As most of you know in 1954 Hudson was suddenly confronted with having to equip some production cars with DG200 automatics due to an industry wide shortage of Hydramatics (a fire had crippled a Hydramatic manufacturing plant).
I own a 54'SuperWasp w/262cu engine originally outfitted with the DG200. I have the choice of retaining this automatic or swapping it out for a manual 3sp/OD. I've heard the DG200 is much weaker than the Hydramatic and doesn't hold up as well to the the 262's torque (forget about a 308's!).
Does anyone operate a DG200 on a regular basis? What are or have been your experiences with these transmissions?
I appreciate any feedback.
That is true that the Borg Warner transmission is not as durable or strong as the hydramatic.
If your transmission is working properly, there is no reason to replace it. If not, the hydramatic can be a good option for replacement..
[quote="Robert Waid post=27693"]As most of you know in 1954 Hudson was suddenly confronted with having to equip some production cars with DG200 automatics due to an industry wide shortage of Hydramatics (a fire had crippled a Hydramatic manufacturing plant).
I own a 54'SuperWasp w/262cu engine originally outfitted with the DG200. I have the choice of retaining this automatic or swapping it out for a manual 3sp/OD. I've heard the DG200 is much weaker than the Hydramatic and doesn't hold up as well to the the 262's torque (forget about a 308's!).
Does anyone operate a DG200 on a regular basis? What are or have been your experiences with these transmissions?
I appreciate any feedback.
I too have a 1954 SUPER WASP equipped with the DG200. The car is powered by a 262 engine. I have driven the car around 10K miles over the time I have owned it without any trouble from the transmission. There is a problem with the dipsticks in the transmissions that Hudson discovered after several months of using them. The marking on the dipstick is wrong so they read full when the transmission is in fact under serviced. You can click on the link in my signature block and when on my web page select TRANSMISSIONS and the Hudson bulletin covering the dipstick is posted. My car was one of those with the .... wrong dipsticks. Luckily my spare transmission had the correct item.
I would point out that the DG200 was used in a number of successful automotive manufacturer's vehicles with out problems. Much of the undeserved negativity about the DG200 was begun and continued from the 1950s owners who wanted the NASCAR transmission experience. I have had 5 1954s with this transmission and ZERO problems other than leaking that was caused by setting up for many years.
Give you transmission the service it needs and be a Happy Driver. Ken
Leave a reply
