Randy & Kev,

That is what happens on my laptop, including lockup, which is an old one. #1 son came over a couple of nights ago and tried different things to try and get it to work including going back to find version 8 and then version 7 of flashchat but with the same unsatisfactory result. Also tried both Firefox and Internet Explorer. But because of the age of the laptop, which runs on Windows 98 it looks like I'll have to get a new, bigger, better, faster and stronger machine. In the meantime will use wifes PC (when I'm allowed to!) or get a new keyboard for #2 sons PC (his keyboard's letters are worn off - not good for an old guy who almost needs a stick and a dog).

And from Down Under - Happy Thanksgiving to all.

As I type this most of you will be tucking into your Turkey or about to do so. Enjoy the day with your families.

Quote:

M@ - Thanks for adding the '49 to the Registry. In my previous post I said '48, apologies. Interesting to read your comments and what was of known of it's history. Keep updating your Project Blog and use the Post-War Forum should you need advice. Thanks again, I'll look forward to seeing the '49 progress.

Welcome aboard M@Ross - Looks like you've got a good basis to work on for the restoration. Plenty of friendly and knowledgeable Packard lovers here who can help and advise. Again - Welcome.

PS - Can you put the '48 into the Owner Registry? With a photo and any history, if knowm.

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There certainly were a lot of roo carcasses by the roadside, as we witnessed on our trip to Canberra a few weeks. A little creative socialising to take advantage of this "bounty" may well be a way to utilise this unused resource.

Until the '41 is close to being ready to hit the road, I won't worry about a specific battery for it. I'll just swap over the '38 battery when/if I need to start it up. I won't go to the trouble of a "minder" system.

In the '41, the current battery location is in the engine bay on the frame rail and adjacent to the starter motor. A piece of board is used as a base with threaded metal rods at either end for a retaining bracket. However there is no retaining bracket present and this is why I referred to it as a gravity system. I believe that "Doc" Gulley, the owner of the '41 from 1960 to 2006 did this to all his Packards just for accessability purposes. And although it isn't "correct", I quite like the concept, and intend to mount the battery there but in a secure manner.

And thankyou greatly for your offer of a weekend's assistance. I hope NOT to have to take advantage of this very generous offer because I have already received offers of support from the blokes up here. For a man with as many Packards and Motorcycles, I can't imagine how you think you can spare the time! Unless there is a specific problem, we'll let that rest for the time being. Again many thanks Peter, you're truly a gentleman of the highway.

Progress on the'41 has pretty much stalled until I can get workshop space to enable me room to work on the car. My tandem garage is filled with the 2 Packards with virtually no room to move. And bringing the '41 out into the driveway is not an option as removing wheels, brakes and other suspension and steering components will disable it and prevent access to/from the garage.

Anyway, until workshop space becomes available I am presently gathering some ?bits and pieces? from eBay and elsewhere in anticipation. And turning over the '41 every 2 to 3 weeks until the workshop becomes available. Until, earlier this week when on going to start the '41 it wouldn't. What followed was an email exchange with my brother who is currently overseas and the mechanic in the family.

Fred,

Yesterday I was going to start up and run the '41. However - there was nothing when I tried to start it. So I took out the battery and re-charged it for about 6 hours, still nothing. When I say nothing - nothing, including no lights at all and manually trying to engage starter, nothing - no clicks and no other sounds. This is with the big battery that came in the '38, it recharged OK when I took it up to Newcastle and it started and ran then and also after the '41 arrived here. Anyway, last night got the battery that came with the car and recharged it, still nothing at all this morning.

What say yea?

Mal

Hi Mal,
Is there a fuse problem or a master switch to isolate the battery, also check that the earth strap is secure, or it could be a case of 2 totally dead batteries.

Cheers from London,

On this advice, checked for an isolating switch and couldn't find one and also ensured the earth strap was secure. With my limited knowledge fuses were ignored. Then my answer to my brother.

Fred,

The answer was 2 totally dead batteries, I took the battery out of the '38 which definitely works as I did about 10 miles in the car this morning and as soon as I connected it up to the earth strap in the '41, this was after the battery cable to the negative terminal was connected, there was a "click" from one of the boxes on the fire wall. So after putting 10 litres of gas in the '41 and priming it with a dash of gas down the carb it started straight away. I then drove it out into the driveway and ran it for 10 minutes, but had to stay in the car with one foot on the brake as the handbrake is useless. Oil pressure went up to just over 40 and stayed there. Temp went to just over 1/2 and stayed there. Ammeter @ idle showed a discharge but with revs went well into charge. And fuel gauge showed about 1/8. As the speedo worked when I was in the US, all seems pretty good in the instrument department.

When I put the battery back in the '38, I noticed that the cable to the negative battery terminal in the '38 had been rubbing and had worn through the insulation. After I taped it up with electrical tape I checked and found it had been rubbing on the tailshaft! So, to ensure this did not recur, on re-installing that cable it was positioned so it did not loop anywhere near the tailshaft.

Another little matter also reared it's ugly head, this time concerning the garage. This was, that on backing the '41 in, the exhaust build-up set off the smoke alarm for the room at the back of the garage. Very annoying to hear a constant "beep" "beep" "beep" until it cleared.

So, another item for the '41 - a battery. May get a gel battery if I can. And although it isn't kosher will probably mount it where "Doc" presently has the battery mounted, on the frame near the starter motor. I will make up a better support and retainer for it, then what can be presently described as a gravity system.

So I'm relieved it was that simple. But when the time comes, I will have Ken Gilbert (Ken restored a '37 120 Sedan) of Tibby Rose Auto Electric at Ryde check out the electrical system prior to the '41 going back on the road.

Mal

So ? will further update when workshop space comes available, and until then will continue to start the '41 up every 2 to 3 weeks, this time with a good battery!

Good doctor,

Thanks for that, it's pleasing to see other Packards around the world. Looks like there is a fair amount of work for this restoration, but at least they can walk around the car in the garage not like mine where space is at a premium.

BigKev,

A big vote of thanks for the new chat room. Reach around and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Now to get the laptop to work with the chat room, the wifes PC is fine!

Again, thanks for ALL you do for us with this site.