With your caption of "What!" I was imagining all sorts of things. In the first photo with shadow going one way and what appears to be a wet carpet going the other, was wondering if it had been a naughty dog.

Believe both. Think Drano is mostly lye and Plumr has some other stuff as well so it thickens & sinks.

I have used it for it's intended purposes and frankly, was not that impressed despite the stars in the ratings. The FAQ does mention that it was not recommended on the car as it might contact aluminum or paint and is not recommended for cleaning radiators or cast iron due to metal reaction.http://www.jelmar.com/faq.htm

Couldn't agree more but we both know there are lots of people who get in over their heads or for other reasons -- pride, price, time, whatever -- won't go professional. A full kit would at least give a starting point.

After hearing the story of the one professional already mentioned here, and one on another thread, just wonder how many more have also had those experiences. There used to be a large "rebuilder" of parts here that many local garages and stores did business with. Turns out their version of a rebuild was mostly cosmetic. That was found after there were so many comebacks and then complaints that the state BAR got involved. Rebuilder closed up here but probably just moved to a state or country that didn't care as much. They were "professional".

Might work for some things but the only problem with that approach with BTVs is there is not a large supply to keep coming back for and the first one can be a disaster.

Might be a few good ones in there but if they fit back to 40, then may be for the 356.

Those are V8 lifters. The one you need is 410845 & more like this.

EDIT: Assume this is a picture of one of the repros off Max's site.

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Try this link. Packards International, Pacific Northwest Regionhttp://www.packardsintnw.com/index.html

I am still of the belief that a spring should be made available to totally eliminate any doubt whatsoever. There is probably one already made that is close if not right on. Reid supply has one with all good dimensions otherwise but the wrong height so surely there are other spring companies that might have a stock spring that would not need set up costs.

I am also believing that if one of the vendors would put together a top tier super deluxe complete rebuild kit consisting of not only the current rebuild kit but also add any and everything that could be replaced in the hydraulic section it would also go a long way toward resolving some issues. In those instructions also mention that in addition to replacing everything with the new pieces in the kit to check the casting for any pitting on the seal surfaces. Maybe even have a picture or two of the seal surface and what is good and what is not.

Market and price it accordingly and I think it would sell. I think there might be some validity to another posters question on who actually does the work. Someone who does not see these things regularly might not necessarily know whether something is good or questionable. If it was in the kit with instructions to use the kit in it's entirety, no ambiguity.

O_D No, I'm not sure which is why I asked. That was given to me by one of the Packard vendors years ago. If you have an actual one and it has worked, then I would go with your numbers and will correct my post until some one else comes along with another.

Believe hydraulics were the norm on senior car engines and optional on others. Usually a factory hydraulic option had an H suffix after the serial number. 288 labeled heads on 327s are very common. You really need to get the plug gauge which has been reproduced to set the valve stem clearances. There was another thread recently as to where it might be found but someone should have the info handy.

The procedure in on page 22 of service manual engine section but basically, you remove the lifter and insert the gauge in the lifter body. Making sure the piston, cam lobe and valve are at the proper position check the stem clearance, grinding stem as necessary to achieve between .030 and .070 to the gauge. If no one has info as to gauge purchase, you can have one quickly made. Just a piece of round steel bar with diameter of .517 by 1.173 high.