ClassicCar

ernie28

I have been completing the dash assembley and all good so far. The photos show the steering column where it goes between the two lower dash panels. There looks like there should be some finishing / dressing piece that fits here to cover the gap (see the hole either side of the column).
I have found in the boxes of parts two items also pictured.
One is rubber and looks like it would fit the bill BUT it does not seem to utilise the holes in the panel and secondly it is broken - is this what should be there, if so are they available? I have looked in the K-Gap book but cannot find it listed there. Whether this is or not, is there any other options?
Also found is the other item pictured, cast and chromed. Can't see that this belongs anywhere but I could easily be wrong. Any clues on what it is for?

Assembly progress is going well - 99% of wiring done, just need to do finishing touches; engine was started earlier this week after years of being idle and after it worked out what it was supposed to do it ran as sweet as a nut, we even drove it down the road a bit with no doors on. All seems good and the brakes even worked well. Maybe we will be on the road sooner that first thought!

Thanks as always for your help

ESSX28-1 · ESSX28-1 May 2012 Posts: 995Platinum Member

Alistair, I'm expecting a ride in the Pacemaker when I come up to deliver your Essex head gaskets!!

ernie28

Any time - just don't be too fussy about wanting the doors on just yet!

cpr3333

Here's a shot from my 1950 Pacemaker Deluxe. It's not in the best shape but I'm pretty sure it's original.

It seems like the transmission linkage on mine is on top and yours is on the bottom. Is yours right hand drive? If so, could that be the difference? Also, if that's that case, the same part wouldn't work.

ernie28

Chris

What you can see under the steering column is the direction indicator cable. The gear shift shaft is on the top so the configuration is the same. Thanks for the photo - I just need to try and get the piece that is missing. Any ideas for a source?

cpr3333

I'll have to check my parts car tomorrow but the interior is pretty well stripped so I doubt it will be there.

If not, there is something on my parts inventory sheet that I made a few years ago labeled "steering column brace - broken" but I have no memory of what it might be. I'll have to find the right box in my garage and dig into it to see if that's it and how badly it's broken.

ski4life65

I have a few of these in chrome, but shipping might be a little pricey from the U.S....

ernie28

Hi ski4life65, I sent you a PM

ski4life65

I am at work, but I just happened to have one in the trunk of my car (long story). I have more at home. I think there are 2 sizes, this looks like the small one. I could be wrong, but I think Pacemaker ones are painted.

ESSX28-1 · ESSX28-1 May 2012 Posts: 995Platinum Member

Are these the same for both LHD & RHD?

ernie28

Looks interesting, ski4life65. Can you take another couple of photos from the back and different angle for me?

DocHubler

Alistair,

The 1950 Pacemaker utilized the rubber escutcheon similar to the Supers and Commodores, only it was a little bit different. It is a little smaller and only fits the Pacemakers. In 1951, the dash was completely redesigned for all series. the one from my car became lost, but Gene and Myrna Eshelman (EMC Trust) found me one. They are listed in the WTN. This piece is missing in the attached picture; took that before I got the item from Eshelmans.

ernie28

Thanks DocHubler for that info.

DocHubler

If Eshelmans don't have one of these escutcheons, I could return the one I have and they might decide to make a replica -- they make/sell some great pieces. They problem is the part you're looking for is low volume, one year only style trim.

Walt-LA

Ernie28,

The rubber piece shown in the first posting looks more like the piece used where the steering column goes through the firewall, not the dash- at least that's the way it is on the '51 Hornets. It has no metal cover.

Walt-LA

ernie28

Hi Walt, someone else (off forum) that the rubber piece goes down on the firewall, thanks.

DocHubler - is the rubber escutcheon that you have look like the rubber one in my initial post? If not can you send a photo for me?

No-one able to tell me what that cast metal piece is for or if it is even Hudson?

I do appreciate evyones input, thanks

Geoff C., N.Z.

