1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Yesterday I purchased a 1950 Hudson Pacemaker as a "retirement project" for the Grandson and I. I also in the process of buying my new lead sled project that Im going to be a Grandfather again. I guess I better get started so its done by the time they are old enough to drive LOL. Car is all original, flathead 6 with 3 on the tree. Nothing fancy, little to no chrome, radio delete. Unibody frame and floors are in really nice condition. Body is solid but riddled with dents. Taking my time on this one, going to see if we can get the flathead to turn over. I have it soaking in Marvels mystery oil and next weekend we are going to mess with it to determine if its worth trying to get it to run. Will keep you all posted on the progress

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

1950 Hudson Pacemaker

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

I like it ! Looks in pretty decent shape for it's age. What sort of condition is the interior? Pics of the interior would be nice to see. Must have a massive trunk I would think, LOL. Hope all the major parts and trim are still there, think it would a challenge if missing major components. Doubt there is a lot of after market support in parts. Good luck on the project.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

The interior is a wreck LOL. Back seat isnt bad, front seat is destroyed. Door panels are not good. Had a canvas headliner, all the bows are there and the original insulation is good. Story is that while the car was in storage a family of racoons decided to take up residence in the Hudson. The Pacemaker is a base model so there wasnt much chrome on it to begin with but I believe you can still buy the chrome trim. I do have the fender skirts for the car which are not on it in the pic. Yes the trunk is pretty large beneath that small deck lid. I will try to post more pics of the car next weekend

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Looks like a good start. You should have loads of fun with the grandson.

My own boy now wants to learn to weld. So I am looking for gloves so he can try his hand at it. His 1/2 brother imitates me welding from a video I sent my son.

I want a Packard with the same body shape to cut the top off of for a fair weather car, and shorten 18" roughly.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

You could fit a whole lot of raccoons in the back seat of one of those cars. I seem to remember they were cavernous!

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Dang that thing looks heavy..!!!!

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Took some pics of the seats in the Hudson to post. Front is destroyed but the rear is in good shape.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Started to disassemble the front clip to get ready to pull the flathead / 3spd out

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

And the seemingly never ending FUN begins, :lol: Good luck on the project. What's the plan for a transplant in place of the flathead and knuckle buster 3 OTT?

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

LS swap, but this one wont be like the one I did for the Suburban. This will be a stock transplant

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Front clip is removed

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Make it much easier to pull the engine for sure. What transmission are you planning on using? Progress is always good to achieve.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

I havent really made up my mind yet. Plus Im not familiar with these cars so once the flathead 6 and 3 on the tree is out I can go from there. Would like to get a dropout for a decent price ( 4.8,5.3,6.0/ 4L60E ) not sure if there is room for a 4L80E. My other thought is an AR5 (5 spd ) but I want it to be " user friendly " so the wife can drive it, that could put the final nail in the coffin for the AR5 stick shift hotrod LOL

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Neat car! I'd never heard of these before.

So do you think that's the original paint too? That was a neat color combo.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

I love it! :-)

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Last weekend I finished removing the front clip and while trying to figure out if the flathead inline 6 is a 232 I discovered that the numbers on the block match the numbers on the serial plate inside the door. So it turns out i have a numbers matching 232 flathead inline 6 with a 3 spd manual/overdrive. This morning I removed the head from the motor and so far up top things look pretty good. To much fabrication to LS swap this unibody car so after discovering its numbers matching Im going to rebuild the flathead. That makes things pretty much plug and play. The paint is not original on the car, the original color is on the firewall but may be hard to see in the pics. Its a dark greenish blue color

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Finding that the numbers match is a pleasant surprise. Can't go wrong with the 3 speed overdrive trans either. I love the one in my truck

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Would be somewhat unique to see a build now days retaining the IL6 and 3OTT setup. Been a long time since I've driven a 3OTT. I like the idea of keeping the original driveline, it's different and rarely seen at a car show in today's world.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Here is the head. The MMO that I poured into each cylinder made the carbon bubble up like paint but it wiped right off the piston. I havent cleaned up the chambers in the head as of yet

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

I have been kicking around the idea of doing some lace paint on the car when i get to that point and was practicing on an old piece of body panel i had laying around. Color combo at this point im leaning towards a 2 tone black with the lace in metallic green

