WOW!!!!! Your love for your Packard sure shows in your restoration process. You are an inspiration to all of us......
Especially me....Well done.

I have always been able to bleed the entire brake system by my self without using a power bleeder or hand pump. I bench bleed the master cyl, and then install wheel cyls and brake lines. Make sure top on M/C is secure on a full m/c resevoir.......open all the wheel cyl bleeders and pump the brake pedal until you see fluid squirt out of one of the w/cyls.........close that bleeder and keep pumping until another wheel cyl squirts.....and so on. Also keeping an eye on the m/cyl resevoir to not let it run dry. When fluid has squirted out of all four bleeders, and all 4 are closed....go around and adjust the brakes on all 4 wheels....9 out of 10 times your pedal will be up and hard. Assuming m/cyl rod is adjusted (if appropriate) and all fitting, and hoses are tight. You just shouldn't need to buy anything to accomplish this task. My I hope this helps.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Packard-Wheels-Hub-Caps-Original-1955-good-condition-/290686398044?hash=item43ae426e5c&item=290686398044&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1169

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-x-6-Packard-rims-/160765350429?hash=item256e5c921d&item=160765350429&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1169



While reading the different forums I came across someone who has been looking for Packard wheels I can't recall where the post was or who posted it......A link to an ebay listing is above with Packard wheels for sale. Hope this helps.

Edit: I just found the second listing on ebay......

Thanks for the pictures 56GHMD, just when I get comfortable with my level of "I've seen it all" I become humbled almost immediately. I've never heard of seat belts affixed to the door before.

Re: "infrared paint job"........

I seem to remember; back in the day, of auto paint shops advertising "infrared paint curing" and the picture would show a quonset hut building big enough to drive a car into, the whole interior would have infrared bulbs pointed at the freshly painted cars....Hope this helps.

I have 4 cars insured with Condon & Skelly Insurance. This April 4 2012 will be my 15th year. I've had two losses and both claims were taken care of to my satisfaction. I don't know about the other insurers, there is no deductible on any physical loss to a car with C&S...(collision and Fire). I have agreed upon coverage, and I update my car pictures every year to maintain the proof of condition. I don't believe there's a mileage limit because I'm never asked for an annual mileage. IMHO, I guessing all the major players in the antique car insurance market are pretty good to deal with. Hope this helps too..........

Steve......

Edit: Condon and Skelly Insurance is on the East coast and I'm in Vancouver, WA. I do everything by email including sending the annual pictures and paying the annual premium.

Contact:http://www.condonskelly.com/

I've been involved with my old cars for about 35 years. I acquired my cars, appreciation of older cars, and my modest mechanical ability from having grown up in Pasadena, CA, and living in the San Bernardino area (Yucaipa, CA.). The car culture in the So.Cal., area is huge. I belonged to "Past Pleasures Car Club" in my home city of Yucaipa, CA., and I've been to 100's of car shows through out CA. However, that having been said, I always am amazed at an advertised car show that not only charges an entry fee for the "show car", but also charges the general population an admittance fee to "see" the cars on display. I believe this practice of charging to "see" is counter productive to getting the largest amount of people to see the show and becoming involved with the "old car scene".

Thanks PackardV8.........Easy to read and understand the differences between the two studs.

Hello everyone!
My '51 and '53 straight 8 engines have developed a loose and removable oil fill pipe (oil leaks there too). When I try to remove the cap, the cap and pipe come out as one unit.... I can pull them apart and reinsert the pipe easily... I was going to try and have the swedged end expanded to fit tighter, then I thought of JB Weld........Are there any other suggestions or comments on my two solutions.

Regards.....

Hi packard1949, I have both a '51 and '53 Packard with oil bath cleaners. Neither is stored at my home.....so my question is will the referenced Puralator filter fit both the '51 and '53 too??