Need advise on 1939 clutch

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I recently purchased a 39 Hudson, series 91, 2 door sedan. It was last registered in 1973 ,and has been started occasionaly since then. I want advise on how to get the

clutch serviced and ready. I took the inspection plate off and located the plug.

That is where I am now. Should a solvent be added? If so, how much, and what? What do you substitute for Hudsonite? The car is original down to the original floor mat

(very brittle), interior, and glass. I am the 3rd owner. He said the last time he backed it out of the garage, the clutch did not work properly. The car has 59,000 miles. I would really appreciate any advise you can give.

Thanks,

David :confused:

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Congratulations on your purchase!



    This is a common problem for Hudsons that have sat for awhile. Often, one cannot get the car out of gear because the cork discs have bonded to the pressure plate. You could try adding some Hudsonite, but chances are you should just go ahead and add the solvent.



    Ken Schulte passes along the following suggestion for a solvent (shown on Dave Sollon's website):



    'Flushing cork clutches: make solution 4 parts tri-chlor-ethane and one part acetone, available at drug stores. To flush, drain clutch, refill with flushing solution, start engine, with transmission in neutral, depress and release clutch about 100 times at various engine speeds, drain and refill with clutch fluid mixture.'



    (Actually, if the thing has sat for an especially long time, you might want to let that sit for a few hourse, rotate the clutch, let it sit some more, etc. until the corks are thoroughly soaked)



    You mention that you 'took the inspection plate off and located the plug'. I wasn't aware there was an inspection plate covering the plug, it (both of them, at 180 degrees to one another) should be visible through the hole in the bell housing on the transmission, in the engine compartment. As you are removing the plug with a socket wrench be sure not to drop it, or you'll have to get under the car and remove the flywheel cover to retrieve it. After removing the plug, rotate the flywheel until you see the star (stamped in the flywheel) in the hole; this means that the filler hole is now at 6 o-clock, and you can drain whatever is left in the clutch. Then rotate again til the filler hole appears, and you can add the solvent and replace the plug.



    The easiest way to rotate the engine is by using the remote starter button, which is found under a cap on the back of the solenoid. Unscrew and remove the cap to expose the button.



    New Hudsonite is available through the H-E-T Club Store, on Ebay (occasionally) at from Doug Wildrick (who actually makes up his own version). Doug also rebuilds Hudson clutches, if you ever have the need. Hudsonite is sold in 6-oz. bottles (the size of one refill).



    In a pinch you can use automatic transmission fluid (type F, I believe).
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Thanks for the response. You have been very helpful.

    David
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