1954 Hornet: Access to master cylinder under floor

nissenbenyitskhak

I am installing a reproduction carpet in my 1954 Hudson Hornet (manual brakes) and would like some advice.  The repro carpet is nicely shaped and fits the curves well, but I don't understand how I will be able to access the master cylinder access hole on the driver's side after I install it.  The instructions say to attach the carpet padding to the floor pan with adhesive, then attach the carpet to the padding with adhesive.  But since the carpet is one contiguous piece across the whole car, I don't see how one can check the brake fluid with the carpet glued down.  Even if I apply no glue at all, the carpet is held in place firmly at the driver's side door sill, so I don't see how I can lift the carpet out of the way enough to have free access to the master cylinder access hole.

Am I supposed to cut the carpet along the transmission tunnel somehow?  What do I do about the padding?

If someone could send me some pictures showing how it is supposed to look and work, that would help me.  A picture that shows the carpet lifted and the panel for checking the brake master cylinder visible would be ideal.

Thank you.

Glowplug

Install the carpet, without the metal access plate installed. Let the carpet relax and the glue dry. Then using a Very Sharp razor knife cut the carpet and pad from the hole using care create a clean circle cut. After the cut is completed affix the pad and carpet to the metal access panel using care to assure the screws can be inserted to secure the access panel. I added glue on carpet edging to edge on my last carpet install. Good Luck

Jon B

Being a "prehistoric Hudson" owner, I am curious: what was done there, originally?  Wasn't there some sort of molded rubber cover that was removed?  (Studebaker, for instance, had the following rubber cover that fitted into the carpet over the automatic transmission fill plug; something like this might be affixed with velcro and the edges of the carpet around the hole, wouldn't get frayed as they would if you merely cut a hole in the carpet:)

RichardD

I have same as Ken, so that is 2 !! Remote is Wilwood #WIL260-10500. The other plus is that you don't need a 2 psi res. valve on the front disks.

29sptphaeton

Charlie Harris has remote fill kits. He advertises in the WTN, I bought one from him at the National Meet. Ed Moore

PaulButler

Would something like that work on my 1939 112 at all

nissenbenyitskhak

Thank you all for your replies! There seem to be several solutions to choose from:

1. Old Farmer: Carefully cover the access cover with under-padding and carpet (close to the original design, but tricky to do right, and it may fray with use).
2. Ken and Richard: Install a remote reservoir (maybe not Concours authentic, but much more convenient, and one is more likely to notice a leak before the MC is dry).
3. Ken: Modify the carpet so it can be lifted somehow.  A single cut will not do it.  If anyone has done this, I'd still like to see a picture.
4. Doc Hubler/Jon B: Use a rubber mat or cover of some kind.

Regarding solution 4, using a rubber mat, there are some possible variants:

• Rubber mat for the entire front (I don't care for this myself).
• Rectangular rubber mat on top of carpet on driver's side, large enough to cover the MC access.
• Rubber cover å la Studebaker on just the access cover.  Interesting idea if I can find one and it is the correct size.
• Circular rubber extender from the accelerator pedal, on top of carpet, that can be lifted to get to the MC access.  I've seen these on old cars but I don't know where I can get one the correct size and shape.

I am leaning toward the remote reservoir -- it seems very practical and convenient.  I have already added seat belts, a radiator overflow tank, and the car came with a 12 volt conversion, so I am not obsessed with having everything in the engine bay look factory original.

Thanks again, folks, for all the good suggestions and pointers!

RichardD

Note: the aluminum orig cap must be replaced with a brass cap so you can braze the 90 degree fitting thru/to it for no leaks.

53jetman

Did you guys ever think about sliding under the car to check the master cylinder.  Also, FYI, beginning in 1951, most Hudson Senior Series had carpet in the front compartment as well as the rear.  What we did at our dealership was simply lift up the carpet on the driver's side to pull the metal plug out of the floorboard and check the M/C that way.  Also, it seems to me that in 1954 Hudson used a rubber cover on the right side of the transmission hump for access to the auto trans dip-stick and filler tube and the carpet was now attached to the step-down side-rail, so thus the car would go up on the hoist so we could check the M/C.  Just passing on some of the items I remember from 62+ years ago ! ! !

Edwardjohnsr

To RichardD,
Where can I get the appropriate brass cap?  Is it a standard item?
Thanks,
Ed

RichardD

Got mine from Lance; sorry, don't know anything else.

Glowplug

Our chapter VP ordered a box of these and passed out 2 to each member. Drill & tap the oem lid then use thread sealant,