Not unless I have too.

My plan is to work around the whole T/L.
Get the car on the road.
Drive it real slowly to the South West.
Camp out in one yours front yard like cousin Eddie on Christmas Vacation (you know who I'm talking about) until someone who has the right tools can help me out.

That plan is subject to change between now and then.

I have a question regarding the T/L in my 400.
As you know I am getting ready to pull the engine soon. I am planning to strip the car down to the bare frame similer to what Henry did on his Clipper.

Is there anything I should be doing now while the weight of the engine and body are holding the T/L in its "normal" position?

I seen a number of post about working on the T/L and it being complicated by the fact that the weight of the body being off so am just trying to plan ahead.

What would you do at this point?

Thanks

Thanks Henry, I actually recalled your post about making a new line as I watched mine twist apart.
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I spent a couple hours under the car this past week. I cut sections out of the exhaust pipes on both sides so I could easily remove the starter and flywheel cover. Finally got both the transmissions cooling lines disconnected. Those two transmissions lines would have been easier if I had cut the exhaust pipes sooner.

Both the oil pan and transmission each had over a gallon of fluid in them. Had no idea there was that much in there so made a big mess on the floor. All that's left is the motor mounts and the three bolts on top the tranny. I have a friend coming out in a week or two and we will get the engine and trans pulled.

I also spent a little time working on the passenger side door. I had to refer to the service manual several time but I finally got the glass and regulator out. Moved over to the driver's side and found some modifications that a previous owner had made (pictured below). I'm pretty sure that metal strip through the center does not below there but I'll take a closer look this week.

I spent my weekend cutting up cars at a local junk yard as part of my volunteer firefighter training. I barely have enough energy left to type this post so I'm not touching my Packard tonight.

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Just checking in, I'm trying to post at least once a week.

I was able to get the drive shaft off easily enough the next night. I must have weakened by all the spider bits that first night. It's just the only logical explanation I can think of.

I am still striping parts off the engine getting it ready to remove in a few weeks. Removing the transmission cooling lines are the worse. As a matter of fact all the brass fittings are tough to get out. The bolts have been easy compared to those. I destroyed the line coming off the bottom of the oil filter.

The water pump, oil filter and power steering pump are laying on my shop floor at the moment. Next I'll yank the manifold and whatever else gets in my way.

I'm not spending a lot of time on the parts being removed right now. I'll have all winter to take a look at them. My priorities are getting the frame stripped of everything and when money runs low I'll keep busy cleaning and rebuilding the parts that need it.

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The movement feels like its coming from inside boot. Feels likes it metal on metal.

I thought it would just drop away myself. It may be the rust holding. Will try the PB blaster tomorrow night.

Darn spiders under there kept biting me

Need a little advice.
I am in the process of getting the engine ready for removal
and tonight I spent time underneath trying to pull the drive shaft.

The rear end came out with no problem. I removed the 4 bolts from the front universal joint flange as the service manual described but its not dropping as I expected. Each time I pull it moves a couple inches and then slams into something.

Do I just keep pulling until it gives or did I miss something.
The service manual made this sound rather simple.


Thanks.

You missed this one. Poor Guy, make sure you read the whole story below the image.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/pts/3992528094.html

That's the one I was talking about.
Its sad, all those pretty, pretty shoes...I mean girls and we spot the Packard.

Here are a couple close-ups of the grounding strap. I had not given it much thought. Just assumed it belonged there.

The last image is the heater core I removed yesterday. Behind it I found that piece of wiring harness. I also found a number of taped splices in all the wires nearby so it think they replaced the wires on the side of the engine compartment.
The other side of the engine (around the battery) looks ok so what ever problem a previous owner had it was only on that one side.

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Went to Harbor Freight and picked up a set of larger sockets and a breaker bar last weekend. First thing I did when I got home was get out the 1" socket and try to turn over the engine. I've have no idea what shape this engine is in but I have confirmed that the engine is not seized. Its amazing the amount of relief I felt.

Also got the front bumper removed. It only took me about 3 evenings. Separating the upper and lower bumper is going to be even harder as those bolts have deteriorated beyond being able to put a wrench or socket on them.

Lastly, I spent my last government mandated furlough day (today) pulling the carburetor, ignition coil and a few other items off. I am planning to pull the engine in about a month.

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