Congratulations are certainly due to 'Packard Truck Dave' Lockard for his long-standing commitment to preserving the history, and restoring the vehicles, of Packard war-vintage trucks. Although I do not know Mr. Lockard, I have followed the truck related posts with interest. It is nice to see folks recognized for their passion and life-work and I'm glad the WW1 Centennial Commission saw fit to bestow this honour. Great going Dave, and best wishes in your continued endeavours.
Respectfully, Chris Goodfellow.

Thanks again, Brian. I looked up the service manual you referenced and it is indeed a trove of valuable information. I'll read it from end to end, as well as print a copy to take to the mechanic who is going to do the work on the gearbox. I wish I had more transmission experience - the service instructions are so comprehensive, I feel like I could ALMOST do it myself!! (but not quite, LOL)

Thanks Brian, and Happy New Year to you!! So, what would you surmise the reason would be for all 3 of these springs and balls ending up in the bottom of the tranny??? Are the retaining clip springs prone to breaking? If so, I wonder why they wouldn't be supplied with the service kit - they don't look expensive??? I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised when I removed the top cover and viewed the gears; they look to be in excellent shape, and there is very minimal play in either the front spline or the rear yoke. I don't think I would have even bothered with this exercise had the transmission not displayed some unusual shift grinds. Not all the time, but enough that it gave me pause and now that I find all the parts in the sump, I am presuming that is the culprit. Just don't know how they'd 'get out'! Chris

As I've previously posted, I am in the process of R&R'ing my 245 CID 6 cyl on my '39 Six. Thinking that while I have it out and apart, I should get the transmission gone over. I ordered a kit from Kanters that includes the 'wear items'. I went through the packing list and expected to see synchro rings. Instead, what is identified on the order that relates to that are 3 small springs and 3 small ball bearings. Not being a 'transmission man' and not familiar with how gear synchronization actually functions, I assumed these would go into the transmission works during the rebuild process. I have located a guy in a nearby town who IS a transmission man and he asked that I clean the casing up before bringing it to him, I spent several hours today detailing every nook and cranny of the exterior, rendering it 'dinner plate clean'. My question is this: while working on it, I drained the oil and put a telescope magnet into the drain hole. I ended up retrieving 3 springs and 3 ball bearings identical to those supplied with the service kit. Why would they end up in the bottom of the transmission sump and does this signify a larger problem?? I.E. is there a component in the cluster(s) that is likely worn or broken, that allowed these pieces to escape?? Any advice or knowledge shared on this much appreciated.

Hi Don,

Now I remember it was you who said 6" was the appropriate size! Thanks for weighing in. I can get a set of those Unity lights, Packard scripted, clear lenses, in 6" - NOS with the original under-dash switch for $200. I guess 6" makes them the same size as the headlights and I guess that's the idea. I thought the slightly smaller 5" amber fogs might look a little more 'understated'- not sure, and that's why I asked the question, to see what most folks go with, or if there is any recognized convention to which I should pay attention. One small detail I didn't like on the Unity lights was the brackets are just galvanized and the repro fog units have nice, chromed arms; not a deal breaker, just a preference.
Appreciate your input. Oh, and I think the unity lights are sealed beams and the amber fogs have replaceable bulbs. Chris

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Thanks Dave, I respect your opinion and am kind of 'on the fence' as to whether to add them or just leave the front end alone. Based on what you are saying, the 5" amber fog versions would be 'most appropriate'?? I seem to remember that someone had said that 6" was the 'correct' size for this series Packard. Pic attached

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I am thinking about putting a set of front bumper-mounted lights on my '39 Six. I have a few questions... will I run into current draw issues with both headlights and driving lights on at the same time? (with generator in good shape)
What is more the convention on these cars, 5" or 6"??? Is there general thought on whether they adorn the front end of a Packard, or clutter it up?? Which looks better, clear or amber??? I realize some of this stuff is subjective; I'm just curious what MOST owners out there do and what the general thoughts on the subject lean towards. Sources?? I see lots of repro stuff on Ebay. Thanks.

Just a question here... Krylon is not a high-heat 'engine paint' per se... Does this matter?? I found a couple of different brands of spray cans up here in Canada that looked very close to Packard green, but they couldn't be had in 'engine paint'. Too fussy????

Yes Ozstatman, I ordered a can of that and it is close, a wee bit darker and 'greener' if you will - the 'Packard green' seems to have a bit more 'olive' in it, but that 'British MGB green' is definitely close.

Hi RJR,

I am in the process of R&Ring my '39 Six motor. When I bought the car I posted the block, anti theft and chassis #'s and I forget who, but someone clued me in to the fact that Packards 'numbers' weren't matching per se, but that if they were reasonably sequential to known 'sets', then the likelihood of the motor being original was good. Mine fell within those parameters so I thought it was probably the original motor. It turns out that it had been rebuilt twice and my guess is whoever the 'last guy' was, he just 'picked a green' and that is what it ended up being. When I got it back from the rebuild shop, they had painted it 'Detroit diesel green' and, although I knew it wasn't 'authentic' Packard green, I thought it would do. I have since been 'educated' that the 'correct' green is the proper way to go and I have Bill Hirsch rattle cans on their way. Below is a pic of my motor after it came out, one after rebuild and one of the correct color. After taking the time to think it through, I have to agree that the correct paint not only looks better, but renders the car more original. I'm new at this, so the learning curve remains steep!! LOL

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