Need ya'll's opinion?

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Yesterday, we took Doc into the shop to have some work done. On the way and out on the highway, I noticed our '52 Hornet smoking more than necessary through the rear view mirror. Vicki, following behind me, told me via cell phone that she has done that ever since we picked it up. I thought it was too much, so I pulled over to check it out. It's hard to get down that low to see, and, not seeing anything under the hood, I finally determined that we had a small leak. On the highway, the wind was sufficient enough to blow the leak back to the muffler. The muffler was burning off the leak, hence the smoke. I thought, "No big deal, we're on our way to the shop, anyway, I'll have him look at it." So, back on the road and many miles later, Doc stops shifting and keeps slipping. Chastising myself for not checking the tranny fluid, but checking all my other fluids before the trip, I pull over yet again and check the tranny fluid. Sure enough, it's way too low. So I sent Vicki to pick some up at the nearest Exxon, etc. She comes back, I fill up about 1-1/2 pints of fluid and try it again on the road. By the time we get to the shop, the car is shaking, still not shifting properly, i.e., sometimes "slipping", sometimes shifting hard and I can't even get the gearshift lever into Reverse, to boot! Great. GREAT!!!



Haven't yet determined whether the leak is a gasket leak or even the front seal, but we're trying to ascertain that info as soon as possible.



Now, for those of you that don't remember, this is the tranny (Hydramatic) that was re-built by Fatsco's in Feb. '05 for what I incorrectly posted as $5000.00. (After reviewing the receipts, it was actually about $4800). Anyway, do ya'll think I've fried the tranny? I'd hate to think so. When she gets out of this shop, looks like she'll have to go straight into another one.



Any offerings, advice or condolences are greatly appreciated.



Sadly, Russell

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Sorry to hear of your misfortune. First question would be: what does Fatsco's have to say about this? After $4200 worth of work, one would not have expected only nine months of service!
  • harry54
    harry54 Senior Contributor
    Russ,

    I recently had my trans rebuilt at Fatsco and they gave me a 1500mile guarantee. Not that it's alot of miles but it's something. It doesn't seem to be alot of fluid to be down only a pint and a half. The other thing I would consider is that if you have a fluid leak that would seem to be their responability since they did the rebuild. I hope that it all works out for you.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    harry54 wrote:
    Russ,

    I recently had my trans rebuilt at Fatsco and they gave me a 1500mile guarantee. Not that it's alot of miles but it's something. It doesn't seem to be alot of fluid to be down only a pint and a half. The other thing I would consider is that if you have a fluid leak that would seem to be their responability since they did the rebuild. I hope that it all works out for you.



    Yes, this would make sense, BUt, the rebuild was done at Fatsco's and the in-and-out was done at a local shop in WV. I can just see this as a possible finger pointing episode. There is a guarantee/warranty but I do not yet know if it will transfer to a second owner.



    Russell
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Jon B wrote:
    Sorry to hear of your misfortune. First question would be: what does Fatsco's have to say about this? After $4200 worth of work, one would not have expected only nine months of service!



    Jon-



    Haven't yet contacted them . . . don't even have their #, yet, but I intend to call them and at least ask about my options.



    Russell
  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    RL Chilton wrote:
    Yesterday, we took Doc into the shop to have some work done. On the way and out on the highway, I noticed our '52 Hornet smoking more than necessary through the rear view mirror. Vicki, following behind me, told me via cell phone that she has done that ever since we picked it up. I thought it was too much, so I pulled over to check it out. It's hard to get down that low to see, and, not seeing anything under the hood, I finally determined that we had a small leak. On the highway, the wind was sufficient enough to blow the leak back to the muffler. The muffler was burning off the leak, hence the smoke. I thought, "No big deal, we're on our way to the shop, anyway, I'll have him look at it." So, back on the road and many miles later, Doc stops shifting and keeps slipping. Chastising myself for not checking the tranny fluid, but checking all my other fluids before the trip, I pull over yet again and check the tranny fluid. Sure enough, it's way too low. So I sent Vicki to pick some up at the nearest Exxon, etc. She comes back, I fill up about 1-1/2 pints of fluid and try it again on the road. By the time we get to the shop, the car is shaking, still not shifting properly, i.e., sometimes "slipping", sometimes shifting hard and I can't even get the gearshift lever into Reverse, to boot! Great. GREAT!!!

