I got a lead on a replacement bumper for the Panama. It was 3.5 hours away, but one does not turn down a bumper for $100.

Made the drive and met a nice family. The guy has a '54 Panama also. This was had a Continental kit added to it, non-original paint, but fully original interior in good shape. A solid driver.

The bumper is in much better shape than my original, though definitely not perfect. My old bumper had all the chrome peeled off the lower half, and the lower edge was all sorts of bent from jacks in the past.

The new one had some bad pitting on one of the guards. I replaced it with a good one from my old bumper. I polished out the other defects the best I could. I cleaned all the rust off the inside, converted the remainder with Ospho, then painted it black. The overall finish is much better than my old one but still not perfect. For $100 I'll take it though.

-Kevin

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I used three position on off and momentary switch in my system. Also carry piece of robber tubing in event either pump becomes inoperable. Future plan on installing light in circuit to remind me of operation of electric pump

From the looks of them I would say the hubs are fixed since there does not appear to be much of a retaining or bearing arrangement.

Looking at your window frame the inner surface of the hub would be well greased and insert thru the two wide access spaces on the frame so the wide end would ride on the inside of the channel. Against the outside of the channel would ride a piece of greased leather. Question would be if the leather is the only thing there or is the leather some kind of assembly somewhat compressible or is something else needed in addition to leather. I think to avoid rattles there would need to be some way to keep some tension on the leather so everything is kept lightly compressed against the frame.

Later models have a different construction but it is the same principle. On those it was a combo of spring loaded rounded washer on one side of the channel and on some models a rounded washer only but on others both a flat and leather washer to ride against the channel on the other side. Everything was held onto the stud by a hairpin clip.

With the solid one piece hub and no clip on yours, unless the leather is just the exact thickness to do the compression I think you could get a thin curved disc spring with a large enough hole to go on first. Have that press against the arm and then have a piece of leather with a small hole in the center large enough for the hub shaft go on next for the outside of the channel. The leather would probably need a slit or maybe an actual slot across the center just the width of the hub end so it could be worked over the hub. If you went with the curved spring not sure how much tension would be needed but doubt very much.

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Hi Don 37,

I just called and left a message. Look forward to talking to you.

Back on the question from earlier. I've talked to Gary, and he said there were leather washers on those window regulator arms. Are those "hubs" supposed to spin or are they fixed?

I sprayed them with a little PB Blaster in the event they are supposed to spin, but are just rusted at the moment.

Found the part on eBay for $8 with free shipping. Done and done.

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Bill Hirsch still lists these as available. If so, I would buy them as they are no longer making anymore.

https://www.hirschauto.com/1940_41-120-PACKARD-HUBCAP/productinfo/PACHUB-131/

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Thank you for that!! do you have any information on where the anchor points are for the belts? Like measurements?

Because Packard batwings had a somewhat unique carb spacing and those cleaners are so rare, if you are going to need to modify the cleaner substantially anyway to make it fit under the hood I wonder if finding one that might be a bit easier to come by and modifying that would work better. Also wondering if it is even possible to modify one to make it fit since the pots are deep and need to clear the rockers. Because of that the entire assy is raised fairly high over the carbs yet the GH hood is so low. Have you looked into one of the dual carb universal elongated oval types? One of those might fit under the bumpout in the hood center without much work.

A few years ago a fellow published an article on other batwings with emphasis and spacings for various implementations geared toward Pontiac and GM models. I would think almost anything made for other than Packard would be more plentiful.https://www.trifive.com/attachments/aircleaner-batwing-guide-pdf.221878/

Yes, for sure, Howard that is the part. I have remnants in the box these parts came in. I just didn't know that it was. But, just one side, and a broken spring. I may be able to fabricate the other side from some thin stock.