31 clutch fear (help!)

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hi all:



Ok, I am fully prepared to admit I am an idiot with this question:



I want to drain my clutch fluid in my 31 Essex Super Six. I have removed the flywheel cover and have exposed the clutch exterior. I have rotated the exterior so that there is a single plug (with the recessed square fitting to remove it).



Here is my question: I'm told that I am supposed to put roughly a half pint of fluid in to the clutch. I'm told that the aforementioned plug is to drain the fluid. Where do I insert the replacement fluid, if this plug is for the removal? I've read in older Essex manuals that you are supposed to put the fluid up to the point that it drains out of the plug. Well, if this is the case, how do you even drain the old fluid? I must be missing something.



Sorry to be such a dolt, but help would be appreciated.

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Don't be ashamed, all of us Hudsonites had to undergo our initial 'trial by fire'!



    Now, I have a later Hudson (1937) so I'm not well-schooled in the somewhat earlier models, but in mine, the access to the drain plug is through the timing inspection opening in the engine support plate, on the driver's side as viewed from the engine compartment. In my car, at least, one need not remove the flywheel cover (unless one drops the aforesaid drain plug down the inspection hole during removal -- a common flub!).



    At any rate, rotate the flywheel so the plug is visible through the hole (in your case (with the flywheel cover off, it will be visible in a whole lot of places), and unscrew & remove it. Before doing this, have a pan ready under the flywheel, to catch the contents of the clutch when it spills out of the hole after you remove the plug.



    Rotate the flywheel so the hole is at 6 o'clock, the bottom-most position on the turn. (You will know this, when viewing through the timing inspection hole, because a stamped star will mystically revolve into view as you spin the flywheel.)



    When all clutch fluid has drained, rotate the flywheel so the opening is visible through the timing inspection opening. Then pour 1/3 pint of new Hudsonite into the hole. Easiest way to to this is to buy a funnel with rubber tube, at your local auto supply place, and keep it on hand. The tube should be of a small enough diameter to fit into the flywheel drain hole, of course.



    Hudsonite, in case you didn't know, is available at the H-E-T Club store (old origianl recipe) or from Doug Wildrick (new, improved recipe). It's put up in bottles, in exactly the correct amount you need for one fill.



    When you've poured in the Hudsonite, replace the plug securely, and you're ready for months of Hudson driving enjoyment.
  • Joe30Essex
    Joe30Essex Expert Adviser
    I agree with JonB. The way he describes it is exactly how I service my 1930 Essex. I made the mistake of dropping the plug-went out and bought a cheap extention for my ratchet filed down the end to fit the plug snug. This makes it easier to put the plug back in after filling also.



    Joe D.
  • Joe30Essex
    Joe30Essex Expert Adviser
    After rereading Jon B's post- my access is on the passenger side-gotta believe it is the same for a '31.
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Only thing is there is only one plug on the '30 Essex, and no star stamped on the flywheel, so don't confuse the later Terraplane steel flywheel with the earlier cast iron ones. It is best to remove the flywheel cover to service the clutch. Drain it out with the plug at the bottom, then rotate the flywheel to elevate the plug for filling. QED.

    Geoff.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Joe30Essex wrote:
    After rereading Jon B's post- my access is on the passenger side-gotta believe it is the same for a '31.



    Keep in mind that the passenger side could be on either side depending where in the world you live or where in the world the car was made for. Just thought I would throw that in :)
  • Joe30Essex
    Joe30Essex Expert Adviser
    Ron P wrote:
    Keep in mind that the passenger side could be on either side depending where in the world you live or where in the world the car was made for. Just thought I would throw that in :)



    Jon- I didn't even consider that! You must be a 'global thinker'...
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    An update:



    Thanks to you (all).



    My car hadn't been driven in 20 years (I've recently acquired it). I had driven gingerly down the road a few times and wondered why the clutch juddered so (particularly in first) - although not too terribly.



    I removed the plug at 6 o'clock position ... not one drop came out! I put the requisite volume of fluid into the clutch and buttoned things up.



    Wow. It works much more smoothly now! Pretty nifty.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I'll be the first to say that I don't know diddly about most cars made before 1950. However, it's cool to hear that you got the help you needed and that your having fun with your Essex. IMHO, Hudson products were built like tanks.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories

In this Discussion