I too would like to know the closely guarded and boring secret from Flackmaster. Not just because there's now so much suspense in this thread, but because I bought a 38 Super 8 Club Sedan earlier this year. And infact Flackmaster had a history with that same car. You may recall his post:

https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=9207&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=10

Hmmm....I know part of that story. Someone called me a while back looking for the headlight parts for the car. Said he owned the car, long story about the missing engine. I'd have to dig into my list of referrals, but long story short, he challenged me to buy the engine from Ducketts estate. Which I did!. turned out not to be a 38 engine, so both of them were right. Weird small world...

I'm going to guess the achiles heel is that '38 Super 8 1604's don't come with '38 Super 8 engines -- based on Flackmaster's sad experience with the Duckett estate.

That's a wild-looking Eldorado or Toronado in the background of the first picture.

A very nice looking '47, and the price is reasonable.

Perhaps photo 15/15 was taken at a different time, and hence the lack of the blast tube and different oil filler cap (looks like the breather cap on the electromatic clutch. Other things I noted, when compared to my bone-stock 47 LWB, 2 backup lights instead of 1, and spare tire cover (probably a product of new carpet). From the photos I can't tell much about the carpeting, but its probably not mosstread, as was original. Also, I think the driver side mirror should be attached to the door trim, as opposed to the clip to the door.

Have to say these are extremely minor problems (real or imagined). The true test will be how well it runs and drives.

Both of my assumptions were false:
1. tappet oil regulator only used on 46 and 47 356's
2. only 1 part number

From SC Vol 20 No. 1, I read the following with respect to the tappet oil regulator piston on the 18, 19, 20 21 series:

Part No. 324579 18th and 19th Super 8s
Part No. 351780 20th and 21st Super 8s
"These parts are not interchangeable"

So I think the mystery is that 18/19 series regulator pistons are now installed in my block. These were replaced in the 20 and 21st series because they didn't work well.

Oh well. This packard documentation is so helpful. Thank you for pointing me in that direction.

At first Howard's speculation seemed reasonable, but then I'm reminded -- there's just one part no. There are apparently two pistons, one .002 larger in diameter than the other.

I am going to try to get the block number from the donor block and see if it has a star.

Interesting event surrounding the replacement oil tappet pressure regulators.

Let's review. These parts are only used on the 1946 and 1947 356. And the Clipper Parts Manual only lists one part number.

When my restorer went to install the excellent used specimens provided by Steve Messenger, he found they wouldn't fit in the oil galley. He ended-up boring the oil galley .002 inorder to insert them.

Any thoughts on this mystery?

Thanks guys for the lead. I'll check with Hirsch, and see if I can get some wings also.

Where do I obtain one of the license plates with the cloisonne insert, like the one on the two-tone custom super clipper below?

Attach file:

---

  (28.28 KB)

Timely discussion.

Just last night I was looking at '47 paint chips, in anticipation of the color to paint my Sheik of Kuwait inspired custom. I really like the Vanderbilt Grey Metallic -- but the original Derham car was grey, from a Plymouth chip.

It seems like a great deal, and I really like the club sedan body.

I'm by no means an expert, but leather on a closed car? I've always seen cloth, except for the front seat in a limousine. Also, why no photos of the dash? Agree with Dave about the cost of a quality rebuild. I have two V-12's and two 356 I-8 witht he restorer, who says as a rule of thumb plan on $2,000 per cylinder.