 coupe. I live in Elmhurst
Charles,
I recently visited Bill Lentz in Fort Collins, CO, and saw his 33 Terraplane 8. He should have some useful information.
Per
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