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Volume 1 · Hudson

Engine
Reference Catalog

Factory specifications, architecture, key variants, engineering notes, racing history and the stories that made Hudson's most important engines matter.

Technical reference•Historical context•Builder notes•Print ready

Edition 1.0 · September 2026 · Published

Public preview · first 3 engine profiles unlocked

8

Detailed engine profiles

7/8

Commercially cleared photos

48

Source references

V1

6 engine families

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Independent TorqueList reference

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Accuracy

Specifications can vary by model year, application, option code, market, and production revision. Verify critical service, purchasing, racing, and installation information against the exact factory documentation for the specific vehicle or engine before relying on it.

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Contents

Hudson Engine Reference — Volume 1

Profiles are organized by engine family and pull from the same published TorqueList Engine Library used by the web experience.

Pre-Step-Down Flathead Six

1 profiles
Hudson 212 Super SixPrewar–1947 core era
212 ci

Step-Down Flathead Six

2 profiles
Hudson 232 Inline-Six1950–1952 core Hudson application era
232 ci
Hudson 262 Super Six1948–1954 family era
262 ci

Hudson Straight-Eight

1 profiles
Hudson 254 Straight-Eight1930s–1952 family era
254.4 ci

Jet Flathead Six

1 profiles
Hudson 202 Jet Six1953–1954
201.45 ci

Hornet 308

2 profiles
Hudson 308 Hornet Six1951–1956 Hudson/Hornet family era
308 ci
Hudson 308 Twin-H Power1951 dealer kit · 1952–1956 factory availability era
308 ci

Hornet 308 Competition

1 profiles
Hudson 308 7X Race Engine1952–1954 core competition era
308 ci
8/8 profiles include reference sources.
Every engine has artwork; rights-cleared real photos replace TorqueList original technical art as they are approved.
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01

TorqueList Technical Reference

Pre-Step-Down Flathead Six

Full web profile

Hudson 212 Super Six

The long-stroke flathead six that powered Hudson's immediate postwar cars before the Step-Down era.

Hudson 212 Super Six engine

Hudson 212 Super Six enginePhoto: Christopher Ziemnowicz — CC BY-SA 4.0 — via Wikimedia Commons · source · license

★

Why it matters

Key takeaway

The 212 was Hudson's familiar pre-Step-Down six and delivered its torque with an unusually long five-inch stroke.

Key variants

All variantsPrewar 212 Super Six1946–1947 Super Six

Engineering

Technical specification

Architecture
L-head inline six
Block
Cast iron
Cylinder heads
Cast iron
Valvetrain
Side-valve L-head, mechanical lifters
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated
Fuel delivery
Carbureted
Firing order
1-5-3-6-2-4
Main bearings
3

The 212 Super Six used a cast-iron L-head inline-six with a narrow 3.00-inch bore and extremely long 5.00-inch stroke. The three-main-bearing, side-valve design prioritized low-speed torque and smoothness over high-rpm airflow.

Builder reference

Internal Specifications

Variant-specific values are labeled. For engine families with multiple factory combinations, the exact RPO/code/year takes priority over the family summary.

Identification & Output

Engine codes / RPO
Hudson 212 Super Six — pre-Step-Down identification relies on engine serial/model-year application rather than a single modern RPO-style code
Casting numbers
No single universal block/head casting is retained here for the full prewar–1947 212 run; verify casting/date, 3.00 x 5.00-inch dimensions and engine serial together.
Power rating
Period brake horsepower / SAE gross-era rating
Horsepower RPM
102 hp @ 4000 rpm in documented 1946 specification
Torque RPM
168 lb-ft @ 1200 rpm in documented 1946 specification

Operating Specs

Production notes
The postwar 212 retained a 3.00-inch bore and very long 5.00-inch stroke. It was replaced as Hudson moved into its Step-Down generation and the newer 232/262 engine family.

Compatibility Notes

  • Pre-Step-Down 212 hardware should not be assumed interchangeable with the later 232/262/308 wide-block sixes; block dimensions, mounts, induction and external parts differ.
  • Verify model year and serial before ordering pistons, bearings, head gasket, water pump or transmission-interface parts because Hudson six-cylinder families overlap historically but are not one universal design.

