Hi Warren

I have picked up a some items from Mike over the last few years for my 56 400. He is incredibly helpful and very accurate in his description of what he is supplying.

Can recommend most highly.

Regards
Russ

Hi Jack,
I am thinking it would be easier for us Aussies to get the kit complete with instructions. Chasing a Melling pump to suit is not as easy as in US (and much more expensive).

I attempted to do the exercise, and it all got too hard - I do have one of the one off adaptors and Craig sourced a pump and screen locally and supplied the lot together - very smooth transaction.

My new engine has arrived and will get the new pump soon. I also have another to re-build in 2010.

Will keep in touch

Russ

Hi Mal

Sorry I missed the run, looks like the museum was real good.

Like the Auburn and the Delage!

Cheers

Hi Team

Over in Australia we have a great young fellow called Mathew Rattray who celebrates his 21st Birthday today (June 30). You may also know him as Packard34 on this site.

Mat bought his first Packard at the age of 16 (a 34 1100 Sedan) and recently imported a 55 Caribbean - it needed a fair bit of work!

The pic attached is Mat and I driving the Cari home towards his home in Hill End, before the car was converted back to auto. This weekend he gets to take it on its first Club Run at the wheel!

Many of you will know Mat, he is a seriously committed Packardman, is the developer and webmaster of the PAC Aust site, has an huge Packphenalia library, and owns a pub. What more could a bloke want?

So if you get a chance say congratulations and when visiting make sure you put a stay at the Royal Hotel Hill End on the travel plan.

HAPPY 21st MAT

Russ, Joanne and team

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Hi All

I only ever heard of them as 'Welsh' plugs in Aust. I have no idea why (any sugestions?)

I saw a real stubborn one removed from a 50 Packard block in two pieces.
First using a small cold chisel (similar idea to the screwdriver hole Eric suggested above). In this case, it was used to cut right around the outside of the vertical face - remove that piece.
Next a hacksaw blade was used to cut a slot in the remaining ring (being VERY careful not to score the sealing surface on the block). Once cut, then tapping the outside edge of the plug near the newly cut slot to break the seal.

It was tight! And needed lots of patience and care.

Cheers

Russ

Only 56

Grew up under cars, handing spanners to dad as he repaired the family transport, his 39 Oldsmobile, and later his 50 Packard (including engine rebuild). He had always worked on his own vehicles since his first bike, a 1924 Triumph.

Joined PACA in 1967 as an associate member and fell in love with the cars and the story.
Teens saw the extension of dad's mechanical coaching with me owning a string of Holdens (Australia'a GMH brand, most Aussies will recognise the models) #1 was 57 Ute $40.00, #2 a 56 FJ Sedan $50.00, 59 Panel Van, 64EH Wagon, 59 FC that got the EH engine, disc brakes front end, XU1 wheels. Last of this generation was an HQ Sedan. Always playing at getting more grunt out of their 6 cyl engines.
Our 30ft x 30ft backyard was littered with car parts, the workshop was the street and a small shed in the yard!
Tried to restore a 56 Clipper as a 20 y.o. - the rust eventually beat me and my earning capacity to keep up.
Worked on dad's hobby - 39 1702 and still have it.

Got a company car at age of 21 and started chasing girls and not cars (big mistake, for a while)
Mortgage, family, own business and lots of modern vehicles (played with Saabs and now onto my 7th? Subaru) doing big miles. Combination had kept me time, space and money poor for Packards - but the bug doesn't die, just repressed!

Back into it with an imported 56 400 as daily driver and keen to get the 39 to body off and rebuilt.

G'day Kev
What a delight to hear your surprise arrived and with an unwrap process required to boot! The team did well.

The PACA National proved to be an excellent event to put a number of Aussies on the page - Mal did well.

I don't know whether your friends, work colleagues, wife and kids quite understand what your hobby has become - a world wide connection.

It is hard to explain to those who observe, support and dabble in the hobby the passions that exist around a brand of car!! Defies logic, but I guess the vision of social and life connections that started with automobiles just over 100 years continues in those that love this brand.

Thanks for your vision on the Packardinfo connection

Good onya mate

This news is sad, it is a bit like losing a companion (which may seem a bit strange, but I'll explain...)

You see, my first glimpse of some of the magnificant range of Packards produced came from pouring over Robert Turnquist's The Packard Story as a teenager in the late 60's. His maroon and white Convertible Sedan by Dietrich (1 of 3 built) is still etched in my memory. I still have the original copy of the book that would be pulled out on many a rainy day to absorb it's contents and dream of seeing some of these cars.

Some of the cars we never saw in Australia, like the custom bodies and thanks to Robert, and his book, we did get a much richer knowledge and appreciation of the Packard marque.

Thanks Dave (Owen_Dyneto) for the news that the records collected over many years will be placed well.

A time of sadness, yes and of appreciation to the contribution he made in the lives of many of us around the globe.

RIP Sir

G'day Kev

Good to see the birthday congratulations flowing in from the Packardinfo community for your idea and execution of this fine site.

At the recent Packard National in Aust the club was described as a building where the cars were the bricks and the people were the mortar the holds it all together and gives it strength.

So Kev thanks for the getting the mixer going and attracting all this good mortar to building Packardinfo.

...and a chance to build some wonderful, solid friendships.

Good onya mate!

Hi Kev

The torsion level motor and gearbox must have given the security scanner a fright. I guess a heavy cylinder, attached to gears, levers and wiring must have raised an eyebrow or two.
The bag containing dirty laundry and the heavy cardboard box secured with shrink wrap was opened and the box not sealed well, but it did make it through. So did my other bag with a smaller box of parts.
But somehow Dan's and Joanne's bags come home 2 days later via Auckland New Zealand!

I dropped the larger crate at the shipper in Orange on the day we flew out, not sure if it is the container for shipment yet? No hurry for that as there is a lot of work when it arrives.

All good, thanks for asking

Warm regards