Hi,
Although there may have been others, I know of only one example of a race-prepared eight (the six would be the same concept) that was converted to partial pressure lubrication. I don't recall exactly how the mains were supplied with oil but, suffice to say, it was an extensive and expensive rework project to create passages through which to do so. The rods remained as dipper fed but were supplied with oil through a pressurized external manifold with lines protruding through the block side into the crankcase and precisely aimed to provide continous oil supply under the high lateral and longitudinal G force conditions of vintage road racing that would otherwise cause oil starvation in the stock Hudson arrangement. The original Hudson Duo-Flo oil pump can NOT provide anything close to the oil volume necessary to accomplish this so a rotary pump (probably a trochoid type) was adapted and driven from the front of the camshaft.
Obviously there would be numerous other considerations to achieve a successful conversion, but the short answer to your question is that, although almost anything is possible, such a project would be so extensive and costly as to be far outside the realm of being practical. I hate to pop your balloon, as it [i]is[/i] a noble thought, but a properly rebuilt and care-for Eight will do a fine job and probably outlast either of us.
Frank

Jim and Frank,

Did you know that there is a Hudson 8 blog at this website? Just go back to the Main Forum Page and scroll down to Hudson 8.

It seems like mechanical, etc. questions are asked here, maybe Aaron could delete Club and Forum from "Club and Forum - Suggestions & Comments" and just make it "Suggestions and Comments.

John

John,
Thanks, but I thought that replying to a post in one place with an answer in another might not make sense. As you know, I have enough trouble making any sense. Maybe the people who "operate" this site can move them to the 8 area? Heck if I know.....
Frank

sorry, i will try to do better next time. I am new at this. can i switch areas or delete this and staRT over?

Jim,

Not a problem, let's see if the moderator(s) can move it to the Hudson 8 category for us!

May the force be with them!

John

UPDATE...Yes they can!, Thanks moderators for moving this to the Hudson 8 category.

FRED LORENZ IN OHIO HAD HIS 8 CYL IN HIS 48 COM 8 SEDAN IT'S A NICE CAR A FULL OIL PREASURE ENGINE IT COST HIM A FEW $ TO DO BUT IT'S BEEN DONE A FEW YEARS NOW

Thank you, I figured by now someone had done this. I will see if I can talk to Fred.

Ivan in the Nor-Cal chapter has his Railton 8 under full pressure. He does a lot of high speed driving with it. Walt.

Jim,
Talk to Fred Lorenz who lives in Ohio.His name is in the club roster.He converted his 8 cyl to pressure lubrication.
Videoman

Thanks for the names, I will try to call them. We have drilled 4 crankshafts, and I know how I want to drill the blocks and should start this week one that. We are oiling the mains and cam bearings,,timing gears,rod bearings. The hardest part is figuring out a good pump setup. I am going to try a generator power steering combo from a 54 desoto. I will keep you posted.

If someone does do this, it would be great to have all the steps documented for future reference. Would make an interesting WTN article!

Attached is a picture of the Mini Cooper (old school) oil pump mounted on the front cover of a Hudson8 and driven by the cam.

Ivan,
I spent some time looking through the photo album Buzz had at the Spokane Nats (I think)and recall that this pump was to deliver oil via an external manifold and bulkhead fittings to each of 8 noozles, aimed at the rod dippers to assure that they didn't suffer starvation under high G-force situations experienced on the track. I don't recall, however, if there was a mod to the oil supply for the mains. Were they pressure fed?
That rear main seal mod served as the model for one I used in our 212 and is a must for a pressure-lube conversion as well.
Frank.

The engine is not pressure oiled at all. Everything is still splash lubrication. The modifications result in a well replenished supply for the dippers which car suffer in high cornering speed situations or even extended running at severe up or downhill attitudes. Following the advice of Gus Souza and looking at the 8 cylinder "dipper tray" as it evolved, I am using a step down era dipper tray which has no drain to the lower sump until it is full to the gasket level. I was concerned with having the rods plowing through the oil level at that height being a power drain, heat generation source, or a frothing the oil problem. Gus assured me that in his drag racing experience in the '50s and '60s, this was what kept his engines alive using chrome crank journals and Jet insert bearings in his Hudson 8s.
Because the pump allows fitting an oil filter and cooler, the oil temperature seems to run the same as the water temp over the long run.
Ivan