1st Long Trip in 49 Commodore - Suggestions????

Unknown

1949 Hudson Commodore with 8, 3sp W/OD. Just got a call that they are forming a Arkansas Chapter of HET. 1st meeting is in Hot springs, about 208 miles from where I live. I have taken the car on cruises of perhaps 50 miles out and another 50 back but this would be the 1st long trip for the old girl. Any suggestions?



I don't know the history on the motor but it is running strongly, does not overheat. Still using the original 6 Volt system with a new Optima Battery and new battery cables ( double 0 gauge ). Still have bia ply tires ( have not purchased WWW Radials yet ). Points, plugs, condenser, wires are good. Using a rotary vane electric fuel pump to pressurize the mechanical pump. Mechanical pump is new also. Plan to take an extra set of points with. Changed the oil and gear lube in transmission and OD unit. Greased everything ( I think, lots of fittings! ).



Other than the obvious check of tire pressure ( including the spare ) and taking a portable jump start unit is there anything I should do in preparation for this trip? Set of tools is also obvious. Maybe a spare fan belt? Should I be so concerned? The car has run flawlessly once I found and replaced an intermittant condenser.



BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

hudsonsplasher1

Take a cell phone along if you have one. Also a list of tow truck service, friends, etc. that you could call just in case something happends. Take your club roster with you. There just might be some one close by to help if you should brake down. Other then that, you seem to have all the bases covered. Have a safe trip. Gene.

SuperDave

Sounds like a plan to me.. The only warning I can think of.. Keep an eye on the oil pressure. If the diaphram in the mechanical pump should rupture, fuel will be added to the oil and may cause some serious problems. I have first hand experience with that one. Actually in some aircraft recip. engines, fuel was added to the oil when cold weather starts were anticipated. Not good for car engines.

Have a fun trip, We are making a 90+ mile run to Trimble Park, Near Apopka Fl. Saturday in our 49 Super 6 for an Orange Blossom Chapter picnic. Drive 'em that's what they were built for.

Dave w

SuperDave

Other than the tools, jack, lug wrench, spare tire, condensor, rotor, distributor cap, spare spark plugs, etc., here is a little list. I know I am going a bit overboard here, but:

- A basic First Aid kit;
- A couple of 2x6 or 2x8 boards (short, for putting under the Jack);
- A couple of chock blocks - for the wheels;
- Flashlight, with a spare bulb & batteries (or a 6v-12v 'spotlight' that would run off the car battery);
- A few shop towels/grease rags, or a roll of paper towels;
- A spare of each type of exterior light bulb (headlight, taillight, turn, etc..);
- Writing pad, Pen, pencil;
- Rope (Utility, clothes line, etc...);
- A small coil of wire (similar to baling wire...);
- A few 'bungee cords';
- A few plastic trash bags;
- Pocket knife, small hunting knife, or one of those 6-in 1 tools;
- Matches and/or lighter;
- An old 'Sunday' newspaper (i.e., fairly large bunch);
- Flares or hazard warning signs;
- Fire extinguisher (heaven forbid that you would need it...);

For comfort, in case you are stuck somewhere, waiting:
- A travel blanket;
- Food (something that 'stays well', such as jerkey, energy/granola bars, dried fruit, etc...);
- A couple of small containers of bottled water;
- Mosquito/bug repellant;
- A small bottle or container of hand cleaner;
- Roll of paper towels (see above);

** Not to be considered an 'all inclusive' list, by any means **

You might want to put a lot of this stuff into a storage container of some type (with a lid), to act as a consolidated place where you would easily find everything. Put a 'checklist' there too, taped to the inside of the lid, and you could/can add to the checklist as necessary.

If you have multiple vehicles, you could easily move the container from one vehicle to another, depending upon which one you were going to be using/traveling in...

Add a roll of toilet paper too... LOL!

Uncle Josh

In 2004 I headed for Pitt Nats with about 100 confidence miles on the 49 Commadore 6 w/OD. No problems in more than 900 Mi.



