'39 Engine Question -

[46HudsonPU]

Early in the day, I was doing a bit of clean-up on a '39 175 cu in that I bought - still have at least 6-8 hours of cleaning to do on it, but did notice that there is still some silver paint in places, under all that dirt, grime and crud...

Left it outside, and began pulling the existing engine/trans out of my '39 Model 90 112" WB Hudson Pickup.

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With both of them out & sitting side-by-side, I noticed that the 175 cu in engine had one oil breather tube-coming out of the rear valve cover, while the engine I pulled out of the '39 PU had two breather tubes, one coming out of the rear valve cover (as with the other engine), and a second coming out of the front valve cover;

Is there any significance to this? Any particular reason why one engine would have one breather tube, and the other have two?

They are both supposed to be of the cu in (175), and the same year (1939) - the first engine came out of a 2dr utility coupe; and the one out of the pickup is supposed to be a 175 cu in also.

Just curious...

[Geoff C., N.Z.]

Probably just another of Hudson's perverse ways of keeping the 112's as the el-cheapo model.

[46HudsonPU]

Probably just another of Hudson's perverse ways of keeping the 112's as the el-cheapo model.
Thought it might be a clue to as to an easy way to tell the difference between 175 cu in and 212 cu in. engines...

The more I get into this '39 Hudson Model 90 pickup, the more I think the engine has been replaced at some point.

[37 Terraplane#2]

Should be some numbers on them but they did not match chasis numbers those yrs. BUD

[46HudsonPU]

Should be some numbers on them but they did not match chasis numbers those yrs. BUD
Actually, Hudson began putting the chassis serial numbers on the engines in '39. However, from my observations - only two engines thus far, it was not consistent, or began mid-year (unknown).

The initial query concerned single vs. dual breather tubes attached to the valve covers. Observation is that 175 cu in engines have one breather tube (rear valve cover), while others (212 cu in?) have an additional breather tube in the front valve cover. Trying to confirm this, as an easy way to tell if an engine is a 175 cu in vs. a 212 cu in.

[Kevin C.]

Actually, Hudson began putting the chassis serial numbers on the engines in '39. However, from my observations - only two engines thus far, it was not consistent, or began mid-year (unknown).

The initial query concerned single vs. dual breather tubes attached to the valve covers. Observation is that 175 cu in engines have one breather tube (rear valve cover), while others (212 cu in?) have an additional breather tube in the front valve cover. Trying to confirm this, as an easy way to tell if an engine is a 175 cu in vs. a 212 cu in.

Hmmmmm......you have me wondering. Perhaps I will stop by the old homestead and check out the 175. I don't recall seeing a 2nd breather tube on that engine. While I'm there I'll look for the # on the block and see if it matches the # on the front axle of the 39.

Remember, if you don't want to bash in the firewall on your truck, like Teeny did, I'll give you a good deal on my 212! LOL

Kevin C.

[39CCl8]

The 212 is a bit longer than the 175, if I recall correctly. I just sold a '39 212 and it had two road draft tubes.

[Geoff C., N.Z.]

The blocks are identical. The ony differences are the head, the crank, and the con rods. Hudson sure had a strange way of saving money with their 112 models - different brakes, steering, axle bearings, front springs, as well as the body and dash etc.

[Chuck G]

Engines are the same length. My 212 engine has 2 breather pipes and my 38 175 engine has just one. Chuck G.

[46HudsonPU]

The blocks are identical. The only differences are the head, the crank, and the con rods. Hudson sure had a strange way of saving money with their 112 models - different brakes, steering, axle bearings, front springs, as well as the body and dash etc.
Thank you for the clarification Geoff, it confirms what I have been told. According to the Mechanical Procedure Manual (1934 to 1939), there also is a noticeable difference in the Oil Reservoir Tray between the Hudson Six and the Hudson 112.

Engines are the same length. My 212 engine has 2 breather pipes and my 38 175 engine has just one. Chuck G.
Thanks for looking Chuck. Granted, only limited results thus far - but we may have found an easy way to tell if an engine is a 175 cu in vs 212 cu in - as long as it has not been altered/modified.

[Geoff C., N.Z.]

Oops yes, I forgot about the engine tray. Of course the trays are shallower, as the stroke is much shorter.
Geoff.

[46HudsonPU]

Looks like someone selling a 38-40 Hudson engine on eBay is using the single vs. dual breathers as an identifying point to determine engine size (possibly from this thread?)...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320381962884&viewitem=&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching