I know the Soviets embalmed their leaders bodies but there still seems to be life in Uncle Joe, amazing that he continues to get around, see pic's.

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Probably because it was custom built?

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Eric,

If only it were that simple. You guys are 'spoiled' at times as our auto parts stores just don't stock that type of stuff for older cars.

Although it's not "correct", after all the sweat and effort expended yesterday I'm not about to replace it any time soon. The next guy who has the pleasure of owning and restoring the '41 will be able to do that.

And speaking of "correctness", the '41 will not be altered in any way unless necessary and even then any alterations are for functionality, or availability as well as fiscal constraints and are easily "correctable". Even though it's more a mechanical rebuild than a restoration it will still look like a Packard, feel like a Packard and drive like a Packard.

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West,

Tested the effectiveness of this set-up after install and there seems to reasonable air flow. 'Cause this was without the benefit of heated air and "the proof of the pudding will come in the eating" when all systems are running once the '41's back on the road. Although not hot, it is

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Mat,

Thanks for the '34 in the Registry, only leaves the '55 then you'll be safe from my wrathful vengeance!

Thursday 20th November 2008

Yesterday Wade had re-built the trans for John's '39 from the best parts from the original trans and the '41 trans found on eBay. John had also called in to see the trans and discuss progress on the '39 generally. And while John was there Harvey, the guy who woodgrained my dash, also dropped in to see the re-woodgrained dash in the car. Sorry I missed both the guys as it would have been good to catch up with them and to again thank Harvey for the wonderful job he did on the dash.

And today arrived just after midday to find Wade under the '39 re-installing the clutch and brake pedals, bracket and linkages. And while I tackled some things on the '41 Wade plugged away, in his natural habitat under a Packard, re-installing the re-built clutch and pressure plate in the '39.

While Wade was under John's '39 I started under the dash of the '41 disconnecting the demister tubing setup installed last week. Because the tubing for the demister had been heated in hot water and slid over the T piece while still hot and flexible and gave a good tight fit dis-assembly was another matter. But with a little persuasion was able to slide the flexible tubing off the T piece. To fit the new PVC 90 degree bend had to file down each end of the bend, especially the end connecting to the flexible tubing left up under the dash running to the left side demister outlet. After many failed trial fittings and re-filings finally managed to wriggle the tubing onto the bend. The other piece of tubing running from the bend to the demister blower outlet I'd previously put on the bend on the bench, a much easier working situation. Then to the right side. Should be easy, right? No - because of the confined space and although the tubing is flexible it's only flexible to a certain extent and kinked when I installed it. So off to the hardware store for another 90 degree PVC bend. This time had to file the inside surfaces of one of the bends mouths so it would fit over the metal blower outlet on top of the heater. Again many trial fittings and re-filings later got a good fit going. And this time heated the end of the flexible tubing in hot water and slid it on the other end of the PVC bend, makes it a whole lot easier. Then mounted this assembly on the blower motor outlet and the dash demister outlet, a great fit in the end.
Jim, again for the heads-up.

Next was re-mounting the horn assembly, horn relay and coil on the engine. While I was doing this Wade retired to the sanctuary of a comfortable chair in the office to have a drink, watch the cricket on TV and recuperate his aching back. Had to call on Wades assistance to sort out which wire went where for the horn relay, they still all look the same to me even though they're different colours and are numbered per the wiring diagram listing! Turned then to the left front inner panel between the grill and radiator surround. Needed a bit of 'panel bashing' as it had a few bends and warps in it which shouldn't have been there. I had POR-15'd it months ago and Wade said this would be a good test for the claimed qualities of the product after a good thumping. Wade gave me some rudimentary instructions of what to do. And so with a cloth between the shop "anvil", for want of a better term, and armed with a proceeded to re-arrange the molecules of the panel so to speak. Gave it a bashing then compared it with the right side one which didn't need belting and repeated the process a number of times until it looked in much straighter shape than before. Installed it back on the '41 but first had to chase through the captive nuts as 'someone' had again been very liberal when applying POR-15. And the POR-15, how did it survive the onslaught? Very well, didn't crack or anything so it appears the makers claims are justified.

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Kevin,

Probably the main reason is shipping to Oz, the cost and the time it takes. I think Mat wants to get out on the road with the peace of mind of having a spare in the trunk now.