    Haven't yet determined whether the leak is a gasket leak or even the front seal, but we're trying to ascertain that info as soon as possible.

    Now, for those of you that don't remember, this is the tranny (Hydramatic) that was re-built by Fatsco's in Feb. '05 for what I incorrectly posted as $5000.00. (After reviewing the receipts, it was actually about $4200). Anyway, do ya'll think I've fried the tranny? I'd hate to think so. When she gets out of this shop, looks like she'll have to go straight into another one.

    Any offerings, advice or condolences are greatly appreciated.

    Sadly, Russell
    Doesn't sound like a fun scenerio to say they least. Right after you added fluid was it shifting properly?

    Did you smell the transmission fluid? If it is burnt you would know right away because it has a god-awful smell - it almost makes me wretch!
  • harry54
    harry54 Senior Contributor
    Russ ,

    THey have a website. www.fatsco.com also the number is 973 227 2487 . Also 800 524 0485
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    When you put the 1-1/2 pints in did it bring the level up to full? if so that is not enough of a fluid loss to cause the problems you describe. Sounds like servo, or governor problems plus band slipping. If it won't shift into reverse that points at governor as it provides the pressure to hold the reverse blocker piston.



    Kind of strange because in my opinion $4500 means they replaced everything in that tranny and I mean everything. A complete rebuild kit is $350 with all the clutches about $600. Either labors high or I am missing something. Gus Souza will do the job for around $800.



    I rebuilt my own cost me $600 for parts took me 2 weeks but its running smooth.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Dan-



    No, not really shifting properly. I mean before I added the fluid, I had almost nothing. After I added the fluid, I could at least go, but shifting seemed almost o.k. at times, but at other times, it would "slip" or even "buck".



    Harry54-



    Thanks very much. I'll call them right now.



    51HornetA-



    Idiot me, for some reason, I didn't check it after I filled it. I try not to start and stop the ignition very much because of the drain that we have in the 6V system, hence the reason for changing to 12V and adding the alternator along with other reasons. I did have my service manual with me and it told me that capacity was 2-1/2 pints and by determining how low the fluid level was on the dipstick and the distance to "full", I determined that 1-1/2 pints was what was required. All I can say, is I was distraught to be having a problem in the first place and wasn't thinking clearly . . . not normally a trait I possess . . . and you're right about replacing everything on the tranny. I mean even if you just look at the outside of the tranny, it's obvious that it has that "brand new" look about it. Fatsco's charged around $2600 and the local shop added 1600 and change for the in-and-out and shipping to and from NJ. I'll call Fatsco's and see what they say . . .
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    RL - I'd definitely call Gus Souza.....he knows his stuff about transmissions and should be listed in the HET roster. Even if Fatsco does the work or whatever Gus is a good guy for your technical questions about Hudson Hydramatics. OH and a 6V system will crank for a long time it just doesn't have quite the "push" of 12V.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    My Jet owner's manual is at home, so I can't refenence it exactly, but the capacity is much more than 2.5 pints. My Hydro leaked a lot, once I was two *quarts* low and it was shifting fine. (I put in the Lucas, and it improved the leak a bunch).



    I discovered I was 2 quarts low after I remembered you are supposed to check the Hydro level while the engine is running. With the engine off, there was fluid on the stick, none while the motor was running.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    RL the capacity of a Hydramatic tranny is 11-12 qts so 2.5 pints is not enough to fill it. You need to check that again, has to be done with engine running. Also with those prices I may need to move to your area and setup a shop LOL and yes Gus is the man and don't mistake a media blasted tranny casing with good work. Sounds to me like something was not done right.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I did have my service manual with me and it told me that capacity was 2-1/2 pints and by determining how low the fluid level was on the dipstick and the distance to "full", I determined that 1-1/2 pints was what was required




    Russell:



    According to my books the hydromatic uses up to 12 quarts of fluid for total capacity. 8 quarts in the transmission and 3 quarts in the torque converter. The 12th is for a total rebuild. Recheck the fluid level, you may have not put enough back in. Of course you will still have to find the leak.
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