Posted similar elsewhere, but thought I would try you'se guys for this one:

So I got the engine to turn over by hand and the starter to spin, but the bendix will not engage. I plan on dousing the area with penetrating oil over a few days and trying again. Assuming that doesn't work, the 48-52 shop manual states that the bendix can be removed with the starter in place (PDF page 144) but no further info.

Secondary question: This bendix seems to be a spring on one end, a gear on the other and a housing of some kind in the middle. Is it the gear only that moves forward to engage the flywheel ring gear, or is it the gear/housing assembly.
 

I don’t see how you would remove the Bendix assembly without removing the starter (unless the transmission was already out).  It’s not hard to do, so just take it out and put it on the bench.  Then you can get some lube into it to free it up.  You can then bench test it.   I have a vague recollection that one has to be careful about fully extending the bendix while it is out of the car, so check the manual for any warnings or procedures to bench test it.  

Darren,  Welcome.  Leave car Positive ground, all original Hudson stuff works great.  With out a doubt get yourself a 6Volt 'Optima' battery. [1000 CCA]  It is worth the money. you won't regret it.  Go to a meet, all the folks are top shelf.
If you need any help I will try to steer you in correct direction. I have 4 Hudson's..........48 Commodore sedan, 50 Pacemaker, 51 Commodore Coupe, 54 Hornet.
=Don  donriggs370@gmail.com

Thanks for the help. I had to do some digging, but it looks like the distributor has to come out in order to remove the hidden fastener for the lower part of the super-matic drive system so it can be moved far enough for the starter to clear it's studs. Hopefully, I will get it fixed and the engine running this weekend. By the way, if you have a spare hood for a 1950 C6, I am all ears.

Darren,
I'll jump in too. Welcome to a fine club. Members (all over the world I might add) have been a great help to me several times. I am a big fan of the Optima battery. I have a '35 Terraplane and would have buy a 6 volt battery each year. Much of it was my fault in not keeping them charged all the time but it was embarrassing to drive to a show then try to restart the car to make a move and it would not start. I put in an Optima battery with heavy duty battery cables and am very happy. The regular 6 Volt battery when hot would spin the motor OK but the Optima spins it much , much better. My guess is that regular 6 volt batteries are not as well made as in the past or car companies would have gone to the 12 volt much sooner.
Good luck and enjoy the Hudson

I'm using a 12 Optima to spin the starter, but I have a fresh NAPA 6v. standing by for when I'm ready to actually start the thing. I don't want to jump through all the hoops it takes to switch to 12v. but I will probably switch to neg. ground just for consistency.

Darren,  I agree with you, 12  Volt is sure not needed now that they have offered the Optima in 6 volt,  plenty of crank power.  Changing the ground won't acomplish anything either.
It sounds like the car has drive master shift mechanism,  does it ?  I hope not.   it is quite complicated.  is there alot of linkage and stuff on driverside engine compartment up by fire wall ? 

Yes, has the drive-master hardware. I don't see any reason to get rid of it right now. I'm pretty much an originalist when it comes to my old stuff. If it works, it gets to stay. 

Though I wouldn't mind some bramd new chrome 😉