[Vwdiesel] New Topic:Off Topic, diesel transplant into a Hudson

[William J Toensing]

I have thought about this but may never do it, but the discussionof transplanting a VW diesel engine into a Suzuki Samari sparked interest of an idea I have had in the back of my head. Installing a diesel into an older American car, specifically a 1947 Hudson Commodore 6. I bought this Hudson from a person who started a restoration many years ago, lost interest 25 years ago & stored it in his garage until I bought it a year ago. The prior restorer had done all the body work, had left it in primer, & had rebuilt a 1952 Hudson Super 6 (not a Hornet) but had not installed it in the car. This engine will match an existing Hudson 3 speed transmission with overdrive, clutch & bell housing. Using this engine & transmission would probably make the most sence. I generally like to keep cars stock looking, especially when looking at a car without opening the hood. 

Most street rodders, when making an engine swap will use a small block Chevy V-8 & a late model automatic. However, fuel economy has always been my thing & I have been attracted to diesels ever since I saw my first M Benz diesel in the '60s.

That said, what do you think would be the the best engine to use. My first thought would be to use a 5 cylinder turbo diesel out of a M.Benz 300D or 300SD but maybe there are others I should consider. First, for those of you not familiar with the 1947 Hudson under consideration. It weighes about 3150 to 3200 pounds including the stock engine which in stock 6 cylinder form had 102 HP, has a 121 inch wheelbase, & an open driveshaft. I want this conversion to be as easy & inexpensive as possible with out being penny wise & pound foolish. All the MB 300Ds & SDs that I have seen have an automatic with a floor "shift". The Hudson has a column shift which I would like to retain for appearance sake. I would also like to use a diesel that weighs around the same or less than the stock Hudson did. This rules out diesel engines from Chevy, Ford, & Dodge pickups. This also rules out a VW Rabbit/Dasher diesel which is too small. 

That said, are there any other diesel engine & transmission combinations I should consider?