Welcome to the wild and wooly world of Hudsons!

As to your problem: my first guess would be that there is something amiss, somewhere along the linkage path. Possibly something has come loose and needs to be adjusted.

The other thought is that the Hudsonite may have drained out due to a faulty seal. Did you or the mechanic fill the clutch with the requisite amount of clutch fluid? By any chance is there a puddle under the car in the vicinity of the clutch?

well I sure hope the fluid didn't drain and I did not see a puddle. I had a long drive (~30 miles) so its possible it drained along the way. We are in the process of inspecting the linkage path it seems to be somewhere up in the steering column. What is the acceptable alternative to "Hudsonite"?

Thanks in advance, Eric
Redondo Beach, CA.

Well, if you want to use a substitute, you can possibly use ATF but I don't recall which one is supposed to work best. Frankly, I'd just go for the real McCoy. A fellow in our vicinity (Washington, DC) has the rights to make the old original recipe, but I don't think he's mixed up a batch lately. Doug Wildrick (the Hudson clutch man) has a modern version he's cooked up, go to http://wildrickrestorations.com/clutch.html

Great I will look into this weekend. Really hope it is something basic like that and the clutch isn't burned up!
Thanks!

Check to make sure that when you move the shift lever that it is moving the shift rod above the steering column with absolutely no lost motion! There's a quick(?) fix but its a little involved and the linkage has to be dis-assembled and removed from the car.

The problem was that the column shifter would hardly move at all. Getting it into ANY gear or even neutral was intermittent. Once in gear it moved so assuming the clutch is ok. Is there a quick fix there? Where can I get parts to repair the column shifter?

A few quick suggestions:

1. You can check the shop and parts manuals already on line at this (HET) website, in the library section, to possibly learn what parts may need replacement (and learn the parts by their technical names and part number).

2. Once you've done that, you can ask (on the forum) if anyone has spare parts to replace those. Simultaneously, look through the WTN classifieds to find vendors who sell used Hudson parts, and shoot an e-mail to them as well. (A photo of the broken part might also be helpful). Some folks may actually have a NOS part for sale, instead of a used one. Or you may find that the manual shows you how to make an adjustment to fix the problem, instead of replacing a part.

This of course assumes you're a member of the H-E-T. I'm not sure you can "tune in" the downloadable manuals if you are only a "limited member" of this website. Club members have full access. Also, if you aren't a member you wouldn't be receiving the WTN. In that case, we can shoot you the names and e-mail addresses of a few of the many people who regularly advertise there (but I would suggest joining the Club a.s.a.p., just for your own convenience!).

Eric,

These shifter linkages are not that difficult to take apart. Takes some patience though. The handy shift lever that you use (column shift) actuates a push rod that runs the length of the tube down alongside the steering tube. There are ends to the rod and a spring. Those can get gummed up and need cleaning and lubrication. This actuates a cable which you can see at the end of the shift linkage. That must be properly adjusted up/down the steering column to which it is attached to properly shift between the rails of your transmission (iF R) and (2F 3F).Be sure and lubricate that cable as well and make sure it is properly attached to the transmission or it won't work. I can be helpful to have another person help you remove these parts (1 on engine side, 1 on interior). My guess this has never been serviced or not for a long time. Of course I did this when I restored my stepdown since it was all apart. My 41 coupe was very sticky on the shifter, so I took it apart and lubricated everything and it works fine now. The design was used since introduction of the handy shift in 1939 pretty much through 1954.

Tim, I think Eric has a '54. That would have the ''2-lever'', not the ''lever and cable'' Handi-shift. Right? (As a 1937 "prehistoric" owner, I know little about these newfangled column-shifted cars, but I hear people talk...) I'm assuming that the linkages for each of the two levers work alike.

Thanks Jon! I think you're right. So scratch that unhelpful hint if that's the case. Maybe it's just a bent linkage. Or maybe the problem is a worn out bearing in the tranny box itself.

Tim

Thanks guys. When I bought the '54 the previous owner gave me an original 1952 Service manual and I also found "1950-1952Hyrda-MaticTransServiceManual.pdf" online. Are these the right resources to reference for my linkage/shifter issues?

Once again, I'm in uncharted territory (being a pre-war car owner) but I believe that Hudson switched over to Borg-Warner transmissions (from Hudson-built transmissions) during 1952. The Borg-Warner transmissions have the double levers; the Hudson trannys have the single lever plus cable.

So, look in that 1952 shop manual and see if it pictures the single or the double lever. If double lever, then I think your '54 has essentially the same linkage. If it pictures the single lever....keep looking!

Here is an image from the manual.

Looks like the 2-lever, to my prehistoric eyes.

Does the manual say nothing about the repair or maintenance of the shift linkage? I would guess, if you get someone behind the wheel who is moving the gearshift lever, you could visually follow the linkage with your eyes and note the places where it might be hanging up. I am assuming you would not be running the engine during this inspection, so as to isolate the mere action of the linkage from other potential causes of shifting difficulty (such as an out of adjustment clutch).