More on "Those Racers Again......."

Unknown

Peter writes:



<<I notice that the chassis has been shortened in two places,

and I'm wondering whether the cut above the rear axle is to change

the springing for a particular reason? Looks like the spring itself

would have to be shorter (does this mean the front hanger is moved?)

and that might make it easier to stiffen the springs. Is the

"underslung" effect(photos 012_13a and 009_16a) standard S6 or was

the spring normally above the axle?>>



I had not noticed that the racer has underslung axles. The '26 has the

axles below the springs. I would speculate that a racing car may well want

stiffer springs, but I really have no idea what was done to this early Hudson.



<<More on brakes: Can anyone tell me about the progression from

external contracting 2-wheel brakes? Was there a period of internal

expanding 2-wheel before the change to 4-wheel brakes for 1927?



Hudson went directly from 2 wheel external contracting brakes on the '26

models to 4 wheel internal expanding brakes on the '27 models. They took no

intermediate steps as many other manufacturers did. Those 2 wheel brakes on

the early models work very well. I would trust them comming down Pike's Peak

a lot more than the later enteral expanding type. The only problem is trying

to stop a two ton car that's got some real legs with just two skinny little

motorcycle tires . . .



Wheel/tire sizes: Any idea what size were/are the wheels/tires on

the Red Lion Special? According to the Standard Catalog (what a

book!!) the tire size around 1919 was 34 x 4.5 - what does that

translate to today? 25" x 4.5"? How do I discuss a 34" rim with a

tire supplier?



The old tire vendors can translate the old sizes to the new for you.

There is a formula to convert tire size to rim size that is fairly simple,

something like dividing the tire size in half and adding 50% to the number

that results. My '26 has 21" rims and the new tires are sold by rim size. Our

Model T club is planning a trip to the ranch this summer, perhaps somebody on

that trip can look at the tire size of the Gilmore Red Lion Special for us.



Paul O'Neil, Hudson29@aol.com

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