Never had a Honda but did get good use from an 89 Mazda PU. 100K with no problems at all. Honda, to have the top ratings they do, must be doing something right. Like I said, luck of the draw on Chrysler products -- or any other I guess. I never had a good GM product but others swear by them and wouldn't have anything else.

Locktite would not hurt and I would use the 242 (blue) medium strength. Anything stronger could be a royal PIA to remove bolts later. Clean the oil off the threads & use the wire as well. I would use some non hardening permatex on the gasket but probably the stuff you mention would work as well. Kind of odd things would loosen though. Are the fiber sleeves thru the pump body holes intact? Is there any kind of vibration or stress causing things to move?

The washers are available from both McMaster-Carr & MSC. Sleeves are also available but not exact match. US Plastichttp://www.usplastic.com/ carries phenolic tubing and would be a better choice for that.

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I've always had pretty good luck with Chrysler products--even in the 80's with the early K cars. Others did not so maybe it is luck of the draw. The company experimented with Ford for a couple of cycles and then back to Chrysler. The latest change is to Toyota hybrids so we'll see how that works out. I'm hanging it up so won't be involved with those but will be interesting to see if they save what they think they will.

Thanks, Kev. Advise to others: either bookmark or remember to add the /packard/ after the Kanter URL.

That link does not readily appear easily found on their home page even if you select Packard--just the general catalog--and if you select home or want to look at something else while in the Packard catalog, you are directed out into the general again. A minor quibble but seems like something easily fixed if they wanted to.

According to this website of a company making OEM and replacement hoses for the aftermarket industryhttp://www.plews-edelmann.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=1851&location_id=2515 , the restrictor is mostly to control noise.

If that is the case, doubt it would affect the steering feel but might growl a bit more. I also had a hose made by a local hydraulic shop who was able to keep the restrictor.

I believe Kanters website defaults to the Buick listing so that is why it says Buick in the selection. If you select Packard, any year, it will change to that listing and price but the picture is the same. The generic one fits all picture approach could lead to confusion and possibly a disgruntled customer IMHO.

All the more reason I like Merritt's website and others like his rather than Kanter's generic one fits all approach. Max's website, ebay stores of packards1 and others usually have a decent picture of what you are buying. Also, not knowing the specifics of either pump in this case as to rebuilt or new, a better price it would appear.

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Assuming nothing else was unbolted in the front so the bolt that threads into an oil passage was incorrect or missing the copper washer and converter plugs are tight, that only leaves the front seal. They have been known to crack and fail suddenly like that if old & hard. You should be able to see an oil trail coming from behind the converter if that's the cause. A relatively easy fix if the pump shaft and bushing are OK-just a PIA to remove & do.

As to whether you are better off going modern, that is a question you would have to work through. Your car does have a few modern touches so the originality does not seem to be that major a deal breaker. The reliability and serviceability of a modern unit would obviously be there --- IF AND ONLY IF you get a decent conversion. Problem is that there are so few options--only a couple of places seem to be doing them. Those I recall so far that have posted having a conversion also seem to have an issue of some kind.

If I were going to do it, believe the GM with the modified bellhousing rather than extra plate with adapter Torqeflite would be the better choice. Jack Nordstrom does a TH400 for the Studebaker Golden Hawk along those lines--although being for a Hawk, lots of things you would probably have to do as well to fit in the Packard. Don't know if any one else picked up doing the other unit--700R4 I think--after one shop quit doing them. Don't remember anyone specifically mentioning the GMs but The Chrysler conversions seem to have the issues--but also maybe because there are more of them.

I expect you are also looking at every bit of cost and maybe even more than it would take to have the Ultra rebuilt to have a conversion made.

Driving may free things up but depending on how bad or persistent, may not really be much of an option in the San Joaquin Valley where we live. Being further North, Modesto may be a bit better off but because of the same blue smoke problem, a good friend and his 54 daily driver was turned in to the air resources board by some person with nothing better to do. He was cited, fined, and given two options--fix it or park it.

I believe it's purpose is to increase cold driveability and hasten the warmup and help gas vaporization when really cold and also so choke releases a bit quicker when coming up to temp.

Many have been found blocked open either on purpose or thru rust and deterioration and except for a few minutes in really cold places, doubt if missed that much. If stuck closed on the other hand, on older engines overheating and exhaust valve damage could result.