Question for Ken Cates (or others)

Unknown

Ken,

You posted a link to your website in response to my posting on 10/9 regarding my "scary ride".



I have looked at the pictures of the repairs and had decided to follow your lead and do them. However, now that I have the gas tank completely out of the car, and have gotten a good look, I can see that my problem was probably the result of someone else's poor repair work on the frame rail previously.



I can do some serious cleanup and repair it like in your pictures, or would I be better off cutting out the last 15 to 18 inches of the frame rail and replacing it completely? (Obviously, there is some rust in the frame rail.) If I replace it, will it be strong enough to support the spring/suspension?



Your advice will be appreciated.

Terry

[Deleted User]

52 kahuna wrote:

Ken,

You posted a link to your website in response to my posting on 10/9 regarding my "scary ride".



I have looked at the pictures of the repairs and had decided to follow your lead and do them. However, now that I have the gas tank completely out of the car, and have gotten a good look, I can see that my problem was probably the result of someone else's poor repair work on the frame rail previously.



I can do some serious cleanup and repair it like in your pictures, or would I be better off cutting out the last 15 to 18 inches of the frame rail and replacing it completely? (Obviously, there is some rust in the frame rail.) If I replace it, will it be strong enough to support the spring/suspension?



Your advice will be appreciated.

Terry

Terry



Please take the information I offer as suggestions.



Obviously I have not seen your car nor have I had any opportunity to examine the condition of the rails in your car. You on the other hand have first hand knowledge as well as the capability to perform other testing on which to base any decisions. With this said....



The condition of your frame rails after repair should be as built or better quality. The foundation of the repairs must be solid or the rest of the repair may be for naught or worse, dangerous. To determine the basic soundness of the frame you should take an awl with a very sharp point and probe the complete surface of the exposed frame member. The awl should do nothing more than scratch the metal... otherwise the metal is suspect. Probe both sides and the bottom. Any rust is a sign of failed metal and a very though check of all the surrounding area needs to be made.



Finally...you asked my opinion... If you have the talent or dollars to hire the talent... I would cut out all of the offending frame area and replace it with new. It would be my wish to have a reliable basis for the reinstallation of the spring hangers. Otherwise you risk the return of the freeway dancing. There are plenty of folks in the Southern California area who can point you to a donor car from which you can procure the needed frame rails. Finally, who ever welds in the parts needs to be the best at their craft.



Good Luck and I hope you are able to find an economic and safe solution.

Unknown

is it possible to fish plate to the rails. Meaning that you take flat piece of steel and weld it onto the rails to streathen them a bit more. Not to thick thou cause the leangth of the shackels or get some metal and cut out the bad pieces and replace with new steel just a few suggestions

[Deleted User]

52 kahuna wrote:

Ken,

You posted a link to your website in response to my posting on 10/9 regarding my "scary ride".



I have looked at the pictures of the repairs and had decided to follow your lead and do them. However, now that I have the gas tank completely out of the car, and have gotten a good look, I can see that my problem was probably the result of someone else's poor repair work on the frame rail previously.



I can do some serious cleanup and repair it like in your pictures, or would I be better off cutting out the last 15 to 18 inches of the frame rail and replacing it completely? (Obviously, there is some rust in the frame rail.) If I replace it, will it be strong enough to support the spring/suspension?



Your advice will be appreciated.

Terry

Terry...



How is the repair process coming?

Unknown

Heart_Of_Texas wrote:

Terry...



How is the repair process coming?

Thank you for asking for a followup.



I kind of stalled on it this week. We have had some high winds this week that stir my allergies up, so I have been hibernating inside with the A/C on.



After closer inspection of the driver side frame rail (utilizing the ice pick method) I found that both sides of the frame rail are weak from the spring hanger location back to the rear of the car. The top and bottom are strong, but the bottom has been repaired previously so I am kind of skiddish about a second repair on the same section. I'm thinking about replacing the final 18 -20 inches of frame rail instead (on both sides of the car.)



My Brother-in-law is a metal fabricater and is cominig over tonight to see what he can come come up with since I don't have a donor car. At this point I am more concerned with strength and safety vs. repaired stock. (The car has been modified in many areas already.)



Based on the limited information I have given you, do you think I am on the

right track?





Terry

VicTor Z

Terry, I have a '54 sedan that I am parting out and will be sending the body to ths scrape yard. I can cut off the back end of the sedan for you, it's free, located in Fullerton, near the intersection of the 5 and 91.



