Old clutch fluid

JasonNC

I decided to check the clutch fluid in my '48 Commodore Six and found it sorely lacking. Somebody had given me a can of Hudson clutch fluid in a square can that looked older than the car itself. It was made exclusively for Hudson by Cato Oil Company, Inc. so I got a wild hair and decided to use it. It wasn't doing me any good as a souvenir. When I started pouring it into the filler hole, I noticed that it wasn't a dark brown or purple substance like I'm accustomed to as being Hudsonite, but rather looked just like a thicker version of the castor oil my mother used to give me every year just before school started. It seems to work just fine so I guess I'm okay. Just thought I would pass this along.

[Deleted User]

If the can had been opened maybe someone had something else in the can ? ?
Roger

JasonNC

The can had never been opened. I had to beat a screwdriver into the inner cover to pry it out. I am assuming that the clutch fluid was made like that by that company back in the day.

Huddy42

Use Dexron 111, available at any spare parts outlet.

JasonNC

Don't get me wrong. I have plenty of bottles of Hudsonite that I've bought over the years. I just felt like trying that product out. I'll keep you posted if you're interested as to how it works out.

[Deleted User]

I have used dextron 111 and someone said type F is better. Any thoughts on with one is better??

Jon B

Frankly, I would prefer to save those old clutch fluid cans for artifacts than I would to use the contents in my clutch. ("Who knows where it's BEEN?") Folks pay money for that stuff! And the new compound that Doug Wildrick is putting out works just fine, and (in my case) seems to have cured my clutch of a case of the chatters. The other stuff (made by C & P Products, in Maryland) is the actual original recipe, bottled with permission from AMC (when they were still in business). Either way, you can still buy, nowadays, an effective and fresh clutch fluid. Who knows whether the stuff that's been hanging around in cans for 50 years, is any good?

Huddy42

I have used 111 for over 25 years never had a problem, we did have in analysed many years ago, and was classed as the next best thing. What ever you do, don't use any marked for FORD as it boils at a lower temperature and caused the clutch to slip when the oil gets hot.Found out the hard way years ago.

JasonNC

Jon, you're probably right and I have two old cylindrical cans that I intend to keep as artifacts. Some of the modern stuff I have is from Doug and the rest from the HET store or K-Gap. Using the old stuff was just one of those moments where I plead temporary insanity.

Uncle Josh

If ya want to get fancy, 1/3 Dexron, 1/3 10W30 and 1/3 Marvel Mystery oil. Works for me.

SuperDave

I think the original formula was oil and kerosene.. Bet someone will chime in with actual facts. Geoff,?

hoggyrubber

i thought it had to have one drop of blood from a unicorn. :P

Geoff

Plus three drops of viper venom, and a dash of cat pee. Seriously, Les has it right, Dexron III is by far the best to use. Originally, sure they specified a 50/50 mix of kerosene and engine oil, but back in the day the specifications were entirely different. Today's oils have too many anti-friction additives, and the kerosene today is lighting kerosene, which has different lubricant qualities than the original. If you really wanted to mix up your own, then you could use Jetfuel and two-stroke oil, but the Dexron is readily available, and superior, so why mess around?

Aaron D. IL

No no use only authentic Hudsonite provided to you by your authorized Hudson dealer or else you will void you're warrantee and have to take it back into the Hudson dealer for service!