hydro or BW auto

50C8DAN

I have been messing with my Hudson for close to 30 years now but never had much to do with the automatics, just manual.  I may be going to look at a '54 in a week or so and the owner says it has a dual range hydromatic.  I am aware that this maybe true but the majority of the '54s has BW autos due to the Hydromatic fire in '53.  I believe that the selector detents between the two are the easiest way to know which is which, correct?

Park_W

The HydraMatic will have D4 and D3 positions instead of just a D position.

53jetman

The BW has a "Park" position at the very left side of the quadrant.  Also FYI the BW were only used up until mid January as the new Hydramatic plant came on stream at that time.

Lance

Dan, If you get the car on a lift, look for the tranny crossmember. The hydramatic has a straight crossmember. The BW has one that is curved.

50C8DAN

Thanks guys for the help. 

Dan

bull_islander

I'm curious also of opinions between the two.  

Does the BW have more/less issues than the hydra?  How do they compare performance wise?

My 52 has a single range hydramatic.  I've talked with someone who has a 54 for sale, but it has a BW and I've not any experience with one.

iceblade10

Bull, it is my understanding that most enthusiasts consider the BW to be inferior to the Hydramatics.  I don't know the specific reasons why, however.  My '54 has a Hydra, and I suppose it works well for being as old as it is, but it slips and probably needs a rebuild sooner than later...

Park_W

Bull, the torque converter in the BW unit is somewhat loosely coupled, so you don't get the more solid feel that you get from the HydraMatic.  I definitely prefer the latter.

53jetman

We found that the BW would handle the 232 & 262 pretty well, but the Hornet 308 was another matter.  All that torque from the big engine would eat the BW up big time if the driver regularly got one the 308 at traffic lights.

Frankvintagefullflowcom

Hmmm. A single-range in a '52? Maybe carry-over from the '51s but more likely a transplant. In either case, they're known to be nearly bullet proof. Recall the B&M Hydros from the early drag racing days?

F

53jetman

The Dual Range Hydro was not available on Hudsons until about Feb or Mar 1952, so it is possible for early production cars to have the old single range unit.

Park_W

The Dual-Range feature was linked to the introduction of the Dana rear axles with 3.07 ratio.  It allowed you to stay in 3rd when driving in traffic at moderate speeds.  Without that feature you could find yourself bogged down a bit if in 4th gear.