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Today I removed the intake/exhaust manifolds, and the valve covers. The inside of the motor where the valve train is located is surprisingly clean. I removed the timing chain ( which is shot ) and the camshaft, lifters, and valves turn freely. The rotating assembly will turn 90 degrees in both directions before coming to a stop ( turning it at the flywheel with a screwdriver ) So for now I have come to the conclusion that it is possible the clutch is stuck to the flywheel and Im trying to turn both the crank and input shaft of the trans. Driveshaft is off and the trans is in neutral. After I get the motor and trans out of the car and split the unit I will investigate the problem further

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Over the weekend I pulled the flathead and trans out of the Hudson. Once out of the car and on the floor I was able to get the bottom end of the motor to turn over 360 so motor wise I feel I am in good shape so far. Disassembled the front suspension as well to clean the components and frame to get ready to paint. Lowering the front 2 inches and converting from drums to disc over the winter as well as doing the wiring to get it out of the way first.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

That's cool, any valves stuck?

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

No sir. After removing the timing chain I turned the cam with a 3/8 ratchet and all of the valves opened and closed

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Still more progress being made. Keep at it, it can be a long haul but the end result of driving and enjoying old iron is the goal. Looking forward for more pics and the next chapter in the journey.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

I'm subbed to watch!

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

I am in as well! I really like the body style.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Made a little more progress on the suspension parts. Got the driver side components cleaned up and ready for paint, and also made the lowering kit for the bottom A-arm which I found on another forum I belong too. I ground off the rivets attaching the spring pocket to the lower A-arm. Next I took a piece of 1x1 key stock and transferred the holes from the spring pocket to the key stock and drilled to 7/16. Then placed the key stock between the lower A-arm and the spring pocket attaching it with grade 8 bolts and nylon locknuts. The 1 inch spacer will yield a 2 inch drop in ride height. Tomorrow I will start the process all over again for the passenger side

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Today I disassembled the passenger side suspension components and made the lowering blocks for the bottom A-arm then installed the blocks. Parts are 95% cleaned up and once that side is ready for paint I plan on starting on the frame up front to get it cleaned and ready for paint. With a little luck I just might be ready to paint the frame by the weekend possibly.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Today I finished disassembling the front portion of the frame and cleaned it up. Got the first coat of paint on this afternoon and tomorrow I will put the final coat on the frame. If time permits this week I will start painting the suspension components and get them ready to assemble the front end and get the Pacemaker back down on the floor

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Today I painted the frame (front portion up to trans cross member) and front cross member. Cleaned up more of the remaining steering components and painted the tie rods. Going to try to start painting the suspension parts this week and maybe begin assembling the front suspension

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Today I started to assemble the front suspension on the Pacemaker. 80% finished with the install, upper and lower A-arms, spindles with the disc brake brackets, and the center link with tie rods. Next Saturday I plan to install the coil springs and possibly the sway bar so that much will be done.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Looking good for the front suspension. Any thoughts as to the interior? Since plan is to keep the IL6 what sort of seats/material is in the plan? Think a simple seat cushion/springs rebuild and nice simple cloth covers on seats and door panels would be in keeping the flavor of the original engine. Just some thoughts.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Thx Ironhorse. Im going to keep the interior stock just different colors that are not stock. The original color of the car was a blueish/green color and the interior is light blue (almost turquoise ) and some sort of brown or tan, why I have no idea but thats how they did it back then I guess lol. Once I get to that point I will post some pics of the door panels and such. Cant get a good pic of the interior in the bay that its in, but maybe when I move it forward after the front end is done I can get a few pics and post them

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Today I installed the coil springs, shocks, and sway bar links on the front suspension. The hubs and rotors are going to need some minor machine work before I can install them along with the calipers, then the front end will be complete. Also removed the old MC and started to clean up the components for paint plus bench bled the new MC.

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Disassembled the steering column and painted it this past week. Installed the column and steering box back in the car this morning. Steering wheel needed some epoxy work so it will be a few days before i get to it and get it painted

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Column looks great, nice job!

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Thank you Ol Blue K20

Re: 1950 Hudson Pacemaker
 

Today I installed the hubs, rotors, and calipers. Now the Hudson is back down on the floor and moved forward.