Dave, just make sure that who does the rebabbiting uses more nickel than LEAD. That is the reason a lot of splasher engines are having problems. A hot day and driving 60 the lead melts and there goes a rod. Walt.

I found a shop in St. Petersburg Florida. Godwin-Singer. Been in business in the same location for over 40 years. They are on the other side of Florida. I visited the shop and talked to "Tom" that does all the Babbitt. I was impressed with the work they had "in progress". (Babbitt does not contain any lead). I left the block and crank with them early February. They have made some progress, but as of today, April 9th.. Still not done. Crank has been turned, block has been cleaned and a broken manifold stud repaired. The bearings still need to be done. Three weeks ago he was working on the mains. The cam bearings I had shipped to them was a mismatched set, so I told them to not install them and I would do that here. I ordered another set from Dale and will figure that one out later. I have not pressured them but told them it MUST be right! I told them I would like to have it back in the car by May 11th. We host a Hudson Meet here in Melbourne and I would like to have a Hudson there. I don't ever want to go through this again. So I wait and wait. I hope the wait is worth it. I will post my experience here when it's all over.. if I live that long.

my 254 block sat on the floor in the machine shop I took it to for 5 years. And he was a friend. I would've like to had it back in 3 months, but I really enjoy driving it now. I've had it on the road for just about a year. I've put almost 6k miles on it including 2 1100 mile round trips from Michigan to Tennessee.
Kim

Got my block and crank back from Godwin-Singer in St.Pete. Block was acid cleaned, all studs removed, checked for cracks. Repaired one stud hole with helicoil, All rods and mains repoured and line bored. Crank turned. Cam bearings installed. I provided the cam bearings. The workmanship was very good. They provided me with a CD with still photos of the work on my engine. Came to #3500.00 for the work. That seems to be "in line" with what I had heard from shops out of state. Being able to do my own pickup and delivery saved a bundle over shipping to the Northeast. It will be a few more days before I have it running. I still have to replace all the studs and install the head and manifolds.

Dave, pay close attention to the 2 pan gaskets, make sure you open the oil return hole between the 2 rear main pan bolts. Most gaskets that hole is not opened even when punched. How many calls I get about rear main leaking oil. All for not opening that hole. Remember, put 2 quarts of oil in the top tray. If pan is on, just pour 2 quarts through the valve cover area, 1 in front and 1 in rear, this way oil will also run into the mains. Prime the oil pump also. Walt.

Good advice Walt. I have been there before, but it's a good thing to bring up for anyone not having done it. I had the engine on a (heavy duty) work bench with transmission and starter in place. No timing cover yet. and After the initial oiling and pump priming.. I spun the engine over and watched the front outlet of the pump until it had a steady pulse of oil. Reconnected the line to the front of the block.. then with a flashlight looking through the oil passage hole at the bottom of the block. could see Number 1 rod dipper picking up oil. I think I have all the bases covered. this is way too expensive process to screw up!!!
Hope you get well soon !!! Thanks, dave

Took her out for the test drive yesterday. SWEET Sounds and runs very well. Minor problem with the OD not working. Will address that today. 🙂

Dave,

Congratulations on getting it back on the road, you're just in time for summer cruising. Oh, that's right you're in Florida where it's summer year round.

John

[quote="John Forkner" post=1624]Dave,

Congratulations on getting it back on the road, you're just in time for summer cruising. Oh, that's right you're in Florida where it's summer year round.

John
You got that right!! Just in time for our last meet for the year!! Ok Summer IS convertible weather down here. At NIGHT! We will be doing some after dark cruising.