Hudson Dual Lever transmission

Kdancy

When Hudson went to the dual lever standard transmission, did they make it or was it another manufacturer such as borgwarner?

Marconi

The double lever transmission was indeed made by Borg-Warner. It was a model T-86 for the Hornets and Wasps and a model T-96 for the Jets.

Kdancy

Very good to know as T-86s were used in other makes as well.

[Deleted User]

I have been told by the older guys the Jet overdrive transmission was the sme one early Ford Mustangs had except the input shaft was different,
Roger

Geoff

Overdrives were the same on Step-downs and Jets, the only differences are the adapter plates and output shafts. The B/W unit was also used on Nash, Rambler, Studebaker, several English models as well, e.g. Ford Zephyr, Wolesely 6/110,, Austin Westminster. English fords also used the B/W transmissions, but the ratios were different, so the only things you can transplant are the synchro cones and sleeves, and the layshafts and needles. I have obtained an Austin overdrive that I pirated the parts out of for my Jet. Main thing that wears is the planetary gears and spindles.

bngkellycharternet

I have a 53 hornet that I replaced the overdrive trans. with one out of the jet.. To this day I have had no problems with the Jet Trans, in my 53 hornet. I did not change anything tomake the jet trans. work in my 53 hornet... hudson 618

[Deleted User]

I see you found it Bill,
Roger

[Deleted User]

When did the dual lever transmissions come out? I've picked up a Hudson transmission from what I was told was a '51- what will tell me if it is a dual lever or not? (Probably a stupid question I know.)

lostmind

1952 could have either single or two lever, Also the auto trans could be single range or dual
range. Also rear axle could be Hudson or Spicer.
As you can guess it was a transitional year.

[Deleted User]

Thank you very much for the info, pic and offer to assist. I will try to grab a photo tonight!

bobbydamit

That very well could have been out of a 52, but is an early one as it is the single lever tranny. The 2 levers went in the lighter cars first like the Super 6, Pacemaker and Wasp. It was an instance success, and could be converted to a floor shifter with the addition of a simple two lever conversion kit by Hurst, or Drag Fast, etc. very cheap. No more sloppy rods and bushings.

bobbydamit

One other last note. The transmissions in the later 52's were easily removed by 4 bolts from the outside of the bell housings, not from the inside. Another great time and frustration saver.

[Deleted User]

Judging by the description, I am guessing that my transmission (see pics) is the double lever? Or not, since it looks an awful lot like the above transmission pic which has two levers but is NOT a two lever? I am confused. If it were a two lever, would that mean it is at least a 52 if not later? Any way to tell definitively, maybe with serial numbers? Also, if this is the dual lever, is there a snowball's chance of finding the two lever floor conversion kits these days? Thanks guys for your guidance for a Hudson Noob.

Geoff

That is a single lever transmission. The other lever you can see is actually on the overdrive unit. As has been mentioned, the dual lever tranny is held on to the clutch housing by four external bolts. Much better arrangement, as the single lever unit, with bellhousing, transmission and overdrive all together is unbelievably heavy to try and remove and install.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the info Geoff, I was afraid that was the case.

RL Chilton

Sambone-

There's nothing wrong with the single lever transmission when they are set up properly. One of the problems that happen over time is that the cable gets stretched and then operation suffers. I believe that is why Hudson went to the dual lever variety later on. Geoff can give you more info, if you ask. But, when the single lever tranny is set up properly, it will work just like it was designed, like a champ.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the additional info- as this will be a non-traditional use of the 308, floorshift is essential for my build. I suppose anything can be done if you apply yourself...

[Deleted User]

Hi Geoff,
As you appear to be the go-to-guy in regards to the Hudson transmissions, do you know if anyone ever converted the single lever transmission to floor shift? Would it be wiser/easier/more cost effective to hunt down a double lever transmission instead?
I have been planning on running a T-5 with an adaptor up until now, but there is a lot of praise for the Hudson transmission and I am investigating my options.
Thanks for your time and patience with a Hudson noob.

bobbydamit

I have been racing and building up Hudson's for 40 years, and I have never seen a single lever trans, successfully converted into a a floor shift. I/WE have tried but it is a nightmare and has never worked. In my opinion, the 2 lever can be done by mounting the kit to the floor rather than the trans. You need to have a good set of engine mounts to avoid coming our of third on very rough roads, but it is easier to achieve, due to the limited clearance under there and the nice flat floor in that area. Look for NOS Drag Fast, maybe on E-Bay, Hurst or Jegs. Try to find one that fits early 50's Ford cars, or any kit that has a flat plate or angle iron mount, or make one, to hold the shift mechanism to the floor boards. It is cool looking, and trust me, it works. And don't be surprised it you have to mount it backwards to work, so the H pattern is reversed. Mine was this one below, last paragraph under Drag Fast Sales. $54.95 [Then]:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=867502&d=1263222636
Good luck, yer gona need it.!! Bobbydamit

MikeWA

There was a thread on floor shifters on here a couple years ago. Haven't tried to find it, but my recollections was that you couldn't make a floor shifter work with a one lever. If you have a 2 lever and overdrive, you have to devise a way to move the overdrive rail when you shift into reverse, or your OD will be destroyed. There were floor shift conversions for OD trannys back in the day, but of course, good luck finding one now.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the detailed info guys. Looks like I will be passing on my single lever transmission if I can find a home for it. It's good to learn something new everyday, even if that information can be a little disappointing.

[Deleted User]

I've had a dig around and found these, hopefully one or all will help. All will open in a new window.

• http://www.classiccar.com/forum/discussion/66204/need-help-with-floor-shifter/p1
• http://www.classiccar.com/forum/discussion/103734/infophotos-of-floor-shifter-for-single-lever-trans/p1
• http://www.classiccar.com/forum/discussion/93626/colum-to-floor-shift-conversion/p1
• http://www.classiccar.com/forum/discussion/36764/hudson-single-lever-transmissions/p1

lostmind

If you find a 2 lever trans , you can install a top shifter from an early Jeep
and make it a real floor shift .
You have to remove the the side shift forks and seal the holes.
I don't know exactly what year Jeep , but from the same era.
It's been done many times.
Not sure if it works on OD , it needs to lock out the OD in reverse,
Maybe someone can add the details.
Roy

[Deleted User]

Thanks again for the info guys... I don't suppose anyone would be interested in swapping their dual lever for my single lever, would they? :>

[Deleted User]

I was able to swap my single lever for a couple of dual levers so I am back on the case of how to successfully convert an overdrive dual lever to floor shift.
I found this article with pics on a Studebaker site that does a pretty good job explaining how the swap is done. One part he talks about but doesn't give great detail on is a method of leaving the rear side fork in and trimming it to act as an activator to overcome the overdrive reverse lockout. I'd like to get some other opinions from you guys to see if you think that would work and how exactly that might be achieved.
Here's the link: http://www.studegarage.com/overdrive.htm
Also, later in the article he mentions using a solenoid with the starter button. It got me to thinking about how something might be rigged up to automatically pull your overdrive cable out when shifting into reverse so as to avoid the possible catastrophe of forgetting to manually disengage the overdrive prior to shifting into reverse. I am tired and might not be making a whole lot of sense, but I think that might work... If just trimming the rear fork as the Studebaker guy suggests doesn't work.
Thoughts?