1950 Overdrive Question

Unknown

Iam rewiring a 1950 Hudson. Does anyone know how the wires are removed from the plug in cap on the control unit. I thought they should just pull out but no success.



Thank You

[Deleted User]

What you are refering to is called an essex plug. The name comes from the Essex wire and cable company which supplied them, not the Essex which was associated with Hudson, It's a white (mostly) plastic 4 hole plug that plugs into the overdrive relay. The way that the essex plug comes apart is by removing the swaged rivet that runs down the center of the plug. be very careful when removing these as they have a tendency to crack if not handeled carefully. Drill one end of the swaged rivet flush with the plug and use a punch to push it out. Once that has been done, remove the connectors and prep them for reuse. Note the way in which they were removed as they have an orientation. When putting the two halves of the plug back together, use a sheet metal screw going into the rivet to close the halves together . Take your time and don't rush the effort. These plugs are a bit difficult to obtain. Hudson used them on the overdrive relay, kickdown switch, and the turn signal flasher. Good luck.

Edwardjohnsr

Hudzilla,

I also want to rewire my OD relay plug. I tryed "Googling" essex plug but got no info. Do you know who (if anyone) sells these things?

Thanks

Ed

Unknown

Ed: This is a copy of what I posted several years ago...
Heart_Of_Texas

10-26-2006, 10:39 PM



RE Overdrive wiring-

Bob... the schematic for wiring a Hudson Overdrive is on my website.

.. I take the harnesses out and replace all the wiring with new wires using the original connectors... just cut off enough of the exisiting wiring to allow soldering new wire harness to the old... use Shrink to cover and wrap all with harness wrap... looks OEM.

[Deleted User]

Edwardjohnsr wrote:

Hudzilla,

I also want to rewire my OD relay plug. I tryed "Googling" essex plug but got no info. Do you know who (if anyone) sells these things?

Thanks

Ed

They are similar to a headlight plug but unfortunately require a fourth lug (terminal 3 the offset lug). Try to find a donor Hudson turn signal unit. Thats your best bet. Some old Mopar cars used essex plugs so you may have some luck there. You can actually use the Hudson OD relay without the essex plug if you use the correct size female spade terminals. Just make sure they are well insulkated from one another (use shrink tubing ) and make sure the correct wires go to the correct terminals. Rhode Island wiring does a very good job of laying out a schematic for doing this.

Edwardjohnsr

Thanks guys. I may just try using the plain connectors while I work on the essex plug.

Ed

Unknown

Thanks Guys!!



I have taken the plug apart and installed the new wiring. It takes time but no splices.



GMP