1939 Hudson Convertible

terraplanepilot

I am in the process of getting my parent's honeymoon car, 1939 Hudson Country Club Convertible model 92 back to running condition. My dad has had this car since 1943 and drove it when he was a submariner in the Navy. I have had my share of challenges but only until now am I stuck. I have taken the car on a few test runs and had trouble shifting gears. I either have reverse and first or second and third. I got out the manual and learned about the Handy-Shift and tried to adjust it with the cable pulled out, pushed in and somewhere in the middle with no improvements. I removed the transmission floor pan to watch everything and on the transmission side it would take 15 to 20 seconds for the cable to engage or release. I then proceeded to clean it up and lubricate it with small results. I then kept on pressing the shifter in and out and it was loosening up and then the cable broke. What I need to know is there and top loader that would work on this or does anyone know where I can get a new cable. Also I would like to know if anyone has an idea as to where this was sticking? I had both ends cleaned and well lubricated. Any help would sure be appreciated.

RL Chilton

I'm sure Per or Geoff or someone will be able to chime in with helpful mechanical answers on your '39?  Would you post some pictures?  Would love to see the car!  

PaulButler

Welcome aboard ; it's good to have you on board and what a great story you have to tell!. 

As Russ says you'll find a wealth of information here. There are a few 1939 Owners in the club and I'm sure they will be happy to share their knowledge with you.

Tell us a little more about the car and post pictures when you can; pictures are always welcome!

You may also want to visit the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club website - Members come for the cars, and stick around because of the great folks there!

We hope you enjoy your time here at the Hudson Essex Terraplane 'Open Forum'

terraplanepilot

Here is a picture before it was cleaned up. My grandfather owned Hudson's, my father owned and raced Hudson's and my brother race Hudson's and is driving his high school car a 1941 Hudson coupe. I was afraid I was getting a little lengthy on my original issue. My dad was a member of the club since the early 60's. I still remember the little black and white newsletters that looked as if the were written on a typewriter. The HET Club has always been anticipated and welcomed by us. Yes you can say we are a Hudson family.

RL Chilton

Can't see the pic, TP.  

Lee ODell

Now you know the trans problem. TO MUCH RACING. ha ha. Just kidding. Thanks for the family Hudson history.

Lee O'Dell

Jon B

Do you have a shop manual?  It might deal with Handi-Shift adjustment.  (I believe there is one on the Club's library section of their website, which you can download.)

The cable could still be available NOS from one of the regular Hudson vendors who regularly advertise in the WTN.  Might be worth sending a flurry of e-mails to various vendors just to see.

I believe that the standard late-thirties gearshift lever would bolt right onto the top of the transmission.  I have a 1940 transmission in my 1937, and the standard 1937 lever fits right on top.  Therefore it should work with the 1939 as well.  You'd be happier with the column shift, however, the first time you try to jamb three people in the front seat.

Does your roster show any '39 owners in your vicinity?  Might be worth phoning them to ask if they've ever adjusted their handi-shift.  They might be able to actually show you how it's done, on their car.

You're sure that the difficulty in shifting is due to the linkage?  Some of those transmissions had lockout bars on the sides, and they had to be adjusted precisely, or else it was impossible to move the gearshift lever even when you fully depressed the clutch.

Geoff

Yes, you can convert it to a floor shift by simply transplanting the top cover with lever form any 1934-38 model transmission.  However, before you do that, ensure that the transmission locks are being fully raised when the clutch is fully depressed.   These are slides each side of the transmission and cover the detent pins.  If the  slide is not lifted fully then the shift shaft cannot move.

Geoff 

terraplanepilot

Thank all of you for the great response and suggestions. To Jon, yes I do have a shop manual that is where I learned of the Handy shift and no I just joined the club so I don't have a roster yet but my brother should have one. And Geoff, the transmission locks are working but to be honest with you I could not find what these were for therefore I don't know if they are being fully raised.

Another question I have is the manual says  to adjust the Handy shift to loosen the nut and pull the cable up to remove any slack. Do I push the cable towards the steering wheel or pull it towards the frame. It is just a confusion in semantics for me. I would push it up towards the steering wheel or pull it down if it was toward the frame, that is why I tried it all over the place. Also the transmission lockout bars were moving so I cleaned them and lubricated but I  don't know if the operating fully. They appeared to be working OK but I will have to look for them in the manual. The manual that I am using is for a 1940 or 41. Also what is causing the Handy Shift to move so incredibly slow in the transmission and require so much pressure to activate the shifting arm? I literally have a blister on my palm from trying to free it up. I have everything lubricated even up through the column and pivot point.

It is great to know that that a top cover lever will work but with this help I may try the Handy Shift again. I am trying to get the bugs worked out of the car for a party that my young daughter is having. My dad would pile six kids in the car and take us for ice cream. We could get any flavor we wanted as long as it was vanilla so no one would fight over them. Pretty smart if you ask me! Anyway I am hoping to do the same thing for my daughter and friends. Thank all of you.

Nerve_Center

The shift cable can really jam up over time. If you have the floor pan out, you can remove the cable from the box quite easily by pulling out the square retaining clip. By sliding the tube in and out of the box without the cable installed will move between (2 and 3) and (1st and reverse) in the neutral position. This should be easy to do meaning you can focus on sorting the cable out. With the floor pan out, it should be easy to see the movement in the gear interlock slide when you press the clutch. If the slide hasn't moved far enough in the direction of a clutch depress, then you wont be able to select between 1st and reverse. Adjust it so it lets you change.

Jon B

If your transmission has the sliding lock bars they will be on the sides.  There are threaded adjustment nuts for each.  One controls R and 1, the other 2 and 3 (I think).  Only when the bar is raised to the exact spot where a lockout rod extends into a notch on the side ofthe bar, can the gear be shifted.  Look very closely at the bar and you can see the rod trying to slide out into the notch (and  being stopped by the bar if the rod isn't in alignment).  I do not know that this is why you are having trouble, however.  Could be inthe cable.  You might get under the car and watch the bar raise and lower while someone is in the ddriver's seat pressing on the clutch pedal. 

terraplanepilot

Nerve_Center, I think that you have it right. I disconnected the cable and the tube was sliding so easy! I am certain that the Handy Shift cable was my problem all along. Now, where can I get a cable for a 1939 or 1940 Hudson ? I was told the part number is 158026. I am definitely stuck without one. If anyone might have one please let me know. I live in the western PA area and I am willing to drive a couple of hours or you can ship it to me. Thank you.

Geoff

Any decent brake specialist should be able to make up a cable for you if you can get the old one to them.