You might want to mention where you live, Tim. The 1933 Hudsons are rare cars (more so than the 1933 Terraplanes) and it's possible that someone knowledgeable in the '32-33 Hudson eights (I think they're the same), might not live that far away. And might be willing to show you his engine, and give you firsthand advice on how to proceed in your rebuild.

Thanks Jon!

I already checked that in terms of where I live, and there's a member with a 31 full size Hudson reasonably close by; another has a 33 Terraplane eight on the opposite side of the state. That's it for 30-33 Hudson eight cars as far as members go in my home state.

I did some more reading and found in Butler's book that the eights, introduced in 1930 as the Greater Eights, did have the two heads. I think this changed in 1934 (pretty sure by the description). So, I think it looks good to be the stock original engine. I don't have the car yet in my possession but will soon. There haven't been any pictures of that, but just verbal description.

Someone knowledgeable will surely comment here.

Tim

The 33 T8 was definitely a single head engine, not sure about 33 Hudson. There is a guy from VA who had a 33 Hudson 8 in Gettysburg, he should be in the roster.

Looking forward to pics of your new car 🙂

Matt,

I couldn't find that the 33T was single head, but everything went to single head for 34 (found that in Butler's book). I found an owner's manual online for the Hudson Eight on this site. It definitely shows that there are two head for the Hudson Eight. It think I should go back and look for the Terraplane owner's manual, then I could see for sure. One difference for Hudson vs Terraplane in 33 was that all the Hudsons had updraft carbs, while the Terraplanes were downdraft. Everything went to downdraft in 34 (and stayed there). http://hetclub.org/burr/manuals/1933Hudson8OwnersManual.pdf

Well, the manual is something Alex posted somewhere on this site, but I can't find it by browsing around for it. Anyway, the link works.

I've studied every 33T8 I have encountered, including my own so Im confident in that. I've never seen a 33 Hudson 8 engine however. It is also my understanding that the 33T8 was the first with an onboard mechanical fuel pump (leading all other models by one year), whereas 33 H8 did not have one? I know some of my NOS ignition parts etc are listed for both models. Did you buy the craigslist car?

I'm sorry you don't live a bit closer to the Washington, D.C. area, because there are three '32-33 Hudson Eights in the Md./Northern Va. area which you could study, and a very talented Hudson guy in W. Va. who can make these engines purr like a sewing machine.

Matt and John,

Yes, I did buy the CA CL car. Why? Just nuts really because I have too many, but this is a very unusual car. I'm hoping it does have an interesting history associated with it and I'm working on tracking that down. Well, these come up for sale about every 30 years as they only made 2401 in 1933. This one is a very early 33, and is probably one of the earliest left. Basically, there are about 9 of these vehicles owned by HET members, which means there may be 20? out there possibly. I am aware of the one (apparently more) in Virginia -- have seen pictures of it on the web. It's fantastic! No engine pictures for that. Ed Souers owns two of these cars, including a Major Eight which has the astronomical 132" wb. There's at least one more of those out there. None of those are restored. The car I purchased has been out of circulation for at least around 40 years; it needs everything of course.

In 1933, the engine had a vacuum tank that pulled the fuel to the carb. In 1934, the engine took it's more commonly seen appearance which it kept to the end of production in 1952. Here's what the manual says:

FUEL FEED—Vacuum System with
Vacuum Booster

HUDSON EIGHT
ADJUSTMENT Vacuum Tank
The glass sediment chamber at the bottom of the vacuum tank should be removed and cleaned whenever its contents show an accumulation of water or dirt. The water, due to the fact
that it is heavier than gasoline, settles to the bottom of the glass and is easily distinguished. The flow of gasoline is automatically shut off as soon as the glass is
removed, so that it is only necessary to hold the glass "A" in one hand, loosen the thumbscrew "B," and swing the
bracket "C" to one side to empty the glass. The removal of the sediment chamber also acts as a cut-off so that the
carburetor feed line can be removed without loss of gasoline from the vacuum tank.

If you look at that link to the owners manual I posted yesterday on pages 11 and 12, you'll see the two heads, each covering 4cyl of the straight 8.

Tim

I followed that '33 back from a meet in W. Virginia, on Sunday, driving my '37. It cruises right along at 45-50 mph (but could really use better rear-end gearing!). We stopped at a gas station and the owner's 9-year-old son proudly pointed out how quiet the engine was. I smiled knowingly and said "that's because it isn't running!" until I suddenly realized that it was!

As you may know, there was a rather long article in the WTN several years ago about the 1933 Hudsons (I wrote it...with a lot of technical help from others), and if you haven't read it you should keep your eyes open for it. I think it came out early in 2001. The number of '33 survivors was then thought to be 15 but it's gone up slightly (a '33 phaeton has appeared in India since then).

Jon,

Thanks, I will go back and look for the article. Babbit engines, if properly running and put together, are very quiet at idle. They get a little noisier when running them!

This car will be a big challenge to restore. Another question I'm trying to wrap my mind around is what should I use to restore the top with? Not sure what was used originally. Someone has suggested the usual wood for the framing is ash. Supposedly the Hudson of this year doesn't really have much wood in the body otherwise.

Tim

Tim,

Im anxiously awaiting pictures. That looks like a great project. I too am crazy enugh to have jumped on that if my plate wasn't already overflowing. I don't remember much from the pics, is there much body damage?

My 33 too has been out of circulation since 66 when my dad bought it, I'm hoping it will move under its own power this year.

Thanks,
Matt

Jon,

The article was in the Nov/Dec 2000 issue. Thanks for redirecting me to that! I don't think i have the 1992 article on the 1933 Terraplanes mentioned because I joined the following year; I guess I am now about a 20 year HET member! How the heck did that happen???!!!

Matt: we will have to trade notes on these cars as we work through them. It seems just about everything was a little different for the Hudson vs Terraplane that year. The Terraplane got some of the newer technology in mechanicals, while Hudson waited till the following year.

Tim, That car sounds cool looking forward to pics my Uncle owns the car that was at Gettysburg. He doesnt get online. but you could call him. Let me know if you need any thing. Thanks Joe

Joe,

Thanks! Well, I will see in a couple days just what I'm dealing with as it should arrive at my place. I will spend plenty of time evaluating the car before I really begin any work on it. I'm glad to know others that have this year as no doubt I'll need to find parts and probably reconstruct some items.

Tim