This expression (+ a noun) is used to make a statement more forceful either in a negative way (for example: very bad, terrible…) or in a positive way (for example: very strong, very big, very good).
(Caution with “Hell”)

It was a hell of a job to push the car by myself to get it going

Ho fatto una fatica del diavolo a spingere la macchina da solo per farla partire

After a two-hour run, I'm always as hungry and thirsty as hell!

Dopo due ore di corsa ho sempre una fame e una sete dell'accidenti!

I got one hell of a cold because I went out in the November snow without a down jacket, but wearing only a T-shirt!

Mi son beccato un raffreddore dell'accidenti perché sono uscito in novembre, con la neve, senza piumino ma con addosso solo una T-shirt