Since you've just been thru the entire fuel system, I'd suspect poor fuel delivery as a good candidate for your problem. Fuel pumps would much rather suck air than pull gasoline 15 feet or so from the rear tank, so I'd inspect every connection between the pump and the tank for a loose connection, and also check the gasket at the pump sediment bowl if so equipped. Don't know what "same car" means so can't be more specific.

If its not fuel, I'd suspect a failing ignition coil; these generally only act up when they get hot. Just go buy a universal ignition coil and wire it up temporarily and recheck.

Brian mentioned the Compensator Port Valve and spring. THAT IS the issue i have with the TV master cylinder. If the tiny spring fails then there will be NO brakes.
More common variety of master cylinders, wheather dual or single, can fail too but will usualy give some adequate warning and allow for pumping of the brake pedal to over come the failure. If the spring, or any part of the Compensator valve in the Treadle Vac master cylinder fails then it is NO brakes at all and no interveneing warnings.
Other than the Compensator Port Valve i have no complaints with the TV system. BUT, the Compensator Port is a MAJOR issue.

Same car. It will run ok when it starts, but after about ten minutes, it sputters and dies. I've never had this issue. Carb is rebuilt, new gas tank, new fuel pump, clean filter, clean, fresh fuel. Points are set at .017. Has new points and condenser. Any ideas?

Beautiful car! But, I'd want to keep it that way and junk the Treadle Vac before it costs you your car. I can't stress enough that if you drive you car at all, it's an accident waiting to happen. Manual brakes are safer than that poor excuse of a master cylinder. I know I'm the minority here, since Craig dropped of the face of Packardom, but I know he'd concur with me. It's junk, it's dangerous, and I destroy every example I get my hands on. A modern dual master cylinder is so much safer than that piece of trash will ever be. Nice for a museum car that will never drive again, but dangerous for even a dirt road in the country.

Sounds like you are close enough to phoenix we may wind up at a show or tour sometime. There is a local club, Packards of Arizona I joined the other day. I haven't had a chance to do much with them since I discovered my #8 rod treat, but they seem like great guys. As for treddle vac, I had a power brake company on Grand Ave. (Out of business)rebuild the one I had in a 58 Edsel wagon and never had any trouble. I will PM you contact info in case some local events are going on.

To 39super8

I'm about 55-60 miles south of you. Just south of Casa Grande in Arizona City.


Thanks to everyone that responded concerning the T/V, and the info. As I have the wheel cylinders to do next, and a few other things, I will most likely be here daily. :)

Boro -

I've never had a big problem with the TreadleVac unit, myself, and concur with Owen_Dyneto's position that they were used successfully for many years and on many cars.

The NUMBER ONE thing to look out for on these decades-old units (especially from cars that sat, unused, for extended periods) is a pitted hydraulic plunger. Because the seals are held in a fixed position, and the plunger moves through them, a pitted surface will act like a cheese-grater and cause a failure of the seals in short order. A hydraulic failure in ANY single-chambered master cylinder could be catastrophic, but such an event unlikely in a brake system that has been properly gone-through and is properly serviced.

One thing I feel that has often been overlooked in rebuilding these units is the compensator port valve spring. That valve is CRITICAL to hydraulic operation, but the spring is not included in the "minor kit" - not even in an original from Bendix. I have seen this delicate spring corroded in two in a couple of units that I disassembled - cars that hadn't been used in decades. I suspect this happens, over time, because DOT3 is hygroscopic (draws moisture right out of the air) and the reservoir is NOT air-tight (like more modern designs).

I think the "hot" cable tells you all you need to know in terms of a diagnosis. And don't forget a clean ground with sufficient area to it.

I appreciate your plight on those rod bearings; 25 or 30 years ago they were VERY hard to find. So hard in fact that some folks bought earlier (babbitt) rods to keep their their later engines in service. I'd think by now finding one or more would be nearly impossible. Yet I keep hearing rumors that one of the major national Packard vendors is considering having some made overseas. Let's hope that happens and that the quality is better than some of the reproduced parts now available.

I am in Arizona (Phoenix) also. Have not done much yet, looking for a .030" under con. rod bearing for my 39 super 8. no one seems to be able to sell me a bearing, used, new, used rod and bearing or whatever. Some good guys are trying, so I will be patient. Once finished, I would like to do some tours and shows with other Packard owners here in Phoenix. Pics of the car are posted on the owner registry. it is black.