THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE. THE SOUND DEADER/ HEAT PAD IS IN PLACE, INTERIOR COATED WITH POR 15, BOWS CLEANED PAINTED AND MARKED FOR POSITION. ALL GLASS IS IN PLACE. PACKARD HARD TOP HAS THREE CLIPS ABOVE THE BACK WINDOW THAT LOCK THE LAST BOW IN PLACE, SUGGESTING STARTING AT THE BACK AND WORKING FORWARED?? NO TACK STRIPS OR TEETHE PRESENT. PICS SHOW BOW GROMMETS, SOUND DEADER, PAINTED SURFACE. LEFT SIDE PHOTO SHOWS HEADLINER CLIPPED OVER BODY EDGE. WHEN THE OLD PATTERN WAS USED AS A PATTERN NO EXTRA WAS ALLOWED FOR TRIMMING, SO THAT THE HEADLINER IS PRECISELY CENTERED. THE PICS ALSO SHOW THE SCREW HOLES AND OLD SECTION OF HEADLINER. A STAINLESS STEEL TRIM COVERS THE INSIDE AND IS SCREWED FROM THE OUTSIDE.

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Currently in process of trying to install vinyl headliner. Used old one for pattern. Shortened each panel to allow for stretch. Have looked at some on line videos. I believe it is helpful to hear from some one who has experience with the installation prosses. Thanks in advance.

Happy

Thank you for the feedback. I would never had been able to guess this spring is part of the hand brake. The pictures were a great help. As it is said one picture is worth a thousand words. You help in getting another 55 Packard 400 back on the road again is deeply appreciated. The attached picture shows the spring where it is supposed to be and once again thank you very much.

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A long term restoration on a 55 400 is nearing completion. This small spring wound up in a container of interior trim screws. Can anyone out there tell me if this a Packard part? and if so where it fits.

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As our ten plus year restoration of a 1955 400 nears its completion, there are a few mechanical issues that need to be addressed. Getting the TL system back together and functioning correctly is now at the top of the list. I should mention that when the car arrived in North Carolina, both control bars were severely bent.
The cars current state: exterior nearly complete, no interior (seats, carpet, and side panels), sitting level up on 4 inch concrete blocks, with about 300 pounds of concrete blocks in the trunk.
The control arms are loosely fitted to the motor end, but not to the short torsion bars. Moving the control bars by shorting the contacts revealed that the long (passenger side) bar would not be anywhere close to contacting the shut off switch in its travel.
At this point I am stumped, and am not sure how to proceed. SURE COULD SOME HELP!
Any and all is always deeply appreciated.
Happy

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try tapping down on cage collar to brake it loose. It should come off, once it loosens up.
Happy

For what its worth, based on previous in metal forming experience, my guess is that what appears to be a crack, could very well be a defect in the metal used to form the pulley, and has been present since it was formed. If my guess is correct and it has not progressed it is unlikely to do so.

Happy

Has anyone replaced the grommets that hold the headliner in place? If so, where can one find the correct size and type? Steele has a universal one that is close, but I am not sure it will hold the bows correctly. As always any help is deeply appreciated.

Happy

Here are some photos of the exterior and interior.

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The car has been driven and displayed at our local car show, and at our car club meetings. After ten years of being a care taker its time to pass this car on.
Other than polishing and buffing an older repaint, the exterior looks much as it did when we bought it. (A nice looking20 footer, condition three in Old Cars and Parts). The interior has been redone. Seating material, door panels, and carpeting all were replaced with original pattern materials from SMS. The value would be $15,500 or best offer. A list of what has been done while in my possession is available along with photos via E mail. I have been able to put the list of what I did but am having trouble attaching pictures. I am able to e-mail them if you want to see the interior or exterior.

Subject 1956 Packard 400

The car has been driven and displayed at our local car show, and to our car club meetings.
I am now considering the sale of this car. Other than polishing and buffing the exterior it looks much as when we bought it. (a nice-looking 20 footer, condition three in Old Cars and Parts). Their value would be $15,500. If you are interested I would appreciate an offer via return email. Pictures attached
Some of the work done to the car since it had been in my possession:
*registered and titled in North Carolina
*pressure washed engine bay and undercarriage
*Bendix power brake booster rebuilt (Ed Stram Fl.)
*brake wheel cylinders replaced (all four wheels)
*new flex brake lines
*new front and rear wheel seals (all four wheels)
*rebuilt broken power steering valve
*installed new O-rings in power steering cylinder
*added silicon brake fluid
*gas tank removed, cleaned and sealed.
*Sending unit repaired to working condition
*fuel pump rebuilt (new parts)
*cracked flexible fuel line replaced
*carburetor rebuilt
*engine bay painted
*motor painted correct gold color
*painted valve covers silver, with red script, (Packard)
*replaced missing air cleaner cover and washer bottle
*all new exhaust system from Kepich Exhaust
*new temperature sending unit
*generator and starter rebuilt, replaced power window motor.
*front end checked and aligned
*transmission electrical components removed, cleaned contacts, and replaced
*replaced missing flywheel cover
*load level electrical components cleaned and replaced
*load level control arms straightened
*Load level gearbox repaired and seals replaced
*load level limit switch replaced with new old stock
*rebuilt water pump installed
*new battery
*horn wire/button repaired to working order
*both front floor pans replaced
*original headliner cleaned, padding on dashboard replaced.
*Package shelf refreshed
*new floor padding and carpeting with correct heel pad from Kepich Exhaust
*broken seat frame repair welded stripped down and replaced cushion materials
*new correct pattern cloth and heavy-duty vinyl installed on seats and door panels( SMS @ $100/yard)
*replaced missing robe rails and Packard Crest emblems
*replaced missing door sill plates
*installed new wind lace