Hello all,I am new to HET Club. I purchased a 47' four door. Very solid. Received a dismantled 212 block in the engine bay. I was told block was rebuilt including valves. I believe all pieces are there, but need refurbishing. I already freed up the seized distributor. Previous owner began 12 V conversion with new alternator.
The starter is being rebuilt a very reputable. In keeping with conversion. I requested the started be converted, but shop stated they can't. I instructed them to proceed with a 6V starter rebuild. Am I on the right track? I do want reliability and maybe some late model features down the road. I like original, but I'm trying to safe it from the LS engine and tranny in the garage just waiting, but I don't want to doing to this Hudson. I printed out ever manual I can find here. Any advance would be helpfully and greatly appreciated. 
Starter can have the field coils swapped out so it is not as violent on 12V. If you have it rebuilt as 6V and run it on 12V, the starter pinion and ring gear will eventually be damaged. Since it is a rear engagement type starter with a long shaft that is not supported at the back, it can actually get bent by the 4X higher torque of running it on 12V without changing out the filed coils. Ken Warner in Midlothian TX has rebuilt the 49 MCL-6006 starter in a 49 I am working on to run on 12V using different field coils. http://www.classicgenerator.com/
I spoke to Ken at Classic Generator in Texas. Very helpful guy.
Ken said 6V to 12V starter conversions could be done.
Ken provided me contact info for J&N Auto Electric in Cincinnati, 513-771-8000
12 V Coils - Part Number 261-20010
My guy is Allentown Auto Electric. J&N only does business with other dealers.
You can get the field coils from DB Electrical for under $30. I have bought parts from them. They even sold me a complete new modern starter that was a perfect fit in Danny Barnett's 1965 Tatra 603-2 from Czechoslovakia, It was more powerful, 2.4Kw compared to the 1.8 Kw original PAL Magetron starter. https://www.dbelectrical.com/products/field-coil-for-arrowhead-spl4406-prestolite-20-14-20-359-20-585-261-20010.html
Welcome aboard, Dom! The 3x5, 212 engine was in production for about 15 years and is relatively simple to work with. There are Hudson parts out there -- repro and new-old-stock, and even -- and all you need to do is tap into the network. (I bought some new rear wheel bearing cups at my local NAPA dealer a couple days ago.) Most of all you should take advantage of the H-E-T Club (which, apparently, you've joined) by getting around to Hudson meets and getting to know Hudson people in your area. It will only cost you $10 or $15 to join your local chapter, once you've joined the National. Most chapters hold regular get-togethers and this is where you'll meet some very helpful people who can help you out in a pinch. You mentioned Pennsylvania; there are a couple of Hudson chapters there, and we have a couple of them down in the Maryland / W.Va. / Virginia area too.
Personally, I wouldn't fool around with converting to 12 volts because the car will function just as well with 6 volts. I've been using 6 volts for 50 years in my '37 with no problems. The engines are easy to crank (I use my hand crank, if the battery goes dead) and don't require 12 volts to start. The biggest advantage to 12 volt systems is that they don't require as much maintenance and coddling as 6-volt systems. Six-volts is less forgiving than 12 for minor problems like corrosion on the battery, ground strap and cable connections. Every once in awhile you have to clean the terminals of a 6-volt system to make sure they're "bright and tight" -- I clean the battery clamp on my battery cable 2-3 times per season. The engine starts year-round with no problems.
Once you install conversion stuff, you have to keep track of which components are converted to 12 volt, and make sure you don't accidentally install a 6-volt part. Yes, you'll experience some improvement with 12 volts but in my opinion it's not worth the trouble. Step-Down engines, on the other hand, are more powerful than our old 101 hp "splashers" and do need the extra boost of 12 volts.
Anyway, I hope you have fun with your "new" Hudson and that it doesn't take too long to get back on the road. Don't hold out for a full restoration, just get it running (and go over the brakes!), and start having fun driving it!
Thanks you Ken and Jon. I appreciate any insight. I made a short visit to the Hudson gathering near Lake Wallenpaupack in PA. I've met a few people along the way so far. I have lots of hope.
I started breaking the wheels down to rebuild the brake system. Existing wiring is shot. I'm focusing on running and stopping first.
I'll keep you updated.
Thanks again!
Another option might be to have the alternator wired as a 6V, and leave the starter (and everything else) alone. I recently had a charging issue while on a road trip in Lincoln, NE. A local auto electric shop built a 6V positive ground alternator in one day for under $200, allowing me to leave everything else unmolested, and it's worked perfectly since. Just a thought.
Taking in all suggestions. I'm going to get her running and stopping then see where the build goings from there.
Thank again for the input. Going to be putting up a wanted ad soon for some missing parts.
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