Finding the right Parts Guy....

51hornet · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:10 pm Post subject: Finding the right Parts Guy....

So over the last six weeks I pulled the suspension and brakes and now the axle shafts. Went looking for the parts and my Napa guy gave me the blank stare. I went to an old dude I know and he told me to head to this other guy he would have my parts. He runs a shop that mostly handles commercial vehicles but he turned out to be the guy.

He got me the rear brakes he relined and recurved my front shoes he got me new inner and outer seals, new wheel cylinders and all the hardware. Got me new brake hoses and made a couple of sets of new hoses for me for the Hudson oil filter. He used special reinforced hoses and made them to match the ones I gave him.

He told me If I take off my brake lines he will make exact duplicates for me. He does not use a computer he uses a set of old books and he does all the cross referencing manually. He did not blink when I said it was a 51 Hudson he said Hornet or Wasp. I love his shop its like the places I visited with my Dad as a kid. Its a hole in the wall with parts everywhere but he knows where everything is.

So folks when you find your "guy" treat him well because these guys are a dying breed and he usually does jobs for big trucks which cost thousands of dollars and he helped me with my Hudson Hornet. He has my business for as long as he is there. And to beat the band he gave me the mechanics discount because I came armed with numbers and cross numbers and provided him with samples of everything.

Dave53-7C

You are lucky to have found this guy. He sounds like a keeper. If you have the extra money, I'd have this guy make up a stockpile of Hudson items before he and his craft are lost to old age. Shops like you describe are the same as dumpy old restaurants. They may look like crap from the outside, but it's what inside that counts.

51hornet

Yes I plan on getting him to do some stuff for me I want him to make up some sets of stainless steel brake lines for coupes and sedans I can keep for new projects. Yeah I can do that crap myself but why bother when he is an expert. Plus get some more external oil filter connections.

I bought up a swack of seals from him and I forgot to ask about bearings. He goes by the old numbers so he is good. I will ask about the dreaded 25877T he may be able to get them and if he can I will buy extra.

Oh yeah while finishing my brake job I decided to pull the axle shafts and repack those bearings and change out the inner and outer seals. I also pulled the driveshaft out and the diff out of the rear end to put in a new gasket. Oh the wife is shaking her head a 1 day brake job turned into replace the underside of the car with new parts. Sigh......can't help myself.

Dave53-7C

Good idea to use the man's talents while he's still here. But hoses for the oil filter! Haven't you heard that they'll blow and your car will somehow be incinerated? Rolling Eyes

Better get those bearings while you can. Thankfully, my car doesn't use those. Very Happy

The wife is probably shaking her head over the long, low, red misteress (with the voluptuous rear end) that's seems to be garnering all of your affection. Cool

51hornet

Yes she is. I don't know what comes over me when I make those hey I should also drop the driveline and pull the rear end apart decisions. Since I have those tapered bearings I thought best to be safe and pull clean, inspect and regrease. Plus I have a oil leak in the pumpkin where the front diff bolts into the case. So I will fix that give me a chance to inspect the ring gear plus I will change ever seal in the diff. Then I at least know where I am starting from maintenance wise.

Dave53-7C

Do what you must, just don't let the wife hear you moaning and talking sweet while you're under the Huddy. She just may lower the boom (and Hudson) on you. Unless you can verify the car's maintenance history, it's better to check and maintain than wait for things to fail. I like the fact that Hudson was generous with drain plugs, it makes fluid removal so much easier.

51hornet

Wife was out helping me pull the diff apart she ran the jack while I pulled the front carrier out. Man I got to get me a new garage with a couple of hoists this crap of working on the floor is crazy.

Good thing I pulled it apart the inner seals were shot. Bearings look good a clean and repack and they will be ready to go. New inner and outer seals and a new pinion seal and I will sleep better knowing shes good for another 50 years.

U Joints need to be replaced lucky I have a drawer full of those from the previous owner. Changed out the output shaft seal on the hydramatic as that was my tranny leak. Put a new carrier bearing in as well plus new Center Driveshaft Support Carrier Cushions.

Don't really have anything left under the car I have replaced.

Dave53-7C

All right, you've got the wife working in the garage. Smile

In order to get a good night sleep, some people take a little, gentle blue pill and others work on their Hudsons.

Just so you're not bored, stop by and check mine over for anything I may have missed. Oh, and don't forget to bring parts and the wife to handle the jack.

51hornet

Thats funny as we are on the road as we speak heading to your house as I am going to pull the whole underside of your car apart as I know you want to share the joy.....

Dave53-7C

Hey, as long as you are "inclined" to lay on your back and pull apart the underside of my Hudson, I'd better get moving on the epoxy resurfacing of the floor. The, I'll be sure you have a nice cushy mat for you to lay on, a pillow, tunes, and drinks of choice. BTW, no booze until the work is done.

51hornet

Sweet I am speeding up as I read this on my wireless connection...

Dave53-7C

Fantastic. The nice thing about the epoxy floor coating is that if the Hudson starts to come down on the jack, you'll be spit out like a water melon seed. It's not only decorative, it's a life saver too. I'll go and prepare your horizontal work station.

51hornet

Floor work...what the hey I thought we agreed you were getting a ramp hoist and a center post....I am done with floor work....

Dave53-7C

Done with floor work...I don't think so. I've heard you do your best work on your back. Laughing

51hornet

Yes well I know you know about my mid 80's break dancing career but the old back won't take that anymore....