Found some interesting things/ 51 Pacemaker

Richie
Richie Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I stopped working on the 54 Hornet and spent the last two days working on my 51 Pacemaker. I was surprised at several things I found, 1st thing is all the wiring is original and in very good shape. Everything that I have taken apart came apart like it was put on yesterday. Every nut, bolt, washer, guard and everything else I looked at seemed unmolested.

2nd thing is when I pulled out the rubber matting with the brown hair-like insulation stuck to it I found that the floor had been painted green like the car. The whole floor was painted, even under the seats, and then the sound deadening matt was glued on top of the painted floor. It all looks like it was done at the factory to me but I may be wrong.

3rd. thing is under the rubber matt around the base of the brake and clutch pedals are these big rubber donut looking things I had never seen before, I have no idea what they are.

I posted some pics of what I have done so far. I hate to take the center floor section out because it is still sealed from the factory, but the clutch was stuck when I bought it and needs replacing.

The only bit of rust was just surface rust on the rear passenger floor. There are no holes in the floor at all except the factory drain holes. I'm pretty pleased with what I'm finding on this car and liking it more and more. Richie.

Comments

  • faustmb
    faustmb Senior Contributor
    Looking good. Keep the pics coming.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    faustmb wrote:
    Looking good. Keep the pics coming.



    I'll do my best Matt, thanks. Richie.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Richie:

    Isnt the donut used to dampen the noise and force on the floor board when your foot slips off the clutch/brake? Maybe wrong, but thought someone told me that.

    We're back now, like your pics, need to get me a camera. Bob
  • faustmb
    faustmb Senior Contributor
    bobdriveshudson wrote:
    Richie:

    Isnt the donut used to dampen the noise and force on the floor board when your foot slips off the clutch/brake? Maybe wrong, but thought someone told me that.

    We're back now, like your pics, need to get me a camera. Bob



    I recall hearing the same thing, not sure if they were OE or aftermarket though.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    bobdriveshudson wrote:
    Richie:

    Isnt the donut used to dampen the noise and force on the floor board when your foot slips off the clutch/brake? Maybe wrong, but thought someone told me that.

    We're back now, like your pics, need to get me a camera. Bob



    Bob, glad you made it back OK, hope all went well. Those donuts might be for that reason and looking at the way they are held in place makes me think they are factory. There is a collar under the floor that has 3 prongs sticking up through the floor board and a washer with a slot in it goes over each of the prongs and the prong is twisted to hold it in place. Now the rubber donut is pressed down over the prongs and held in place by the prongs. Never seeing this before, I thought it is pretty cool. Richie.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    faustmb wrote:
    I recall hearing the same thing, not sure if they were OE or aftermarket though.



    Matt, You both are probably right, I just thought they were cool. Richie.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Richie wrote:
    Bob, glad you made it back OK, hope all went well. Those donuts might be for that reason and looking at the way they are held in place makes me think they are factory. There is a collar under the floor that has 3 prongs sticking up through the floor board and a washer with a slot in it goes over each of the prongs and the prong is twisted to hold it in place. Now the rubber donut is pressed down over the prongs and held in place by the prongs. Never seeing this before, I thought it is pretty cool. Richie.





    The rubber donuts are factory... thier specific purpose is unknown to me. In past discussions I have been told they along with the phenolic washers they seal and sound deaden the pedal openings. If you look closely at the inserts around the pedals they are designed to allow for pedal displacement .. ie no two installations are exactly the same. The donut cuts down on any noise which occurs as the pedal moves throught the washer.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    WildWasp wrote:
    The rubber donuts are factory... thier specific purpose is unknown to me. In past discussions I have been told they along with the phenolic washers they seal and sound deaden the pedal openings. If you look closely at the inserts around the pedals they are designed to allow for pedal displacement .. ie no two installations are exactly the same. The donut cuts down on any noise which occurs as the pedal moves throught the washer.



    Thanks WildWasp, I get the general idea, pretty neat idea by Hudson. Richie.
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    I'd say they're factory I have found remnants of them in other original Pacemakers I've owned.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    Aaron D. IL wrote:
    I'd say they're factory I have found remnants of them in other original Pacemakers I've owned.



    Aaron D., I believe they are factory also after all the replies, thanks, Richie.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Are those donuts PM-specific? When did they start using them and on what models?
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    RL Chilton wrote:
    Are those donuts PM-specific? When did they start using them and on what models?



    Russell, I can't answer your questions, but they are factory IMO after looking at the way they were installed under the floor board. Richie.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    RL Chilton wrote:
    Are those donuts PM-specific? When did they start using them and on what models?

    Russell... the donuts are on all Hudson Stepdowns. The composition of the rubber... open cell has a great deal to do with the fact they are not found on many cars. They failed early due to heat and dirt. Most when found are compressed and cracked... but the majority break apart and fall off the car. Original items are abotu 2 inches thick. Funny .. when I found these on parts cars I used to keep them ... but 20 years ago the saved ones got chucked out when we made a move.
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