The Hudson repair from hell!

Nevada Hudson

Was going to drive the '56 Hornet Special to the National, but the vibration damper was making a loud noise. Had some great advise from Paul how to fix it, and it didn't seem like too bad a job. Just remove the splash pan underneath to get to it. I have to work 6 straight days this week, so couldn't get to it. Really wanted to take it to the National, so took it to the local car repair place and explained to them what to do. Checked on it yesterday and they took out the air cond, radiator, support bar, and splash pan! The owner of the shop said the mechanic couldn't get to it any other way! They should have listened to the advise, which was the right way to do it. They also couldn't believe there was rubber bushings in it!Now they are sending out the harmonic balancer to be rebuilt! All they have to do is trim some shock bushings to fit! At $90 an hour for labor, this is going to cost around 2 grand!... And it won't be ready in time for the National!

Jon B

Ray: Aaarrrrrgh! Isn't this just a common story! Seems like every time I want to take my car somewhere, I'm working overtime the night before to correct something that's gone wrong.

Frankly, I had never heard of a harmonic balancer going bad (that doesn't mean it hasn't...just that I've led a sheltered life). I thought they were just a big hunk of iron!

Nevada Hudson

Jon, they have rubber bushings that wear over time. Just needed new bushings.

Nevada Hudson

Yeah, AMC 250 v8 on short wheelbase. Real quiet, smooth motor. Everything really crammed in there though. Lot more room in my Hollywood with the Packard v8, even though it is a monster of an engine. Will miss drinking Czech beer with you at the National, Ken!

Nevada Hudson

Got it running and finished! Only was about $1,000 of which $572 was for a new Radiator core. They finally listened to me on how to fix the Vibration Damper which saved a lot of money.... Thanks Paul for your advise! Will be driving it to San Mateo tomorrow at 5am... Hope there are no problems. Will be bringing a lot of Hudson parts to sell, Wife and Son will be in the Crown Victoria which is a low rider with all the parts.
Oh Jon, there is an article on this car in the October 1983 issue of Special Interest Autos if you want to know it's past history.

[Deleted User]

Congratulations Ray! Glad to hear that you got the problem resolved.

Have a safe trip to San Mateo.

Kevin C.