Factory fitment

Notable applications

Hudson Super SixHudson Commodore SixHudson commercial models

Versions that matter

Key factory / build variants

Prewar 212 Super Six

Long-stroke Hudson flathead-six family

prewar era

Year/application dependent

1946–1947 Super Six

Final pre-Step-Down version before the 262/232 generation

1946–1947

102 hp @ 4000 rpm representative

Strengths

  • Excellent low-speed torque
  • Simple flathead construction
  • Strong period originality

Watch-outs

  • Only three main bearings
  • Extremely long stroke
  • Limited breathing and rpm potential

Common upgrades

  • Electronic ignition conversion
  • Carburetor restoration
  • Cooling-system refresh

Builder notes

Engineering notes worth knowing

01

212 cu in / 3.5 L with 3.00 x 5.00-inch bore and stroke.

02

Cast-iron L-head inline-six with mechanical lifters.

03

Carbureted and naturally aspirated.

04

Documented 1946 output: 102 hp and 168 lb-ft.

History & context

The story behind the engine

The 212 was Hudson's familiar pre-Step-Down six. Its five-inch stroke delivered the low-speed torque Hudson buyers expected, but the design clearly belonged to an older generation than the wide-block engines that followed.

Racing history

The 212 belongs to Hudson’s earlier Super Six lineage, but the company’s famous early-1950s stock-car dominance came after its production run with the larger 308 Hornet. The 212 is therefore best treated as an important predecessor rather than the NASCAR-winning Hornet engine.

Legacy

The 212 carried Hudson’s long-stroke Super Six tradition into the immediate postwar era and preceded the wider-bore Step-Down sixes that culminated in the 308 Hornet.

Verification

Reference sources

Classic Car Database — 1946 Hudson 212 specifications

period spec

1946 Hudson brochure — engine specifications

manufacturer brochure

1954 Hudson technical data — six-cylinder firing order and ignition specifications

factory technical reference

Wikimedia Commons — 1946 Hudson Super Six engine-bay photo

licensed media

TorqueList independent reference · Not an OEM publication or endorsement. Original TorqueList editorial and layout rights reserved.

02

TorqueList Technical Reference

Step-Down Flathead Six

Full web profile

Hudson 232 Inline-Six

The shorter-stroke Step-Down six used in Pacemakers and Wasps beneath the larger 262 and 308.

Hudson 232 Inline-Six engine

Hudson 232 Inline-Six enginePhoto: dave_7 — CC BY 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons · source · license

★

Why it matters

Key takeaway

The 232 used the same 3.5625-inch bore as the 262 but a shorter stroke, giving Hudson a lighter-duty Step-Down six for Pacemaker and Wasp models.

Key variants

All variantsStandard 232High-compression 232

Engineering

Technical specification

Architecture
L-head inline six
Block
Cast iron
Cylinder heads
Cast iron
Valvetrain
Side-valve L-head, mechanical lifters
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated
Fuel delivery
Single downdraft carburetor
Firing order
1-5-3-6-2-4
Main bearings
4

The 232 used Hudson's newer Step-Down-era wide-block six architecture with a 3.5625-inch bore and shorter 3.875-inch stroke. It provided a lighter-duty version of the same basic family that grew into the 262 and 308.

Builder reference

Internal Specifications

Variant-specific values are labeled. For engine families with multiple factory combinations, the exact RPO/code/year takes priority over the family summary.

Identification & Output

Engine codes / RPO
232 Step-Down six — identify by vehicle/engine serial, 3.5625-inch bore and 3.875-inch stroke; 1954 service data associates the 232 with 4D applications
Casting numbers
The reviewed Hudson service material does not establish one universal casting number for every 232 block/head; verify casting/date together with bore, stroke and serial/application.
Power rating
Period brake horsepower / SAE gross-era rating
Horsepower RPM
112 hp @ 4000 rpm
Torque RPM
175 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm

Operating Specs

Production notes
Hudson used the same 3.5625-inch bore as the 262 but shortened stroke to 3.875 inches for 232 cid. Period service data distinguishes its ignition/distributor application from the 262/308 group.

Compatibility Notes

  • 232, 262 and 308 engines are related but differ in stroke, displacement-specific rotating parts and application hardware; verify crank/rod/piston and head specification before interchange.
  • High-compression and standard heads alter compression ratio; identify the head and chamber before assuming an advertised ratio.

