1928 Hudson Fuel System

strangeplant

I'm hoping that you can give me suggestions and advice about what to do about my missing parts. I want to drive my car, but for starters, I have to have a fuel system. There is no gas tank. I do not know the dimensions, shape or how it mounts. The chances of finding a usable one are so near 0 that I have to really put something else there even though I would like to keep it original. I know that there is a strainer in the tank, but how it connects and where the gas line runs I can only guess. Is it metal or rubber tubing? Filler tube and gas cap? And the vacuum tank is missing, along with everything that mounted on the firewall. I do have a old junky Stewart tank model 188 (straight sides, no ridges) and I'm thinking of using it for awhile, but I'd like to know what model really belongs there. (5 passenger, 4 door, Brougham, aluminum body) I see four holes in a pattern that suggests it is on the right side (passenger). So, I suppose that some type of glass bowl, fritted cylinder fuel filter with shutoff would screw into the bottom of the tank and lead over to the carburetor (Marvel type B with inlet facing the radiator) and a piece of rubber tubing just for vibration isolation. Vacuum to tank would take off from the top center hole in the carburetor heater riser, right?

So, where do I start on this? I don't really want to drive around with a open gas can in the passenger seat.

Jon B

Hang in there, someone with an older Hudson will jump in here with some ideas!

Meanwhile, welcome to our discussion group.  Are you aware of the H-E-T Club (which sponsors this forum, among other things)?  The homepage is at http://www.hetclub.org/

You might want to mention your rough location, as possibly one of our forum members lives near you and happens to have a '28!  Then it would be simple matter of grabbing a notebook, pencil and tape measure, plus a camera, and rushing over to his / her garage!

Geoff

The fuel tank holds 14 gallons, and has either a threaded cap or  bayonet type, depending on whether early or late series.   Fuel line goes along the chassis, left hand side, to the  vacuum tank which is mounted on the bulkhead on the left.   Fuel line runs around the rear of the block to the carburetor, which should be a Marvel Model E, with the throat facing to the rear.   The original vacuum tank has a leverless float with a "goose-neck"  in the  wire actuator on  top, which activates two looped wire valves.   Should have a steel top with only four screws, and no glass bowl on the bottom.   The outlet tap is  threaded into the outer fitting, and a drain tap to the center one.  This allows sediment and water to sink to the bottom of the tank, to be regularly drained out via the center tap.  The fuel level gauge was originally a capillary tube type with red liquid, but these are notoriously prone to corrosion and breakage, and the tank unit also tends to  self-destruct.   I recommend fitting an electric type fuel gauge if you can find on.  (there is one on ebay at the moment).   What  wheelbase and body style is your car?   Hope this is of some help to you  I have rebuilt three 1928 Hudsons.  

Geoff 

strangeplant

Jon B, yes I have been at the HET club site, but the web code is a bit strangely written, forcing me to pay before I look around and see what its all about, so I'll wait on that.

Geoff C, Thanks for writing, I've seen your helpful comments here about other cars. I live in northern New Jersey, USA, but the car is in my garage just over the border in New York. Now, about the gas tank, is there anything else that will fit or I can make fit? Maybe a Ford Pinto Is the gas line rubber tubing or copper? I was thinking of adding a glass bowl filter screwed into the bottom port of the vacuum tank, but where should it really be located? at the carb? (I'm attempting to attach a picture of the carb before I started to work on the car, and I need to find new gaskets, the piston leaks.)

Body style is the Brougham, 4 door, 5 passenger, suicide doors. Doors have windows, and body only has rear window, so it looks a lot like a Landau.

What do I do about an air filter? Went to Hershey and walked my legs off. Very helpful folks, but few old Hudson parts. I assume that many Essex parts are the same, but no air filter to be found. I did find a picture on the web where someone had used a plumbing trap, a piece of PVC pipe and a eBay air filter, though. But I was considering a Model A filter and a plumbing elbow to mount it vertically. What would you do on your Hudson? The engine is cleaning up nicely, the stainless steel engine nuts shine, and I don't want anyone to laugh at it when I have the hood up.

ESSX28-1

Investigate a generic foam motorbike air cleaner directly onto the carb throat. Cover it with a rusty tin can if you need more authenticity. The 29 Essex used a system consisting of a spinning fluted can inside an outer can approx 4inch diameter & 8 inch long. Centrifugal force reputedly spun out particles but I don't think they really worked, but they look the part.
I second Geoff Clark's comment on using a 29 gauge but you will also need to use a 29 sender unit.
The 28 Hydro-static gauges are real PIA but someone is reproducing the hydro-static gauge parts if you want to stay original. I can probably find their details in my files if you really need they. My recollection is that they were a little spendy.
Good luck

barrysweet52

Strangeplant - This site may be of help. HudsonSuperSix16-29@yahoogroups.com

Jon B

Hi, Strangeplant:

Actually, there are two levels of registration with the H-E-T Club site.

All paid-up members of the Club can sign up at the site and get full privileges, which include use of the photo album, "members" section (you can find current and past members' contact information), a searchable registry so you can find other who have the same car as you, etc.

Then there is a "limited" website membership which is free.  You don't get all the bells and whistles.  In order to register for this, you proceed as if you were going to join the club.  However, as you fill out the forms you will realize that at no point do they ask for your credit card number or Paypal info.  It is a quirky way to sign up for free, but I am guessing that this came with the webpage software.  Anyway, you might like to sign up for the limited membership.

Geoff

I have no idea  of which generic tank will fit.  You will have to do a measure-up and do some searching, or get a sheet metal worker or plumber to make you up a tank.   There is no advantage in fitting a glass filter bowl unless you fit it  in in the centre  fitting of the vacuum tank, as dirt and water will sit in  the bottom of the tank and eventually  block off the outlet.   There is a gauze filter in the top fitting which may need cleanign now and again.   Your carburetor is the correct marvel Model E for 1928.  Fuel line was originallly copper. 

Geoff 

charles4d

Tanks .com Sells universe tanks for cars and trucks site has all the demintions of tanks Might help

onerare39

Strangeplant,

You can contact Will Moon or Brandon Wight in Arkansas, they are masters at parts and repair of these fuel systems.  Will (580) 763- twenty nine twenty one.

Would you be interested in a sample issue of the White Triangle News?  See the post at the top of the page regarding "Consider Joining The Hudson Essex terraplane Club".

John

 

strangeplant

So, I get the impression that there is no filter between the Stewart vacuum tank and the carb? I remember some old cars did have them from when I was a kid. Can someone post a pic of where the fuel and vacuum lines run so I can get the bends right, please. I was going to add a loop of one turn at the carb, then straight over to the back wall, but unless I bend it up somewhere before the wall, it will be rather close to the exhaust, and that's not a good idea.

Geoff

There is a gauze filter on top of the vacuum tank, plus the sediment trap in the bottom of the tank, plus a gauze filter in the bottom of the Stewart Carburetor.   A triple whammy!