Automatic transmission question.

Richie
Richie Senior Contributor
edited February 2013 in HUDSON
My wife and I bought a 51 Hornet and it was delivered today. After looking it over, it needs lots of work like new brake system, tires, carb and so on. I drove it around the subdivision using the emergency brake and it shifted 3 times, it only has N-DR-LO--R on the shift selector. I never had an automatic in a Hudson before, I haven't read the manual yet either. What locks the car in park?? I thought the hydramatics shifted twice unless it was a dual range or something like that. Thanks for any comments. Richie.

Comments

  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Being a 51, It's likely a single range. Placeing the selector in reverse after engine is off.. locks it up. Have Fun with your new toy..
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    You probably just did not go fast enough to go into high. There are adjustments that can be made on the way it shifts too . Dont condemn it as bad without getting a book and doing some troubleshooting, (or talk to Gus Sousa)
    Roger
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Tallent, it shifted three times. That's four gears. All is well.
  • super-six
    super-six Expert Adviser
    The Dual-range Hydra-Matic ('52 up) has 2 detents in "Drive". If it does not have this, it would in fact be a single range Hydra-Matic, which would be original for a '51. As Park_W said, it's a 4-speed. It should shift 3 times from a standstill. And as SuperDave has stated, putting in reverse while parked serves as "Park".
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Richie-

    If you get the chance, I'm sure everyone would love to see some pics ( I know I would). ;)
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    Thanks to all, I appreciate all that information. I've been working on it all day, having a ball. I really like this car inspite of the color. This car was stored for quite a while I would guess. I didn't get as much info as I should have from the deceased gentleman's grandson that I bought it from.
    I'll try and post some pics tomorrow unless I can find them in my computer somewhere.
    Again, thanks for all the help guys. Richie.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Yeah Park youre right . I kept thinking sometimes the last shift is hard to feel,
    Roger
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Not that I am picking, but when I got my 54 home there were no brakes. Emergency or hand pull.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    Ken, I was using the brake pedal and the emergency back up system. The car stops OK like that, you just have to plan way ahead. It takes two hands to pull out the emergency brake handle, I'm too old for that kind of stuff now. I need to work on that a bit. Richie.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    I took some pics of the 51 Hornet this afternoon. I'll try and post five at a time. Total of ten. Maybe someone will recognize the car, probably not too many painted this color. Richie.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    Five more pics
  • onerare39
    onerare39 Expert Adviser, Member
    edited February 2013
    Very Nice Richie!

    Get the brakes working so that you can go out and enjoy it.

    John
  • GrimGreaser
    GrimGreaser Senior Contributor
    Sharp!

    I even like the color!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Even has original in tact rubber mat in the trunk - very nice Richie ,
    Roger
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I thought Texas tan was a lighter color mor like almond ?
    Roger
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Those Texans REALLY tan! It's Texas tan alright I had a 52 that color long time ago.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    What a nice looking car. Someday, I am going to buy on finished? Well, maybe not? Yours is sure nice....
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    I thank all of you for the nice comments. I will start on the brakes today and maybe by next week I'll have it driveable. I couldn't find any reference to Texas Tan until 1952, maybe the color on this car is not the original color. Again, thanks for the nice words. Richie.
    Out to the garage I go !!
  • faustmb
    faustmb Senior Contributor
    Looks great, I'd like to see it again when your a few weeks into it. Was that car in middle TN?
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    Thanks Matt, the person that owned it lived in TN, but I don't know where. When the owner passed away the car was brought to NC to be sold by the guy that inherited it. With the car I got an owners manual and a Hudson brochure along with a paint code sheet for 1951. Texas Tan was a 1951 option according to this sheet. Richie.
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