Factory fitment

Notable applications

Hudson PacemakerHudson Pacemaker DeluxeHudson Wasp

Versions that matter

Key factory / build variants

Standard 232

Shorter-stroke member of Hudson’s Step-Down wide-block six family

1950–1952 core era

112 hp @ 4000 rpm; 175 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm

High-compression 232

Optional higher-compression head raised ratio from about 6.7:1 to 7.2:1

selected applications

Application dependent

Strengths

  • Shorter stroke than 262/308
  • Smooth low-speed operation
  • Shares family architecture with larger Hudson sixes

Watch-outs

  • Flathead breathing
  • Modest output
  • Overshadowed by the 262 and 308

Common upgrades

  • Twin-carb period induction
  • Electronic ignition
  • Exhaust improvements

Builder notes

Engineering notes worth knowing

01

232 cu in / 3.8 L with 3.5625 x 3.875-inch bore and stroke.

02

Cast-iron L-head inline-six.

03

Single downdraft carburetor.

04

Factory rating: about 112 hp and 175 lb-ft.

History & context

The story behind the engine

The 232 brought Hudson's modern postwar six-cylinder architecture to Pacemaker and Wasp models. It shared the basic wide-block concept that would soon become famous in larger form under the Hornet.

Racing history

The 232 was primarily the smaller production member of Hudson’s Step-Down six family rather than the engine behind the Hornet’s NASCAR dominance. Its shared architecture is historically important because Hudson enlarged the same basic wide-block concept into the 262 and 308.

Legacy

The 232 established the smaller-displacement side of Hudson’s modern postwar wide-block six family and helped standardize the Step-Down engine architecture later made famous by the Hornet 308.

Verification

Reference sources

Classic Car Database — 1950 Hudson 232 specifications

period spec

Hudson Motor Car technical service bulletin — 1948–56 six-cylinder engine information

factory service bulletin

1954 Hudson technical data — six-cylinder firing order and ignition specifications

factory technical reference

Hudson Motor Car technical service bulletin — 1948–56 six-cylinder engine information

factory service bulletin

Approved catalog media — Wikimedia Commons

licensed media

TorqueList independent reference · Not an OEM publication or endorsement. Original TorqueList editorial and layout rights reserved.

03

TorqueList Technical Reference

Step-Down Flathead Six

Full web profile

Hudson 262 Super Six

The full-pressure-lubricated Step-Down six that became the foundation for Hudson's legendary 308 Hornet engine.

Hudson 262 Super Six engine

Hudson 262 Super Six enginePhoto: D. Miller — CC BY 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons · source · license

★

Why it matters

Key takeaway

Hudson's 262 was the first of the new Step-Down-era large sixes with full-pressure lubrication and served as the direct engineering base for the bored-and-stroked 308.

Key variants

All variantsStandard 262 Super SixHigh-compression/aluminum-head 262

Engineering

Technical specification

Architecture
L-head inline six
Block
Cast iron
Cylinder heads
Cast iron; optional aluminum head in selected years
Valvetrain
Side-valve L-head, mechanical lifters
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated
Fuel delivery
Carbureted
Firing order
1-5-3-6-2-4
Main bearings
4

The 262 enlarged Hudson's wide-block six with a 4.375-inch stroke while retaining the 3.5625-inch bore. Full-pressure lubrication, strong low-rpm torque, and robust cast-iron construction made it the direct engineering foundation for the 308.

Builder reference

Internal Specifications

Variant-specific values are labeled. For engine families with multiple factory combinations, the exact RPO/code/year takes priority over the family summary.

Identification & Output

Engine codes / RPO
262 Super Six / Step-Down six — identify by serial/application plus 3.5625 x 4.375-inch bore/stroke; 1954 service data groups 262/308 distributor applications together
Casting numbers
No single universal 262 casting is retained across the full 1948–1954 run; use casting/date, 4.375-inch stroke, serial and head specification together.
Power rating
Period brake horsepower / SAE gross-era rating
Horsepower RPM
121 hp @ 4000 rpm in 1948; approximately 123–127 hp in later versions
Torque RPM
200 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm representative

Operating Specs

Production notes
Introduced with the Step-Down generation for 1948, the 262 used a 3.5625-inch bore and 4.375-inch stroke. Hudson later enlarged bore and stroke to create the 308 while retaining the family’s low-speed torque emphasis.

Compatibility Notes

  • 262 and 308 external appearance can be similar, but rotating assembly, bore/stroke, head/compression and induction details differ; verify serial and measurements before identifying a loose engine.
  • Twin-H components can be adapted within the family, but carburetor calibration, manifold, linkage, air cleaners and head/compression should be treated as a matched setup.

