Cobbled alternator mount.....

Would you suggest, Ken, that a standard 6- or 12-volt generator might better fit in the bracket, and that the diameter of that (generator) would be less than that of the alternator? (Thus, the shaft would not be bent away from the engine block as it must be, now.)

Also, it looks as though a flexible coupling was not inserted between the extension shaft, and the shaft on the alternator. This could explain the problem they had with the timing gear, due to the stress that would have been caused to the shaft. The flexible coupling could be a short section of a rubber hose, held to both shafts with hose clamps....no?

The flexible rubber hose is how that era Essex (& Hudson?) were originally.

Am I seeing that right? Is the alternator mounted to both the frame AND the engine? If so, that's gotta go no matter what else you do.
F

Yep Frank you are seeing right! The distributor, generator and oil pump drive housing at the front of the motor fractured, and a piece came off. I suspect the oil pump drive was compromised when they cobbled it back together in Southern China, and then the rods and piston rings went out in Laos. They are now close to Thailand I think.

Does this car have rubber motor mounts? If yes, then the mounting of the alternator is likely to be causing a problem. However, if the engine is bolted right onto the frame, it is may not be causing a problem.

Patrik,

As Jon mentioned, and as I wrote to you a couple of months ago, a speed of 70 to 75 km/hr is what gives the maximum revolutions per minute that this type of engine can produce reliably.

Tom Brintnall could send you pictures of the overdrive that is installed under his 1924 Hudson. It is between the transmission and the rear axle. It has a short driveshaft between the back of the transmission and the overdrive, and another short driveshaft between the overdrive and the differential. There should be enough space under HUDO to put this.

Then the car could go 100 to 110 km/hr with the same engine speed. Heidi could then be driving at the speed she prefers without loosening more connecting rods.

Per

Patrik, will there be an upcoming "rest period" for the car, during which time you can make certain improvements?

I think the forum members have offered some sensible ideas which could make the next portion of the trip less "eventful"! (For example: replacing the alternator with a generator which is correctly mounted, and which is attached by flexible coupling to the extension shaft. Also, allowing some time for the inspection of the remaining connecting rods, to verify that they are not becoming damaged.)

During this "intermission" you would have time to acquire some additional spare replacement parts to carry with you, in the event of further trouble: bearings, brake parts, engine and electrical parts.

In fact, if Heidi's next destination is Australia or New Zealand, you can possibly find some Hudson enthusiasts who could carefully inspect the car, and possibly discover and fix any "minor" mechanical problems before they become "major" problems. There is a Hudson club in Australia and New Zealand and they may even have the parts you need.

The alternative is to continue on the trip with the car in its present condition, hoping that no further problems will occur, and hoping that some sort of temporary solution can be found, should they occur!

Hi Jon,
seems Hodo and Heidi suffer to get new piston rings in Laos, since a Chinese(!) source promised a bit to much.. and even then they had to regroove the pistons to make them fit in any way.. :woohoo:

So is anyone here having a clew how or whrere to get a set of piston rings for Hudo?

Standart bore seems to be sufficient as I remember from Usbekistan.

Greeetings

You can get ANY size piston ring set from:
Otto Gas Engine Works,
2167 Blue Ball Rd
Elkton, MD 21921
410-398-7340
any size: from 5/8" diameter to 86" diameter: SERIOUSLY
very reasonable
I have bought from them before and they are extremely good
www.ringspacers.com
Otto@ringspacers.com

Is this modified piston the one for which you require new rings? If so, then you will have to carefully measure the defective rings, so that rings can be found which will exactly match the new grooves.

If you require new rings for pistons which have have the ORIGINAL grooves, they may be easier to find, since someone may still have some original rings for sale.

Possibly some of our Hudson friends in Australia will have piston rings for this car. Or, Geoff Clark in New Zealand may have some rings. Australia and New Zealand may be closer to Laos than America is!

Have the piston rings broken, or have they simply worn, so that there is very little compression in the cylinders?

At the same time you order the rings to be shipped, you might want to order additional spare parts which might break, so that you will have them if you have further mechanical problems. Do you have ignition points? Wheel bearings? Perhaps you should obtain a generator which is closer in size to the original generator, to replace the alternator which is been improperly installed.

When you leave Laos, what are your next 3 or 4 countries of destination?

Hi Jon,

Heidi will go to Singapore via Thailand and Malaysia to reach her ship to Australia at the end of January.
That makes 2500-3000 KM ..

I dont know how well the local mechanics have handled the problems with the worn rods and also the water ingress into the 1. cylinder ..
I'am afraid they will use shells as rod bearings instead of the original soft metal bearings and this could be the final end of the crankshaft.
Did anyone ever made this conversion??

Also it seems like she is now trying to fit some piston rings that are not made for a Hudson to save some days from shipping original ones.

We will see how long this lasts and if she will make it to Oz.

So for our Australian Hudson mechanics I see a lot of work to come to bring her and Hudo from Fremantle to the east coast...

Patrik,

Look at "Jeep Bearing Inserts in Hudson 8", particularly the comments of Doug Wildrick and Jon Battle.

Per

Hi Per,

seems the locals habe fittet the non standart rings, but the engine is still producing hard noise, so everything back to start...

So time will tell...

Hi Heidi and Patrik,

Do you mean that there is a connecting rod knock?

Per