Another thing I have found is that the fuel pump can make the same kind of sound. These pumps use a spacer around the bolts and if they are missing and the bolts loosen, the pump can move away from the cam and cause a knocking sound. These bolts can loosen themselves through use. That's why Packard used safety wire on these bolts. It's an easy check just take the pump off and see if the fuel pump holes are considerably larger than the bolts. If they are and the spacers are missing replace them and your noise may go away. Hopefully, this is the problem. It's a cheap fix.

read quite a few comments about stopping distance improvements of radials,but I didn't hear any thing about the sidewall stiffness of the radials. My experience is that for cars that at times are subjected to hard cornering, is that the radials don't tend to tuck under like the bias tires do.

However, I also agree if your car is a show car and driven a limited amount at speed, radials do look best.

I think the sticking valve idea is most likely. However, another slim possibility is a vacuum leak. I had one in my shop that had a leak in the vacuum antenna. Disconnect it from the wiper motor T and plug it. A long shot I know but . . .
Let us know what you find.

Dave is correct about the adjustment. It is very simple. Just take the link arm loos at the firewall location and adjust the turnbuckle there. For some reason these do seem to readjust themselves sometimes. He is also correct that the switch on the carburetor should be checked they tend to accumulate carbon and stick.

When I purchased my 47 Custom Super Clipper. In the process of cleaning it, I took out the back seat. I was excited to find two manila envelopes there. I thought Great some original, or at least copies, literature.
It turned out to be original all right but not for the car. They were about 7 or 8 Sun Worshiper (nudist) magazines from the 50s, if I remember right. I guess the guy that had the car befor me didn't want his wife to know about them.

Sorry Clipper47. I just got back to the computer. Yes. I did a a complete turn key job on this car. I pulled the engine overhauled the engine and transmission. The engine was in fairly good condition. It only had three broken piston ring grooves and burned valves almost all around. We bored it,installed new pistons & rings. new cam bearings reground crank and cam shaft.Installed new valves and valve seats. expansion plugs. Refurbished the distributor. We repainted the front portion of the frame and the firewall. I installed a rebuilt fuel pump, carburetor, water pump. I had the generator and starter rebuilt also. Oh yes a new clutch and pressure plate. I almost forgot we planed the head lightly also. Just enough to flatten it. Then reinstalled the engine and test drove it for about 20 miles. I would have to check my records but I believe this work ran around 7.5K.

Currently my charge for grinding a 356 crank is around $350.00

Maybe this is back on topic. Yes the weights for the 356 are cast and must be removed for grinding correctly.
As to cost. The last three I have completed cost between 6K and 8K depending on what components were missing or had to be replaced. That cost is from towing the car into the shop and driving it out. A complete turnkey. I'm in Missouri so prices are a little less here than at either coast.

The last time I had my machinist complete an extra 356 crank just to speed up the next rebuild.

EDIT: Oops forged is correct.

My Hudson experiences are limited. I have owned a 48 sedan and a 50 Commodore 8 Brougham(convertible). I currently own two 49 Packard Super 8 Convertibles.

The Hudson felt and drove less refined than the Packards. Hudson power was fine, I used to race with one. like the design of the Packard convertible better than the Hudson. The Hudson,to me, looks like it was a two door with the top cut off. That is the way it was made. But, the windshield header is just too big.

Just my two cents worth. Even though I sound like I don't like Hudsons, I do and If I hadn't narrowed my collecting down to one brand, I would own them again.

Whatever your final choice, have fun and stay tuned to packardinfo.com.

Yes both 15" and 16" were available.