The world's simplest drum puller:

Take a plate of thick steel, at least 1/2 inch (12mm) thick or more. Drill holes in the 5 on 5 inch wheel bolt pattern that Packard used. In the center of that circle drill a shallow hole a few mm deep that will fit over the end of the axle shaft.

Now go to your favorite store and buy five 9/16-20 bolts that will reach from that plate sitting on the end of the axle shaft down into the lug bolt holes. Assemble it on the end of the axle shaft and draw the bolts up even and snug. Then take an impact wrench and give each bolt a little zap at a time going round and round the circle. Just keep going round and round keeping the pressure even and it will pull right off with a bang. Just be certain you have good thread engagement before you start tightening.

Whatever got onto your shifter and rusted it so badly (probably battery acid) seems to have worked on your brake tubing next to the steering gear. I strongly recommend replacing that as it is a hazard. If it blows out you are left with a two ton car, a handbrake, and reverse.

Unusual for an early Ultra to stick in park, but that observation is no help. Have someone roll the car back and forth a bit whilst you try and pull it out of park. Not to insult your intelligence, but you are pulling the lever slightly toward you to unlock it before attempting the shift?

Front and rear windows are in. whew! How did they ever do that in a timely fashion on the assembly line? Steele gaskets worked just fine. The wiring is done as of this afternoon. Painting the dash white on the back makes everything easier to see later on.

Couldn't resist adding the crests to the C-pillar trim. Hope I don't lose points. Hee hee. Never cared too much for the roundy front windshield corners on the 51-52s, so made a new trim piece to square the corner and give more of a hardtop look. Very pleased with how the instruments came out. The halogen headlights (6v, obtainable from Napa) make light as though someone is stick welding in front of the car. Mounted my Weld Racing aluminum wheels and 700R15 radials--probably the most accurate looking portion of the whole replica.

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Whoa boys, the screw that Howard has circled in red is the correct one for idle speed. It is hex shaped and faces to the rear, and also has a screwdriver slot.

That other round-headed screw that faces forward and that is clearly visible is for the fast idle adjustment. It will only be affecting the idle speed when the car is warmed up if it is turned in way toooo far. (Which would also make the engine race like a banshee during warmup). When the engine is warm and the choke is fully open the tip of that screw should not rest on anything, but merely be near the lowest step on the fast idle cam.

The confusion is that the 55&56 carbs have the idle screw in a forward position.

I have recently been using a simplified search that works surprisingly well:

Example: 1946 Packard -fits -covers

Putting just those two modifiers on gets rid of a huge amount of trash.

Visitors are always welcome here at Speedwell Garage. Forum member Michael Toborg (tobs) and his friend Katrin stopped in from Germany for a few parts and hands-on research. There are always good coffee, homemade bread, and roadster rides available in northern Baltimore country. Stop in.

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With a motor number beginning with "N", we really don't know what we have for an engine yet. Just above the oil pan line and toward the back of the engine should be a casting date. It is cast into the skirt of the engine on both sides, usually. If it turns out the engine is of the 48-54 vintage I will be happy to sell you pans from here til next tuesday.

Throw down some hard earned cash for the just the gaskets and you will know the facts real fast.

Can not wait to see the car painted. Counting down the minutes. .. ... .....


Members at large: I'll point out that this car fomented the very existence of this web site.

Do we like it? Yes we do.

Do we benefit from it? I think so.

Was this paint job a budget buster?

Does Keven have a birthday in calendar year 2013?

How 'bout we ALL kick in a bit for the site and the paint. Check the donate button at the bottom right of the page