Wiper motor was bad before I started so borrowed the one on the Hornet which wasn't much better. Applied Rainex and ran the whole first day in heavy rain w/o wipers. Might take a spare condenser.

kamzack

Hudsons are dependable, durable, comfortable cars. Do your maintenance according to the manual, and it'll run forever. I once took a working trip of 3500 miles in two weeks, never missed a beat. Last sumer kids and I Went to Nashville,Tn to see my oldest daughter and grandchirren, a 1200 mile trip, same results. I've traveled daily in my Hudson(my work van burnt to the ground July13,05). I'm in sales and work 11 counties. Dependable and fun. I get to talk to people i wouldn't ordinarily get to talk to, people are curios about the car.

My suggestion, take a chill pill, sit back and enjoy the ride, Don't sit on the edge of your seat with with white knuckles listening for noises,that will take the fun out of it, enjoy what you've been blessd with. I always take a road box with complete distributator, tools,water pump, gasket material, fuel pump, as others have suggested. You will get to where you'll want to take your Hudson instead of your late model daily. Thanks for letting me share.

Kim

rambos_ride

Personally my mantra has always been if I trust my car to drive 20 miles I should be able to trust it to drive 200 or 2000 - otherwise if I don't trust it I'd better do some work!

But carrying a cellphone and buying a 50.00 a year membership in AAA should cover you in the event of a breakdown. Really for 50.00 AAA is a darn good deal!

I like the others idea of carrying a roster for contacts in far off places who are Hudson friendly.

Unknown

Already have fire extinguisher and first aid kit in the car - always. Also carry shop rags and you have to carry a car duster! Will add the 2x4s and bungee cords and the other things on your list. I think some of the rags could substitute for toilet paper in an emergency.



I could bypass the mechanical pump if I had a failure - I did run the car directly from the rotary vane 6V electric fuel pump for a while, but then hooked it back up to pressurize the mechanical pump. Not sure if this is the best way to go, but I figured what is the chances that both the electric and mechanical pumps would both fail.



Thanks for all the suggestions!



BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

harry54

My experience is go and have a wonderful time.... It sounds like your all set ....Hudson's will never let you down.....

harry54

I have a 54 Hornet sedan that I've had for 2 yrs.. It's a nice driver.... I've driven it about 10,000. miles in that time.... it's never failed me on the road.... I've put money into it..... King pins , tires, trans rebuild , tune ups... I've had times when it let me know that It needed attention... but it never let me down....... Good luck and have fun.....

[Deleted User]

One thing you must take - a camera for pictures of your Hudson doing very well on the trip...... and a few snapshots of yourself of course.

[Deleted User]

My first long trip in my Hudson I was so Naive. I took a blanket a travel pillow and this is just to take snoozes not to break down or anything and a roll of tools I thought I might need. I flew down bought the car threw this stuff in the trunk and drove it 3500 miles home taking 6 days cos I wanted to go the scenic route. LOL what a moron I was. Thankfully the car ran like a dream. Its a totally original survivor 51 Hornet. Comfortable way to see the country and yes we did see a lot of scenery.

Didn't know a thing about Hudsons at the time other than I loved driving it. When I got there I took a test drive and it was instant love. Paid and was going in 30 mins the previous owner an old dude was shaking his head. He phoned me when I got back to see if everything was ok I said sure why wouldn't it be....he owned 14 Hudsons maybe he knew better.....3 years on and its never let me down yet.

[Deleted User]

happychris wrote:

I could bypass the mechanical pump if I had a failure - I did run the car directly from the rotary vane 6V electric fuel pump for a while, but then hooked it back up to pressurize the mechanical pump. Not sure if this is the best way to go, but I figured what is the chances that both the electric and mechanical pumps would both fail.

Chances are 100% when you least expect it! LOL

[Deleted User]

AAA card is a must

Richard E.

In 1999 my son and I drove my 1950 C6 sd from San Diego to the National meet in Nashville, TN. This is an unrestored car that I bought from the original owner. We went 4,500 miles, got 19 miles/gal and we had one flat tire. I joked that I had a whole extra car in the trunk and you have good suggestions here on what to bring. I regretted the bias ply tires and the vacuum wipers and no air.



In 2001 I drove the same car with Coker radial wide white walls, 6v air and an electric wiper conversion from San Diego to Seattle for the National, 2,500 miles. The timing chain jumped about 40 miles from home and I still made it into the garage. These are very dependable cars. Make sure you have the club roster with you, food, water and something warm. Tools and extra parts and you will be fine. Enjoy!