Factory fitment

Notable applications

Hudson Super SixHudson Commodore SixHudson Wasp

Versions that matter

Key factory / build variants

Standard 262 Super Six

Core Step-Down six before the Hornet 308

1948–1954

121–127 hp depending year

High-compression/aluminum-head 262

Optional head package raised compression/output

selected years

Application dependent

Strengths

  • Full-pressure lubrication
  • Strong 200 lb-ft low-speed torque
  • Direct lineage to 308 Hornet

Watch-outs

  • Flathead airflow limits high-rpm power
  • Long 4.375-inch stroke
  • Four-main-bearing crank support

Common upgrades

  • Twin-H-style induction adaptations
  • Higher-compression head
  • Performance cam and exhaust

Builder notes

Engineering notes worth knowing

01

262 cu in / 4.3 L with 3.5625 x 4.375-inch bore and stroke.

02

Cast-iron L-head inline-six with full-pressure lubrication.

03

Factory output ranged roughly 121–127 hp depending year.

04

Documented torque: about 200 lb-ft.

History & context

The story behind the engine

The 262 was the engine that set the stage for Hudson's most famous powerplant. It established the Step-Down-era wide-block six architecture that Hudson later bored and stroked into the 308 Hornet.

Racing history

The 262 itself was not Hudson’s signature factory stock-car engine; that role went to the larger 308. It is nevertheless the direct architectural predecessor whose wide-block design, durable bottom end and long-stroke layout were expanded into the Hornet engine.

Legacy

The 262 was the backbone of the early Step-Down Hudson six-cylinder line and the immediate engineering foundation for the 308 Hornet.

Verification

Reference sources

Classic Car Database — 1948 Hudson 262 specifications

period spec

Hemmings — 262 to 308 engine development

historical reference

Hudson Motor Car technical service bulletin — 1948–56 six-cylinder engine information

factory service bulletin

1954 Hudson technical data — six-cylinder firing order and ignition specifications

factory technical reference

Hudson Motor Car technical service bulletin — 1948–56 six-cylinder engine information

factory service bulletin

TorqueList independent reference · Not an OEM publication or endorsement. Original TorqueList editorial and layout rights reserved.

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All-manufacturer workshop tools

Hudson Workshop Companion

Builder utilities and edition 2.0 reference sections. Calculations use your entered measurements; empty or unverified interchange, machining, power and torque data are never represented as confirmed specifications.

Public preview: workshop reference content remains limited until this volume is unlocked. The compression calculator is a general educational utility.

Engine geometry & static compression

Starting values are examples only, not specifications for any engine. Use measured dimensions. Dish and valve relief add clearance volume; dome subtracts it. Deck means piston below deck at top dead center. Calculations are for one cylinder except total displacement.

Geometry
Compression inputs

Static compression

9.63:1

Displacement

349.8 ci

Displacement

5.733 L

Mean piston speed

3,480 ft/min

Rod-to-stroke ratio

1.638

Clearance volume

83.02 cc / cyl

Static compression = (swept + clearance) ÷ clearance. Mean piston speed = 2 × stroke (feet) × RPM. These calculations do not predict fuel octane, dynamic compression, safe RPM, engine strength, horsepower, or whether a combination will clear mechanically.

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Attribution record

Image & License Credits

Only photographs recorded as approved for commercial use appear in this edition. TorqueList does not claim ownership of third-party photographs; all fallback technical artwork is TorqueList-created original material.

Hudson 212 Super Six

Christopher Ziemnowicz — CC BY-SA 4.0 — via Wikimedia Commons

CC BY-SA 4.0

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946_Hudson_Super_Six_Big_Boy_pickup_truck_at_2015_AACA_Eastern_Regional_Fall_Meet_6of9.jpg

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Layout adaptations of this photograph remain subject to the same indicated CC BY-SA license.

Hudson 232 Inline-Six

dave_7 — CC BY 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons

CC BY 2.0

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1954HudsonWasp-engine.jpg

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Hudson 262 Super Six

D. Miller — CC BY 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons

CC BY 2.0

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1954_Hudson_Super_Wasp.jpg

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

TorqueList is an independent automotive reference publication and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or authorized by Hudson, AMC, any successor, or any other vehicle or engine manufacturer.