Believe it would have had silver rocker covers and the engine green appears to be the pre 51 green rather than the turquoise used in 56.

Can't remember who used the selectomatic--maybe a jukebox. Packard name was "Electronic Push Button Shift" although to be technical, "electric" rather than "electronic" would be more proper. There was nothing more than wires, switches and relays involved--no vacuum tubes, components or anything else that typically is called "tronic".

Scott, I have lived in a cold climate for almost 50 years and engine block heaters are standard equipment on new cars sold up here. Most modern cars start without being "plugged in" but the older cars/ high mileage still need help. My daily driver uses both a coolant block heater and an electric battery blanket which also might help in your case. I also have a magnetic heater pad that I use to warm my snowblower but which also could be located on the engine crankcase. I agree that from my experience dip stick heaters are not very good and I haven't seen them for sale in the auto supply stores in several years. A common problem with cars not starting might also be a weak battery or one with low cold cranking amp rating or as mentioned poor connections or battery cables that are too thin.

scottie, You have probably already done this, but I would also check to make sure your choke is closing. Little or no choking needed for a warm engine, but critical for starting a cold engine. Just a thought ...

(o{I}o)

Rocker covers were silver, concencus is that the raised lettering was red.

I bought a new ceramic element and gasket for the short style Carter glass bowl fuel filter from Gerald E. Koch, 6727 Country View Lane, San Antonio, TX 78240-2704, hondo37@aol.com. Price was $13.95 for the element and $3.00 for the gasket plus $4.90 S&H. They are advertised for the early Chrysler Hemi 354-392 engines. The parts can be purchased separately. I believe the gasket will fit either the short or long style bowl. Following my own advice, I'll post in the Parts X-Ref section.

(o{I}o)

Quote:

Me too!!.....


My first ride in a convertible was in a 1951 Packard...sometime in the early 60's when I was 7-8-9 years old...

Maybe I will invest in a heater of some sort. I haven't seen very many good opinions on the dipstick type, according to responses they seem to fail quickly. Just as an added note, I've also recently purchased a new battery and cables and had the starter rebuilt. I run 30 weight Rotella as my engine oil. The distributor shaft doesn't seem to have too much play in it, at least no more than any other vehicle I have worked on. Thanks for the responses, guys! This forum is great!

Scott

The only thing that appealed to me was the convertible part.

I wondered about the "Selectomatic" thing, too. Should rocker covers also be green? Or chrome?

I rather like it too and arm could be twisted a bit. Will be interesting to see what it goes for or if. One or two nits though. Don't believe there were bronze rocker covers with green engines available and also believe selectomatic was a either a radio trademark or from another vehicle and nothing Packard used.