1952 Hornet Restoation

[Deleted User]

Message from Allen,



We are experiencing difficulties reinstalling stock column mainly because

700R4 isn't same as original two speed Hudson transmission; anybody have recommendations we welcome your input. Has anyone installed 700R4 transmission using stock column?



Also Allen forgot to take a picture of the turn signal housing on the column today. But maybe we could ask the forum.



Need to know what guys are doing for a turn signal switch inside the stock column? We only have re-chromed housing but don’t have any of the inner working of switch and I still have not found anything that will work.



I am driving to see Allen in Overton tomorrow, will take pictures and post upon my Vegas last afternoon return which may idenitfy problem better.



Thanks,



Ray



Returned from Overton, anyone who has experienced installation of 350 Chevy using original Hudson steering wheel set up with 700R4 transmission we would appreciate any helpful input...



a.) Picture of re-chromed directional light housing; has anyone found/used after market switch support?

b.) Picture with steering column interior rod diameter is too wide to fit into rack and pinion, havn't found any GM or other car rod to substitute? Allen doesn't have a lathe and trying to find machine shop he can use to narrow rod, if that works, next problem is finding correct size bushing for inner column rod.

Another problem is original Hudson gear selector doesn't allow shift selector to select all running gears of 700R4, thinking about machine work to allow more room, however still have problem getting around column.

c.) If steering problem resolved, with limited amount of room for brake pedal (can't move power brake cylinder) and may have to modify brake to different arch?



Don't know if I explained correctly, but have done the best I can?



Thanks again for helpful recommendations.



Ray

[Deleted User]

Just in case anyone interested and contemplating using different or 350 Chevy, 700R4 drive train with Fatman fab front end and may experience same problems, Allen emailed me the following:



“I went over to Mikes house at 2pm and just now got home at 7:28. It took 5 hours and 28 minutes to make one each of upper and lower bearings and to turned down steering shaft so a u-joint will fit it. Still need to make the threaded end to hold the steering wheel on. It has to be assembled and a custom lower mounting bracket made. Then will work on the shifter problem. Just want to give you an idea of the time it takes. I would say I have another 24 hours easy maybe more before the column will be done. This stuff looks and sounds easy but the time it takes to actually do is a lot more than you think. Here is a few pictures of bushings I made. Ended up making the lower out of aluminum and made a brass bushing insert for it. Will last and work better then the plastic, just happened to have a piece of brass. Intend to work more on the column on Monday.”





After going to Overton and seeing problem I now understand two things; a.) difficulties of building a complete different drive train, rear and front ends with power brakes and steering change which isn’t easy or inexpensive…b.) I’d never think about restoring another car, if so and I decide to do my 1956 Hornet at later date, I’ll keep it stock, besides I am a real fan of 308 Twin-H Powered engine.



Ray

RL Chilton

Hi Ray! Most folks I know that have done the 700R4 tranny have kept the stock front end. Others I know of that have gone with the different front clip, often use a different column (other than stock). Can't offer much help here, although it probably would have been easier to keep the stock steering box and make changes from the pitman arm on down. Still, there's custom fabrication either way.

Don't totally understand what your guy had to do to the bottom of the column, but my guess is he's using a "double-D" bar and U-joints to reach a steering box that is further forward than a stock unit? Like to a rack-and-pinion assembly? If that is the case, you're on the right track.

If you want to use the stock turn signal mechanism, I might have an extra set of guts for the switch, I'll check tomorrow. That part should be easy enough to allow it to work. If you are using a stock steering wheel, make sure the two pins are in the back of the wheel, as that is your cancelling mechanism with a stock turn signal assembly.

[Deleted User]

Hi Russell,



Yes column to U-Joints required, however diameter of original column rod doesn't fit and has to be cut down on lathe; Overton is small town and only one guy has lathe Allen could use, also whoever took out column must have beat it with hammer destroying threads that go into upper part of steering wheel; going to have to make..If all of this works out smoothly still concerned about chrome part of gear selector clearance on outer column housing. Can use two gears but 700R4 has more.

Russ I intend to use stock steering wheel and can use stock turn signal mechanism, please advise if you have, my steering wheel was rebuilt and fortunately two pins in question are in good shape?



Thanks,



Ray

RL Chilton

Found one! It needs to be taken apart, cleaned up, oiled, etc. but it's all there, the springs are in good shape. Send me an e-mail, Ray.

[Deleted User]

Ray,



Definately keep us posted w/ pics on the column modification. The fact that the Hudson lower part of the column is attached and supported by the steering gear box makes steering upgrades difficult. I am sure that the information will be very useful to many of us.

SuperDave

You will have another problem trying to get the horn wire down the shaft and through the U joint! I replaced my wire with "test lead" rubber insulated wire and added a large loop wrapped around the joint at the bottom to allow the U-joint to turn and not break the wire. Not pretty. but is mostly hidden from view.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Russell

[Deleted User]

Dave, thanks for useful tip with your pass experience...Another question how can I get to live in cheaper past?



Ray

[Deleted User]

Ray,



How is your steering column dilema progressing? Did Allen figure everything out?

[Deleted User]

DaveFury wrote:

Ray,



How is your steering column dilema progressing? Did Allen figure everything out?

Good Morning Dave,



Allen feels he has and working on resolving which still requires additional work on lathe which he doesn't have in his shop. As soon as it's completed I'll post pictures with description that members can use as reference





Thanks for your interest & Happy Memorial Day weekend to you all.



Ray

[Deleted User]

Ray wrote:

Good Morning Dave,



Allen feels he has and working on resolving which still requires additional work on lathe which he doesn't have in his shop. As soon as it's completed I'll post pictures with description that members can use as reference





Thanks for your interest & Happy Memorial Day weekend to you all.



Ray

Happy Memorial Day weekend to you too, Ray.