Saw a segment on 60 minutes about Detroit being bankrupt and slowly trying to come back.... They showed many shots of abandoned and decrepit buildings and factories. Was I mistaken, but did they showed some footage of the Packard Plant? Sure looked like it.

Anyone else confirm?

RE: Noisy brakes -
I had a 54 Chrysler that would do that - it ended up being a fatigued spring on the OUTSIDE circumference of the drum. Just loose enough to magnify any harmonic vibrations the drum would make on braking. I replaced everything in that wheel. Finally replaced the drum, no more problems.

Not sure if Packard used the same set-up? (I haven't gotten that far in my Patrician project)

More progress, finally

Got the head removed. Found about an 1/8" of carbon build-up on each piston. They all looked the same. Also observed all valves moving up and down as they should - nothing stuck! Yay!! Now the question is....is the lack of compression in 7 cylinders due to rust build up and carbon build up on the valves/seats? Last tags were 1993......

My facilities are basic (outside driveway with tarp). Of course, the Oregon weather makes working on it a hit-or-miss situation. Should I put the head back on and wait til summer hits with the good weather and better economic situation? Can I just reuse the old head gasket to seal the engine up with?
Is there something I can do with the valves that doesn't require a machine shop?

I've played with plenty of "V" engines. Taking the heads in for a valve job is easy. This engine....not so much. And what should I expect to pay for a valve job? (assuming nothing needs replaced - supposedly a 68,000 mile car that was stored outside)

So many questions....so little time and money, lol!

Anyone know of someone repro-ing or repairing the white steering wheel used on the 51 Patrician. Mine is quite cracked. Appears to be plastic or Bakelite? Also need a source for the signal lever knob. Gearshift knob too for that matter. Anyone tried "Steering Wheel Bob"? on the internet?

Maybe someone has used a lesser wheel and painted it the correct color white? Any thoughts?

Something I've done a time or two..... Put it up on jack stands (read: SAFETY FIRST!!!!) Start it, put it in gear, have someone depress brakes while it's off the ground (drum on of course). Listen for noises. Maybe drum is out of round or bent? Maybe backing plate is distorted? You'll notice a bent or warped drum easily, out of round not so easily. You can take the drum to a machine shop, they can check for run-out on a brake lathe. Just my two cents.

Welcome to the club. My dad grew up in Vestal! I was born in Oswego.

Kevin,
Everytime I get discouraged with my 51 Pat, I read 2 or three more pages of your blog. The wife and I are soooo impressed with what you have done. Fantastic work!

Heloo folks,
Has anyone used the aftermarket floor pans off eBay marketed by 'classicparts4u"? It looks like the basic shape is there and will need some massaging to be used. Good piece? Bad? Opinions please. Thanks!

Thanks for all the tips guys. I will attack the head on Monday. I see a tightening sequence for the head nuts. Is the loosening just reverse order? Nothing in manual.

Rusty, thanks for the tip, although I'm not sure how I'd go about grinding the seats in block. I suppose once the head is off, and appropriate amount of PB blaster or some such penetrating oil could free up the valves. Tap each with a rubber mallet, or one of those shot filled nylon hammers. Where does the piston need to be to assure both valves are to be shut? Top of stroke? Bottom. Sorry guys. I could work all day on Big block and small block MoPars, but a straight 8 is still a mystery to me. As is just about anything overhead cam....I really don't want to give up on this project. Limited funds, poor work area, unsupportive friends.... At least the wife still sees potential.

I have no fear rebuilding it - just fear of bankruptcy, lol

And no trans shop in my area has even heard of an Ultramatic..