And I don't think I've asked you this, but why should you miss out! Could you please add your '55 Convertible to the Owner Registry together with a pic, any known history and how you came to acquire it?

If nothing else it'll provide company for Mat's '55 Caribbean when Mat get's it in there, as he's personally promised me! As well as his '34.

And Mat,

I promise to harass you at the PACA Christmas Lunch if they're not in the Registry by then, so you've been warned!

Tuesday 18th November 2008 - Later

A session in the Chatroom with Eric elicited the following information :
1) The '41 distributor I bought on eBay and had shipped to Eric will soon be winging it's way across the Pacific, and
2) The distributor although having new points, rotor, condensor and cap is not remanufactured as described in the eBay listing and has been cleaned but not cleaned well.

One thing I said to Eric was "Caveat Emptor" or Let the buyer beware. And another thing I said was, I've got pretty good at cleaning Packard parts. So the least I can do when it arrives is clean and paint it.

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Tuesday 18th November 2008

On Sunday picked up some PVC fittings, one straight, one 30 degree and one 90 degree angle. Should have the bases covered for the refitting of the demister tubing which we didn't get to do today. And on Monday picked up some longer bolts for the thicker front seat mounts I made last week.

That brings us to today and arrived early afternoon to find Wade had dis-assembled the '41 're-built' trans. And, we have a problem Houston, the re-built trans is not re-built! Or if it is re-built it was re-built a loooooong time ago. However from the two transmissions there are enough good parts to build one good trans. The only new part needed will be a rear bearing which should be obtainable locally. Then after catching up with Wade about the Bendigo Swap Meet, where from my viewpoint the most important purchase was a 6V 3pin flasher can for the '41, turned to the '41.

Wade also told me, that after I left on Thursday, he finished the back of the car wiring except for the number plate light, trunk light and associated tilt switch. Then a demonstration of the taillights and brakelights was somewhat underwhelming with the left taillight dimmer than the right and when the brake was applied the left taillight went out! Consternation in the ranks. And then when testing the horn, it wouldn't work and just a click in the horn relay could be heard.

So after we replaced the bulb in case it was faulty and it wasn't, I dis-assembled the left taillight assembly cleaned where the retaining mount pressed against the inside of the fender to ensure a good earth and tried again. Same result. More cleaning with the same result again. Finally took the taillight housing right off and scraped between the bulb socket and the housing to ensure good contact was made. This time light from the bulb appeared brighter but still went out when the brake was engaged. Wade proposes to add a separate earth wire to each taillight/stoplight housing to ensue we get a GOOD earth as this appears to be the problem.

Then turned to the horn relay. Took it off the car opened it up and cleaned all the contact surfaces. Still only a click in the horn relay. Next took the dome off one horn and tried power directly, a faint croak resulted. So took off the horn bracket from the head and removed the horns from the bracket while on the bench. It was evident that POR-15 build up was part of the problem combined with dirty conducting surfaces. A thorough clean up of all conducting surfaces and a direct power test on each horn on the bench brought success - PAAAAAARRRP. Re-assembled the horns to the bracket and the horn domes and another powered bench test of the horns in unison was also successful - PAAAAAARRRP. But obviously Wade's had more horn testing experience than me because I was standing in front of the trumpets while he was behind them. I'll have to remember that for the future, that is once the ringing in my ears stops.

Today was really another practical demonstration in ensuring the cleanliness of all electrical contact and conducting surfaces. But better to find these things along the way, fix them correctly and avoid potential long term problems. Here finishes the lesson for today.

And while we were doing all this Rick and John were doing their own lighting thing, mounting another large light fitting from the ceiling to provide Rick with better light in his work area. With dare-devil Rick perched on a pallet mounted on the forklift at close to full elevation, driver John managed to entangle the forklift in Rick's hoist! The Occupational Health and Safety Thought Police would have had a field day!

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Kev,

Another accessibility issue with the Owner Registry but this time within the Registry.

When opening 'some' of the Registry entries the pic doesn't display. Examples are the Packardbaker in the first entry, 1954 of Robert Neal, all of West Peterson's entries, 1942 of 42Packard and 1939 of FLjoyrider. And there are others. Is this a file size or type problem or could it be my setup?

Sorry to keep bugging you about the Registry but us Obsessive Compulsives are like that!