Alistair, the piece I found on my spare Jet column won't fit the Pacemaker, sorry, so I haven't sent it. The larger cars have a completely different bracket and cover.
Geoff

DocHubler

Alistair,

The other poster is correct, the piece in the photo that you have is the toeboard cover -- it covers the opening where the column/shifter goes through the floor. There is also a rather square rubber piece, about 4-5 inches square that goes on the firewall to floor covering. I will try to get pictures for you. On the dash itself, where the column/shifter assembly are mounted, there is another rubber escutcheon that I talked about earlier. You can see the two holes on either side of the lower dash and the rubber escutcheon has two posts embedded in the rubber piece. These are held on with speed fasteners behind the dash. The Supers and Commodores had a similar piece, but it doesn't fit the Pacemaker. The only color I had ever seen these in is a medium brown color, slightly textured. Can get a photo. So if you are reassembling your steering column/shifter, you actually have 3 rubber pieces that go with this. Full Line (Dick Bell, Colorado USA) used to sell the 2 pieces that go on the floor/firewall, but the trim piece on the lower dash has never been reproduced and are very hard to find. I have no idea what the other piece you have goes to, but it does not go on you 1950 Pacemaker.

Tim

DocHubler

Alistair,

Here's your pictures. I added extra devices to my car, so my dash bezels have more switches. They are, starting on the left side: Starter button, fog lamp switch, backup light (with dash jewel indicator). Right Side: Ignition switch, Light Switch, and cigar lighter (which I didn't actually hook up for electrical -- don't want that used). Under the dash, I also added a switch for the electric fuel pump, and there is the overdrive cable pull next to it. My car came with the Overdrive originally, but didn't have the radio/antenna, turn signals, or some of the other items. My car also has a 1950 262 engine with the original Pacemaker head. If you have someone with a 1950 Super or Commodore, compare the dash escutcheon for the steering column. They are not interchangeable.

DocHubler

It was nice to see your and Chris Reinman's Pacemaker. Mine is the 50A, Pacemaker Deluxe like Chris' car, only his is much rare since it is the brougham. All Pacemakers, as far as I can tell, had the blue spruce knobs for their interiors. It looks like Chris' Pacemaker dash is pretty good. Most are faded and many think the faded color is the original one, but it is darker like Chris Reinman's car. Of course, I refurbished the dash for my car, and it is impossible to get them exactly like factory because of the process Hudson used to make them. I think the Pacemakers have been a little underappreciated by the Hudson community, but they are more difficult to work on mechanically because of that loss of engine bay space and many parts are not interchangeable with the senior cars. Good luck on your restoration!

Tim

ernie28

DocHubler, thanks for all the info. That piece you show looks like the piece I am missing. A pity no-one reproduced it so will have to improvise. If you do ever find one, please let me know! I do have a metal two part dress piece coming that is most likely aftermarket that hopefully will fit the bill.
The rubber piece I have will be OK for the firewall and I will just make the other piece that looks like it fits on the back on the engine bay side.
Will keep you updated with progress.

DocHubler

Alistair,

Yes, you can cut out the firewall piece from flat rubber. I may be able to get you a diagram. Contact Eshelman's. They may have the piece that goes on the dash. You have the part number off the one i have since it's in the picture.

cpr3333

I looked in my parts car and, as I guessed, there isn't one there. I dug out the box listed on my inventory sheet today and I can't find anything that even looks like a 'steering column brace - broken' but I'll check again to be sure.

So much for my inventory sheet...

As to my dash looking good, either it's a bad picture or that's one of the few spots that does look good. The top is completely faded and it has peeled and/or rusted in other areas. I have corresponded with a guy who reproduces the pattern and I plan to get that done when I finally get to that point on the car.

ernie28

Guys, I looked on the Eshelman's web site and nothing so sent am email so will advise the outcome when I get a reply.

DocHubler

Chris,

I did the dash on my car. A learning experience! But I've now done a leathergrain dash/door trim for my 1948 Cadillac and I'm getting ready to work on the 1941 Hudson woodgrain. The Pacemaker is difficult because of the pattern. Hudson used a decal on the flat sheet metal, then pressed out the dash, so it's very hard to reproduce. Also, if you look carefully, you'll see that the pattern is a greenish gray with fine brown lines in it, all over an aluminum base color. If you ever get to the point you want to redo your dash, let me know and I can help you out. I've used the Grain IT Technologies patterns and have all the stuff needed for that.

Tim

ernie28

Eshelman's advise they have nothing at the moment but they say they have many boxes still to unpack. They will advise if one comes to light.

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