Good afternoon Deluxe...

We had the same problem with 'Miss Prudence' our 1949 Deluxe. The linkage was warn and specifically the washers were wallowed out. We miked the shaft and drilled new washers from the hardware store to fit snug. We used a combination of thick and thin washers, so that when the cotter pin was put back in, everything was really snug. The problem ended. The slack was about 1/4 inch, but it was enough to get the old girl stuck in second.

Ernie

Good Evening all...


To my old ears, I think that I would also remove the valve train covers and check the valve lash. I have listened to Packard engines that are lose and inconsistently gapped and the sound like this fellow sounds. Sort of like a cement mixer.

Ernie

Good Morning all...

As far as Batteries are concerned, I have had the best luck with a 6 Volt, 800 Cranking Amp Optima. I have two of these beasts and one cranks over my 31 Model A Ford and the other cranks over my 1949 2362 Packard with a 288 cubic inch engine. The funny thing is that they crank the Packard just as fast as the Model A. I did have to modify the battery holder and I do use the original generator.

Thanks, Ernie

Good Evening all...

I have a parts listing which is like a major phone book and covers the years from 1948 to 1954. The series covered are 22nd to 54th. I purchased mine from Max Merritt for about $80 or so. It has the parts lists and a large number of very cool diagrams of the different years and different major systems. It has been pretty helpful at times. I'm sure that the other major suppliers must also have access.

Ernie

Good Day all...

We solved the distributor problem, but Miss Prudence was still running warm/hot so we removed the head and noticed that the head was leaking compression between the cylinders but still holding coolant pressure (16 lbs for 12 hours) around the outside. Torque was at 65lbs on all of the bolts.

We have a new head gasket but we need to know the stock thickness of the 1949 288 head from the deck to the top of the head bolt hole and how much can be removed before valves or pistons start to hit the head.

Could anyone with this information please leave it on this page or call me at 602-679-4252 and let me know.

Thanks very much

Ernie

Good Morning Jason...Do you have a rebuilt Delco Distributor in stock, tested with the vacuum advance and ready to go? Or an AutoLite for that matter?

If I pulled the Distributor and sent it to you, how long would you take to rebuild the one I have?

Thanks, Ernie

Thanks, JW. I'll check the breaker plate and see if there is any indication of fuel in the vacuum advance. Ernie

Good afternoon all..

Our 1949 Packard 288 has decided to eat vacuum advances. It has ruined several. When they are installed, they seem to work for a few miles/hours and then they fail. They were purchased from a reputable Packard supplier. I'm beginning to think that the AutoLite Distributor might be the problem. Has anyone experienced this problem?

I have also had the suggestion that I find a Delco Distributor which was also specified for this engine. Does anyone prefer the Delco to the AutoLite?

Any suggestions to find the cause of this problem would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ernie

Good Morning all...

I have a 49 Packard 288 and have had cooling problems with the old girl. However, in reading old Packard service information, I learned that if one is running in hot weather and using antifreeze, Packard recommended a thermostat at 147 degrees. The closest I could find was out of the truck or marine catalogue at NAPA. They had a 142 degree thermostat that looks just like the original thermostat that was in our Packard when we purchased it.
The part number is 18-3551- Line SME.

I also advanced the timing from 6 degrees before top dead center by rotating the distributor, after marking the 6 degree location, until it was in the middle point between running rough by too much advance and not enough advance. It helped quite a bit. I also took of the strange after market muffler and put a 30" Glas Pak muffler with a 2 1/2 inch tail pipe.

I live in Phoenix area and the car is much happier now.

Ernie

Good Morning all...

I was just reading in another section of Packard Info and came across a Packard Service Bulletin dated July 30, 1951 in which Packard is informing their service folks that they now have a larger fan. Our 49's have four blade 18" fans and apparently the 51's have the same fan. They are offering a 19 7/8" fan and they further state that if a technician is changing a radiator core, that they recommend the addition of the larger fan. The part number referenced is 433779. How about that? Ernie