it might be the thin gaskets between the pump and the engine block. mine had 2 instead of one when the engine was originally disassembled

John

Motor Trend did a comparison about 3 years ago of the Cadillac, Packard and Lincoln. In that issue Packard came out the clear winner in ride and handling. I think that MT was also comparing the 2 door coupes. It was a well done article and seemed to be unbiased

John

Howard, thanks for the input. I understand the sensitivity of the units, drove them when new on 53, 55, and 56 Packards and they could be touchy after a brake adjustment. But this is an unusable situation. Rebuilder did a complete rebuild of unit with all Kanter's parts. Unit did what it did prior to rebuild. I also hear vacuum when depressing pedal as well as groan if you hit just the right place. If i depress pedal when turning engine off, it immediately goes to hard and you can hear the air escaping.

It looks like the master will have to come off again and get a going over


again thanks for the input

John

I am running into a different problem with my BTV. It has been just rebuilt completely but the symptoms remain the same as before the rebuild Instead of failure, i get too much pressure, so that the slightest pressure on the pedal has the car coming to a screeching stop. At the same time there is a groaning sound from the unit. All of the hoses are tight and new. Wheel cylinders and drums and shoes are in very good condition and shoes adjusted properly.

any ideas.


john

Fred, maybe you can shed some light on my problem. I got all of the rebuild stuff for the btv from you and the work was done. but the original problem i had still exists. the brakes are almost too sensitive to drive the car. the slightest pressure will slam the brakes on. it seems like a vacuum problem. as tho there is too much. The rest of the system is in good shape, the wheel cylinders, lines, shoes and drums.

Any thoughts.

JOHN MEEHAN

i have ordered from dh and installed insulation on my 54. I think it cuts some of the noise. that big engine is sitting in a tin can without some kind of sound deadening.

john

The clothespin "fix" has been around forever it seems. Back in the late 60s when i was teaching in Puerto Rico a buddy bought a 57 chevy with a v-8 He had a constant problem with vapor lock, and ended up putting wooden pins on the fuel line near the carb. ALL I can say is that it worked. but then ive never had to use them on my packards. Lucky i guess. :0)

Can you even get wooden clothespins anymore?????????

john

I grew up in Philadelphia, and the Franklin Institute which is a major science museum had a PACKARD Radial diesel on display. Its been years since I have been in Philly let alone in the institute, but ill bet it's still in the possession of the museum.

PACKARD STUFF SEEMED TO TURN UP IN THE STRANGEST PLACES. I GRADUATED FROM ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE IN PHILLY AND IN THE 60'S THEY HAD A PACKARD PT ENGINE SITTING IN AN OUTDOOR HALLWAY. WHY IT WAS THERE AND WHAT HAPPENED TO IT, WHO KNOWS


JOHN

first of all let me aplopgize. I never saw the comments on the first BTV post i did, I didnt think it registered.

IM used to BTV have driven them when new and did some driving on this 54 when they were working just fine. I am having a problem with too much pressure. I remember the 53, 55 and 56'sd being especially touchy after an adjustment, but this is beyond that. Thank you for the suggestions about readjusting the brakes. and checking for grease on the linings. I will do that.


John

I had the BTV rebuilt by a competent rebuilder Used the kit from Kanter. Problem is that there is too much pressure, Nose to windshield pressure. any ideas on what to do with this?


John