VicTor

Unknown

VicTor Z wrote:

Terry, I have a '54 sedan that I am parting out and will be sending the body to ths scrape yard. I can cut off the back end of the sedan for you, it's free, located in Fullerton, near the intersection of the 5 and 91.



VicTor

So there really is a God! Would you mind calling me?



(800) 984-7393, just ask for Terry



Thanks

VicTor Z

Yes! There is a God ! Also a Hudson Member, helping Hudson owners!



Victor Z

[Deleted User]

Terry and Victor



GREAT to know you have connected with the right stuff!



Terry having a B-I-L who does metal fabrication is the rest of the story. You will do well now... either R&R the frame parts or combine the parts with new stucture... Good Luck



BTW Vic is a great guy and a friend!

VicTor Z

Terry and Ken C., I am thinking that I will cut the frame just below the rear seat, I think the trunk floor is OK , if you need it also. More is better , I hope ! You said that you have a pick up that you can haul it home. I have a cherry picker that we can load it onto the pick up! Hope to see you Sat. at the Kales in Buena Park, after the tech meet we can go load it up for you and you can look at some of my projects!

Unknown

VicTor Z wrote:

Terry and Ken C., I am thinking that I will cut the frame just below the rear seat, I think the trunk floor is OK , if you need it also. More is better , I hope ! You said that you have a pick up that you can haul it home. I have a cherry picker that we can load it onto the pick up! Hope to see you Sat. at the Kales in Buena Park, after the tech meet we can go load it up for you and you can look at some of my projects!

I have a GMC shortbed P/U that I will be driving Saturday. Below the seat, above the axle, wherever you need to cut it will be fine with me. As long as I can get it into the bed of the p/u I will be happy and thankful!



I will be at the Kales by 9am and look forward to meeting you and seeing your projects.



Terry

rambos_ride

I feel your pain...my outer frame rails were rusted through the inner ones were solid with no weakness at all.

What you are attempting to do is the correct repair - but also very time consuming and needs a bit of extra attention...

Make sure the car is x-braced really well and level both directions and not sitting on the suspsension.

If you haven't looked at my trunk repair page on my website it will give you a good look at what it looks like when the trunk is cut out at least.

Good luck and be patient and have lots of good eye and hearing protection available!

7XPacemaker

At the Hershey meet, there was inner and outer NOS framerail pieces for sale. They weren't the pieces for the over the axle, just the sides. The guy that bought them stated that he was going to be making them. He was from one of the New England area chapters. I hope he does make them, as the Hudson's that are left aren't in the best of shape!

Unknown

Just an update....... I met up with VicTor this morning at the tech meeting at the Kale's house. I met a lot of good, friendly Hudson people there. Watching the guys adjust the dual carbs on a '54 Hornet almost makes me want to put the "six" back in mine! Almost. Maybe I'll just try to find a multiple carb set-up for my SBC (Chrysler not Chev)!



Victor took me over to his storage place, so I could cut the donor frame rail off the car he was scraping. Less than an hour and three sawzall blades later, I had my donor rail.



Now that I have taken apart a "good" spring hanger and seen what it is supposed to look like, I am amazed at the damage mine had.



Tomorrow, I will start measuring and cuting the rails for the swap.



Thanks everyone, for your help! Especially you Victor.



I'll keep you updated as I go along.



Terry

VicTor Z

Your Welcome ! Terry, is now a new member of the National and CIC! It was great meeting you and seeing the photos of your Hudson. I like the Moon Hub Caps and the color of your Hudson!

hudsontech

52 kahuna wrote:

Just an update....... I met up with VicTor this morning at the tech meeting at the Kale's house. I met a lot of good, friendly Hudson people there. Watching the guys adjust the dual carbs on a '54 Hornet almost makes me want to put the "six" back in mine! Almost. Maybe I'll just try to find a multiple carb set-up for my SBC (Chrysler not Chev)!



Victor took me over to his storage place, so I could cut the donor frame rail off the car he was scraping. Less than an hour and three sawzall blades later, I had my donor rail.



Now that I have taken apart a "good" spring hanger and seen what it is supposed to look like, I am amazed at the damage mine had.



Tomorrow, I will start measuring and cuting the rails for the swap.



Thanks everyone, for your help! Especially you Victor.



I'll keep you updated as I go along.



Terry

Ain't this bunch of nut cases just the best in the world!!!!!!!!!! hehehehe



Hudsonly,

Alex B

Unknown

well congratulations 52 on getting your hands on some good rails. That is exactly what I need to find as well although I may have to manufacture my own as good doner cars are rare.