1952 Hornet Transmission

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I have a 1952 Hornet with a Hydramatic transmission that needs adjustment. It works fine overall but doesn't downshift correctly when going up hills or slowing for turns. Does anybody know a good mechanic in the Sacramento, CA area that might be able to help?



Thanks

Comments

  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Let's face it, you would be way ahead driving down to see Bill Albright in Fontana..
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    Have you tried adjusting the Throttle Position Rod. I am not a Hydro expert but know only If Rod adjusted too long it will shift too quickly and if too short will delay shifting.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Sacramento is a good sized city. There should be at least three or four good transmission shops that can do a hydromatic.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The use of good and transmission shop in the same sentence strikes me as strange. Are there any such places left?
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    I found there are only a few Tech's remaining that really know how to rebuild the Hydros.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    In that case, the next club project should be to clone guys like Bill Albright and Gus Souza.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    brocrk wrote:
    I have a 1952 Hornet with a Hydramatic transmission that needs adjustment. It works fine overall but doesn't downshift correctly when going up hills or slowing for turns. Does anybody know a good mechanic in the Sacramento, CA area that might be able to help?



    Thanks



    Ivan Zaremba is a mechanic who lives in San Rafael California. Ivan races a 51 Hudson Hornet and should be a super contact for finding a solution to your shifting problems.



    (415) 485-5885

    ivan62@comcast.net
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Cars Are All Stick Shifts Of Course. Bill A.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    I have had a little experience with poor shifting Hydra-matics over the years. Each time, the problem was solved by just doing the basic adjustments outlined in the Hudson Manuals. If the adjustments are done to the book, and the problem persists, you need someone with experience. There are few people left in the business with "experience", much less, the proper tools and test equipment. The present day Hydra-matics share only the name. NOTHING is the same.
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    The Hydromatics were (are) very strong unlike todays transmissions. They powered everything from Military Tanks, school buses, and supercharged drag cars with only minor Mod's. I towed with a hydro every wknd for yrs flawlessly....
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    brocrk wrote:
    I have a 1952 Hornet with a Hydramatic transmission that needs adjustment. It works fine overall but doesn't downshift correctly when going up hills or slowing for turns. Does anybody know a good mechanic in the Sacramento, CA area that might be able to help?



    Thanks



    Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Hydra-matics that shift in relation to throttle position shouldn't down shift when going up a hill, unless you mash the pedal to the metal. That is a function of an auto trans that is shifted via vacuum according to engine load.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Here's a quick thing to try: warm up engine to operating temp,make sure idle speed is in specs,take a 1/4 drill bit and lock down linkage . You want to lock down the cross shaft,next remove the cotter pins from the shafts, if twin h equipped, the pin should slip thru with out having to to move linkage to carbs, if not adjust so they do. Then at cross shaft the rod and clevis on the outside[furthest from engine] loosen the top and bottom locknuts several turns. Push rod all the way towards the rear, then on lower lock nut bring it up finger tight. Now on the lower locknut back it off TWO turns[ shortening the rod] run the upper locknut down and tighten both nuts. Now time for test drive, adjust 1/2 turn at a time if needed. If the 2-1 coast downshift becomes harsh you have gone too far. A last adjustment would be to set gas pedal , if you are getting wide open throttle in the carbs , check your clearence at the stop under pedal shuold be about 1/16 inch. You can adjust at the cross shaft to get wot. Don't forget to pull 1/4 inch drill bit out before test drive. Lou Cote all this is found in shop manual.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    you lost me at the 1/4 " drill bit....where does it go?
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Jim-



    In the rear bracket that attaches to the block, notice that there is a "C" notch in that bracket. Line up the "C" notch with the hole in the block and insert the drill bit into the hole. It locks the linkage in place so that proper adjustments can be made.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    thank you, Russell



    drove my car 200 miles today used 10 gallons of gas with twin H is that normal? .....Used a quart of oil, engine hasen't been on the highway in probably 20 years...I'm hoping that will improve. (the oil consumption that is )



    Went to a car show, 1000 cars and 2 Hudsons.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Jim, I don't think 20 MPG is too bad. On a trip from East Tennessee to Charlotte North Carolina, I got between 18 and 21 MPG depending upon the terrain. This was a 54 Hornet Special sedan with 308 and 2bbl carb and dual range Hydro. I have heard of others that get more and some that get less. So many variables....

    Bob
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Jimalberta wrote:
    you lost me at the 1/4 " drill bit....where does it go?



    :cool:Ken Cates' web site has a procedure as well as a linkage diagram that will explain the adjustment of Twin H linkage and carburators. :cool:
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I've been trying to find those articles on your site Ken but no luck.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Jimalberta wrote:
    thank you, Russell



    drove my car 200 miles today used 10 gallons of gas with twin H is that normal? .....Used a quart of oil, engine hasen't been on the highway in probably 20 years...I'm hoping that will improve. (the oil consumption that is )



    Went to a car show, 1000 cars and 2 Hudsons.



    I think you should be ecstatic with 20 mpg. Typical 308 w/ Twin-H generally gets about 16 or a little better.



    2 Hudsons? It's a bonanza!!
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