After having spoken with several owners of older vehicles at car shows in my area, I removed the ceramic filter from the front of my carb. This poorly refined fuel here gums it up within thirty miles or so (even a brand new filter). Also, I get maybe one hundred miles or so and I have to rebuild my electric fuel pump. The fuel gums up the pump as well. Getting tired of doing this! I run premium gas in her, with octane boost and lead additive. One would think this would be enough! I'm planning on rebuilding the mechanical pump and leaving the electric on for just in case. Anybody have any sources for this? My baby is a 53 Cavalier with a 327 straight eight. Thanks Folks!

Scott

Hi Tom. I just picked up my tail lights for my 57 last thursday. Another hurdle overcome! When I started my beastie up, I did the usual first, check the fluids, clean the plugs, etc. Not knowing what was in the gas tank, I ran a line into a can of gas. Started right up!

Were it mine in similar circumstances, I'd treat her to the good old hanger. Maybe, if you're lucky, you can get around one of the linkages and jiggle it till the lock pops.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what other manufactor's rims will fit my Clipper? (if any). I'd like to get some custom rims for her, knowing where to start would be a help. Thanks!

Scott

Just had to add my "two cents" on this one. I would like to thank each and every one of you out there for your advice and support. I see so much good info here! Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to everyone!

Scott

Rosa, I started developing the same problem. Changed out ALL of my fuel filters, ran OK for a week and then started doing the same thing. When I removed the ceramic filter, she ran fine. Next car show I went to, I started looking under everyone's hoods and guess what? Not one single ceramic filter! There is something about modern fuel that just gums the ceramics up real quick. I have two inline filters now (they are both under the car, easy to get to, hard to see) I use the see through kind so I can more easily guage when to replace.

I've ridden in some modern "luxury cars" (Lincoln, Lexus, Chrysler, etc) and they just don't compare with my Cavalier. Every time I take her out, I'm grateful that I'm now a proud Packard owner!

I have a 57 Super Clipper that I'm working on. It has a functional supercharger! My buddy that helped me pick it up almost lost his fingers when I fired it up. He put his hand in front of the intake and almost got it sucked in! The best part of the story: the car costed me $100. Priceless!

Even though this post doesn't pertain to Packards, I think its great! Wish I had pics of my dog to post. My ex took them all (as well as my dog). Anyone that doesn't like dogs is missing a great deal in life. If there aren't any dogs in heaven, I don't want to go. I MISS my boxer!

In my not-so-humble-opinion, DO WHAT YOUR WALLET CAN AFFORD! Most of us have our Packards for enjoyment, not trophies. Were I to have the choice between spending $1500-2000 on my interior alone, versus maybe $500-700 and still have some left over for whatever, well....!