1937 Hudson questions.......

RussBees
RussBees Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
We have a 1937 Railton based upon the Hudson chassis/engine. We are not sure it has the original rear axle and drums. It is an eight bolt. Where does one find the parts numbers on the rear axle AND the brake drum? We are in need of a rear brake drum which measures 11" outside and the book says 11 1/16". Would prefer searching for the part needed by part number just in case this rear axle in fact is not a Hudson 1937. Can anyone help with numbers and parts location? Russ in Iowa.

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Russ, I don't think you'll necessarily find the part number on either item, however, Hudson stamped the car's serial number on the rear axle housing and this might tip you off. (If this was supplied to Reed Railton by Hudson, of course the housing wouldn't have had a Hudson serial number! But you can look anyway: it's on the top side, towards the passenger's side (oops, that would be the RIGHT side when sitting in the front seat).



    However, the last time I removed a tire from my '37 Terraplane, I only removed five bolts --- not eight!



    I can supply parts numbers, but, again, I'm not sure they're to be found anywhere on the axle or drum.
  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    On the flange of the housing facing the front of the car (usually on the lower right edge), if it is an original Hudson rear end, you should find either the ratio or the parts # or both stamped on it. If there is any road dirt on the flange you'll probably need to wire brush it clean to read these #s.

    If just the parts # that number can be used to ascertain the ratio by looking in the parts book.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Russ,

    I am in the process of restoring a 1936 Hudson 8 that was designed by Reid Railton and built by Coachcraft in London England. It is the Salon style and runs 600X16 tires on a 5 bolt pattern using artelery wheels. The original rear end has some limits for speeds above 55 so I have swapped it out in favor of a mopar rear end that will permit me to curize all day long at 65 mph. The rear end was built for the previous owner and is from Arizona. I have included a photo prior to the start of the restoration. If you want more photo's or want me to look for additional data let me know and I will check out what is there. If you want any parts off this rear end or even the whole rear end you are welcome to it --no charge--other than postage. You can email me at browniepetersen@readytek.net. I also plan to post some photo's just prior to going to the paint shop in two weeks.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Pete, you say "on the flange of the housing" -- could you expand on this? Are you speaking of the middle of the axle housing, i.e. the differential cover? Or are you speaking of the differential carrier? Or the part of the housing out by the brake backing plate? I'd like to know precisely where to look for this number.



    I never knew there was a part number (or ratio) stamped anywhere on the axle -- I thought you had to remove the carrier and check the stamping on the edges of the ring gear! I have a rusty rear axle sitting on the floor of the storage unit that holds my Terraplane, and I've always wondered what ratio its gears had; maybe now I can find out without having to pull the whole thing apart!



    --Jon



    oldhudsons wrote:
    On the flange of the housing facing the front of the car (usually on the lower right edge), if it is an original Hudson rear end, you should find either the ratio or the parts # or both stamped on it. If there is any road dirt on the flange you'll probably need to wire brush it clean to read these #s.

    If just the parts # that number can be used to ascertain the ratio by looking in the parts book.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Russ, I got to thinking about your question and decided that your best bet for information would be with the Railton Club. You can google their address but I think it is http://www.railton.org



    They will be able to tell you if the rear end is the right one and also the part numbers that you will need for the work you are doing.
  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    Jon - it is on the right front facing edge of the housing itself; if laying under the car and looking up, it would be to the lower left of the drive shaft (ergo right side of the car if you were in the driver's seat).
  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    Brownie et all - you can also get a 3.55 ratio (think that's what it is) set of gears from ROC & HET member Pat McDonald in England. He had at least 1 or more sets at Pontiac & I believe sold all he had with him (I helped Pete McManus buy a set for him for his '34 Railton which Pete had at Pontiac).

    This way you can keep the original axle & have the higher speed you want (works great with the H8, not sure if the "splasher 6" has enough power to use that ratio very well, might depend on what body type you have).
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Russ, what are you referring to when you say it's an eight-bolt? Bolts holding the ring gear to the differential assembly, or ... ?
This discussion has been closed.

Categories

In this Discussion