41 Hudson Transmission Won't Engage

hudsn47
hudsn47 Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Trying to figure out why the transmission won't engage on a 41 Hudson Super Six with Overdrive. Seems to shift through the gears fine while running but no engagement at all and no grinding. Thinking it is something in the overdrive? Any suggestions? Thanks, Doug.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Have you looked under the car to see if the driveshaft is turning? You may have sheared a key in the rear end or something like that,
    Roger
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I did have a 48 I was fixing up that had bad planatary gears in the overdrive. There was no mistaking that something was wrong - I looked in the mirror to see if pieces were falling out. So doubt it is a gear problem in there.
    Roger
  • hudsn47
    hudsn47 Senior Contributor
    Roger, the drive shaft isn't turning. The floor pan is pulled and we pulled the transmission cover to make sure it was shifting properly. Everything looks good and is shifts good through all gears.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    I do not know if this will help find the problem. My Uncle told me the transmission input shaft on his 51 hornet snaped. Are the trans gears turning when the engine is turning? Just a thought.

    Good luck
    Lee O'Dell
  • hudsn47
    hudsn47 Senior Contributor
    Lee, the gears do not turn with the engine running. Could it be in the O/D somewhere?
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    If the main drive gear and the countershaft aren't turning with the clutch released, the problem is in front of the transmission, not behind in the OD. Could be center piece torn out of the clutch disk or, as suggested, tranny front mainshaft broken.
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    I go along with Park. I have seen these input shafts corkscrewed, so it is possible that the shaft has sheared off. Unusual, but not impossible.
  • lostmind
    lostmind Expert Adviser
    edited February 2012

    This is the input shaft , it is driven by the clutch.
    If it's broken in front of the bearing , you won't see anything turning.
    Sane if the clutch hub is broken.

    Roy
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Clutch disc has my vote!;)


    Kevin C.
  • Clutchguy
    Clutchguy Senior Contributor
    Kevin C. wrote:
    Clutch disc has my vote!;)


    Kevin C.

    I'm with Kevin,chances are the center is torn out of the disc. Does it make any noise when trying to engage?.
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Yup, these disks have a weak spot. Sharp corners and not much meat, and if some of the springs are broken, you have shock to boot.

    I tore one out of a 49 with a 262 w/OD one nite, and wasn't horsing it at all. Got towed home at the end of a rope. Changed it in a snowstorm without ever gatting under the car.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Sorry I did not get back to you sooner Doug. I agree with the others about the clutch being the most likely problem not the overdrive. I have never had a clutch problem so my first thought was the transmission broken input shaft my Uncle experienced. As I recall him telling the story it happened about 1966 at a red light to green light street drag race.

    Have you removed the transmission to determine the problem?

    Keep us informed on the result and pictures of broken part.
    Lee O'Dell
  • hudsn47
    hudsn47 Senior Contributor
    Just got back from the Mid South Winter meet in Murfreesboro, TN. Thanks for all the great information concerning this issue. We have not removed the tranny but looks like we will be needing to do that. CG there is no noise at all when running through the gears with the engine running.
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