[Deleted User]

no one mentioned checking wheel bearings and universal joints.

[Deleted User]

Fill it up with gas!:D

dwardo99

I like to carry a complete distributor. It's much easier to pop in a distributor than to change the points on the side of the road. A voltage regulator and a headlight are good too.

Unknown

You guys are starting to scare me now - where would I get a spare distributor?



BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

Unknown

spare water pump(one that you know doesn't leak ! ) & a spare axle w/bearing , Dad always kept these 2 items in the trunk, along with spare ignition parts when-ever we left home !



'47HUD

nick s

happychris wrote:

You guys are starting to scare me now - where would I get a spare distributor?

BST RGDS
GARY ( happychris )

don't be scared. if the car is up to a fifty mile jaunt, the nest 150 should not be a problem. it is definitely good to be prepared but don't get the impression that a major mechanical rebuild will be needed along the way. i think in the last 20,000 miles i haven't had a problem that my letherman and a cable tie was less than i needed to continue down the road. for a little reassurance, you won't be more than 100 miles from a helping hand (home and the meet) of course what i saw of arkansas, you may not be within 100 miles of cell service and/or a land line. you will find that about everyone carries the requisite spares and tools and fluids but rarely if ever needs them. besides if you have a problem of course it will be the one spare you didn't bring anyway.

one note, its best to use your electric pump only for a little help with vapor lock and starting.

dwardo99

Yes, don't be scared. I've never had to use said distributor.

Aaron D. IL

On my way to Nashville I never got stopped by mechanical problems...I got stopped by the police in IN. who picked me off the end of a small Hudson caravan. I had radial tires on her but the rest of it was stock...same old 6V system. Even without AC as long as I was moving at highway speeds I didn't break a sweat with those old vent windows. In the trunk I had a ratchet set..spare tire, extra dist. parts, and an extra fuel pump. Never had to use em. If you hit a problem as severe as to warrant and engine overhaul you won't be fixing it on the side of the road anyway. BUT if such a thing were to happen have it towed to the meet so you and other Hudnuts can rebuild it in the parking lot.... afterall all the parts and knowledge would be present at the meet. LOL

Unknown

I am going to take a extra set of points - no chance to track down a spare distributor or water pump with the time left before the Arkansas HET meeting. Will get a spare condenser and a spare fan belt. Will pack a tool kit. If the mechanical fuel pump fails, I will bypass it and run the rest of the way on the rotary vane electric fuel pump.



Thanks for all the inputs - I am going to go for it.



BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

Unknown

UPDATE - made the trip to Hot Springs AR with no issues other than the failure of a brake light switch on the master cylinder. Guess those spare parts in the trunk did their job! Attended the 1st meeting of the Arkansas Chapter of the HET Club. The car cruise was a drive of 150 miles! Those Hudson guys really drive their cars!!!



Again, thanks for all the advice - it was really appreciated!



BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

hudsontech

happychris wrote:

1949 Hudson Commodore with 8, 3sp W/OD. Just got a call that they are forming a Arkansas Chapter of HET. 1st meeting is in Hot springs, about 208 miles from where I live. I have taken the car on cruises of perhaps 50 miles out and another 50 back but this would be the 1st long trip for the old girl. Any suggestions?



I don't know the history on the motor but it is running strongly, does not overheat. Still using the original 6 Volt system with a new Optima Battery and new battery cables ( double 0 gauge ). Still have bia ply tires ( have not purchased WWW Radials yet ). Points, plugs, condenser, wires are good. Using a rotary vane electric fuel pump to pressurize the mechanical pump. Mechanical pump is new also. Plan to take an extra set of points with. Changed the oil and gear lube in transmission and OD unit. Greased everything ( I think, lots of fittings! ).



Other than the obvious check of tire pressure ( including the spare ) and taking a portable jump start unit is there anything I should do in preparation for this trip? Set of tools is also obvious. Maybe a spare fan belt? Should I be so concerned? The car has run flawlessly once I found and replaced an intermittant condenser.



BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

Gary,



Can't add anything to what's been said - except; please convey my congratulations to the Arkansas chapter and say hi to everybody for me. I was very good friends with he who founded the chapter - "TK" Hinegardner - and I miss the old devil still.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr